"What are you trying to cross my bows for in this fashion?
That's no way to run, not showing a masthead light or even blowing a whistle.

Avast and belay! You might have sunk me if I didn't happen to be a heavier craft than you." As the man spoke he instinctively grasped the two boys, preventing them from continuing their flight.
"What's the trouble ?" he went on.

"I heard a female crying--sounding a distress signal like.

Where are the burglars?
Are you going for the police ?" "No, sir.

It was us, playing tic-tac," explained Bob, thinking it best to make a clean breast of the affair.
"Tic-tac, eh?
I haven't heard that since I was a boy.