CHAPTER X

DISAPPOINTMENTS


"Come On, Dick, the man must not escape!" cried Jack excitedly.
"Excuse us, Doctor, we've got to watch him. Come ahead, Dick!"

Both boys left the cottage in haste, seeing the man running toward
the river when they reached the outside.

"Hello! stop that man!" shouted Dick.

"Catch him!" echoed Jack.

Jack's boat was at the shore, not hauled up on the bank as usual,
and now this man made directly for it, sprang in, started the engine
in a few moments, and was out on the river as the two boys and some
others came running down.

"I am going to take your boat, J.W., if it's ready!" shouted Jack
to young Smith whom he saw approaching. "I must catch that fellow!"

"All right, Jack!" cried the boy. "Do what you like with it."

Jack sprang into the smaller boy's boat, started the engine and set
off after the runaway at a good speed.

The man was going up the river, and already had a good lead, but Jack