Besides, it happened to be the only available boat lying at the levee just then, and they would have taken it even though they had been obliged to use force to gain its possession, so eager were they to recapture the _Venture_.
This was the reasoning of two of the "river-traders;" while the third sprang aboard because the others did, and without stopping to reason.
Grimshaw made his way at once to the pilothouse, where Mr.Gilder followed him, in order to learn his plans.

Plater walked aft, and through the engine-room window saw that the mule was already in his treadmill, where Solon had just completed his harnessing.

Without alarming the negro by making his presence known, the big man stole away, and gaining the pilot-house, rang the engine-room bell that meant "Go ahead." To the great satisfaction of at least two of the "river-traders" this order was promptly obeyed.

Within a couple of minutes the city had disappeared, and the _Whatnot_ was slipping down the fog-enshrouded river.
"What is the meaning of this ?" demanded Mr.Gilder, as he followed Grimshaw into the pilot-house.

"Are you crazy that you are going off with this boat and leaving the raft behind?
Or do you mean to run in to where it is, take our stuff aboard, and continue the cruise in this craft?
Because if you do, you can count me out.