They decided to turn the Rocket downstream, hold it back as well as possible, even to the extent of drifting once in a while, the better to give a chance of studying the brush along the shore of the river.
Another fifteen minutes passed, and it was noticeable they were moving with the current a little faster than they had come up against it.
It was Frank who, happening to glance up from the wheel at the right moment, saw something which attracted his attention at the shore.
“Look! Do you see anything?” he cried.
“It’s a rowboat!” exclaimed Lanky. “And I believe it’s the same one! Let’s get to it.”
Frank started the engine, swung the Rocket out toward midstream, and turned its nose back toward the spot where he had seen the boat among the weeds, pulled well up from the river.
CHAPTER XI
THE MYSTERY BOX
Lanky Wallace leaped to shore as the Rocket was brought slowly in, and Paul cast the line to him. It took several minutes to tie the motor boat properly, but when it was done the other boys stepped gingerly off.
They gathered about the rowboat, as if it were some strange animal, five pairs of eyes centered upon it.