“Great Scott!” breathed Jack.
So close that his hand outstretched could have touched it, the tug passed abreast; then the “Gray Gull” began to bob up and down on the waves.
The engine of the “Gray Gull” had been reversed, and it was coming to a stop.
“That was a narrow escape,” cried Bob.
“I should say so,” said Jack, in shaky tones.
“Hey! What’s the matter with you fellers?”
A grizzly, weather-beaten man leaning over the rail of the tug was glaring sternly toward them.
“Don’t you know anything about river signals?” demanded the other, sharply.
“No—that is——” began Jack, in some confusion.
“I thought so,” said the captain, grimly. Then, as his eyes took in the pleasing appearance of the lads, his tone softened. “Yer want ter l’arn ’em, young fellers,” he counseled. “It’s risky enough on the water without not havin’ no knowledge o’ them things. Stick what I’m goin’ ter tell yer in them noddles of yourn; an’ don’t let it git out—understand?”