The canoe shot forward, the Governor driving the paddle with a practised hand. The row boat followed, Leary at the oars and Archie serving him as pilot. As they moved steadily toward the middle of the bay they marked more and more clearly the passage of the launch as it patrolled the farther shore.
Leary pulled a strong stroke and Archie was obliged to check him from time to time to avoid collision with the Governor's craft. At intervals passing clouds dimmed the star-glow and in one of these periods a dull bump ahead gave Archie a fright.
"Steady! I'll be all right in a moment!" the Governor called reassuringly.
He had run into a log that lay across his path and the canoe had attempted to jump it. When he reported himself free they went ahead alert for further manifestations from the launch, which for some time had given no hint of its position.
They were two-thirds of the way across the bay when the Governor gave the signal to stop and they drew together for a conference.
"They must be keeping watch," said Archie calling attention to lights on the shore. "If we could land without frightening the girls to death—"
The Governor whistled through his teeth. Somewhere to the left of them as they lay fronting the camp, a sharp blow was struck upon metal. It was repeated fitfully for several minutes.
"It's Carey tinkering his engine. He's been playing possum off there."
The launch was so near that they heard the waves slapping its sides. Archie and Leary gripped the canoe tight while the Governor listened for any indications of a change in Carey's position.
Suddenly Leary sprang up in the tossing boat.