It was some moments before this order could be obeyed, owing to the network of ropes, but they were finally released and driven through the cabin, Roy marching behind with the heavy starting-bar ready to strike down the first one who attempted to show fight.
“See that they jump together,” Ned said, still keeping his eyes fixed on the boat, where Manuel was busily engaged heaping maledictions on the heads of the boys because his plans were not working exactly to suit him. “Comeback here instantly they are in the water.”
Roy gave the word for the march to be resumed, and the prisoners rushed on deck after the companion-way door had been forced by the aid of the bar.
A moment later a loud splash told that they had leaped together, and as Roy came at full speed below, Ned cried:
“Start her as quick as possible. A few seconds means everything to us just now!”
The men in the water swam directly toward the boat, and as if to pick them up at the earliest possible moment, the sailing master pulled toward them.
“That’s their game, to board us again, thinking we can’t start the engine,” Ned muttered to himself. “Manuel fancies he has released his chums, and that we are still in his power.”
Nervous as Ned was, it seemed as if the screw would never revolve.
The men had been pulled on board the boat and the sailing master was rowing toward the bow of the yacht with all speed, probably intending to board from there.
“Hold on or I shall shoot!” Ned cried, and the words had hardly been spoken before the little craft was so far ahead that he could no longer see her.
“Hurry up there unless you are willing we shall take those fellows aboard again!” Ned cried as he ran to the engine-room door, and then, tearing away the barricade he had erected, rushed on to the deck.
A bullet whistled past his head as he emerged, and on shrinking back he understood that the machinery was in motion.
“Give it to her for all she’s worth!” he shouted excitedly, running through the cabin to the main companion-way, and just as he was where he could look out, the boat swept past within half a dozen feet of the stern.
In the bow of the little craft was the darkey, who had been trying to gain a hold of the yacht as she moved swiftly ahead.