"That makes it plain enough that they have come this way. I have looked for tracks before, and I could not find any," said Dory. "But we are making a blunder in the light of this information. These fellows will get down to the boat before we are there, and we shall be left out in the cold. I never thought of their coming this way, for the peninsula is very narrow." This logic was decidedly startling to the intended thief-takers; and Dory broke into a run on the instant, and dashed through the woods towards the beach. The machinist followed him. If they had been astonished at any time during the morning at what they saw, they were infinitely more so when they came out of the woods where they could see the schooner. On the beach abreast of the vessel they discovered, not only the two persons they were searching for, but what looked like a crowd of people to Dory's excited imagination. He counted not less than seven men. They were in the act of putting the tender into the water, and evidently intended to go on board of the La Motte. They no longer hesitated to show themselves to the party, whoever they were. "I don't understand this at all," said the perplexed leader of the enterprise. "I am no better informed," replied the machinist. "But I think we had better return to the woods, and keep out of sight until we know more about this party." "Perhaps you are right," replied Dory, adopting the suggestion. Returning to the shelter of the trees, they moved forward till they came to a place where they could obtain a better view of the party. "I want to know whether Mack and Chuck are in this party," said Dory in a whisper. "Yes, there they are. But who are the other fellows?" "I shall have to give it up. They all seem to be on good terms. I thought it might be a party from the Marian, but I saw her running for Thompson's Point a few minutes ago. Whoever they are, they don't belong to the school." "Certainly not." "I can't stand it any longer, and I am going down to see them," continued Dory, as he examined his revolver; and the machinist did the same. "Of course, the two who were in the boat with you this morning, will know you, Dory," said the instructor. "I can't help it if they do: I am going down to see them. I can't imagine what the five new fellows can be, and I am determined to find out." "The whole seven of them seem to be engaged in an argument just now," added the machinist, as he followed Dory out of the woods. As they came near enough to identify the two Dory had seen in the boat, the argument seemed to wax very warm. Mack was the principal speaker on one side of the question. He pointed with vehemence at the lake, and the shores near him; and Dory concluded that they were engaged in a nautical discussion.