"I think you had better do the talking, Mr. Jepson, for they will know me," said Dory.
"Wouldn't it be better to do no talking?" asked the instructor.
"We must answer them if they keep hailing us, or they will be suspicious."
"Have you seen any thing of Angy?" shouted one of the burglars.
"He is on shore," replied Mr. Jepson.
"Why didn't he come off with you?"
"His business was such that he couldn't leave," answered the machinist; but perhaps they did not hear his reply.
The two burglars seemed to be talking together, and the boat was now almost near enough to hear what they said. Like all the rest of the intercourse in the party, it was not entirely harmonious, and they appeared to be disputing about something. As the boat approached the schooner, Dory told the instructor what to say.
"One of you go aft, and put the helm hard down, and the other cast off the main-sheet, or you will drag your anchor, and get aground!" shouted the instructor, as they came alongside of the schooner.
Dory took it for granted that the hands on board of the La Motte were not sailors; though he had seen enough of their management of the schooner to convince him that they were not skilful seamen, to say the least. Both of the men hastened aft, without appearing to understand that the order given them was an absurd one. With the painter of the boat in his hand, Dory leaped on board of the vessel, and Mr. Jepson followed him.