of the _Kentigern_ could be seen, twinkling like a planet.

In twenty minutes the dark hull of the _Kentigern_ came looming out of
the night. A hail shot from the _Quinn_, and a faint reply came back.
Dark figures could now be seen, outlined by the cabin lights in the
forward section of the tramp.

"Hello, what tug is that?" sounded from the bridge. "Is that you,
Captain Barney?"

"No, it's the _Quinn_, Cap'n Jim Skelly. Hodge is laid up to-night;
I'll take you into dock."

"All right; come aboard," and after a minute's scurrying of figures on
the deck a flimsy companion-ladder rattled down over the side of the
freighter.

Dan heard it and ground his teeth in disappointment.

"Gripes!" he exclaimed. "They've that ladder down an hour before I
thought they would. Now we're up against it, sure."

With a growl Captain Barney whipped out his knife and made a pass at
the tow-line. He missed it and dropped back in the stern as Dan struck
at him with his oar.

"Wait!" hissed the young boatman. "We'd have no chance at all. We've
got to get nearer. The tug 'd beat us a mile. Sit tight, you old
fool!"