The excitement was so intense that for the time being the boys forgot all about Bill Glutts. As a consequence when they turned to where they had left that unworthy, Glutts had disappeared. "Well, he got a good beating, anyhow," said Randy. "I think that will teach him to leave our stuff alone after this." At first some of the boys were inclined to make another hunt for Werner and Glutts. They knew the bullies must have come to the island in some kind of a boat. "If we can find their boat we can take it with us," said Spouter. "Then they can either stay on the island or try to swim ashore." "We can't waste any more time," declared Jack. "We must get Ruth to a doctor. And I'd like to see a doctor myself. My eyes feel terribly scratchy." "Yes, yes! I want to see a doctor at once," said Ruth. "My eyes hurt dreadfully." Some of the boys gathered up what was left of the lunch, and all made their way to the water's edge, where the rowboats had been left. As they did this they heard the sudden put-put of a motor-boat, and a few seconds later they saw the craft shoot out of a tiny cove at the upper end of the island and head for the eastern shore of Clearwater Lake. "There they go! There are Glutts and Werner!" exclaimed Gif. "And in a motor-boat, too!" added Randy. "Too bad! If they were in a rowboat we might be able to catch them." "Oh, let them go," said Mary hastily. "I am more worried about Ruth's eyes than anything else." "We're all worried about that," answered her brother. "Come on, we'll get over to Haven Point just as fast as we can. I only hope we find one of the doctors at home." They tumbled into the boats, the girls leading Ruth, who still had her eyes bandaged. "Do you think you can row, Jack?" questioned Fred. "Of course I can," replied the young captain. He was not going to admit that the injury to his eyes was making him feel sick all over. May sat beside Ruth and did what she could for the sufferer. All of the boys bent to their oars and a straight course was taken for the town. "Wouldn't it be dreadful if Ruth was blinded for life?" remarked Alice Strobell on the way. "Oh, Alice! don't suggest such a thing as that," came from Annie Larkins in horror. "Well, people have been blinded in that way more than once," remarked Randy. "It all depends on how bad a dose she got." "Jack said the pepper must have been intended for him," came from Andy. "I can't imagine that Werner would be wicked enough to try to injure Ruth that way." "Maybe he didn't intend to do it when he started," returned his brother. "But when Werner gets mad he's liable to do almost anything. You know that as well as I do." "That's true. When he gets into a rage he goes almost insane." "What an ending to our outing!" sighed Alice. "And we didn't eat a mouthful of the lunch!" added Annie. She had spent over an hour in fixing some fancy sandwiches. "Was that pepper from some you brought along?" questioned Randy quickly.