“If I had your mouth for pie——”
Alex began, but checked himself before completing the sentence—much to Jule’s disappointment.
The boys had a merry time over the dishes, and then Clay and Case went to bed, leaving Alex and Jule to watch the Rambler during the remainder of the night. In a short time all was still on board. The storm which had driven so fiercely against the motor boat in the early part of the night had now passed over, leaving a rim of moon in the west.
Directly Alex passed out of the cabin and stood on the deck. Jule was half asleep in the cabin.
For a time there was only the roaring of the river to break the silence. The wind had died down to a gentle breeze, and there was the scent of spring in the air.
Captain Joe came out on deck after a time and sniffed the air excitedly. In a moment he was on the railing of the boat, looking over to the west shore. Alex spoke to him, but for once his words received no attention.
“What is it, Joe?” asked the boy.
Captain Joe only wagged his stumpy tail.
“I’ll soon find out what’s doing here!” decided Alex. “How would you like a run on shore, Captain Joe?” the boy went on. “It ain’t a very swell night for a ramble, but I feel as if my legs wouldn’t be the worse for a little stretching.”
Jule was below, in the cabin, and there could be no possible harm, the boy thought, in leaving the watch to him. Therefore he took the rowboat and started for the shore, accompanied by the dog, who seemed very anxious to get to the land.