Two yachts were moored near the beach with sails ready to hoist. One of them was small enough for one man to manage. A fresh breeze was blowing, and, as Leonard was an experienced yachtman, his course was decided upon immediately.
Springing into one of the boats, he pushed it from the shore and hoisted the sail. It caught the wind, and was soon cutting through the water.
He looked back. There was as yet no movement on the shore. He had a good start, and believed he could not be overtaken, even if his flight were made known at that moment.
Heading the yacht toward the open sea, he now had leisure, as it sped along rapidly, to consider his situation and to form his plans.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE CUSTOM-HOUSE DETECTIVE.
As has already been mentioned, Leonard Lester was an experienced yachtman. He had for years belonged to a boating club in New York, and the knowledge and experience he had thus gained proved of great practical value in the situation in which he found himself after escaping from the underground retreat of the supposed smugglers.
The yacht he had taken possession of proved to be of good build and excellent sailing qualities. In the course of halfan hour Rocky Beach was left several miles behind, and all danger of successful pursuit was for the time being past.
Leonard now conceived the idea of making for the port of Boston. New York would have suited him better, but was too far off.
The sky was clear, the wind was fresh and steady, and no sudden storm or squall seemed likely to arise. The condition could not have been more favorable.