When Tom went forward again it occurred to him to take a look down into the engine room. The sight that met his gaze was a surprising one. Joe was lying on his back on one of the lockers, the first time he had ever been asleep at his post!
The time dragged on slowly. His honor, being wholly comfortable and well occupied where he was, didn’t come forward to ask any questions.
“There’s the forenoon boat coming,” whispered Jed, at last.
“Confound it,” muttered Tom. “I wish I had thought to keep better out of her track.”
The passenger steamer soon signaled. Tom answered on the auto whistle.
Then the passenger steamer ran in closer to the motor boat. The captain of the steamer, standing before the pilot house, megaphone in hand, called over the waters:
“Are you in distress?”
“Only a temporary break in the engine,” Tom answered, through his megaphone.
“Do you need any assistance?”
“No, thank you,” Halstead responded.