They were at hand, in a rack at the back of the dining room, and soon she had secured two pairs.
"You drop in first, Nellie," went on Dora. "Be quick, but don't fall overboard."
Nellie obeyed, trembling in every limb. She landed safely and in a few seconds Dora followed. Just as this was done a man appeared on the deck of the houseboat, followed by another.
"Oh, Dora—" began Nellie, when her cousin silenced her. Then the rope was untied, and the rowboat was allowed to drift astern of the larger craft.
"Hullo, there!" came suddenly out of the darkness. "What's up back there?"
"Who are you calling to, Hamp?" came from the galley.
"Something doing back here," answered Hamp Gouch. "Somebody just cut loose from our stern."
"What's that?" burst out Dan Baxter, and tumbled out on deck, followed by the others.
"I said somebody just cut loose from this houseboat. There they go," and the horse thief pointed with his hand.
"It can't be the girls!" cried Flapp.