"I haven't time to explain to you," said Mr. Button, "but the only thing for us to do is to get away from this island, and the _Gadabout_ is the best means for us to use." "But the boat doesn't belong to us," protested John. "Doesn't it?" laughed Mr. Button. "Didn't you hire it for the day? Didn't you pay the man to bring you out to Drummond Island and then carry you back to Mackinac?" "Yes, sir." "Well, he hasn't done all he agreed to, has he?" "No, sir, but--" "Then there's no reason in the world why we shouldn't start out. It must be between nine and ten o'clock at night. We have been cheated out of a good deal of our day by the captain and we have a right to take his boat and go on back to Mackinac if we want to." The boys still hesitated to adopt the unusual suggestion and after a brief silence, John said, "I don't believe any of us knows very much about running a motor-boat." "That isn't necessary," said Mr. Button. "I know all about it." Meanwhile, although he continued his conversation with the boys, Mr. Button had hauled in the anchor and then made fast the skiff to the stern. Without waiting for any further words he at once advanced to the wheel and as soon as the power was turned on the speedy, little craft began to draw away from the dim shores of Cockburn Island. They had not gone far, however, before they heard a loud hail from the shore. "Hi, there!" called some one. "What are you doing with that motor-boat? Come back here! Come back here with it!" A low suggestion from Mr. Button caused all the boys to remain silent. Again the hail came from the shore, louder than before and in tones of one who evidently was angry or alarmed. "Come back with that boat! You'll run her aground! I'll have you arrested for piracy! Bring that boat back here!" All four boys were decidedly uneasy over the situation in which they now found themselves. They had recognized the voice of the mate as the one which had ordered them to return with the boat. They were aware also that the charge he had made, that they were stealing or running away with a chartered boat, might become a serious matter for all concerned. Almost as if he was aware of the thoughts in the minds of his companions, Mr. Button said quietly, "Don't be afraid, boys. I'll see you out of this trouble, but just now there's nothing else to be done. You can put the whole blame on me, for I'm the one that took the _Gadabout_. I'm steering her and I am taking her against your protests. You see you cannot help yourselves because we're too far from the shore now for you to try to get back." At that moment again there came a loud call from the shore, but it was evident from the tones of the voice that the _Gadabout_ was rapidly leaving Cockburn Island behind her. "Bring back the boat! I'll give you ten dollars to bring her back!"