“Right as can be, as far as I can see,” was the answer. “I’ll have to dry it and polish it. There wasn’t anything serious the matter with it yesterday–just a little trouble with the ignition–and I was just getting it into shape, when that big wave came aboard and took me over.”
“We’ll stand by anyway for a few minutes to make sure,” said Lester, as he rose to return to the Ariel.
“Don’t wait another minute,” urged Ross earnestly. “You fellows have done enough for me already, and I know you’re just aching to get home to relieve your father’s mind.”
“We’ll cast off anyway,” was the reply. “It’ll take a little time to run up the sheet and get ready to sail, and by that time you’ll know better how things are.”
“What do you call your boat, Ross?” asked 59 Teddy, as the rest of the boys rose to follow Lester.
“I’ve named her the Sleuth,” answered Ross.
“It’s a mighty suitable name, considering what you’re using her for,” laughed Teddy. “Let’s hope she’ll be sleuth enough to get on the trail of the smugglers.”
“She will,” said Ross with decision; and a look of determination leaped into his eyes, while his lips compressed themselves into a straight line.
His chums drew in the fenders and ran up the sail, while Lester took his place at the tiller and eased the Ariel off, until a space of twenty feet separated the two boats.
“We’ll run a few rings around you, while you get the engine to working,” called out Lester.