Wade got up the anchor, and then hoisted the jib, which Lon had not used the night before. The breeze was quite fresh, and the old boat bounded off on her course at a lively rate. Lon was not timid; but, when the “Mud-turtle” heeled down till the water began to run in over the wash-board, it was too trying for his nerves. “Won’t you steer her, Wade?” he asked. “I am not much used to a boat.” “I see you are not,” laughed Wade, as he took the tiller. “You should have let off the sheet, or headed her more up into the wind. But where are we going?” “Down to the Sound,” replied Lon. “But we are not going to New York without any breakfast, are we?” inquired Wade, who had eaten a very unsatisfactory supper the night before, and felt the need of food. “We must have something to eat,” added Matt. “We will stop and buy something when we see a store on shore,” replied Lon. “You seem to know every thing, Wade Brooks: do you suppose the folks in Midhampton are looking for us?” “Of course they are. Your father begun last night, I guess.” “Do you think they will miss the boat?” “Maybe they will; but nobody goes to the creek very often. It will be just as it happens.” “Somebody may have come down here by the railroad to look for us,” suggested Matt. “Very likely,” added Wade, who was not a good comforter on this occasion. Lon and Matt talked the matter over between themselves; and, while they were doing so, Wade discovered a village ahead. He said nothing, but run the boat for it. In a short time Lon saw it. A train of cars was approaching it from the north. “We have concluded not to stop at this place to get any thing to eat,” said Lon. “Have you?” added Wade. “Well, I’ve concluded to stop here.” “Do you think it is safe to do so?” asked Lon anxiously. “It’s safe enough for me: I don’t know how it is with you. If Matt didn’t steal that money, and if you didn’t set Mr. Garlick’s barn on fire, it is as safe for you as Midhampton,” replied Wade, with a laugh, for it amused him to see the guilty ones squirm. Lon did not want to talk any more with Wade about the matter. He persisted in knowing all about the fire and the money, and would not keep still. He had taken the bit in his teeth, and intended to sail the boat where he pleased. “Let’s go into the cuddy, and keep out of sight,” said Matt. Wade smiled again, for he saw that Matt wanted to get his money from under the floor more than he wanted to keep out of sight. When the boat came around a bend, the skipper saw a bridge across the river, just below the village; and he knew that the railroad which crossed it went to New York. He was not sure that the bad boys did not intend to abandon the boat, and take the train for the great city. He wished to go there himself, for he thought he could get work there. But he was confident, that, whatever Lon intended to do, they would not take any train to New York, for they would soon find that they had no money to pay the fare.