Another search was made by the boatman and the boys and Mr. Ford joined in the hunt. But not a trace of the missing craft could be found. Jack looked at his watch and saw that it was nearly five o’clock. “If this isn’t the worst yet!” he murmured. “Pepper, what do you think we had best do?” “I don’t know. If they don’t bring the boat back we may have to remain on the island all night.” “That would be a hardship on Mrs. Ford and the girls. They are not used to roughing it, and there is nothing but a shed here, and that isn’t very clean.” “Well, what do you propose?” “I don’t know what to say.” “If we had a canoe, or even a raft, we might get to the mainland and hire another boat,” said Dale. “Can’t we build a raft of some kind?” “We might, but it would take time.” While this conversation was going on Andy had walked to some high rocks overlooking the lower end of the lake. Now, of a sudden, he set up a shout: “Boat ahoy! Hello! Come in here, we want you!” “Andy has sighted a boat!” ejaculated Pepper, and ran to join the acrobatic youth, and his chums followed. All saw a launch moving up the lake. It contained a young lady of about twenty and a boy of sixteen. “What do you want?” asked the boy, as the launch came to a standstill out in the lake. “We want help!” called back Andy. “Will you please come ashore?” “What is wrong?” questioned the girl, as she set the motor of the boat in motion once more and steered for the shore of Butterfly Island. “Our boat is gone,” answered Andy. “Why, that is Belle Penwick!” cried Laura, as she caught sight of the girl in the launch. “And her brother Roger! How fortunate!” “Then you know them?” said Jack. “Oh, yes, we are old friends, and they are stopping at the same hotel with us. That is Belle’s boat, but her brother Roger aids her in running it.” The _Spray_, for that was the name of the craft, soon came close to the shore, and then the engine was stopped once more. The boys were introduced to the newcomers, and the latter were told about the missing _Emma_. “Why, we saw that boat about an hour ago!” cried Roger Penwick. “Some cadets dressed like you fellows had her in tow and were taking her towards Hull Island.” “Did they leave her there?” questioned Jack “I don’t know.” “Were the cadets in a rowboat?” “Yes.” “I suppose they couldn’t run the launch because of the dismantled motor,” said Pepper. “Most likely they hid her in the bushes on the shore of Hull Island.” The matter was talked over, and the Penwicks said they would take some of the party over to Hull Island if they wished to go. It was arranged that Jack, Andy and Able Fales should make the trip. “If the launch is there I’ll fix her up as soon as I can and run her back here,” said the old boatman. The _Spray_ was soon on the way. She was a light-built craft and cut the bosom of the lake like a thing of life. “I like my sloop, but I declare I’d like a motor boat too,” said Jack. “They certainly can travel!”