“He’s lying!” exclaimed Hodge, in a low voice. “You can tell that he is lying by the way he says it!”
“We’ve got a doctor here,” fibbed Rattleton. “We’ll come aboard and he’ll prescribe for her.”
“Keep off!” roared the man on the schooner. “We don’t want no doctors botherin’ round here.”
“But we are coming aboard!” flung back Diamond. “We want to see that girl.”
“You can’t see her! If you come round here, you’ll get yer heads broke!”
The black-bearded sailor was angry. He shook his fist at the boys, and used language that would not look well in print.
Still the Jolly Sport kept after the Pirate, as if the youthful crew of the former had determined to overhaul the schooner and board her.
There was a consultation on board the schooner, and then one of the men hastily went below.
The Jolly Sport was drawing close to the other vessel when the man reappeared, bringing a gun, which he handed to the black-bearded man who had done all the talking.
“Jee whiskers!” gurgled Rattleton. “That means trouble!”