The boys waited for several minutes, listening intently, but there was no sign of life other than on their craft.
“I’m going aboard the schooner,” said Jerry at last.
“Do you think it’s safe?” asked Ned.
“I don’t see why not,” replied Jerry. “There doesn’t seem to be any one in her. Maybe they’ve only gone away for a little while, but it’s our best chance. So here goes.”
With that he scrambled up the rope hand over hand, and soon stood on the schooner’s deck.
“Come on up,” he called to Ned and Bob. “The schooner is deserted!”
Up came the other two boys. They found the hatches tightly closed, and, as the day was hot, they reasoned that no one would be below with all the openings shut. The schooner was in good order, everything on deck being neatly arranged, and showing that those who had deserted her had not gone off in any haste. The vessel was moored to shore with bow and stern lines.
“Well, now that we have things to ourselves,” said Jerry, “let’s see what we can find. It ought to be an easy matter to get below.”
“I wonder if we have any right to,” said Bob.