Having turned about the mate headed back for the village of Agua Dulce.
Just as the tug was making in at the village pier, Hal descried the figure of Captain Foster just stepping on to the pier.
"My captain won't keep me guessing long, if he's really displeased," reflected Hal, with an inward quiver.
"Tug ahoy, there!" hailed Captain Foster in a displeased voice.
"Ahoy, sir!" Hal shouted back.
"Haven't you been away out in the stream, sir?"
"Yes, sir."
Captain Foster asked no more for the moment, so Hal offered no further information.
On the instant, however, when the deckhands leaped ashore with the hawse-lines Captain Foster called quietly, even if coldly:
"Come ashore, Mr. Overton, as soon as you can."