"What's that out there, fellows ?" he demanded.
It was some seconds before they discovered that which had attracted his attention.

Then when they did so, they were unable to decide what it was.

They were certain that the object had not been there the night before.
"That's right where the 'Red Rover' lay," cried Larry Goheen.

"Maybe they have sunk." The boys with one accord ran for the rowboat.

They shoved it off, leaped in and began rowing at top speed toward the object that had attracted their attention.