Professor Snodgrass sat up rather late that night arranging and classifying some specimens he had caught, and it was nearly midnight when he turned in. The boys were sound asleep, and the little scientist was soon in the same blissful state.
What time he was awakened Jerry did not know, but he sat up suddenly in bed, for he heard someone moving stealthily about on the after-deck. Then the door of the cabin was cautiously tried:
“Who’s there?” cried the tall lad suddenly.
There was no answer, and reaching out his hand Jerry sought for the switch that would turn on the electric lights which were operated by a storage battery. As he felt the button, he heard a boat scraping against the side of the Dartaway.
[CHAPTER IX]
OFF IN THE AUTO
“What’s the matter?” cried Ned, as he heard Jerry’s voice.
“Anything wrong?” demanded Bob sleepily. “Has anything happened, Jerry?”
“Not yet,” was the tall lad’s answer. “I fancy I was too quick for them. But I thought I heard someone on board, and I’m certain that a boat scraped against our side. I’m going to have a look.”