"Much obliged," he remarked.
She dropped, panting, to a seat, and began to wonder what irresponsible act she would next commit.
There were cries of dismay from the stern boat when the quarry was off again, but there was no abandonment of the pursuit. In fact it was enlivened by a pair of bullets, which struck the water not far from the rejuvenated launch.
"Better get down on the floor," advised the boatman.
Miss Chalmers held her place.
Very calmly the boatman reached out, laid a hand upon her shoulder, and twisted her off the seat with a single motion, so that she landed with a bump on the floor.
"How—"
"Dared I?" he inquired. "Oh, I don't see any sense in running a chance of getting plugged. That fool back there just might hit something."
She was in a white rage from the touch of his hand and for the moment speechless. But she did not climb back on the seat.
Another shot sounded, but it went wide. The boatman took a knife from his pocket and cut the rope from which the skiff trailed in their wake. Miss Chalmers uttered a cry of despair at his action.