"Hurrah!" shouted the boys.
"Let go the rope!" I called to the boys aft. "Stop her, Vallington."
I hastened up to the wheel-house, the better to work her. I found she lay in good position to go ahead, and I shouted to Bob Hale to cast off the rope from the tree, directing the boys on the forward deck to haul it on board. I rang one bell, and the boat moved ahead slowly towards the wood pier. The boys cheered lustily, and were overjoyed at our good fortune in getting out of the scrape. In a few moments I ran the bow of the steamer up to the pier, and she was made fast to the ring.
"Now we are all hunky-dory," said Tom Rush, who was rather given to "expressions," and who was overjoyed to find there was still a chance for an excitement.
"Not quite," I added.
"What's the matter now?"
"We want some dinner."
"You shall have it in half an hour."
And while Tom was superintending the cooking, Vallington, Bob Hale, and myself had a consultation in the wheel-house.