“Hi, there!” called some one. “What are you doing with that motor-boat? Come back here! Come back here with it!”
A low suggestion from Mr. Button caused all the boys to remain silent.
Again the hail came from the shore, louder than before and in tones of one who evidently was angry or alarmed.
“Come back with that boat! You’ll run her aground! I’ll have you arrested for piracy! Bring that boat back here!”
All four boys were decidedly uneasy over the situation in which they now found themselves. They had recognized the voice of the mate as the one which had ordered them to return with the boat. They were aware also that the charge he had made, that they were stealing or running away with a chartered boat, might become a serious matter for all concerned.
Almost as if he was aware of the thoughts in the minds of his companions, Mr. Button said quietly, “Don’t be afraid, boys. I’ll see you out of this trouble, but just now there’s nothing else to be done. You can put the whole blame on me, for I’m the one that took the Gadabout. I’m steering her and I am taking her against your protests. You see you cannot help yourselves because we’re too far from the shore now for you to try to get back.”
At that moment again there came a loud call from the shore, but it was evident from the tones of the voice that the Gadabout was rapidly leaving Cockburn Island behind her.
“Bring back the boat! I’ll give you ten dollars to bring her back!”
Silence still followed the noisy offer, however, and only a few minutes had elapsed before the Gadabout had passed beyond the sight of any one who might be standing on the shore.
Apparently Mr. Button was not in any confusion as to the course he was to follow. Directly across the narrow waters he steered until in a brief time the shore of Drummond Island loomed before them. Then changing his course he guided the swift, little craft on a line parallel with the shore. The boat was moving southward and all four of the unwilling passengers expected that in a brief time they would pass the point of Drummond Island and then would turn westward and seek the harbor at Mackinac.