It was not long before the others were of the same opinion. However, Frank was not certain but this move
ment on the part of the enemy was a ruse to lull their suspicions.
"Three of us will remain on the yacht," he said. "Jack and I are going ashore."
"How?" asked Diamond. "We have no boat, and we are anchored off here in the bay."
"I am going to buy a boat here. I think we can get one of the boats from some of these vessels to set us ashore."
The nearest vessel was hailed, and it did not take long to get a sailor with a boat to come over to the yacht and take Frank and Jack off. He rowed them to the steamboat wharf, and would not take a cent for doing so.
"All right, mates," he said, in a hearty way. "I'll want a turn sometime, perhaps." Then, after telling them that, if they did not get a boat, they could whistle him up and he would bring them off to their yacht, he rowed away.
There were a number of truck teams about the wharf, loading with the freight left there that morning by the steamer. Frank inquired of one of the truckmen where to find a man who would sell them a first-class rowboat, and the truckman directed him to a man who had boats to let and to sell.
This man the boys sought without delay, but he was not at his shop. They were told that he had gone uptown, and so they walked up Sea Street into the heart of the city.
As they came out on Main Street, Diamond halted with an exclamation of astonishment.