“That boy was working all the time, I believe,” said Mr. Pemberton, thoughtfully.
“Who, Adolphus?” asked the captain; “every minute at my side; and I’d trust him with every penny I owned. But here he comes, and both men are with him. Now we can get ready to look for those ragged tramps, and corner them.”
“H’m! when did you see them last?” asked Frank, starting suddenly, as if he had made an unpleasant discovery.
“Certainly not since the cry of fire first broke out. But what makes you ask such a question, Frank?” demanded the captain, showing new alarm.
“Well, I have an idea that it may be some little time before you get a chance to round those scamps up, and proceed with your search. They are the busy boys all right, and while we’ve been talking matters over here the hobo couple have been doing things. Look there, Captain, half way to the other shore, and tell me what you see!” and Frank pointed as he spoke.
Immediately a chorus of exclamations arose.
“As sure as you live, there they go like hot cakes!” cried Bluff.
“Talk to me about nerve, if they haven’t ‘cribbed’ Frank and Will’s double canoe!” came from Jerry’s lips, as he stared at the retreating object.
“And just notice, fellows, that both of them paddle as if they knew all about canoes. Those hoboes have done some camping in their day, as sure as you live!” observed Frank, always on the lookout for these telling points.
“Say, do we stand here and let them get clean away without lifting a hand?” exclaimed Bluff, piteously.