The quarter-boat was lowered into the water, and the two officers on board of her were soon placed on the deck of the schooner. It was too rough for the principal to attempt to do any thing more; and one of the officers gave a message to Dory, instructing him to take the vessel to the school. The La Motte filled away again, and the Sylph followed her. "What have you got here, Dory?" asked Mr. Bushby, the deputy-sheriff, pointing at the prisoner fastened to the rail. "We have nine in all. The other seven are fastened into the hold and cabin. But five of them had nothing to do with the robbery, and didn't know any thing about it. They did not come on board of the schooner till about an hour ago; though they tried to break out of the cabin when we fastened them in," replied Dory. "You have had a regular circus of it, and your uncle was afraid you would get hurt;" added Mr. Bushby. "We have been in a sort of conflict all the time, but no one on our side has been hurt; though I think some of the prisoners have sore fingers." "Of course, these fellows were provided with pistols," suggested the officer. "The chief had one, and he snapped it in my face, though it did not go off; but I have not seen a revolver or any other dangerous weapon in the hands of any other member of the party, though I believe this prisoner has one." "You say you have fastened them into the cabin?" queried Mr. Bushby. "I will tell you all about it;" and Dory proceeded to do so. Before he had finished his narrative, the La Motte had entered the river. The Sylph came up within hailing-distance of her, and directed her to come to under the lee of the shore. As she did so, the steamer came alongside of her; and Captain Gildrock directed the captain to have the two vessels lashed together. The principal had a smile on his face when he came on the deck of the schooner, though he did not abate one jot of his dignity. Dory did not expect to be censured, but he did not like the looks of that smile; and he was sure that it had been put on for his benefit. It was an indication that his uncle did not fully approve what he had done, though he would not condemn him till he knew all the facts in the case. He knew that Captain Gildrock never encouraged any thing like knight-errantry in the students. He liked manly boys, but he did not believe that they should be any older than their years would allow. The sails of the schooner were lowered; and the Sylph went ahead, towing her up the river. The principal spoke very kindly to Dory, but the smile still played upon his face. He hardly looked at the prisoners on deck, and seated himself on the rail. At his request, Dory gave a minute account of every thing that happened since he heard the explosion early in the morning.