"Now we are stumped!" murmured Tom, as he and his brothers watched the departure of the rowboat from behind a shed at the inner end of the dock.
"Let us watch that rowboat as far as we can," returned Dick. "I don't believe they intend to row very far."
"Maybe they are going to one of the vessels anchored out yonder," remarked Sam.
"More than likely."
The sailor was pulling up the stream, close to the shore, and the brothers could watch him with ease. The tide was running out and the oarsman had all he could do to make any headway.
"If he is going to keep to the shore, we might follow him on foot," suggested Tom, after several minutes had passed, and while the rowboat was still clearly in view.
"He is turning out now!" cried Dick. "See, I think he is making for yonder two-masted schooner."
The rowboat had turned out and in a few minutes more the boys felt certain it was headed for the schooner.
"Oh, if we only had a rowboat!" groaned Tom.
Dick did not reply. He was watching a steam tug that had come up the river. A line had been thrown from the tug to the schooner and made fast.