"They intend to capture the Rainbow!" groaned Mr. Rover. "Oh, if only we were on board!"
In his anxiety to see what was being done, he climbed the tree and so did the captain. Then the others came up, the tree being large and strong even at the top and capable of holding a good weight.
"If those rascals try to take my vessel I'll have them all hung!" roared Captain Barforth, and trembled with rage. "Oh, if only I was on board!" And he clenched his fists.
"Look! look!" ejaculated Dick, who had the spyglass. "I think—yes, the Rainbow is moving!"
"Moving!" came from the others.
"Yes, and she is turning away from the other vessel and from those in the rowboats!"
"Let me see," said the captain and took the spyglass. "You are right,
Dick. The Rainbow is running away from them!"
The news was true, the steam yacht was indeed running away from the Josephine and from those in the rowboats who had set out to take possession of her. It was a time of great excitement.
"The rowboats are getting close to the Rainbow," said Tom, who had taken the glass. "The yacht doesn't seem to have much steam up."
"Perhaps the fires were banked when Carey left," suggested the captain. "Maybe they were put out, so the vessel couldn't move."