helton_ was in running order, and soon they were out on the moonlit
waters of the bay.

"There's a light in his cabin," said Cora, as they came out from
behind a point, and had a view of the little cove where nestled
Denny's cottage.

"I hope the boys are there," remarked Bess, "and that they have the
villains all tied up and ready for delivery."

"Ugh!" exclaimed Belle. "If they have I wish they'd send them by
parcel post instead of asking us to take charge of them."

"They'll be harmless," guaranteed Cora. "Besides, the _Dixie_ can't
hold more than the boys; our boat is larger."

"We could let the boys run this one, after the men are tied in her,"
suggested Lottie, "and we could come home in the _Dixie_."

"Never!" exclaimed Cora. "You can't rely on her. I'll stick to the
_Chelton_."

But if the girls had only known that, at that moment, far out on
Crystal Bay, was the ill-fated _Dixie_, drifting to sea, while the
boys tooted hopelessly for aid on the compressed air whistles!

The _Chelton_ made a quick and uneventful trip to the fisherman's
cabin. From it a light peacefully glowed.

"There's no one here," announced Bess. "Not even the boys."

"Be careful," warned Cora. "It may be a trap. Let us go up softly."

"But what about those men?" asked Belle. "Maybe they have taken Denny
away with them, and the boys, too."

"Don't be silly," advised Cora. "Let's go up and look in."

As they peered in the cabin window they saw Denny seated in an easy
chair. He was alone, and across his knees was the red oar of which he
seemed so fond.

CHAPTER XXIII

UNEXPECTED HELP

"Well, we certainly are up against it--good and proper!" exclaimed
Jack. "And I'm glad the girls aren't along!"

"Why?" asked Walter, leaning back against the gunwale to rest after
laboring over the refractory engine of the _Dixie_.

"Because they can't call me down for my slang. And believe muh--as the
telephone girls say--I can use slang now and then--some!"

"It is aggravating; isn't it?" asked Dray.

"Aggravating, my dear chap, is hardly the word," drawled Ed. "It's
humiliating!"

He brought that out in such a droll way that the others laughed.

For the engine of the motor boat still refused to be coaxed into
going. They were being carried out toward the mouth of the bay on the
outgoing tide, which was now running strongly. Soon they would be out
to sea, and though the moon still shone brightly there was a haze in
the sky t