"Listen!" said Matt.
The exhaust of an engine struck on his ears, faintly but distinctly. It came from somewhere to the south of the place where he and McGlory were standing.
"What is it, pard?" queried the cowboy.
"A boat! Didn't you hear Red-whiskers speak about a launch?"
"Yes, but I reckoned it was the Sprite he meant, and that he changed his mind when he saw you hustling to get between him and the boat."
"It wasn't the Sprite, but another launch, and—— Ah, see that!"
Matt pointed into the darkness to the southward. A light could be seen moving around the end of a slip, gliding across the dark water like a star.
"There they go!" cried McGlory excitedly.
"This way, Joe," called Matt, whirling and running toward the Sprite. "Hurry!"
The Chinese boy was still dozing by the post, the noise caused by the recent scrimmage not having been sufficiently loud to disturb him. He was on his feet, however, the instant Matt dropped a hand on his shoulder.