Green’s Landing had been passed, and they were amid the islands of the Reach, getting well down, however, toward Isle au Haut. The _Fox_ was under full head of steam, and she was making a pretty wake as she sped through the water. “Oh, for half an hour more of daylight!” exclaimed Frank. “I think we have enough of it to overtake them,” said Howard Dustan. “If that is the _White Wings_, I do not believe they will get away from us to-night.” “I hope not.” The sail disappeared beyond the island. The sun slowly sank from view, and purple shadows began to gather about the wooded islands. Every eye on the _Fox_ was strained to catch another glimpse of the sail, but it could not be seen. The launch ran round the island, but still nothing of the sloop was visible. “What has become of her?” asked Diamond, in disappointment. “It must be she has run into some cove and anchored,” said Hodge. “She has pulled down her sail, and so we can’t see her.” “But where is the cove?” “That is for us to find.” But they could not find it. Darkness came down all too swiftly, and they began to lose hope. “We are close to them,” said Frank. “That is pretty certain. If they hide from us to-night, we’ll run them down to-morrow.” “But we must find them to-night!” palpitated Diamond, who was quivering with eagerness. “If we do not, there is no telling what may happen. They may find a way to slip us during the night.” “That is hardly probable.” “Why not? They stole the yacht in the night.” “But they took her in the Western Bay, which is comparatively free from islands and dangerous ledges. This bay is full of islands, ledges, sunken reefs and every kind of danger. They will do no sailing in the night.” “That’s right,” nodded Howard Dustan. “If they do, ’tis almost certain they will run the yacht on a ledge.” “But I don’t think much of letting them hide from us when we were so close upon them,” said Jack. “They must have seen us, and they were crafty enough to hide. But we have the advantage of them, for we can sail almost anywhere, while they depend on the wind. We’ll run them down in the end.” Dustan was running slowly now, for he knew they were in danger of striking a ledge or rock themselves. It was growing darker and darker. Toward shore the shadows were black, so that a small vessel might lie close under an island and not be seen. “What shall we do, Mr. Merriwell?” asked Howard. “We’ll have to anchor for the night,” said Frank. “The accommodations for sleeping on board are not the best, but we’ll have to get along some way.” “Let’s find some sheltered spot to anchor,” urged Diamond. “There is a swell here, and it tosses this light boat around too much to suit me.” “We’ll have to get into the lee of an island somewhere, if we can’t find a cove,” said Frank. “Why not run over to that small island there, Dustan?” Near at hand an island rose like a black blot on the face of the water. It could be faintly seen through the gloom.