They nimbly did so, and as they bent to their oars they passed around a point and out of sight of the cutter.
XXII
TOM DISCOVERS THINGS
By advice of the lieutenant, the boys left their shotguns on board the cutter and carried instead the short, hard-shooting repeating rifles that he furnished them. Armed in this way, each could fire many shots in rapid succession, instead of the two which alone their shotguns permitted.
“We can defend ourselves now if the gang discovers and assails us,” said Larry, with a satisfied smile. “With these guns we’re a good deal more than a match for those ten smugglers armed as they are with nothing better than pistols. By the way, Tom, what’s the plan of campaign?”
“That’s for you to say,” Tom answered. “You’re the captain.”
“Not a bit of it this time,” responded Larry. “This is your expedition and you must manage it in your own way.”
“That’s only fair,” said Dick. “Tom has undertaken to go ashore, find out certain facts and report them. We’re here to help him in any way he wishes, but he is responsible for results and must choose his own methods.”