"I am glad to see them, for the coming of the Chesterfields at just this time has mixed things," replied Dory. "We must get rid of the Gildrock, for we can't do anything dragging her after us. We may have a lively time of it yet."
"We can't turn her adrift," added Matt.
"Of course not; but we can put four of our fellows into her and send her home," said Dory.
It was promptly decided to dispose of her in this manner, and Dory selected the three members of the old Goldwing club who were on board, making Thad Glovering the temporary coxswain. Ben Ludlow was added to the number. They objected to leaving the Goldwing just as the battle was coming on.
"There will be no fight if I can avoid one," argued the skipper. "Probably we shall pick up the Winooski in about the same way we did the Gildrock. You need not hurry home, and you can see from the boat all there is to be seen. But we must be in a hurry, for the job must be done before the Chesterfields can get down here to meddle with the affair."
The objections were overcome, and the four oarsmen were to take the Gildrock as soon as the Winooski could be seen. Tom Topover had got his craft into the smooth water, as compared with the open lake, of one of the numerous inlets when the Gildrock was captured. When last seen, his crew were laying on their oars watching the operations of the Goldwing.
The schooner was now approaching this inlet, and the next minute or two would inform the skipper where she was. About half an hour had elapsed since she lost her consort. Tom Topover might have gone to the aid of the rest of his party, and it was strange that he had not done so. The fact was that he had been jawing with Kidd Digfield more than half the time in regard to what they should do. The crew did not like the idea of going out into the rough water again.
"There's the Winooski!" shouted Thad Glovering, who was lying on the half deck at the heel of the bowsprit.
Dory instantly threw the schooner up into the wind, and Matt hauled in the Gildrock. Thad and his crew were hurried into her, and the Goldwing filled away again. The Winooski was coming out of the cove, and was just striking into the rough water. Dory gave the tiller to Matt, and went forward himself. He had the lasso ready, but he had his doubts about being able to use it again.