“If you won’t,” cried Orme, “we are going to ram you.”
“Oh, no!” exclaimed the girl suddenly. “We mustn’t drown him.”
“We shan’t,” said Orme. “But we will give him a scare.” Then, in a louder voice: “Do you hear?”
The only reply was the tapping of metal on metal. The Japanese, it seemed, was still trying to find out what was wrong with his motor.
“Well, then,” Orme said to Porter, “we’ll have to try it. But use low speed, and be ready to veer off at the last minute.”
“He’ll try to fend with the boathook,” said Porter.
“If he does, I’ll get him.”
“How?”
“Lasso.” Orme picked up a spare painter that was stored under the seat, and began to tie a slip-noose.
The girl now spoke. “I suppose we shall have to do it,” she said. “But I wish there were a less dangerous, a less tragic way.”