"She's faster than the 'Rambler.' If I can catch them—" he breathed.
In his haste and excitement, the work of casting off the ropes took double time. When it was accomplished, he shouted long and earnestly in the hope his friends might hear him, but to no avail.
Dave Brandon, in spite of his seeming indifference, had watched Bob Somers manipulate the engine, and had grasped the principles involved without difficulty. The "Nimrod's" engine was almost like their own, consequently he did not hesitate.
As the boat slowly swung out into the stream, not a sound of the "Rambler" could be heard.
The possible perils of the trip did not daunt him, although he felt that any person with sufficient hardihood to steal a motor boat, if such was the case, must be a desperate character, ready to defend himself at all hazards.
Without having any very clear idea as to what his course would be, Dave, when the "Nimrod" was headed up-stream, turned on full power. The night air fanned his cheeks, as the motor boat fairly tore through the water, dashing the glistening spray on all sides.
In the grip of a strange exhilaration, he guided the flying craft in midstream, peering anxiously ahead for any signs of the "Rambler." The moon was high in the heavens now, occasionally obscured by flying clouds; the trees on one shore stood out black and lugubrious, on the other were bathed in that pale illumination which threw a veil of mystery over all. Here and there, a dead tree, gaunt and grim, showed its network of interlacing branches against the sky, while queer-shaped shadows and patches of light sprang into view as the "Nimrod" rushed on.
A flock of black objects flew swiftly by, then, screaming its way along, a night-hawk swooped diagonally across the heavens.
But Dave Brandon was too intent on the strange chase to experience those creepy feelings which are associated with the night. It seemed, to his intently listening ears, that a faint sound came from far ahead. The cool, refreshing breeze had helped to calm him, and, for the first time, he began to wonder if he had acted with wisdom.
"But it's too late now," he muttered. "I'll overhaul them, if it takes all night. What will the boys think? Ah, then I heard the sound of the motor distinctly."