Jonas and the captain's man were throwing the fish from the boat up on the rocks, and they did not hear the boys until they rushed upon them with a suppressed whoop.
"Where are they, Jonas? Have they come ashore?" demanded Joe.
Jonas raised himself slowly from his work, and stared at the speaker, as he answered with provoking slowness, "Where's who?"
"Oh, you know. The boys--Ralph and Ben. Have they come ashore?"
"Not as I know of; I haven't seen 'em."
Marcus had thrown out the last fish, and was about to push off his boat, when Joe leaped in, and Dave followed, blanket and all.
"That's cool, I must say. What business have you got in here?" growled Marcus; but Joe saw that it was a good-natured growl, and he only laughed as he seated himself.--"Now, what shall I do?" asked Marcus, appealing to the cook. "I don't believe these chaps are wanted over there."
"Yes, let them come," called Mr. Bernard, who, having heard the voices, appeared at the vessel's side.
"All right, sir--just as you say," answered Marcus.
In a few moments the boat had reached the vessel; and Joe, nimble as a monkey, was up the side in a twinkling.