pals to come along
with me."

The men were a brutal and powerful lot. Every one showed the effect of
the night which he had spent in the bar-room. The boys were powerless
to compel them to leave the boat if they did not choose to do so.

The predicament in which the Go Ahead boys now found themselves seemed
to appeal strongly to the men on board. They laughed loudly and the
leader who had spoken before, said, "Why don't you come on board? If
this boat is yours all you have to do is to come and take it."

"It is, all right. That is our boat," said Fred.

"If you don't get out I shall have to get some one to put you out."

"Don't be so unkind, mister," retorted the leader, while his companions
again united in a shout of glee. "There aren't many men around this
place that will want to undertake that job. If you would really like to
have us go ashore it seems to me the best plan would be for you to come
and throw us out."

Once more the unwelcome guests laughed loudly at the words of their
leader, while the confusion among the Go Ahead boys became more marked.

Withdrawing a few feet from the bank Fred called his companions about
him and in low tones they discussed the course of action which they
ought to follow.

"We had better go up and get the constable," suggested John. "Get out a
warrant for these men. They won't make any trouble even if the
constable comes down alone."

"I'm not so sure," said Fred. "What do you think, Grant?"

"I don't believe the men intend to stay on board," replied Grant. "They
probably were attracted by the appearance of the Black Growler and when
they saw us coming they put up a bold front and just tried to scare
Fred."

"What do you think is the best thing to do?" inquired Fred.

"My suggestion is to go back to the boat, not have much to say to the
men and get ready to start. They won't bother us, at least I don't
believe they will."

"What shall we do if they make trouble?"

"It will be time enough to decide that when we have to," replied Grant.
"I'm sure they won't make any trouble after they see that we are going
to start."

"All right, we'll try it," said Fred dubiously, and once more returning
to the place where the Black Growler was awaiting them, the three bags
which contained the belongings of the boys were placed on board and
ignoring the bantering of the men, they at once prepared to cast off.

"You don't mean to say we're going to start now, do you?" inquired the