before," was Ruff's comment, and the next minute the handcuffs were fast on the prisoner.
A shout was now heard from one of the Canadian sailors. He was pointing to the north of the island, where a steam tug had just hove into sight.
The tug was coming on rapidly, and as she drew closer Tom and Sam made out a youth standing on the cabin top, eagerly waving his hand to them.
"Dick!" cried both of the Rovers. "Dick, by all that is wonderful!"
It was indeed Dick and the Rocket, and soon the steam tug came up to the stern of the sloop and made fast.
"Tom and Sam, and safe!" burst out Dick, and then his eyes fell upon the Stanhopes. "Dora!" He shook hands and blushed deeply, and so did the girl. "Why, I never expected this!"
"None of us did," answered Dora with a warm smile.
"And your mother, too!"
"It's like a fairy tale," put in Tom, "and I guess it's going to end just as happily as fairy tales usually do."
It took some time for each to tell his story. When, it came to Dick's turn, he said the steam tug
