Several men had evidently just leaped into the craft which, because of the shallow water, had to be shoved some distance out.
Then a strange thing happened. The men appeared to be surprised at the sight of the girls—an unexpected sight, it would appear—for some of them seemed anxious to put back, while others were urgent for keeping on out into the bay.
"That's queer!" commented Betty.
"What?" asked Amy.
"Those men seem anxious to come back; at least, some of them do, and others don't," went on Betty. "Look, they seem to be quarreling among themselves!"
CHAPTER IX
THE BOX IN THE SAND
"Goodness!" cried Grace, shrinking back against Betty. "They are fighting!"
"It does look so," responded the Little Captain. "One man seems to be trying to jump overboard!"