“That’s the talk. Come, we’ll get to work without delay.”
“But you may get all paint, Tom,” I protested.
“I won’t mind that; I’ve got on my old clothes. Come ahead. Won’t Carney be surprised when he finds the boat gone!”
“He might have expected that I would be back.”
“But he didn’t expect you quite so soon. Of course he run a risk, but now he thinks it is all right. No doubt he will keep an eye on all boats steering for the island while he is making the run to Bayport.”
We were soon at work on the Catch Me. I got out the anchor rope, and by hard tugging we managed to slide the craft off the rocks upon which she was partly resting.
Then by taking off our shoes and stockings, and wading in the shallow water, we dragged her out of the inlet, and anchored her some distance from shore.
After this I made my way across the island to where I had left my small craft. I soon had her untied and over to the spot where I wanted her. Darrow then came on board, and we fastened the painter to the bow of the Catch Me, and started for the shore above the mill.
“I don’t want to take her where Mr. Norton can see her,” I explained. “I want to keep her out of sight until I’ve seen Squire Slocum, and got his advice about my father’s estate. Even if the man is my uncle I don’t like him, and his actions seem very suspicious.”