As the Dutch lad appeared on deck to row ashore again,
Browning suddenly straightened up from his recumbent position. He had his watch in his hand, and the Dutch lad heard him say:
"The hour is up, Hodge."
Immediately Bart turned toward the yacht and shouted to Hans:
"Bring two of those guns ashore, and plenty of cartridges for them. Be lively about it! We are in a howling hurry."
"All righd!" shouted Hans, in return, as he plunged down the companion way.
He was not long in getting the guns and placing them in the boat, but when he reached the shore it was discovered that he had brought the wrong cartridges.
Then Hodge leaped into the boat and rowed out to the yacht for what was needed, returning in a few minutes.
Browning, however, usually careless and lazy, was fretting at the delay, for the big fellow remembered how, but a short time before, he had saved Frank's life by a hair's breadth. A delay of one minute in that case would have been fatal.
Bruce had some imagination, and he was beginning to picture Frank in all sorts of peril.