“It’s a wonder the boys didn’t think of that prow light before,” was Case’s comment as they laid the stretcher down on the shore.
“It was out of kilter when I left the boat,” said Clay. “What is bothering me now is how to get this boy on board the boat. I don’t think we can get the boat any nearer to the land.”
“We must manage it, in some way, before long, for the lad has been exposed to the storm for a long time.”
“Why, of course we can get him over to the Rambler,” cut in Case. “You have only to lift the stretcher into the rowboat, then lift it out again when we reach the Rambler!”
“Never thought of that!” laughed Clay. “Two heads are better than one, if one is a bit thick!”
“Anything to get me out of this storm!” groaned Paul. “I don’t think I shall ever be warm again.”
While the boys were getting Paul on board the Rambler Stagg appeared to be very busy about the boy’s head. More than once he bent over the lad, as if trying to recognize him, but the boy was too badly beaten up for that.
At last he seemed to give it up, but there was still a look of inquiry in his eyes, and Clay referred to it.
“He acts to me like he was looking for a friend,” he said.
“He does act rather strangely,” was Case’s comment. “Still, he may be one of the curious kind.”