“I say, boys,” said Bart, after a fit of musing, “what a pity it is that we can’t fasten the vessel somehow, and keep her here! There’s an old tree at the bottom of the bank big enough to moor a ship at. If we could only get a line around it from the schooner, we could keep the vessel here till they did come.” “Yes, that would be the best plan,” said Bruce; “for I’ve-been thinking that we may find some people here who would sail the schooner back to the cove. It would be a great pity to let her drift.” “It’s a pity that we can’t get at her,” said Arthur. “And why can’t we?” asked Bart. Why! The question at once made every one stare and think. Each one could answer in his own mind why such a thing could not be done, but no one stated such a reason. All were silent. “It’s not very far,” said Bart. “No.” “Not so far as it was to wade when we landed.” “That’s a fact.” “And I move that we try, it.” “Ah, that’s all very well!” said Phil. “But who _will_ try it?” “Well, then, _I_ will,” said Bart. “O, then, if it comes to that, I’ll go too,” said Bruce. “So will I,” said Arthur. “And I,” said Phil. “And I’ll be with you, boys,” said Tom. “Of course you will,” said Bart.-“But what’s the use of all of us going. Two of us will be enough. Bruce and I can take our poles and do it. It’s not much any way.” “And I’ll go with my handspike,” said Arthur. “In fact, I don’t think we need even boat-hooks,” said Bruce. “The bottom is hard sand just there, all the way out to the vessel. It’s as safe as a floor.” “Yes, except for one thing,” said Arthur, holding up the jaw of the fish. “Hm!” said Bruce. “For my part, I don’t believe there’s any danger just here. It’s too near the bank, I never heard of them coming in so near high-water mark; but, at the same time, I dare say it will be better to take the boat-hooks.” “O, yes. We’ll feel safer,” said Bart, “and that’s something. One advantage will be, that we won’t be bothered with our bundles.” “How do you propose to do?” asked Bruce. “Well, to board her and get a line.” “Will any of the lines be strong enough?” “Well, my idea is, to let down the chain, fasten the rope to the anchor stump, and all of us can then drag it ashore. We can then wait till the tide brings the vessel near enough for us to pass the line, or the chain, around the tree.” “That ought to hold it,” said Arthur. “Of course it will.” “Very well then. Let’s start. And first of all, let’s strip.” “I’ll take the pistol, Bart,” said Phil, as Bart laid it down before taking off his belt; “and if anything happens, I’ll fire.” “All right, my son,” said Bart. They all went down then to the beach below, where they stripped, and the adventurous five went into the water, although only three were going on board; for Tom and Phil, felt bound in honor to share the possible peril of the others.