"He was in our class,
too."
"All right," agreed the others, "it's Gerald and Dick."
"Very well, then," observed the colonel, "we will consider that
settled. When you are ready let me know and I will swear you in.
You know what you have to do?"
"Yes, sir," the boys answered.
By this time they came within sight of the landing where they had
left the boat, and Pepper, who had run on ahead, suddenly raised
such an outcry that the others rushed forward in alarm.
"What is the matter?" shouted Rand.
"The b-boat," stammered Pepper.
"What is the matter with it?" asked Donald.
"It's g-g-gone!"
"Gone! where?" demanded Jack.
"How should I know?" replied Pepper. "All I know is that it is
gone."
Sure enough, there was no boat to be seen.
CHAPTER IX
THE PURSUIT
"It must have drifted away," said Rand.
"Sure of that?" asked Jack.
"I knew it!" suddenly broke in Pepper.
"Then why didn't you tell us," demanded Rand. "What did you know?"
"Monkey Rae," replied Pepper.
"Well, what about him?" cried Jack.
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