“What’s up?” asked Joe.
“Don’t you see——”
And Joe saw. Two figures were reclining in indolent ease on the deck of the house-boat, and the first glance showed the boys that they were unprepossessing specimens of humanity.
CHAPTER VII
THE BATTLE FOR THE BOAT
“Tramps, as I live!” cried Jack, excitedly. “Did you ever hear of such nerve!”
“The worst ever!” exclaimed Tom. “We ought to rout them out of that pretty fast.”
“And we will, too,” said Bob. “Come ahead, fellows,” and he broke into a run.
“Hold on,” said Fred, solemnly. “Diplomacy is a good word.”
But the others did not seem to hear.