ck," observed Jack Broxton. "We
want ter make Lakeview afore dark."

So the anchor was hoisted and away they went before a nine-knot breeze.

The return was made along the north shore. Here there were numerous little
islands, separated from the mainland by a series of channels, some shallow
and others deep enough to admit of the passage of a good-sized yacht.

The Whistler was just passing one of these channels, and Jerry and Harry
were at the side, cleaning their fish, when suddenly old Jack Broxton
uttered a cry.

"What is it, Jack?" asked the young oarsman, quickly, while Harry also
raised up.

"There's a boat over yonder, back of that island, and I'm certain I saw Si
Peters and Wash Crosby on board," was the old boatman's interesting
answer.

CHAPTER XL.

A STRUGGLE IN THE DARK.

"You are sure?" demanded Jerry and Harry, in a breath.

"Yes. The boat had the name Redeye painted on the stern. If I remember
rightly, she belongs to a tough crowd of fishermen from Long Lake."

"Where is she now?" demanded Harry.

"Back there, somewhere."

"We must follow that boat; eh, Jerry?"

"I am willing," replied the young oarsman.

"You may have lively times with that crowd," put in Jack Broxton with a
grave shake of his head.

"We'll risk it," answered Harry. He was thinking of his missing gold
watch.

The course of the Whistler was changed, and soon they rounded the shore of
the island Jack Broxton had pointed out.

Sure enough, there was the Redeye, with all sails set, making up the
lake.

Near the stern stood Si Peters, Wash Crosby and several rascally looking
men.

"They have discovered that we are after them," cried Jerry, a few minutes
later. "See, they are crowding on all sail!"

The young oarsman was right. Leaving the vicinity of the islands, the
other craft stood out boldly into the lake, and cut the water like a
knife.

"She's a good one," observed Jack Broxton.

The Whistler already had all sails out; and thus the craft went on,
neither gaining nor losing for half an hour.

Then darkness settled over the lake, and the wind fell flat.

"We've lost them now," said Harry, dismally.

"It's a good thing the wind has fallen," replied Jerry.

"How so?"

"As soon as it is dark enough we can take the row-boat and follow in
that."

"That's an idea."

Soon night had settled over Lake Otasco. Then our hero and Harry lost no
time in entering the tender of the Whistler.

"Make as li