not find some angle worms; for without bait it was folly to think of
catching fish on hooks; and all sorts of other contraptions were barred
from the contest.

Giraffe, however, was not asleep, and he saw what his rival was up to;
but although Bumpus was not aware of the fact, the tall scout had had
his line over the side for half an hour now, also baited, and with the
hope of a bite.

From now on the race promised to become pretty warm between them, once
they got fully started in the game.

They had talked over about every subject that could be imagined,
including the matter of the mysterious powerboat that had passed them
that afternoon, apparently heading in another direction; though Thad
knew that long afterwards those in the black craft had altered their
course, and were really following them.

It was getting along near time when they ought to be thinking about
retiring so as to get some rest, when another subject came up suddenly.

Giraffe, who had been stretching that long neck of his for some little
time, observed that he was trying to make out what a certain queer light
might stand for.

"It's away up the shore yonder, fellows, and seems to be a lantern, as
near as I can make out," he went on to say; "every now and then it bobs
up, and down; and if you asked me I'd say it was, meant for some sort of
signal!"