where he can get hold of it in a hurry. But I
hope we don't have any need of them," continued Jerry as he assisted
Frank to climb over into the little dinghy astern, where the light of the
lantern did not penetrate.

"Be careful how you shoot, at any time, and listen for my signal. I'd
hate to be peppered with shot, or get a bullet in my shoulder from my
chums."

"Oh, you can depend on me to keep a sharp lookout; and no danger of any
accident like that. I never act on impulse, like Bluff. Good-by, and
good luck, Frank!"

The dinghy dropped astern with the flowing tide, and was immediately
swallowed up in the gloom, which, as Jerry truly said, seemed more dense
than ever as the clouds gathered overhead and shut out even the light of
the stars.

Frank took up the paddle and set to work. He was by this time something
of an adept in the use of a spruce blade, as most canoeists become in
time. That is, he could propel a boat silently, not a swirl or a dripping
blade betraying the labor that sent it on. Guides in the Maine woods had
taught Frank how to approach a deer at night time on a lake without
hardly rippling the water.

In this wise he approached the spot where he knew he would find the
mysterious sharpie anchored.

Presently he could see the tops of its tall masts against the dark sky;
but only for the fact that he was looking for this, it would have passed
unnoticed.

There was not a light about the boat. Listening, Frank could hear no
sound at first, but as he drew silently nearer he fancied he caught what
seemed to be an occasional deep sigh. Then, as his eyes sought the
outlines of the little gulf vessel he detected what seemed to be a bowed
figure at the stern.

It was from this point that the sighs seemed to come, and he fancied that
the huddled-up object must be the figure of a boy, placed on watch while
the three big hulking men slept in the cabin near by.

Now he caught the sound of heavy breathing, bordering on snores. From the
fact that these suggestive noises were partly muffled, he believed they
came from inside the sharpie's cabin.

Foot by foot Frank found himself nearing the stern of the sharpie. He did
not need to use the paddle at all, for the current was gently wafting him
along in just the direction he wished to go.

So softly did he come that when he reached the sharpie's counter all he
had to do was to just put out his hand and fend off.

He now saw that it was really and truly a