they're making up their minds who and what we can be, and if it's going
to pay 'em to board this same craft, to clean it out. Don't anybody
make out like we're watching 'em; but try and remember where you put our
gun, Thad; because who knows but what we might need the same right bad
before long?"




CHAPTER VII

ON HEAVING WATERS


"Gee! Pirates! Whew!"

That was only Bumpus talking to himself; as he lay there on the deck,
and stared across the swelling water toward the black powerboat that was
heading the other way, so as to cross their course.

There were apparently several men in the strange boat; and as Giraffe
had just remarked, they seemed to be more or less interested in the
Chippeway Belle and her young crew, for every one of them was looking
that way, and one man really had a pair of marine glasses up to his
eyes.

Thad dived into the interior of what was called the "hunting cabin," and
quickly reappeared bearing the glasses they had been wise enough to
fetch along, as well as a compass whereby to steer.