"I am more afraid the rascals will smash the boats than that we shall not get them again," said Matt Randolph. "They are reckless fellows, and will run them on the rocks or shoals."
"We must look out for that," replied Dory. "If they go out on the lake they are more likely to swamp them than they are to smash them. But we are losing time, and I should like to catch the villains before they are out of the river, for I think they won't hurry after they get out of sight of Beech Hill."
"Goldwing it is!" exclaimed Luke Bennington.
"So say we all of us!" shouted the others, beginning to be somewhat excited at the prospect of a lively time with the Topovers.
"Dory shall command the expedition," added Thad Glovering.
"Matt is a better skipper than I am," modestly added Dory.
"No, I am not," protested Matt. "And Dory is better acquainted with the Goldwing than I am, and he shall conduct the affair."
"But you can't all go in the Goldwing," interposed Mr. Jepson. "There are eighteen of you, and you will be so crowded that you will knock one another overboard."
"Although the schooner will carry eighteen well enough, we can do nothing on board with so many, and nine or ten are all we need," added Dory.
"But there are fourteen of the ruffians," suggested Thad Glovering. "They are used to fighting, and we want as many fellows as they have."