The cheery words of the policemen followed him; but pleasant as these may have been, it was something entirely different that caused Rob to laugh softly to himself as he heard it. And this was the shrill "k-r-e-e-e" of the Eagles, sent after him by his chums, as a token of their esteem, and in recognition of the great aid scoutcraft had proven to them during the last hour or more.
Thus closed one of the most interesting experiences that had ever fallen to the lot of the Eagle Patrol scouts; one that they would be apt to remember years afterwards, when time had caused them to forget many other adventures that had come their way. And doubtless Tubby did keep his folks breathless while he narrated the exciting details over the supper table—after he had taken off the first sharp edge of his wonderful appetite.
CHAPTER VIII.
A DAZZLING PLAN.
Rob was up and around at daybreak the following morning, for as yet the anticipated storm had not come up the coast, and it seemed as though he might manage to get his stranded sailboat back home before the wind assumed hurricane force.
He was just starting in to have a bit of breakfast, having made the coffee, as every Boy Scout who is worth his salt is taught to do, when a cheery whistle from without announced the coming of Merritt. As it had been arranged between them that Rob would attend to the breakfast part, the Crawford boy was soon partaking of his share.
"Think we'll be able to get back with the boat?" he asked Rob, as he swallowed his hot coffee in such large quantities that the tears came into his eyes.
"I don't see why we shouldn't," answered the other; "the wind has shifted quite a lot, and once we start we'll be able to make it with about three tacks."
"How about that hole? I don't reckon you'll spend much time fixing that now?" Merritt went on to say.