“The yacht is steaming away!” he announced.  “She is standing to the eastward.”

Captain Barforth gave a look and something like a groan escaped him.  The Rainbow was a good mile away from where she had been stationed since reaching Treasure Isle.

“Can it be possible Carey and Bossermann are running away with the vessel?” asked Sam.

“That would be both mutiny and robbery,” answered the captain.  “I gave orders to Carey to leave her where she was, unless a heavy blow threatened to send her in—­then he was to stand off until the blow was over.”

“Do you know what I think?” came from Dick.  “I think he is going to sail around to the other side of the isle.  Probably he has an idea of consulting with Sid Merrick.  Then, if Merrick’s offer suits him, he will do all he can to prevent us from getting the treasure.”

“You mean he and Bossermann will throw in their fortunes with Merrick?” asked Mr. Rover.

“Yes, and as many more on the steam yacht as Carey can win over.  I believe Carey is a rascal and Bossermann is no better.”

“Yes, but they are only two against over a dozen?” said Captain Barforth.

“No, three, for you must remember they have Wingate with them,” put in Tom.

“That is true.”

“Can’t we get to the yacht somehow?” asked Sam.  He was thinking of Grace and the other girls, and wondering what would become of them in case there was a fight on board.

“No, that is out of the question,” answered Mr. Rover.  “All we can do is to remain on the isle and wait developments.  If they land we can fight them, but not before.”

CHAPTER XXVIII

A NEW MOVE OF THE ENEMY

“Something is up.”

It was Fred who spoke, only a few minutes after Songbird and the sailor in charge of the rowboat had left the side of the steam yacht.  He addressed Hans.

“Vot you vos see?” asked the German youth.

“Look!”

Hans looked and beheld Walt Wingate on the deck, in earnest conversation with the mate.  The deck hand was not handcuffed as he had been a short while before, when tramping the forward deck for air, by Captain Barforth’s permission.

“Carey must haf daken dem handguffs off,” said the German youth.  “I ton’t like dot.  Maype dot Vingate make troubles, hey?”

The boys watched, and presently saw Bossermann come up and join the pair.  Then Bossermann went below to the engine room.  Shortly after this the yacht began to get up steam.

“We’re moving!” cried Dora, as she came to the boys, accompanied by Nellie and Grace.  “Oh, what does it mean?”

“I don’t know,” answered Fred.

“Can’t you find out, Fred?” asked Nellie.  “I am sure the captain said nothing about sailing before he went ashore.”

“I’ll find out—­if the mate will tell me,” answered Fred.