Lieutenant Driscoll was in command at the fort and he could be counted on to bring the smugglers to terms.
"Why, it's the most high-handed piece of knavery I've heard of for many a long day!" he exclaimed when the information formation was brought to him by Vinton and the others. "Those scoundrels must have their nerve, all right, to kidnap a young fellow merely because they didn't want him to tell tales!"
"It's an outrage!" agreed Norton emphatically. "But we've got to get busy right away, Lieutenant. What are we going to do about it?"
"You're right. We must lose no time," replied Driscoll directly. "We'll set out this very hour and invade the haunts of gang. They're not many miles from here, I'm told, hiding in the Everglades. Come with me; I'll have my men ready in half an hour.
"You boys'll go along, of course," he added. "If we have to pitch camp for a night or two, while we're hunting them, we'll need you for signalers or scouts, or for picket duty."
"Picket duty?" echoed Chester.
"Yes, both in camp and along the line of march. I presume you all are willing to serve?"
"Yes, sir; we certainly are!" came the eager chorus. Then, abashed at their lack of military formality, the speakers saluted in more soldierly fashion and stood at attention, awaiting orders.
These were soon given, and after a hurried preparation the whole party—-with the exception of three privates who remained at the fort—-sallied forth against "Bego's gang." It was decided not to go on board the Petrel for the few miles' trip back along the coast, but to use the Arrow, instead; for the latter would not be so easily recognized by the smugglers.
"No doubt they'll have pickets posted at different points near Durgan's settlement, if, as we suspect, they have a rendezvous there," said Lieutenant Driscoll. "But we'll camp tonight on Palmetto Key, cross over to the shore the first thing to-morrow morning——-"