Jack did not reply. He pulled himself up and dropped to the deck.
CHAPTER V.
FREE.
From the direction of the wheel there came a loud snore. The sailor had deliberately seated himself upon the deck in a comfortable position.
Jack stole up to the sleeping seaman and softly encircled his arms with the noose. Then he passed the lashing around his ankles and tied them firmly. This aroused the sleeper, who began to mumble protests. Instantly Jack slapped the plaster over his mouth. Then he dragged the man to the skylight and tumbled him down unceremoniously, and followed him into the cabin.
Frank and Hetherington held him while Jack removed the plaster and thrust him through the hole in the bulkhead. Just as Jack once more put his head through the skylight, there was the sound of a voice and Jack drew inside.
“Something queer on this ship, I tell you,” declared the leader. “First Pedro goes overboard and then Antonio follows him. Sebastian, you take the wheel.”
“Not me,” came the reply. “I’m not going overboard if I can help it. Take the wheel yourself.”
“Neither am I,” declared another voice.
A wrangle followed, with the result that the leader was forced to take the wheel. Looking out again, Jack saw that the man was peering out over the water. Softly he again dropped to the deck, and stole upon the unsuspecting leader.
A fierce struggle ensued. The Italian was a big man, and in spite of Jack’s strength and size, he put up a furious battle. The two rolled against the rail, there was a sharp crack and with a loud cry the leader suddenly went overboard. Jack jumped back to the skylight and crouched down; and it was not a moment too soon.