“Don’t see anybody,” answered Ritter.
“Thought we weren’t to do any talking,” came from Coulter.
“We’ll shut up—if anybody appears,” said the leader of the unworthies.
With great caution they got out a rowboat and entered it. Then they poled silently to the side of the Alice and peered over the guard rail. Andy and Pepper were out of sight, under some sailcloth. But their eyes and ears were on the alert in the semi-darkness.
“I guess the coast is clear,” they heard Ritter say. “Come on aboard. We can doctor up those ropes and the rudder in no time if we get right at them.”
“Did you bring your file?” asked Paxton.
“Yes. I hope you didn’t forget yours.”
“I’ve got it.”
“And I’ve got mine,” put in Coulter. “And here is the pot of stuff for the rudder.”
“I’ll put that drag on the keel the last thing,” said Ritter. “I’ll have to strip to do it, I suppose.”