ing for us. Possibly we might want to get out of
here in a hurry, although I'm averse to running away like a frightened
duck," remarked Frank.

"I say stick it out, and give them tit for tat. We're armed, and can make
a pretty good showing," declared Bluff, also turning up after hearing
voices.

So they began preparations for breakfast, Frank keeping an eye on the
sharpie meanwhile. He expected that the trio of spongers would not be
likely to pull out without some show of threatening the four who
comprised the crew of the motor-boat.

Joe proved to be a bright-faced lad, once the grime was removed, under
the influence of salt-water soap and a rough towel. All of the outdoor
chums were glad that they had found a chance to be of service to one in
distress, for Joe insisted that he never could have stood the vile
treatment he was receiving, and meant to run away at the very first
opportunity.

They were just sitting down to breakfast when Will gave the alarm.

"They're pulling up anchor, fellows, and hoisting sail. From the
appearance of things, we'd better look out for squalls," he announced.

Each of the other three quietly reached around and seized a gun. Will,
not to be outdone, picked up the instrument with which he did most of his
shooting, his beloved camera, and waited for a chance to snap off the
ugly faces of the spongers.

CHAPTER XVII

STUCK ON AN OYSTER BAR

"Do you think they'll attack us, Joe?" asked Jerry as the sharpie began
to head straight for the anchored motor-boat.

"No, I don't. Them fellers is big cowards, and when they see the guns
they'll take it out in talking," came the prompt answer.

"I believe Joe is right. They must be cowards, or they'd never have
abused a boy as they did him. He showed me a lot of bruises from kicks
he's had," observed Frank, with a gleam in his eye and a look on his face
that told of his detestation for the brute who could, in a temper, knock
a child down.

"Say! Perhaps it might be just as well to get the anchor up, and start
the motor, in case we wanted to move, anyway," remarked Bluff.

"A hunky idea!" echoed Jerry.

Frank himself agreed to it. So while Jerry hastened to get the mudhook
aboard, Frank bent down over the motor. They heard him crank it, and then
came the merry and suggestive hum that bespoke business.

"Now, if we wanted, we could go spinning away, and laugh at them,"
observed Will.

"But we don't intend to, all the same," sai