"
The boys were inexperienced and for a moment they stared blankly
at one another, startled more than they were willing to
acknowledge by the bold threat of their unwelcome passenger.
"Well, what is it?" said the man a moment later when no reply had
been given to his questions. "Which do you want?"
"The thing for us to do," said Grant in a low voice to Fred, "is
to keep right on. We'll take this man down to your grandfather's
island and when we get there we'll tell him all about it. He'll
know best what to do and we'll wait for his advice before we do
anything."
"That's all right, Soc," said Fred, greatly relieved by the words
of his friend. Then turning to their passenger he said more
boldly than before he had spoken, "I guess we'll take our chances
and have you go with us. We'll find out more about this later and
give you a chance to tell your story."
"It's all the same to me," said the man glibly. "I'll be glad to
have the ride anyway. It's been a long time since I have been on
the St. Lawrence River."
Apparently Fred's threat had produced slight effect upon the
addition to their party. He spoke as if he were in no fear for
himself, while his threat to swear out a warrant for the boys,
although it had startled them, had not greatly alarmed any one.
Meanwhile the Black Growler, almost as if she was sharing in the
excitement of the boys, was speeding swiftly down the river.
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