nightglass, spied Jack and his quartette leap to land. Then he
searched the spit of land through the glass. An exclamation broke from
him.

"Young Hampton is just in time," he said. "I can see three figures
running along the peninsula towards him. Pull your hardest, lads, and
we shall soon be up with them."

The two sailors and Bob and Frank bent to the oars with a will, and
the boat fairly leaped through the water. Their backs were towards the
land and they could not see the development of events, but Lieutenant
Summers, realizing, perhaps, the anxiety of the chums for their
comrade, gave them occasional bulletins. Jack and his party had taken
cover, apparently, for they could no longer be seen. Lieutenant
Summers was of the opinion, however, that their presence was known to
the enemy. It could not well have been otherwise, as the latter must
have seen Jack's manoeuvre to cut them off.

Suddenly a half dozen shots rang out.

"Pull your best lads. Almost there," cried Lieutenant Summers, who was
in the bow. "Now. One more big pull and we'll be up on the sand."

There was a soft jar. The boat's nose tilted upwards. Then,
disregarding footgear, all leaped overside into the shallow water, and
six pairs of hands ran the boat well up on the sand.

"This way," cried Lieutenant Summers, dashing ahead.

The others followed on the run. No further shots had been fired. But
the sounds of panting men engaged body to body in the brush came to
them. As he ran, Lieutenant Summers cast the rays of a powerful hand
light ahead. Right at the edge of the trees the two parties were
engaged. But the fugitives were outnumbered, five to three, and, as
the reinforcements against them arrived, the struggle came abruptly to
an end.

The first upon whom Lieutenant Summer's light fell was Jack, astride a
form. Then the light fell on the fallen man's features and a cry broke
from Bob's lips.

"Why, it's Mr. McKay."

CHAPTER XXV

MCKAY'S STORY

After all, the Mystery Was Easily Explained; The Mystery as to the
identity of the man behind the operations of the liquor-smugglers. The
explanation of the whole situation was unfolded by Captain Folsom
several nights later at the Temple home. He had come from New York
City at the invitation of Mr. Temple, whose curiosity was aroused by
the tales of the boys, and who wanted to hear a connected account of
events. In this matter, Captain Folsom was willing to oblige, more
especially by