"Well, let's get on board," urged Bruce. "I'm tired, and I want to turn in."
"Pull away," directed Frank, and the boys began rowing again.
They passed other rowboats, and the sound of voices and laughter came over the moon-burnished bosom of the harbor. On board one of the yachts not far from the White Wings a jolly party had gathered. Somebody was picking away at a guitar and softly humming the latest song. Others were chatting and laughing. The yacht was decorated with Chinese lanterns and was burning bright lights.
"Those lights would look better if there wasn't any moon," observed Diamond.
As they approached the White Wings a figure suddenly arose on the deck and leveled something at the boat, while a voice called:
"Stood still vere I vos und gafe der coundersign! Uf I don'd done dot you vill oben vire onto me!"
"Here, here, Hans!" exclaimed Merry. "What are you trying to do—shoot us? Be careful with that gun!"
"Vos dot you, Vrankie?" asked the faithful Dutch boy, lowering the gun. "Vale, I don'd vant to make no mis
took, und so I peen careful not to led any vellers come apoard uf me vot I don'd vant to seen. I vos glad you haf camed."
They ran up to the sloop and were soon on board. It was necessary to tell Hans what had happened that day, but he simply said: