In the meantime the first rowboat had reached the schooner’s side and the men and the sailor had gone on hoard.  The boat was tied fast to the stern and orders were given to the captain of the tug to go ahead.

“Stop! stop!  You rascals!” cried Tom, as the schooner commenced to move down the Hudson.  And in his anger he shook his fist at those on the vessel.

At first the actions of the boys attracted no attention.  Then there was a stir on the rear deck of the craft.

“Somebody in a rowboat, calling to you,” remarked the captain of the schooner, to Josiah Crabtree.

“To me?” exclaimed the former teacher, in surprise.  “I will see about this.”

He hurried to the stern of the schooner.  The rowboat with the Rovers had now come quite close.  Josiah Crabtree gave a start.

“Can it be possible?” he gasped.

“What is it?” asked Jesse Pelter, who had stepped up.

“Those young men in yonder boat!  Unless I am mistaken they are Anderson Rover’s sons!”

“Is it possible!” ejaculated the broker.  “Oh, there must be some mistake.”

“No, no!  I know them well!  And see, they are motioning to us!  They want us to stop!”

“They must have seen and followed us!” said the broker, and his manner showed his sudden fear.

“Want to take those fellows on board?” questioned the captain of the schooner.

“No! no!” cried Josiah Crabtree.  “Tell the captain of the tug to hurry up!  That we er—­ that we must make better time!”

“I will, sir,” said the captain of the schooner, and hurried forward to give the necessary order.

A big steamboat was passing up the river and the wash from this sent the rowboat containing the Rover boys dancing up and down.  The lads at the oars headed the craft to meet the rollers, and the schooner passed further and further away.

“They are leaving us!” groaned Sam.  “Oh, what luck!”

“Mr. Rover!” yelled Dick, at the top of his lungs.  “Are you on board?  Rover!  Anderson Rover!  It’s Dick!  Dick!”

For fully a minute no answer came back.  Then there was a commotion on the deck of the schooner and a man appeared, clad in a torn suit of clothing and hatless.

“Dick!  Where are you?” was the exclamation, and the man rushed to the stern of the craft.  “Dick!  And Tom and Sam!  Help me!”

“It’s father!” yelled Dick.  “Stop that schooner!  Stop her, I say!”

“Get back there!” exclaimed Josiah Crabtree, catching Mr. Rover by the arm.  “Get back, I say!  Help me, somebody!  This man is crazy!”

He and Jesse Pelter hustled Anderson Rover back, and then the boys saw their father disappear from view.  Swiftly the tug and the schooner gathered headway.  The boys shouted in vain.  They looked around for some other boat to come to their aid, but none was in sight.  Then the schooner passed down the Hudson River and the Rover boys were left in the rowboat, gazing at each other in dismay.