“More than likely—unless we set fire to something in the galley,” returned Fred.
“Maybe that loose gasoline caught,” said Ralph. “Quite a lot of it spilled out on the oil-room floor in the darkness.”
While the boys gazed at the flames on the Hildegarde they saw Ira Small rush to the stern. The next instant the lanky sailor was sliding down the cable.
“Quick! We ain’t got no time to spare!” gasped Ira Small, as he hauled himself up to the motor boat. “Pull in on the cable and then cut it. But don’t let the stuff on the line git away.”
All of the boys understood what was to be done, and Jack had already obtained a hatchet which was in one of the lockers of the motor boat. While Small, Gif and Spouter hauled in on the cable, Ralph and the others continued to unloosen the tarpaulin. Then the young commander of the Fancy leaped into the cockpit and examined the motor.
“Some water here, but still dry enough to run, I think,” he announced.
“Wait! We don’t want to start up until we’ve cut loose!” cried Fred.
“That’s it, Ralph. If you start up now we might bump into the schooner. She isn’t making much headway,” added Randy.
By this time those at the bow had hauled in five or six yards of the cable. Then the heavy line was held down on the bow and Jack gave it several vigorous blows with the hatchet. The last accomplished its purpose, and the line snapped, the forward end whizzing back to the Hildegarde.
“Now we can take the stuff aboard,” said Gif, and this was quickly accomplished.