This could not be, the other boys thought, and they dismissed it as a teasing remark by Dab. And yet the tug-boat was coming toward them like an arrow feathered with black smoke and shot out by a strong arm.
"It is certainly coming toward us," cried Dick in alarm. Who was it his black eyes detected among the people leaning over the rail of the nearing tug-boat?
He looked again.
He took a third look.
"Boys," he shouted, "put!"
How rapidly he rushed for a hatchway, descending an old ladder still in place and leading into the schooner's hold! Fear is catching. Had Dick seen a policeman sent out in a special tug to hunt up the boys and secure the vessel? Johnny Richards flew after Dick. Jimmy Davis followed Johnny. Dab was quickly at the heels of Jimmy. Down into the dark, smelling hold, stumbling over the keelson, splashing into the bilge water, and frightening the rats, hurried the still more frightened boys.
"Who was it, Dick?" asked Dab.
"Keep still boys; don't say anything."
"Can't you tell his name?" whispered Johnny.
There it was, down in the dark, that Dick whispered the fearful name. When the tug-boat, the Leopard, carrying Dave neared the schooner, the captain said, "You have another tug there. It is the Panther."