"Maybe," replied his chum. "Don't forget they carry pretty fair rifles with them."
"If we can get started before they shoot, I'll guarantee they don't get us," returned Frank.
"Well, they'll get us if you keep talking and don't get a move on there," said Jack. "They're coming like the wind."
"That's just the way I'm working. She's almost fixed row. Can you hold them off?"
"What, with a single revolver against a score of rifles? Not much.
They're right on us now. How's that engine?"
"Fixed!" cried Frank at that moment, straightening up.
"All right. Let her go then," said Jack, calmly. "They don't know yet that we're going to run. They have made no preparations to fire. Evidently they think we shall wait for them."
Even while Jack was speaking, the hydroplane began to move slowly over the surface of the water. Very slowly it went at first, then faster and faster.
"Halt!" came a cry from the German boat.
Jack picked up his cap and waved it at the Germans.