The boys looked at each other for a moment in the gathering darkness without speaking. The situation was a serious one.
"Who did it?" asked Tommy presently.
"No one has been near me except that man Jamison," replied Frank.
"He's the only one who's been within reaching distance of me," Tommy observed. "He must be a clever pickpocket!"
"I saw him eyeing that roll of money rather greedily," Sam cut in, speaking in a very low tone, for Jamison had new turned back from the prow and was looking in their direction.
"I noticed that, too," Frank answered. "I'm afraid we're going to get into trouble with that gink. Anyway," he continued, "he's started in right. He did well to get our guns before he started anything!"
"He didn't get my revolver," Sam said with a low chuckle. "It's a little bit of a baby thing, but it's a great deal better than none!"
"It will shoot, won't it?" asked Tommy.
"It will shoot, all right, but it's only a twenty-two," replied the boy. "I've been trying for the last two days to get a square meal on it, but couldn't get even a ham sandwich. They don't look with favor on baby guns up in Alaska. They want the real thing!"
"Well, keep your gun where you can reach it at any moment!" advised Frank. "Even a twenty-two caliber may prove effective at short range."