A hunt was made, but no rope could be found.
"Boys, we have got to tow with the boat's painter; it's all we have got," said Dave, in a disgusted tone. This rope was about ten feet long. It was attached to the schooner's bow, and how those small arms did strain on the oars and strive to coax the Relentless into shoal water!
"Give us a sailor's song, Dick," said Jimmy Davis.
"I will, boys, when I get my breath," replied Dick, puffing after his late efforts and wiping the sweat from his brow. "I'll start 'Reuben Ranzo.'"
The boys sang with a will, and their voices made a fine chorus.
"Reuben" had been able to coax the schooner away from her moorings, but he could not win her back.
True to her name, she obstinately drifted on.
"Don't you know anything else?" inquired Dave.
"I know 'Haul the Bow-line.'"
"Give us that, Dick."