The words were hardly out of his mouth before the head of the steamer was turned in the direction of the Beech Hill barges, which were not half a mile astern of the Silver Moon. The skipper decided to come about, and stand back to the fleet. Before he could reach the boats, the Sylph had stopped her screw, and was hailing the Gildrock. Oscar Chester informed him that Paul Bristol had been taken a prisoner by six of the Chesterfields, and that the skipper of the sloop was conveying him to Sandy Point. This was all the commodore knew about the matter, but it was enough for the captain. He started the screw again, and in a few moments he had overhauled the Silver Moon.
From the pilot-house the principal could see the condition of things in the standing-room of the sloop. Again Captain Gildrock rang one bell, and then two. As the steamer lost her headway the Silver Moon rounded to under her lee side, where she had still water.
CHAPTER XXII. AN INVITATION TO SANDY POINT.
"I should like to hand these fellows over to you, Captain Gildrock," said Bissell, hailing the principal. "We have tied their hands behind them, and they won't set the lake on fire just yet."
"I should like to know something more about the case. Will you send Bristol on board to report to me?" replied Captain Gildrock. "Mr. Wolfenden, of Westport, is on board, and will join you in the boat."
"Wolfenden! Why, he is the deputy sheriff!" exclaimed Bissell. "I guess he is the very man we want."
"Mr. Bulfington is also on board," added the principal.