“Help!” she wildly cried. “Save——”
One of the men clapped a hand over her mouth, and she was carried away, struggling.
Then there was excitement on board the Jolly Sport.
“The Old Nick is to pay on board the Pirate!” exclaimed Rattleton.
“It’s a girl, boys!” cried Diamond, all his natural gallantry awakened and aroused. “She is in distress. We must aid her!”
“Bring her round, Hodge—bring her round, and we’ll——”
“Lay her up, Hodge, lay her up, and we’ll make a run after the schooner!” came promptly from Frank. “I want to know something more about this.”
“That’s right,” nodded Rattleton, who did not resent the manner in which Frank took command. “What right have they to treat a girl like that! There’s something wrong going on!”
Even Browning was aroused.
“I believe Rattleton is right,” he said. “Maybe that girl has been kidnaped.”