This they set out to do, and after a while felt certain that they were drawing close to the river bank on the north.
"We are getting there!" cried Nellie. "Oh, Dora, aren't you glad?"
Scarcely had she spoken when they saw a light behind them, and a long launch came unexpectedly into view. In the bow stood Dan Baxter with a lantern.
"I thought I heard their oars," cried that rascal. "Here they are!"
"Pull, pull, Nellie!" cried Dora. "Pull, or we shall be captured!"
Both of the girls rowed with all their strength, but before they could gain the shore, which was now less than two rods away, the launch came up and made fast to the rowboat.
"Might as well give it up," said Dan Baxter, sarcastically. "It's no use, as you can see."
"Oh, Mr. Baxter, do let us go!" pleaded Nellie, more terrorized than ever before.
"Not much! You have got to go back to the houseboat."
At this Nellie gave a loud scream, and Dora immediately followed with a prolonged call for help.