The horse moved down to the water, and was unhitched.
“But where’s Dan?” asked Tom.
“He had a beast of a chill, and I made him stay behind at the fire,” answered Bob. “But he said he was coming along in a minute. We had an awful time finding anybody. Got off the road, and pretty near wandered back into the bay on the other side over there. This chap’s all right. He was out harnessing that plug of his before we were through telling him.”
“Which of you fellows can row?” asked the stranger.
“All of us,” answered Tom.
“Well, I’ve only got two pairs of oars, so I guess one will be enough.” He turned to Bob. “Want to come?”
“Sure,” said Bob, “unless—” He looked at Nelson.
“No, go ahead, old chap,” Nelson answered. “You did the hard work, and ought to have the glory. I’ll stay here and look after Tommy.”
So Bob scrambled into the dory, and the stranger pushed off. They had launched at a point some little distance up the beach, and presently, when they had struggled through the breakers, they turned the boat’s nose out to sea, and worked along toward the bar. It was wet work, but not dangerous, for with careful management a dory will lift itself over the worst sea that ever ran. When they approached the sloop the stranger hailed, but there was no answer.