"Do you intend to mind me?" screamed Max Pooler. "If you don't, as sure as I live I'll shoot you!" and he drew up his gun as he spoke.
"Hold up!" shouted Mont, fearful of harm coming to the girl. "We'll come aboard."
"No we won't!" put in Meg, with a strong show of spirit, "I said I'd take you to the mainland, and I'll keep my word, shootin' or no shootin'!"
Max Pooler pulled back the hammer of the gun he carried. Seeing the action Jack jumped up and placed himself directly in front of the girl.
"Thanks," said Meg. "It's mighty good of you to try to save me, but I don't want you to run such a risk. I've got to have it out with him sooner or later, and now is as good a time as any," and she placed herself again in range.
"Did you hear what I said?" called Max Pooler, leaning over to make himself heard: "I'll give you just five seconds to turn that----"
Crack!
As I have stated, the guardrail on the yacht was rotten, and under the unusual weight, it gave way with a crash.
Splash!
The miser of the island had lost his balance, and after vainly clutching the air to save himself, had floundered into the water and mud below!