“I’d rather receive a pretty serious wound than let those scoundrels go off with the yacht again, now there’s a possibility of our gaining possession once more,” Nelse said, and by the time he ceased speaking both were in the little craft, each with an oar ready to pull at the first signal.
The voices of the mutineers now sounded from a distance, and it was not likely they could have a view of the water because of the intervening foliage; but yet Captain Mansfield’s party gave no sign of action.
Ten minutes passed, and Gil was beginning to grow alarmed lest his father should wait too long, when a light splash of water was heard, and one of the tenders shot out from the shore with the two sailors rowing and Andy at the helm.
“Now bend to it,” Gil whispered, hoarsely. “Watch to see that one doesn’t pull the other around, for there mustn’t be any wild steering.”
The boys were out of the cove just as the captain and Mr. Jenkins launched the last boat, and all three crafts were dashing over the glassy sea in fine style, sending tiny showers of spray up from their bows, when a loud yell was heard.
The two fellows on the schooner had caught a glimpse of the captain’s party, and were shouting for their friends.
“It’s a question of reaching the other side of the yacht before they heave in sight, or we may come to grief,” Gil said, grimly, as he bent his back to the oar until the ashen blade bent under the vigorous strain.
“Board her over the rail amidships, boys!” Captain Mansfield shouted, and glancing around for the merest fraction of time, Nelse saw that the sailors were steering for the schooner’s bow, while the other boat was being sent toward the stern.
By thus dividing the force, the mutineers would be beset both from front and rear, while Gil and Nelse created diversion on one side, and the struggle could not be long protracted.
The men on the yacht were yelling at the full strength of their lungs, and stood near the bow with handspikes raised ready to fell the first who should attempt to come on board; but they could not guard the stern at the same time, therefore the captain and mate succeeded in clambering over the rail before the fellows were fully aware of their purpose.