“Whatever we do, let’s get at it!” he exclaimed. “How long will that boat last out there?”
Jack shook his head. “There’s no knowing.”
“But how can we get to Greenhaven?” demanded Hal wildly. “You don’t mean the—the launch?”
“Up the river to the railroad,” answered Jack. “The river’s full and I guess we can make it without running aground. There’s a switch tower back of Cove Village and we can telephone from there. Will you fellows try it?”
“Of course,” answered Hal. “You take the lantern and Bee and I will bring the oars. Is there anything else we’ll need?”
“No. All ready? Come on, then!”
Down the hill they plunged. Near the last trenches they had dug they passed out of the protection of the hill and the wind had a clean sweep at them. They had to cling together there. Then they were on the sands. Dimly they could see the swaying mast of the sloop a few rods away. Finally the dim, flaring light of the lantern fell on the wharf and the Corsair. Jack handed the light to Hal and scrambled down the bank. The river was high and running with waves. Clinging to a spile, Jack reached the painter and pulled the bow of the launch in. One by one they scrambled aboard. Hal started the engine; it took several minutes to do it; then Jack cast off and seized the wheel. The lantern was hidden in the stern locker and Corsair chugged slowly forward into the darkness. Jack strained his eyes, but as yet he could see nothing. Luckily he knew the direction the stream took and for the first few minutes the launch was steered by guess work. Then the banks began to be distinguishable from the water as his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he called for more speed. Hal, crouching in the back of the launch, opened the throttle further and the Corsair began to dip and roll. Bee staggered forward and stood beside Jack.
“Can you see where we’re going?” he shouted.
“I can see enough,” Jack answered. “Lots of depth tonight. We’ll get there, I guess. Faster, Hal!”
The roar of the surf lessened behind them as the launch sped inland along the narrow stream. The banks protected them somewhat from the wind, but its voice was in their ears all the time and the Corsair shivered and rocked as the gusts found her. At such times Jack had all he could do to keep her off the bank. The minutes passed. One turn after another was passed in safety, the launch reeling off a good six miles an hour. Then there was a sudden shock, a moment of hesitancy and again the Corsair was plunging forward.