really fatigued form flat on the deck and stretching his muscles to the
limit.

This continued for some little time until finally Jack shut off his
power and came alongside, ready to climb aboard the sloop.

"We'll tie her up to this nearby clump of mangroves, where you'll notice
there's a bunch of tall palmetto trees growing, showing there must be
ground, such as few of these islands can boast. I'm picking this place
especially because those cabbage palms will keep the mast of the sloop
from sticking up and betraying its location to any flyer passing over."

"I'd call that a mighty fine idea, partner," declared Perk
enthusiastically. "Never would athought o' anything like that myself--my
old bean don't work along them lines I guess. An' when I've done that
camouflage act again nobody ain't agoin' to spy out a single thing down
this-aways. Great work, if I do say it myself, Jack old boy."

After he had managed to fasten the bow of the sloop to one of the
palmetto trees, Jack crawled aboard. He must have also felt more or less
tired, after being caged in the small confines of the cockpit so long,
for he followed Perk's example and dropped down on the deck to stretch
out while they exchanged opinions.

"None too soon for our safety," was the first remark Jack made, "see,
there in the east the sky has begun to take on a faint rosy tint which
means the sun must be making ready to rise."

"Things are workin' just lovely for us, I'd mention, old hoss,"
suggested Perk, with one of his good-humored chuckles that told how well
pleased he must be on account of the many "breaks" that persisted in
coming their way. "Let the mornin' come along when it pleases, it don't
matter a red cent to us back here in this gloomy solitude."

They started to exchange opinions concerning the remarkable happenings
of the night just passed and in this way many things that had not been
very clear to Perk were made plain. On his part he was able to offer
several suggestions that added to the stock of knowledge Jack already
possessed so that it was a mutual affair after all.

"I rather reckon somebody's going to get a surprise packet when I finish
explaining just how this contraband sloop and cargo fell into our
hands," Jack was saying at one time, apparently vastly amused himself.
"Fact is, I wouldn't blame the Commissioner for believing I was drawing
the long bow when he hears about those tear-bombs you tossed out that
scattered the crowd l