Two more shots sounded above the noise of the engine. A bullet went harmlessly over the launch and another struck the hull somewhere with a thud. By this time the Frolic was doing her best and after a moment Toby sent a cautious glance behind. Even if the thieves had more cartridges, and Toby didn’t think they had, the distance was now too great for them. Behind the Frolic came the captured launch.
“All right, Arn!” called Toby. “They couldn’t get us now with a siege gun! Take that wheel there while I change this line to the stern, will you?”
Arnold stood up, surveyed the receding beach and laughed gleefully as he took the wheel.
“I guess we’re bad, Toby!” he exulted. “Talk about your revenue officers! What’s the matter with us, eh?”
Toby, fixing the towing line at the stern, laughed. “We’re a couple of marvelous bluffers, Arn! Say, wouldn’t those chaps be peeved if they ever found out they’d been fooled by a couple of kids?”
“Wouldn’t they? Say, I hope they do find it out some way. Do you know what I think, Toby? I think they thought we were just going to search their launch and leave her! And when they saw us putting the line on her they tumbled and got busy with that revolver. Well, we fooled them good and plenty!”
“That’s what! Say, what time is it? It must be near midnight.”
“Midnight! It’s only 9.27,” answered the other, holding his watch to the starboard lantern. “But doesn’t it seem later?”
“I should say so! Then if everything goes all right we ought to be home by ten-thirty. We’ll just hand this launch over to the Trainors and let them see what’s in her.”