Comrades on River and Lake Part 31

"The boys must have captured the other men," said Truem.

"Suppose you go to the trap and call while I watch our friend here,"

said Chot.

Truem nodded and sprang instantly away. He had no difficulty in finding the stairs leading above, and ascending part way, he called:

"Tom-oh, Tom!"

"Well, what is it?" Tom replied.

"It's Truem. Have you got the smugglers?"

"We have three of them."

"Well, Chot and I have the other man. There were only four."

"I knew you were lying to me," Truem heard Tom say to one of the men above. Then he called down to Truem:

"You fellows can bring your prisoner up through the trap."

"All right," shouted Truem; "we'll be there in just a minute."

He communicated Tom's request to Chot, and the latter marched his prisoner into the chamber. Then Truem pushed the trap-door open, and in this way the boys ascended into the bas.e.m.e.nt of the lodge, revolvers ready for any emergency.

But they saw that their chums had indeed been successful in their capture of the other smugglers, Fleet having completely disarmed the men while Tom and Pod covered them. The smugglers were now huddled together in one corner, and the man brought up by Chot and Truem was placed among them.

"Now, to rescue Bert," said Chot.

"I s'pose that's your pal that we've got on the other island?" said the leader of the smugglers.

"Yes."

"Well, you'll never get him, for there's ten men over there, and they'll be coming to see what's wrong with us in a few minutes."

"And they'll find out," said Tom. "But I don't believe your story of ten men. You told us a lie before, and the man who lies once will lie as often as the occasion demands."

"Leave it to me," said Chot, "and don't fail to keep a strict watch on these men. If I need you I'll let you know through the speaking tube."

"Let me know, anyway, when you get away with Bert," said Tom.

Chot nodded his head and descended quickly into the lower chamber. It was but the matter of a minute to run down the pa.s.sageway to where Hoki was still sitting in the canoe.

"It's me, Hoki," said Chot. "Did you think I had deserted you?"

"No think so," replied the j.a.p. "You, sirs, must have had pretty much of a fine time."

Chot laughed and explained to Hoki what had happened. The j.a.p could hardly contain himself for joy, but became still at Chot's request, as, picking up a paddle, Chot sent the big canoe away from the sh.o.r.e, headed toward the north island.

Fearing that some of the smugglers' companions might be waiting on the sh.o.r.e for their comrades' return, Chot sent the canoe around to the side of the island.

Before landing he lay for the s.p.a.ce of several minutes listening intently for some sign of the presence of other smugglers. But the island was dark and still, so making the canoe fast to a small tree on the sh.o.r.e, he and Hoki effected a landing, and stood considering the best method to accomplish the purpose for which they had come.

The island was heavily-wooded and presented many difficulties to Chot and the little j.a.p. They had no means of knowing any of the plans of the island, and were in complete ignorance as to the location of the smugglers' quarters.

But they had come for a purpose, and starting blindly ahead toward the center of the island, Chot softly told the j.a.p to follow.

They made very little noise, and held their revolvers ready for use.

Reaching the top of an incline, similar in many respects to the one on which stood Winnsocket Lodge, they paused perplexed. The island was not a large one, and Chot felt that they must be in close proximity to the smugglers' rendezvous.

"See!" whispered Hoki, suddenly. "Light!"

Following the direction of the j.a.p's extended finger, Chot saw a yellow streak, seemingly in the ground a few yards distant. Closer examination, however, revealed a huge wooden door leading into the hillside, and peering through the crack Chot saw a sight which amazed as well as delighted him.

Sitting on a stool in one end of the apartment, his hands bound behind him, was Bert Creighton, while nearby, reading by an ill-smelling oil lamp, was a man-apparently the only member of the smuggler band left on the island.

"Hoki, when you open the door, I'll rush in and cover him," said Chot.

"With greatest of pleasure," replied the little j.a.p, and seizing the huge door by a strap which hung outside, he gave a strong pull. The portal swung wide, and Chot, revolver in hand sprang through the opening into the smugglers' chamber.

"Hands up!" he cried, covering the smuggler before the latter could make a move toward his own weapon.

"Chot!" cried Bert, starting up. "Hurrah!"

"Cut Bert loose, Hoki," commanded Chot, still keeping his eye on the smuggler, who was so surprised he was for a moment speechless.

"What does this mean?" he cried out, at last.

"It means that the smugglers of the St. Lawrence are a thing of the past," Chot replied, as he grasped Bert's outstretched hand. "We have your pals, safe and sound. Are there any more of you?"

"Yes; lots of us," responded the man. "There's two of them behind you now."

Chot smiled, but did not turn.

"You can't fool me by that old ruse," he said.

"He lies, anyway," said Bert. "If you've got the four men who went to the lodge you've got them all. What are you going to do with this man?"

"Put him with the rest."

"But how?"

"I'll show you. Where's the speaking tube?"

Bert pointed it out, and calling up Tom, Chot informed him of the success of the trip to the north island, and asked him to send Pod over in his canoe for the prisoner.

"Tell him to head straight across for the island," he said.