The boat was then secured without difficulty.
"Now, Charley, you get into the Zephyr with two fellows, and tow the Sylph off," said Tim, in a whisper.
"Shan't I get my crew first ?" "Just as you like." Charles and his two companions got into the Zephyr and worked her down to the rock, where he received his crew.

It was found then that some of the Rovers had not yet made their appearance, so that there were only ten boys to each boat.
Although the success of the criminal undertaking required the utmost caution, Charles found his command were disposed to be very boisterous, and all his efforts would hardly keep them quiet.

After some trouble he got away from the shore; but his crew, from the want of discipline, were utterly incapable of pulling in concert.

They had not taken three strokes before they were all in confusion--tumbling off the thwarts, knocking each other in the back, and each swearing at and abusing his companions.
"Hold your jaw, there!" called Tim Bunker, in a low tone, from the Butterfly.
"Cease rowing!" said Charles.
But they would not "cease rowing," and the prospect was that a general fight would soon ensue in spite of all the coxswain's efforts to restore order.

At last Tim came alongside, and rapping two or three of the turbulent Rovers over the head with a boathook, he succeeded in quieting them.
After several attempts Charles got them so they could pull without knocking each other out of the boat; but he was heartily disgusted with his crew, and would gladly have escaped from them, even if Rippleton Jail had yawned to receive him.