th Tom and Joe on a quest for Anson
Dalton and the latter's companion in flight.

In less than a quarter of an hour one of the messengers who had first
hurried away returned with a deputy sheriff, who brought several pairs
of handcuffs. A justice of the peace was aroused at his home, and held
the prisoners over for trial, after Powell Seaton had preferred
against them a charge of stealing the yacht that was under his
charter.

The search for Dalton and his companion was given up, for it became
plain that both had succeeded in their effort to get away.

"It's altogether too bad," sighed Mr. Seaton, on coming out of the
justice's house. "However, we can be thankful for what success we have
had. We have the boat back and have balked Dalton's rascals in what
they were planning for to-night."

"Are you going back to Lonely Island now, sir?" asked Captain Tom.

"We must, very soon," replied Mr. Seaton. "Yet, Halstead, I've been
thinking that I cannot afford to take any further chances, with Anson
Dalton still at large. These fishermen are a rough but honest lot of
splendid fellows in their way. I'm going to see if I can't hire a
special guard of eight men for Lonely Island for the present. I'll
engage the deputy sheriff to vouch for the men I engage. So go down to
the boat and be ready for me as soon as I arrive."

Joe was aboard, waiting, when the young skipper returned. Several of
the men of the village were still about the dock.

"We're to be ready to cast off as soon as Mr. Seaton gets here, Joe,"
Captain Tom Halstead announced. "Better look to your motors. If you
want any help, call on me."

It did not take Mr. Seaton very long to recruit the guard of eight men
that he wanted. Carrying rifles or shot-guns, borrowed in some
instances, the men tramped along after their new employer. They came
aboard, two or three of them going below, the others preferring to
remain on deck.

"Cast off, Captain, as soon as you can," directed Powell Seaton.

Two or three of the new guards sprang forward to help in this work.
Halstead rang for half speed, then threw the wheel over, making a
quick start. Once under way, he called for full speed, and the
"Restless" went bounding over the waves, which were running much lower
than a couple of hours earlier.

During the first half of the run Captain Halstead remained at the
wheel. Then Joe came up from below, relieving him. Tom strolled back
to take a seat on the deck-house beside Mr