Silence still followed the noisy offer, however, and only a few minutes had elapsed before the _Gadabout_ had passed beyond the sight of any one who might be standing on the shore. Apparently Mr. Button was not in any confusion as to the course he was to follow. Directly across the narrow waters he steered until in a brief time the shore of Drummond Island loomed before them. Then changing his course he guided the swift, little craft on a line parallel with the shore. The boat was moving southward and all four of the unwilling passengers expected that in a brief time they would pass the point of Drummond Island and then would turn westward and seek the harbor at Mackinac. The speed of the _Gadabout_ was increasing now and in the dim light the waters near the stern seemed almost to glow with light. There was excitement for the boys in the midst of the mystery, but all had become silent and watchful of the man at the wheel. Swiftly the little _Gadabout_ plowed its way across the smooth waters. The point of Drummond Island was passed and then to the amazement of the boys the course was not changed. The _Gadabout_ now was headed for the open waters of Lake Huron. Mackinac Island lay far to their right. "You have made a mistake, Mr. Button," called George anxiously. "This isn't the way back to Mackinac Island." "Don't be alarmed, boys," replied Mr. Button, without glancing behind him. "I'll bring you out all right." "But you are headed in the wrong direction," protested Fred. "Don't be afraid," said Mr. Button once more. "I know what I am doing and so will you all pretty soon." It was too dark to enable any of the boys to perceive the expression on the faces of his comrades. That they all were aghast at the unexpected turn of events, however, was manifest to all, but the little _Gadabout_, as if the anxiety of its passengers was of no concern, kept steadily on its way toward the open waters of Lake Huron. CHAPTER XI ALONE ON THE LAKE The four boys huddled together near the stern of the swiftly moving motor-boat. For a few minutes silence rested over the group. They were aghast at the turn of events and all were alike fearful of the consequences of their appropriation of the _Gadabout_, although no one acknowledged his fears. George was the first to break the silence, when, leaning toward his friends he said in a whisper, "He's veering off to the left now. Do you see what he's doing?" "So we are," replied John after the boys had carefully looked ahead. "That must mean that we are headed for the Canadian shore somewhere." "I don't know where we are headed," said Grant, "but we're going to get there pretty soon. I wish I knew what the trouble is." "You don't suppose Mr. Button is crazy, do you?" suggested Fred. "I don't know," replied Grant soberly. "Most of the people that have his name are candidates for insane asylums."