"
"H'm, I thought so. Worked fer him last year at the same job, eh?"
"Yes."
"How many of yez are there?" the captain enquired.
"Three. Pete Simons, the engineer, is on board."
"Well, then, ye jist tell Pete to drop anchor, and tumble in there with
yez. If yez try any foolin', I'll shoot."
"But what are ye going to do?" one of the men demanded. "We can't stay
here."
"Never mind what I'm goin' to do; ye'll find that out in plenty of
time. It's not a bad place to stay, after all. Yez won't starve, and
I shan't shoot so long as yez behave yerselves. Hurry up, and give
Pete his orders!"
The engineer had heard every word which had been spoken. At first he
was tempted to steam away, and leave his companions to their fate. But
he knew that he could not very well steer the tug and handle the engine
at the same time. He, therefore, decided to remain. It took him only
a few minutes to run out the anchor, and join his companions, as they
backed their boat to the stern of the tug.
"Now pull fer the shore," the captain ordered. "Don't try to git away
from me. At the first sign I'll shoot."
Rod rowed the tender, while the captain with his rifle across his knees
kept his eyes fixed upon the three men in the other boat.
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