" questioned Captain Barforth.

"It told that there was trouble on board, but what I don't know."

"Let us get to the shore," said Dick. He was thinking of Dora and her
mother and the Lanings.

As quickly as possible they dashed along to the sandy beach. Hollbrook
was still calling for Songbird.

"The yacht is steaming away!" he announced. "She is standing to the
eastward."

Captain Barforth gave a look and something like a groan escaped him.
The _Rainbow_ was a good mile away from where she had been
stationed since reaching Treasure Isle.

"Can it be possible Carey and Bossermann are running away with the
vessel?" asked Sam.

"That would be both mutiny and robbery," answered the captain. "I gave
orders to Carey to leave her where she was, unless a heavy blow
threatened to send her in--then he was to stand off until the blow was
over."

"Do you know what I think?" came from Dick. "I think he is going to
sail around to the other side of the isle. Probably he has an idea of
consulting with Sid Merrick. Then, if Merrick's offer suits him, he
will do all he can to prevent us from getting the treasure."

"You mean he and Bossermann will throw in their fortunes with Merrick?"
asked Mr. Rover.

"Yes, and as many more on the steam yacht as Carey can win over. I
believe Carey is a rascal and Bossermann is no better."

"Yes, but they are only two against over a dozen?" said Captain
Barforth.

"No, three, for you must remember they have Wingate with them," put in
Tom.

"That is true."

"Can't we get to the yacht somehow?" asked Sam. He was thinking of
Grace and the other girls, and wondering what would become of them in
case there was a fight on board.

"No, that is out of the question," answered Mr. Rover. "All we can do
is to remain on the isle and wait developments. If they land we can
fight them, but not before."

CHAPTER XXVIII

A NEW MOVE OF THE ENEMY

"Something is up."

It was Fred who spoke, only a few minutes after Songbird and the sailor
in charge of the rowboat had left the side of the steam yacht. He
addressed Hans.

"Vot you vos see?" asked the German youth.

"Look!"

Hans looked and beheld Walt Wingate on the deck, in earnest
conversation with the mate. The deck hand was not handcuffed as he had
been a short while before, when tramping the forward deck for air, by
Captain Barforth's permission.

"Carey must haf daken dem handguffs off," said the German youth. "I
ton't like