rned and the boys embarked. The boat was a flat
bottomed affair, made for fishing purposes, and was to be noted because
of its rugged and simple construction, rather that for being a thing of
beauty. Doright handled the craft with skill.

"Now then, engineer," Tom cried flinging himself full length in the
bottom of the boat, "let out a link! We're going home!"

Doright's application to the oars quickly brought the party to a point
where they could distinguish the riding lights of the vessels at anchor
in the river. As they were passing the mouth of a little bayou, Frank
declared he saw people in a boat near the entrance. In explanation
Doright told him that many people were out for fish at that hour,
seeming to think the fish fed at certain hours, hence were more easily
captured.

In a short time Doright's muscles had forced the ungainly looking craft
to a point where it was necessary to use care in navigating the stretch
of water if collision with shipping was to be avoided. His skill born of
long practice was very evident. Arrived at the shipyard Jack tossed the
black a dollar saying that they were grateful for the help he had
rendered them.

Unchallenged the boys approached the Fortuna. They expected at least a
hail from the watchman of the yard. None came.

"Ah," observed Jack stooping over a prostrate figure near the foot of
the ladder leading to the deck of the Fortuna, "he sleeps."

"What's the trouble with the watchman, if it is he?" asked Tom.

"It is the watchman," Jack answered with a tenseness of expression, "and
he's struck with bottle paralysis. I wonder if the Fortuna is all right,
or has that Wyckoff had the run of things a while."

"Let's get aboard quickly," suggested Frank, "and look about."

"Up we go," cried Tom. "Easy, lads, the ladder's shaky."

Jack in the lead stepped inside the pilot house and down the
companion-way. As he reached the cabin below, his chums heard him
stumble. Quickly they reached for the light switch.

"Who left that bundle there?" asked Jack. "What's in it?"

"I didn't," declared Tom; "open it up and see what's inside."

Jack tore off the wrapper. Aghast he stared at his friends.

CHAPTER XVI

RESCUE AND CAPTURE

As Arnold rushed back into the burning cabin the gallery roof fell,
effectually blocking the doorway, thus preventing escape again.

"Harry," cried the frightened boy. "Harry, where are you?"

Through the pall of smoke and amid the his