"Just as you say, Angy. If the boat upsets, as it did before, we shall be just as comfortable in the water; and the wind will take us just where we want to go."
The experience of the party in the water seemed to increase rather than diminish their confidence, for they had learned that the disaster of swamping the boat was not necessarily fatal. Near the shore the water was quite smooth, and the leader shoved the tender off. The two rowers gave way, and the boat moved away from the point. In a few moments it was in a rough sea; but the chief kept the craft exactly before it without regard to his destination, and it went along very well.
It was not smooth sailing, and the boat jumped like a galloping horse. But the rowers were used to pulling in a heavy sea, though they had never been in one like that of the lake. Dory was sitting with his back to the course of the boat, and he watched the shore with the most intense interest. He was sure his uncle would send a party to find him; though the pursuers might follow the road for many miles, if they did not resort to the Indian craft which had been of so much assistance to him.
Before the boat had made a fourth part of the distance it had to accomplish, it began to rain. It came down in torrents, though it could not make the party any wetter than they were already. It had rained all the first part of the night, and now it seemed like a smart shower which would soon be over.
"This is just the thing we want," said Angy, in cheerful tones, and in much better humor than he had been at any time before.
"Why is it just the thing? Do you think it will lay the dust?" asked Mack.
"Not exactly: it will throw the dust into the eyes of the men who are trying to follow us. The heavy rain is making a thick cloud on the water, so that they can't see us. You can hardly make out the shore now," replied Angy.
But the wind blew the rain in the faces of the rowers with so much force that they could not keep their eyes open much of the time. Assisted by the gale, the boat drove furiously ahead. Occasionally a sea came in over the stern, and the skipper had to use the bucket. She soon reached the island; and when the boat came under its lee, their troubles for the present were over. The La Motte was pitching violently at her anchor when they boarded her.
CHAPTER X.
A BATTLE WITH THE ELEMENTS.
The two oarsmen sprang on board of the La Motte, Chuck taking the painter. The schooner was not anchored near enough to the island to shelter her entirely from the fury of the blast, and she was making rather rough weather of it. The tender banged against her sides, and Angy was in a hurry to get on board.