CHAPTER XX 

A LONG CHASE BEGUN 

As they journeyed down the Hudson the boys and Martin Harris scanned the river eagerly for some sign of the _Flyaway_. 

"It's ten to one she put down a pretty good distance," remarked Dick. "They wouldn't bring Dora over here unless they were bound for New York or some other place as far or further." 

"I believe you," said Tom. "But she may be delayed, and if what Harris says is true the _Searchlight_ ought to make better time than Baxter's craft." 

Several miles were covered, when, Sam, who had just come up from the cabin, called attention to a farmer who was ferrying a load of hay across the river. 

"If he's been at that sort of work all day he may know something of the _Flyaway_," he suggested. 

"We'll hail him, anyway," said Tom. "It won't do any harm, providing we don't lose any time." 

So the farmer was hailed and asked if he had seen anything of the craft. 

"Waal now, I jest guess I did," he replied. "They war havin' great times on board of her--a takin' care of that crazy gal." 

"A crazy girl!" cried Dick. "Who said she was crazy?" 

"One of the young men. He said she was his sister and had escaped from some asylum. She called to me to help her. But I don't want nuthin' to do with crazy gals. My wife's cousin was out of his head and he cut up high jinks around the house, a-threatenin' folks with a butcher knife." 
who did they see on the river?
called attention to a farmer