“We’re going to get them,” shouted the Chief, firing as fast as he could aim.
For a moment the rum runners fell off in speed. The Surveyor gained on them fast. “Stop!” again shouted the Chief. “In the name of the law, stop!”
In reply a burly fellow stepped to the side of the foremost rum runner, raised a rifle, aimed carefully, and fired. There was a crash overhead and the Surveyor’s searchlight winked out. Again the rum runners’ motors roared and the fleet power boats drew away from the pursuing squadron. The Surveyor swung in pursuit. At the same moment another power boat was heard roaring up the channel, close to the western shore.
“A ruse!” cried the Chief. “They tried to fool us. Three of them came up the eastern shore while a fourth came along the other side and made a light to draw us across the river. If we had gone, I suppose she would have joined the three on this side. But they got through, though they didn’t fool us. Our watch was in vain.”
“Don’t say that,” replied Willie. “We’re going to get them yet.”
“How?” said the Chief. “In a night like this? They can run rings around us.”
“Listen!” said Willie. “Did you see that fellow who shot our light out?”
“Sure I saw him.”
“Do you know who he was?”
“Of course not.”