Page:The Rover Boys on the Ocean.djvu/35

Rh "And here comes somebody up the steps. Mumps, sure enough," whispered Sam.

"Let us get behind the trees and learn what is going on," came from Dick, and the three brothers lost no time in secreting themselves in the immediate vicinity.

"Well, John, I've been waiting for you," said Josiah Crabtree, as Mumps came forward and the two shook hands.

"So have I been waiting for you," returned the former sneak of Putnam Hall. "Why didn't you come yesterday?"

"It was impossible to do so, my lad. Is that the Falcon down there?"

"It is."

"Who is in charge of her?"

"A sailor named Bill Goss."

"Is he a—ahem—a man to be trusted?"

"I guess I can trust him," snickered Mumps. "If he dared to give me away I could send him to jail."

"You mean that you—er—have him—ahem—in your power?"

"That's it, Mr. Crabtree."

"Very good. And is he a good sailor?"

"As good as any on the river."

"Then he can sail the yacht down the river without mishap?"