“Well, what’s the next move?” asked Case. “Shall we board the boat? Or shall we wait for the next move of the robbers?”
“Give him some Peter Pratt,” suggested Clay. Rube and Buck, who had remained silent during this conversation, nearly jumped out of the motor boat when Jule opened up with:
“What are you doing in my boat? Get out, and get out quick, or I’ll knock your block off!”
“Who was that talking?” asked Rube.
The boys snickered.
“Sounds like he meant business, whoever it is!” suggested Buck. “Say, but he gave me a start!”
“You’ve got a heap of nerve, taking my boat without my consent! I think you’ve got a trimming coming!”
“Who’s doing all this talking?” demanded Rube. “It ain’t his boat, nohow.”
Before anyone could reply, a figure, strongly outlined against the light of the Rambler, rushed to the deck and crouched down behind the railing, from which position only his head could be seen, his body being concealed by the framework of the railing.
“What’s coming off here?” Jule’s voice went on. “If you don’t get away from that railing, I’ll shoot, and shoot to kill!”