"At least they've got the raft, and we must hunt some boat in which to follow them at once." A few words more explained the situation, and, angry as he was, Plater did not stop to waste time in idle reproaches just then.

He only said, "It's that sneak Gilder's doings, I'll bet my pile." Grimshaw agreed to this, and as they hurried along they both thought of their partner as floating down the river on the raft in company with their enemies and glorying over their discomfiture.
"We'll get even with him, though," growled Plater.
"Yes, we _will_," snarled Grimshaw.
And then they met the object of their anger hurrying away from the levee which they were approaching.
"Where are you fellows going ?" he cried, and then, in a lower tone, he added, "We've got to get out of here in a hurry, for they are in this very town and looking for us.

I've just come from their boat." "Who have they left aboard ?" asked Grimshaw.
"Only a child," was the answer.
"Let us take a look at it, then, so we will know it as well as you the next time we see it." So Mr.Gilder went back to point out the _Whatnot_ to his companions, and when they sprang aboard and began to cast off the lines that held it to the levee he followed them, with a vague idea of protecting Sabella.
The next moment, Solon, who had just finished hitching up Reward, was startled by the ringing of the engine-room bell.

It was the signal to go ahead.

Thinking that the others must have returned and were ready to start, he obeyed it.