CHAPTER XVII.
MEG TO THE RESCUE
The last part of Mosey and Max Pooler's conversation would no doubt have greatly interested Jack and Mont had they heard it, but the truth was that as soon as they saw the two men preparing to search the place, they immediately sought for some means to escape.
In one corner of the stateroom they found a small door leading by a narrow passage to what, for the want of a better name, may be termed the forecastle. Why it had been put there was not apparent--except, perhaps, to allow a direct communication between the captain and the men, but nevertheless, they used it, and when Max Pooler spoke so sharply to Mosey, the two in hiding had again regained the deck, and did not hear the short quarrel that followed.
"Where to now?" asked Mont, "We can't stay here, that's certain."
"There is Meg with the boat!" exclaimed Jack, pointing down the shore. "Wonder if we can get her to come alongside without them finding it out?"
"We can try," replied the young man, and taking out his handkerchief, he waved it vigorously.
In an instant the young girl caught the signal, and came rowing up.
"Where are they?" she asked, anxiously.
"Down below," replied Jack in a whisper. "Don't make a noise or they will hear you."