“But blessed effective,” declared Percy Simmons.
“That’s your ghost ship, Harry,” laughed Ralph.
“Don’t rub it in. I feel enough like a chump already,” groaned Harry.
“Well, anyhow, their little bit of deception has ended the chase for to-night,” said Ralph, after some more discussion. “Let’s get back to the River Swallow, boys, and then light out for home. We’ve spent a lot of time on this job. I was going to say ‘wasted,’ but I guess we’re destined to see more of that craft in the future, and it has done no harm to learn what cunning fellows are in charge of her. We’ll be harder to fool next time.”
“You bet we will,” came from both his companions, with a meaning emphasis.
“Now for the River Swallow,” said Ralph, as he took up the oars and prepared to row back to the craft.
“Where’s the light you told Malvin to put out?” asked Percy, in a puzzled voice, for the darkness shut them in all around and no light showed through it to guide them back.
“Why, I don’t see it. However, I know about where we left her,” responded Ralph.
But his knowledge was not as accurate as he surmised, for, after pulling about on the dark waters for more than an hour, and shouting at the top of their voices without eliciting any response, the lads were face to face with the fact that the chances of their finding the River Swallow that night were very remote.
“It’s that rascal Malvin at his tricks again,” declared Ralph angrily. “When we get back home I’ll get my father to discharge him. He’s sore at us because we’ve got full charge of the boat, and he’s trying to take it out in every mean, petty way he can think of.”