“Leave that to me, lads,” was the reply.  “All I want yez to do is to get on board the Roarin’ Bess as quickly as possible.  There mustn’t be any talkin’ or noise if we’re goin’ to carry this thing through, see?”

CHAPTER XXI

THE ROUNDING UP

Quietly and as speedily as possible the scouts boarded the tender, and soon reached the Roaring Bess.  They shivered as they stood upon the yacht, and longed to be home in their own warm beds.  A heavy fog was drifting up the river, which made the air very chilly.  To most of the boys this meant greater discomfort, but to the captain it brought considerable satisfaction.  It was just what he needed to aid him in his undertaking.  In a few low words he outlined his plan to the scouts, and told those who remained behind to be perfectly still.  There were several blankets he had stored away in a locker, which they could use to make them comfortable.

Taking with him only Rod and Phil, as they were the oldest boys, the captain entered the tender, seized the oars, and began to pull away straight for the motor-boat.  The fact that this latter had been run ashore made him certain that it was a small boat, and could, therefore, be easily drawn off the beach.  The tide had risen somewhat since the robbers had landed, which would make the task much easier.

The fog was now thicker than ever, which made it necessary to advance very cautiously.  Rod crouched in the bow, with his eyes fixed intently ahead.  For a time he could see nothing, as everything was blotted out by the fog.  The heavy moisture dampened his clothes, and drifted into his face.  Phil was seated astern, shivering with cold and fear.  He had no liking for this adventure, and would rather be back on the yacht.

Presently Rod caught sight of the motor-boat, and whispered to the captain to go slow.  Soon they were near the shore, and as they drew up close to the strange craft they found that she was floating on the rising tide, and was almost adrift.  With difficulty the captain suppressed a chuckle of satisfaction, as he quickly made a rope fast to the motor-boat, gave it to Rod, seized once more his oars, and swung the tender about, and drew away from the shore.  When at a safe distance from land he fastened the rope to the bow of the motor-boat, tied it to the seat of the tender, and then with a sigh of relief settled down to long steady strokes.  Not a word was spoken now, but the three night adventurers thrilled with excitement.  The boys felt no longer cold, as they were so excited over what they had accomplished.

After some hard pulling, the captain drew up alongside of the yacht.  The rest of the scouts were eagerly awaiting his return.

“There’s no wind,” the captain remarked, “so that thing’s got to tow us out of this.  I guess I know enough about an engine to handle that one all right.  Rod, you steer the yacht, while I manage that old tub.”