"All right, come aboard."

By this time the Ripper was quite close, and, in another moment it had
come alongside of the boat containing Rose, Olivia, Ned and Bob.

"These are some friends of ours from the east," said Rose, introducing
Ned and Bob, "There's another one, in that boat with Nellie," she went
on, telling Jerry's name.

"I'm sure I'm glad to meet you all," said Charlie Farson, with such
good nature, that the boys could feel no resentment toward him. "Come
aboard, and we'll go for a spin. I guess it will be best to anchor
your two boats here and you can pick them up when we come back. We can
make better time then."

"Oh, your boat always makes good time," complimented Nellie, as she
made her way to the cabin of the Ripper. "That's the only objection I
have. You run her so fast that if you ever hit anything it would sink
your boat before you had time to jump overboard."

"But I'm not going to hit anything," declared Charlie.

He tied the two rowboats together, the other boys helping him, and
then anchored them with a small, spare kedge he carried on his craft.

"All ready?" he asked, looking to see that his passengers were
comfortably seated.

"Already, Captain Charlie," answered Rose.