"If we're going to do anything, we'd better get at it," suggested Andy.
"He'll come to his senses in a minute and we'll have our hands full.
He's a powerful fellow."
"That's so. I wonder where there's some rope?" asked Frank.
Andy motioned to the wreck of the motor boat, near which the man lay.
"There's plenty," he said. "They had a long rope to tow it with. I'll get some."
Holding the cord in readiness, the two brothers approached the man, one on either side.
"You take his feet, and I'll attend to his hands," whispered Frank. "Have a slip-noose ready to put on, and pull it tight. Then take several turns and we'll truss him up."
They worked silently and rapidly. Andy slipped the coil of rope about the man's ankles, and pulled the noose taut. As he was doing this the man stirred and murmured:
"I'll get even with you for this, Hank Splane!"
"Quick! He'll come to in a minute!" whispered Andy.
"I've got him," answered Frank. As one of the man's arms was partly under him the lad had to pull it out before he could slip the noose around it. But he finally accomplished this, and, just as he had it tight, the fellow suddenly sat up.