o the dim outlines of a motor
launch were discovered not far away, with one
man using a pole at the stern to hasten its departure.

Jack understood what it meant, even as must
the officers; for as seen in the faint light from
the dark lanterns the strange boat was an exact
duplicate of his own little _Tramp_!

"There they go, Cap! Sure it's the rascals
all right!" shouted Grogan, forgetting how he
had been so sure that Jack and Jimmie were
the guilty parties.

Immediately the second man aboard the
other boat must have turned the engine over,
for there sounded a quick popping, and the
launch began to glide through the still waters
of the wide creek with increasing velocity.

"Stop! Hold up, there! You are under
arrest!" bawled the captain, as he started to fire
a pistol he had snatched from his pocket.

The man aboard the fugitive boat ducked;
and as the craft faded away in the darkness of
the night a derisive laugh came floating back to
the ears of the officers.

CHAPTER IX.

THE SWIFT RUN OF THE TRAMP.

"I reckon you pinked that feller, Cap!" cried one of the officers.

"Not much," returned the disgusted leader of the expedition. "He only
dropped to avoid getting in the way of flying lead. They're gone, and
left us holding the bag."

"If it hadn't been for these boys we'd a gone further up the creek, and
sure nabbed 'em," grumbled Grogan, sourly.

"That isn't the fault of these boys," replied the captain, quickly.
"They had a right to stay here if they wanted. It's just our tough
luck to hit on the wrong boat. They must have heard something of the
rumpus, and thought it a mighty good time to clear out."

"And all that long row back to town for nothin'," Grogan complained.

"If I only had a fast boat I'd feel like following the rascals. Say,
boys, what's to hinder you taking us down river. Perhaps your little
_Tramp_ might overhaul the other craft, or keep them going till
daylight, when we could corner the yeggs?" and the captain turned upon
Jack with renewed interest.

But the boy was not at all inclined to favor him. In the first place
it would break up the race, since the strict conditions must be
shattered. Then again their promise not to travel after dark except in
case of dire necessity stood in the way. And last but not least, Jack
did not much fancy having that disagreeable officer Grogan as a
passenger for hours at a time; nor did he care to be compelled to
remain awake