“That’s so. What shall we do?”
They paused, undecided. Following up the man might mean the solution of the mystery surrounding Paul Gale. On the other hand they could hardly ignore the call for aid. They could not go to both places, as the lighter was in one direction and the dory being rowed in another. Once more came the cry:
“Help! Help! They’re all getting out of the cages!”
“What in the world can he be talking about?” demanded the puzzled Frank, trying to catch a glimpse of the deck of the lighter. But the rail was too high.
“Shall we go to him?” asked Andy.
“Yes,” spoke Frank reluctantly. “We can’t let him die, and he seems to be in trouble. Maybe we can find that mysterious man again,” and he swung the tiller over. The Gull headed about and moved toward the lighter.
The man on the mast was frantically waving his cap and pointing at something down on the deck. Andy gave one look in the direction of the dory. The man was rowing more rapidly now. Perhaps he wanted to get out of the zone of so much excitement.
“There’s something lively going on aboard that lighter,” declared Frank, as they drew nearer.
“I should say so!” agreed Andy. “Hear those yells! They must be killing one another! I’ll bet it’s a mutiny!”
“Mutiny aboard a lighter, with one man as captain and crew?” demanded Frank. “Hardly. But we’ll soon find out what it is.