“that the crew left in a hurry, and only recently, too. Evidently, they were aboard and were called ashore for some reason. What did you find in the cabin?”
“To tell the truth,” admitted Bob, “we didn’t look around much. Found our things still aboard, and that occupied our attention. But we can go back and look?”
“No, no. That would be a waste of time. I’m afraid the presence of the land party was discovered, and the crew here went ashore to oppose our men. We’ll have to make a landing and go to their aid. Listen.”
Again down the wind, and this time only very faintly came the sounds of distant firing. Apparently, the fight was drawing away from them.
Down the ladder to the deck of the Sub Chaser they scrambled. Then, with searchlight playing along the shore, the craft moved slowly up the estuary. Presently, a landing appeared in the rays of the light, jutting out into the stream, a huge shed or barracks at its end ashore. The boat was turned toward it, and slid alongside. Sailors with ropes leaped to the planks of the landing and made fast.
“The place seems deserted,” said Ensign Warwick. “Not a sound. But you never can tell. We’ll have to take precautions. Wouldn’t do to go tearing off this pier, and run smack-dab into a trap.”
He turned to the group behind him. Every man aboard the Sub Chaser with the exception of Doctor Marley had followed. The worried face of the fat little physician watched them from the deck.
“Here, you men,” he said authoritatively. “Six of you will have to stay aboard the boat. Robbins, Dewart, Murphy, Thompson, Berger and Strunk, you stay behind. Robbins is in charge. Keep the searchlight playing on the shore. Train a rapid firer on the landward end of this pier. Doctor Marley,” he called up to the physician, “I presume you will prefer to remain aboard. You boys”—turning to the three chums—“can follow me. You have those revolvers I served out to you?”
They nodded.
“Good. Now, Robbins,” he continued, turning to the leader of the party to be left on the boat, “we will make our way up the pier. If we are surprised, we will drop to the ground. Do you at once open with the rapid-firer, shooting high. That ought to be sufficient to rout anybody opposing us. Then leave two men aboard to keep guard against surprise and look after the searchlight, and with your other men charge up the pier. Understand?”