Joe Bootleg had already disappeared along the beach beyond the camp of the Walcott Hall boys.
As Kirby overtook Kingdon, the latter, still running, gave Harry a glance. "What's he been doing aboard that boat?"
"I don't know. Perhaps he fixed it to blow up your gasoline tank?"
"She'd have gone up by this," Kingdon returned as he splashed into the water and clambered over the rail of the moored catboat.
She seemed very easy to climb into, for her rail was as low as though she was heavily laden.
"The rascal!" shouted Rex when he was aboard. He had splashed into a foot of water in the cockpit, and the cabin was all afloat.
"What's he done? What's he done?" clamored the excited crowd from the shore.
"He's pulled the plug, or scuttled her," answered Rex savagely. "Come aboard, John. We'll have to find the hole and stop the leak in a hurry, or she'll rest her old keel on the bottom in short order. If she sinks we'll have a fine time getting her afloat again."
"If we can't help you, we'll go after that crazy chap," Pence shouted. "Come on, Kirby!"
They did not catch Joe Bootleg. The Indian had taken one of the canoes and hidden it farther along the shore of the island. This action had been overlooked by the campers because of the confusion attending the boat race. Joe was far out on the sound, and paddling for Manatee Head in the dusk, when the pursuers caught sight of him.