CHAPTER X
THE CHASE ON THE RIVER
The whole party walked down to where the launch had been tied up, and Fred and Songbird told their story and then heard of what had happened to the houseboat.
"What rascals!" murmured Fred. "We must do our level best to catch them."
"I am going to catch them, if I have to follow them a thousand miles!" exclaimed Harold Bird, impulsively.
"That's the talk !" came from Dick. "We are bound to catch them sooner or later, if we stick to the chase."
Yet, though he spoke so hopefully, the outlook just then was dismal enough. The gasoline launch had a good start, and they had nothing at hand with which to follow the craft and those on board.
"I'd hate to see the launch wrecked," said Tom. "But I'd like to see those fellows blow themselves up!"
"Well, in that case I could almost stand the
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