"What for of a play would it be if we-alls sends some lead after him, as a sorter hint to move on?" inquired Broncho.
"Wouldn't do!" pronounced Jack. "We'd get it all back with interest. If it moderates at all to-night we'll put the horizon between us."
"I'm jest pining to shoot him up some," declared Broncho bloodthirstily.
"Let 'im begin the action," said Bill grimly. "We'll finish it!"
Loyola said nothing, but cowered closer to Jack with big, anxious eyes.
"We'll give him the slip, Lolie, don't you fear," cried the rover heartily.
Slowly the hours passed. The gale continued to blow with unabated vigour, but the whaleboat rode it like a duck.
The castaways sat silent for the most part, and watched the schooner down to leeward with various emotions.
Jack, handicapped by his blindness, lay back with closed eyes, deep in thought.
Loyola, next to him, sat silent and troubled; whilst Broncho and the bosun's mate tried to converse, but gave it up after a few efforts.