“This feller is heavy,” said the one who had stumbled. “An’ he’s ther blamedest fighter I ever saw. If I hadn’t cracked him on the head with a stun he’d done you up.”
“I slipped. That was the way he got the best of me.”
“He’s wuss’n any man I ever tackled. He fit like a tiger.”
“Well we’ve got him now, and I will settle my score with him.”
Frank knew the voice of the last speaker, and he realized that he was in the power of a man who had become his fiercest enemy—Parker Flynn.
As they carried him, Frank strained at the cords that held his wrists, but they held fast, showing that the men had tied him securely. They did not feel him straining, for they were stumbling over the rough ground, slowly picking their way through the darkness. They passed through some cedars, and the branches slapped the captive in the face.
Frank thought of crying for help, but something told him that it would be useless to make an outcry. He remembered that Hodge had been cast from the rocks into the water of the little cove, from which the launch and the two lads left in charge of it had disappeared.
What had become of Diamond and Dustan? Had they been assailed and overcome while Frank and Bart were exploring the island? Merriwell feared so.
The wind rushed through the cedars, and the surf beat against the island with a roar that seemed growing louder and louder. Clouds were in the sky, and the stars were being blotted out.
“Storm comin’,” said one of the men. “We ain’t anchored in a very good place, either.”
“Well, you don’t know but a blamed little about this bay, fer ye wouldn’t ask that question if ye did. It’s full of ledges, and I don’t want to take the chance of pilin’ the yacht onter one of ’em.”
“I thought you said you knew every inch of both bays?”
“Then you can sail the yacht out of here to-night.”
“I will chance it. We must get away to-night.”
“The chaps we had the tussle with have friends near.”
“Those friends will be looking for Merriwell and the other fellow before long.”
“They may find the other fellow floating in the water, but I don’t want them to find Merriwell or know what became of him. He will disappear this night. If the fish do not eat him, his body may be found floating in the bay some time.”