# The Chase explained — The Missing Chums

> Chapter companion for The Missing Chums by Franklin W. Dixon.

## What happens

Chet and Biff evade a snake and are pursued by gangsters on Blacksnake Island. They nearly escape to Tony Prito's motorboat but are recaptured. Tony, Phil, and Jerry watch helplessly from the Napoli until a U.S. revenue cutter arrives with the Hardy boys, setting the stage for a rescue.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage and Resourcefulness

Chet and Biff fight desperately against the gangsters, and Tony wisely chooses to wait for reinforcements rather than risk capture.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Tony, Phil, and Jerry remain anchored near the island to show support, and the Hardy boys return with the cutter to rescue their friends.

## Character check-ins

### Chet Morton

Nearly bitten by a snake, flees from gangsters, fights but is recaptured and tied up.

### Biff Hooper

Flees with Chet, fights gangsters, and is captured and bound.

### Tony Prito

Commands the Napoli, witnesses the recapture, decides to anchor and wait, later signals the revenue cutter.

### Phil Cohen

Aboard the Napoli, comments on the fight and hopes for the boys' rescue.

### Jerry Gilroy

Aboard the Napoli, agrees with Tony's decision not to attempt a risky rescue.

### Frank Hardy

Awaits aboard the revenue cutter with Joe, having successfully brought help.

### Joe Hardy

Awaits aboard the revenue cutter with Frank.

## Key lines

> Chet Morton leaped back with such violence that he collided with his chum. He had seen the serpent in the nick of time, and his backward leap had been so instinctive and so involuntary that he somehow evaded the swift, whiplike thrust of the evil head that plunged at him.

Chet jumped back so hard he bumped into his friend, narrowly avoiding the snake's strike.

_Highlights the sudden danger and Chet's reflexive escape._

> The chums plunged blindly through the thicket. There was no thought of caution now. They were filled with unreasoning terror of the blacksnake...

The boys crashed through the bushes in panic, driven by fear of the snake.

_Shows the boys' terror and loss of caution._

> I hate to see them caught with us so close, but what can we do?

Tony regrets watching the capture but sees no safe option to intervene.

_Reflects Tony's frustration and strategic restraint._

> We'll get them free yet. I don't know how it's going to be done, but we'll get 'em free.

Tony vows to free Chet and Biff despite not yet having a plan.

_Demonstrates Tony's determination and loyalty._

> Cleaving the waves, came a low, rakish craft, speeding along with white wings of foam at her prow. It rushed silently toward them with the grace of an arrow. It was a United States revenue cutter...

A sleek revenue cutter approached swiftly and gracefully, bringing hope to the boys.

_Describes the dramatic arrival of the rescue vessel._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_missing_chums_se/chapters/xxii-the-chase
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_missing_chums_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_missing_chums_se/chapters