Thad could not exactly see the forms of those who were waiting for them
to come in, but since the focus of light changed from spot to spot he
concluded that they were also drawing closer to the shore line, so as to
be ready to receive those whom they already counted on as their
prisoners.

And, Thad waited, in momentary expectation of hearing some sort of
explosion, when the parties realized their mistake. In fact, he was so
sure of this that he would not make the slightest effort to draw that
shotgun closer to him, though that might have seemed good policy.

Finally the nose of the cruiser came smack up against the rocks with
quite a little bump; and Giraffe, having failed to fend off in time, was
almost toppled over, but he managed to clutch hold of Bumpus to steady
himself, and that was like seizing upon the Rock of Gibraltar, because
it would take a derrick to move the stout scout, once he settled down.

So, when for the second time the boat came in contact with the shore,
Giraffe was able to give a little leap, painter in hand, and reach land.

Just as he did so, that deep bus voice sprang up again; and this time,
as Thad had expected, it told of considerable chagrin and
disappointment.

"Well, what's this? Only a bunch of kids, after all, instead of
Cranston and his gang of smugglers. The joke's on us, men; it is to
laugh!"