“We had better move the sloop from shore,” went on Ritter. “If we don’t some others may come down and make it warm for us.”
The anchor was hoisted and the line attached to the dock cast off. Then they raised the mainsail and stood out into the darkness of the lake. Soon Putnam Hall and the boathouse were lost in the gloom.
“Now lower the sail and let her drift while we talk,” said Ritter.
“She may go on the rocks,” warned Coulter.
“If she does she won’t hit hard enough to hurt. The breeze has about died out.”
In the cuddy Pepper had regained his senses. With the door shut the place was suffocating, and all the two cadets could think of was to get out. They pounded and kicked on the door, but this brought no response.
“We can’t stay in here!” gasped Pepper.
“We’ll have to stay—unless we can break out,” returned his chum. “And I’d hate to damage the sloop to that extent—right before the race, too.”
“But they’ll damage her more yet, Andy!”
“If they dare!”