The supposition that Alex would not be seen at that time proved to be incorrect, however, for a shout was now heard from the launch, and Alex was seen waving a cap from the cockpit.
The cap soon disappeared from sight, however, for bullets began dropping down from the shore. On the Rambler, the boys were behind the heavy gunwales, and Alex was hidden by the cockpit walls so, beyond splintering the railings and making havoc in the finely-decorated cabin of the launch, the bullets did no damage.
“Now, how do you think that little customer got out to the launch without getting perforated?” asked Case.
“He swam out, of course,” replied Jule, “—he just ducked under and swam out. I wish we could get him on board the Rambler.”
“Now, that tow-line,” Case said, “is too long. The boy can’t swim under water all that distance. Can’t we pull the launch up?”
“Nothing in the world to prevent it,” said Captain Joe. “If we can get the end of the line into the cabin, the launch will come up like a duck. Then Alex can come aboard without much danger.”
This plan was adopted. The Cartier was easily drawn up to the stern of the Rambler and Alex stepped aboard.
In a moment he was lying behind the gunwale with the others.
“Where did you say Clay was?” asked Captain Joe.
“I haven’t seen him for a long time,” was the reply. “We saw that wharf rat, Max, in the forest and I started away to follow him. At that time Clay was coming toward the boat. I thought he might be here.”