The man was so frightened that he really spoke the truth.
Frank then allowed them to pass, and going aboard the Pegasus with his friends they started her up.
They now had evidence enough of the cunning of the man they were chasing, for he gave them the slip at every turn.
“He seems to anticipate every move we make,” said Frank, in thoughtful tones. “Now he will make better time on the water. As we don’t know what boat he is in, and there may be scores of them on the river, it will be like hunting for a needle in a haystack to find him.”
The Pegasus ran to the southward.
She finally reached the big river.
There they lowered her to within a short distance of the surface of the water, and caused her to follow the course of the stream toward the gulf.
She sped along, and a keen lookout was maintained for boats going down the stream.
Toward midnight a vessel was seen in advance, and the Pegasus bore down upon it.