ers. Many
of our readers will require no new introduction to Captain Tom Halstead,
Engineer Joe Dawson and the irrepressible trouble-seeker, Hank Butts.
These fortunate readers have already met the young men in the volumes of
the "MOTOR BOAT CLUB SERIES," and know all about them and how Tom and
Joe had secured their joint ownership in that splendid sea-going craft,
the "Restless."

"Halstead, can you take five officers and twenty enlisted men aboard for
the night?"

"Yes, sir," smiled the young skipper, revealing his white, even teeth.
"They won't weigh over two tons and a half, altogether, sir."

"Can you take that many with comfort?" laughed Captain Foster.

"Now, I won't guarantee the comfort, sir, but there'll be room enough
aboard so that no one needs to be jostled over the rail. Eighteen men
can sit in the cabin at the same time. That leaves only seven, besides
our own crew who will need to be on deck."

"Oh, you're going to have plenty of room here," decided Captain Foster,
after a brief look over the trim little motor craft.

"I'm glad of that," sighed Dave Darrin, "for, as an interloper, I'd have
to go ashore the first one if the quarters were crowded."

"Mr. Overton, direct Sergeant Havens and his men to come aboard. Mr.
Prescott, you'll look out for your squad, of course."

"Certainly, sir."

"Mr. Overton, as soon as you have your men aboard, give the skipper his
word to start. You will cruise without lights, unless need for them
arises. While cruising, do not go above nine miles an hour. Reserve
greater speed for pursuit. First, you will cruise eight miles up the
river, then eight miles below this point, and so on through the night
until a half-hour before daylight. As much as you can, avoid showing
your craft to any prowlers by the shores. Keep things dark aboard the
boat, and voices low."

By this time the enlisted men had come aboard, many of them going below
to the cabin.

"You may start, now," continued Captain Poster, jumping to the pier.
"Catch anything you can that has arms aboard for the other frontier.
Good-bye and good luck!"

Hardly had the motor boat gotten under way when the tug, with Corporal
Shimple and four men aboard, also left her berth. The tug went only a
short distance out into the stream, then cast anchor for the night. The
tug was to be held in reserve, and at the same time her mate and crew
were thus prevented from communicating any news about the motor boat to
possib