The
suggestion of John in the light of what had occurred after the
accident might be true. The men in the other boat were strangers
to the boys, not one of whom had ever seen either of them before.
The silent manner in which the sharp little boat had come around
the island also was suspicious. With redoubled anxiety the boys
turned to Sam to discover how serious was the damage which had
been inflicted.
"How do you find it, Sam?" called Fred anxiously. "Are we out of
the race?"
Sam shook his head as if he either was unwilling or unable as yet
to reply.
Meanwhile the Black Growler had been drifting with the current,
all power instantly having been shut off. Slight effort was
required to keep her headed aright and Fred had remained at the
wheel when Sam had begun his investigations.
Conversation now ceased while all four boys anxiously awaited the
results of Sam's efforts to discover whether or not the Black
Growler had suffered serious damage.
CHAPTER XXIII
THE CALL IN THE NIGHT
The only announcement which Sam vouchsafed after he had completed
his hasty inspection of the damage which had been done was, "I
guess she'll stand it all right as far as Alexandria Bay."
"Are you going to drift all the way, Sam?" inquired John.
"Drift? No! I'm going ahead. Seems to me I've heard some boys
talk about 'goin' ahead,' and now 's the time to find out whether
they mean business or not.
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