CHAPTER XX 

A MINUTE TOO LATE 

"Well, this looks like a wild goose chase, Dick." 

It was Sam who spoke, from the bow of the motor-boat. For over two hours they had been moving up the Hudson River, slowly, scanning one shore and the other with care. They had noted many boats, but nothing that looked like the schooner for which they were so eagerly searching. 

"They had a pretty good start of you," said John Slater, the owner of the motor-boat. "Maybe they are up to Nyack or Haverstraw by this time." 

"Well, all we can do is to keep on and watch out," said Tom, with a sigh. His disposition, for fun seemed to have entirely left him. 

Another half hour went by, and they came in sight of a number of lumber barges, all heavily loaded. The barges were being towed by a big tug. 

"I know the captain of that tug," said John Slater. "We might ask him about the schooner." 

"A good idea," answered Dick. 

They were soon close to the steam tug and the motor-boat owner waved his hand to the captain of the larger craft, who waved in return. 

"I want to find a schooner named the Ellen Rodney!" shouted John Slater. "Did you pass her, Captain Voss?" 

"I did," was the answer. "She was opposite Nyack, heading in to shore." 

"Opposite Nyack!" exclaimed Dick, "How far is that from here?" 

"Not more than two miles," answered John Slater, as he turned his motor-boat up the river again. 
What were they seeking?
Was the search party large?
Who thought it was unlikely to find it?
Who was he talking to?
How long had they been looking?
On what body of water?
Who thought they might have reached Nyack?
Who was he?
Was Tom is a good mood?
Who did Dick agree with?
Who did he know?
Did he want to ask him something?
What was the name of the schooner they were searching for?
Had she been sighted?
By whom?
Would it take long to reach her?
Was she at Nyack?
Where then?
Where was Sam when he spoke?
What was being towed?
the schooner
the schooner
unknown
unknown
Sam
Sam 
Dick
Dick
over two hours
over two hours
the Hudson River
the Hudson River
John Slater
John Slater
the owner of the motor-boat.
the owner of the motor-boat.
No.
His disposition, for fun seemed to have entirely left him. 
John Slater
John Slater
the captain of that tug
the captain of that tug,
Yes.
ask him about the schooner
the Ellen Rodney
 the Ellen Rodney
Yes.
I did
Captain Voss
Captain Voss
No.
Not more than two miles
No.
opposite Nyack
opposite Nyack
opposite Nyack
the bow
 the bow
barges
barges