“Here’s good old Rowdy coming to get his share,” cried Tom, slapping the bulldog on the shoulder.  “There’s a funny old chap.  He’ll take all sorts of mauling from any of us boys or from anyone whom he likes, but let a person whom he distrusts point a finger at him, and he’s at their throat in a minute.  He is very partial!”

“Yes,” Jack assented, “and it’s remarkable what a judge of character that dog is, too!  He can select the good from the bad about as unerringly as one could wish.  Sometimes he will make friends with perfect strangers and we find afterwards they are good people even though first appearances were against them.  Again he will take a dislike to some mighty fine looking folks, but we learn that they are villains under the surface in the long run.”

“Rowdy,” Frank challenged, “are you going to take a shine to me or not?  Be mighty careful, now, for I’m very anxious about it.”

For answer the dog who had been in the center of the floor sprang up to Frank’s lap in an endeavor to “kiss” the boy’s face.  His weight projected so suddenly upon the lad resulted in upsetting him, and boy and dog rolled to the floor in a mass.  Rowdy thinking a new game was on began pulling the boy about until all hands were arrested by a cry from Arnold, who still remained at the wheel.

“Land Ho!” came his cry down the companion-way.  “Land on the starboard bow.  All hands on deck!”

“Sure enough!” cried the lads.  “There’s a light, too!”

“I’ll wager that’s Pascagoula,” Tom said.  “Pretty near time we were there by the way the Fortuna went through the water when the schooner was chasing us.  I wonder where we can tie up!”

“Let’s shove her along and try to get in before dark,” was Jack’s suggestion to which the others readily assented.

As the Fortuna entered the harbor the boys kept a sharp lookout for a promising berth for the night.  Not until they were well past the bridge over which the Louisville & Nashville Railroad crosses the river did they find a place that looked suitable.

“Let’s not tie up to a dock,” suggested Harry.  “Let’s anchor.”

This seemed the most feasible solution and was acted upon.

A position was chosen apart from the busy docks and well over toward an unoccupied section of shore.  A goodly length of cable was paid out and a stopper put in place.  The boys then prepared for retiring without further attempt at getting acquainted with the town or its inhabitants, leaving that for the morrow.

Leaving the doors between the cabins opened for ventilation and convenience in visiting after they were in their bunks the boys soon disposed themselves and prepared to pass a restful night.

“Wouldn’t it be better to set a watch?” asked Arnold.

“I don’t think it necessary,” declared Harry.  “It’s safe here.”

“Sure it’s safe, but I feel uneasy just the same,” Arnold protested.  “There’s no knowing what’s going on in these ports.”