"Dixon, Franklin W - Hardy Boys 044 - The Haunted Fort (b)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dixon Franklin W)

"Did Indians fight at Senandaga?" Frank asked.

"They were involved in the Crown Lake campaigns," Davenport replied, "but it's not known whether they played a major role at the fort itself. I've studied the battle for years, but there always seems to be a piece missing."

The boys wondered if the chain-entwined tomahawk had any relation to the mysterious fort conflict?

"We've got to get inside Senandaga," Joe declared.

The boys hurried to tell Uncle Jim the good news, and their plan to search the fort that evening. Chet then excused himself to work on his painting. The boys were about to part when the French sculptor came running over. He carried three pamphlets.

"Bonjour!" he cried. "I hear you will use a bateau. Wonderful! A fine boat it is, used by le Marquis de Chambord. Here, my friends, these for you!"

He handed each boy a pamphlet. The title was The Final French Victory at Fort du Lac.

Follette pounded his chest proudly. "This I wrote to give the true account of this battle. Read it. Au revoir!"

Joe chuckled. "The second 'true* story of Senandaga."

After the Hardys left for Mr. Ashbach's shop, Chet worked feverishly on his painting, even forgetting to eat lunch. By midafternoon the chunky boy realized he was ravenous and went to the house for a snack.

As Chet came outside he heard a horn beep urgently. He looked up in astonishment. A car, with a trailer bouncing behind it, was pulling into the lot. On the trailer sat an unusual-looking gray boat, flat-bottomed and tapered at both ends.

The car stopped and Frank and Joe hopped out. As Chet hurried over, Joe grinned. "Behold the bateau!"

"You sure she's seaworthy?" Chet asked, cocking his head.

"Indeed she is," came a deep voice as the carpenter, Mr. Ashbach, got out of the car.

He and the boys hauled the old-fashioned craft down to the lake and beached it a short distance from the water. The young detectives thanked Mr. Ashbach, who wished them luck and left.

Chet now studied the bateau curiously, noting its overlapping board construction. He asked about a pair of long poles lying in the bottom beside the paddles.

"The poles are used in shallow water," Frank explained.

As soon as dusk fell, the boys eagerly launched the bateau and clambered in. Jim Kenyon came to see them off, "Be careful," he warned. "Weather doesn't look good."

Heavy dark clouds shrouded the lake and the wind was rising, but the boys were undaunted. Chet was in the middle seat while Frank stood in the rear and Joe in the bow. Plying the poles, the Hardys got the Colonial craft under way.

"Wow, this is smooth!" Chet said. "How long is she?"

"Fifteen feet," Joe answered, "and four wide."

The brothers at first had trouble but soon were poling in rhythm. They were amazed at the ease with which the bateau could be moved.

With the strong wind at their backs, they passed several islands. The darkening sky remained overcast and few private boats were out. "Hope the rain holds off for Senandaga Day tomorrow," Chet said anxiously.

Joe grinned. "You can always put an umbrella over your painting."

Reaching deeper water, the Hardys switched to paddles. Presently they approached the cable-ferry dock on the west shore.