digest what his
brother had said.

"All right, if you say so," answered Tom. "But I feel it in my bones
it won't do any good."

The two brothers ran along the wet and slippery bank of the river,
which at this point sprawled out into almost a lake. They had to walk
around several wet places and were pretty well out of wind by the
time they gained the patch of wood the youngest Rover had pointed
out. They ran to a point where they could get a clear view of the
stream for a full mile.

"Gone--just as I told you," said Tom, laconically.

"Oh, Tom, do you really think that planter stole the houseboat?"

"I don't know what to think, to tell the truth. We have fallen in
with all kinds of evil characters since we began this trip."

"Even if we go back to Dick and the others and tell them, what good
will it do?"

"I don't really know. But I am going to tell Dick, just as fast as
I can."

There seemed really nothing else to do, and with heavy hearts Sam
and Tom retraced their steps to where the _Dora_ had been tied up,
and started to return to town.

"This will certainly worry the ladies and the girls a good deal,"
observed Sam, as they hurried along. "If the houseboat is gone, we
can't continue the trip."

"They won't be worried any more than we are, Sam. It's hard lines
all around. If that planter really stole the boat he ought to suffer
for it."

"Just what I say."

The brothers soon came in sight of Shapette,--a small settlement
where half of the inhabitants were of French extraction. As they
reached one of the streets they heard a cheerful whistle.

"That's Dick!" said Sam. "He won't whistle so happily when he learns
the news."

"Hullo!" came from Dick Rover, as he caught sight of his brothers.
"What brings you back so soon?"

"Thought you were going to stay on the houseboat until we got there,"
added Fred Garrison, who, with Hans Mueller, accompanied the eldest
Rover.

"There is no houseboat to stay on," answered Tom.

"What!"

"The houseboat is gone--and so is that planter who said he'd take
care of her."

"Mine cracious me!" burst out Hans Mueller. "You ton't tole me alretty!"

"Tom, you don't mean--" Dick paused.

"The houseboat is gone, clean and clear, Dick."

"And that planter, Gasper Pold--"

"Is gone too," returned Sam. "And so is that carpenter who said he'd
repair the craft."

"This is certainly too bad. Tell me the particulars," and Dick's face
grew decidedly serious.

"Ther