As they were passing the mouth of a little bayou, Frank
declared he saw people in a boat near the entrance. In explanation
Doright told him that many people were out for fish at that hour,
seeming to think the fish fed at certain hours, hence were more easily
captured.
In a short time Doright's muscles had forced the ungainly looking craft
to a point where it was necessary to use care in navigating the stretch
of water if collision with shipping was to be avoided. His skill born of
long practice was very evident. Arrived at the shipyard Jack tossed the
black a dollar saying that they were grateful for the help he had
rendered them.
Unchallenged the boys approached the Fortuna. They expected at least a
hail from the watchman of the yard. None came.
"Ah," observed Jack stooping over a prostrate figure near the foot of
the ladder leading to the deck of the Fortuna, "he sleeps."
"What's the trouble with the watchman, if it is he?" asked Tom.
"It is the watchman," Jack answered with a tenseness of expression, "and
he's struck with bottle paralysis. I wonder if the Fortuna is all right,
or has that Wyckoff had the run of things a while."
"Let's get aboard quickly," suggested Frank, "and look about."
"Up we go," cried Tom. "Easy, lads, the ladder's shaky."
Jack in the lead stepped inside the pilot house and down the
companion-way. As he reached the cabin below, his chums heard him
stumble. Quickly they reached for the light switch.
Pages:
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130