Clay suspected that if he drank the water he would soon become unconscious. The captain of the Hawk was playing a quick game. He had not been aboard the vessel more than five minutes, and yet here he was in the captain’s cabin, being urged to partake of a drugged drink!
He arose with the glass in his hand, walked to the open window and looked out. The glass dropped with a crash. The act was involuntary for Clay saw the Rambler whirling away down the stream.
CHAPTER III.—RESISTING AN OFFICER.
While Alex and Case stood, hesitating, on the little platform in front of the store, two men came rushing out with excitement showing in their faces.
“What’s the shooting, boys?” one of them asked.
“I haven’t any idea,” Alex replied. “We just came from that part of the country, and everything was quiet when we left.”
“It’s a sure thing,” one of the men, who seemed to be owner of the store, declared angrily, “that those river pirates have broken loose again.”
“I’m afraid so,” his companion answered.
“Do they give you much trouble?” asked Case.
“Trouble!” exclaimed the merchant. “They come here and strip my shelves. They bring a howling mob of river rats into the town and take everything they can get their hands on.”