"That train was dragging along pretty slow when it passed us," said Tom.
"Sure, 'bout a million cars," Roy panted. "There's an up-grade, too, I think, between here and Poughkeepsie. Be half an hour, anyway, before they make it. You're a wonder. We'll kid the life out of Pee-wee for riding on a train after all. 'Spose he did it on purpose or got locked in?"
"Locked in, I guess," said Tom. "Let's try scout pace, I'm getting winded."
The searchlight which had been an important adjunct of the old Nymph had not been used on the Good Turn, for the reason that the boys had not run her at night. It was an acetylene light of splendid power and many a little craft Harry Stanton had picked up with it in his nocturnal cruising. Pee-wee had polished its reflector one day to pass the time, but with the exception of that attention it had lain in one of the lockers.
Reaching the boat they pulled the light out, connected it up, and found to their delight that it was in good working order.
"My idea," said Roy, now all excitement, "is to flash it from that hill, then from the middle of the river. Of course, it's a good deal a question of luck, but it seems as if somebody ought to catch it, in all these places along the river. Be great if we could find him to-night, hey?"
"They'd just have to hold him till we could get there in the boat—they couldn't get him back here."
"No sooner said than stung," said Roy; "hurry up, bring that can, and some matches and—yes, you might as well bring the Manual anyway, thought I know that code backwards."
"You're right you do," said Tom.
He was glad to see Roy himself again and taking the lead, as usual.