Those on the “hurricane deck” waited eagerly to see what would meet their vision as soon as the submersible rounded the lower end of the island. They were now gliding swiftly along, and presently the last of the palmettoes and mangroves would be passed, when, doubtless, a full sweep of the sea beyond must reward them.
“There they are, Captain!” cried Ballyhoo, pointing.
The boat lay in full sight, with its stern toward them. Already those in the small cedar launch must have taken the alarm, knowing full well that pursuit would follow discovery. Plainly the little popping sound of the exhaust connected with the overboard motor came to the ears of the boys, showing that the man in the stern had instantly set his engine going, and was leaving the muffler open in the hope of gaining a little additional speed.
So the chase began, for the submarine was now heading directly after the launch, and throwing off a white “bone” from her squat bow.
“Whoo! we’re gaining hand over fist on the bally thing!” asserted the Jones boy, after a couple of minutes had elapsed, and there was a chance to make comparisons.
Everybody could see that this was so; even the three men in the launch must have realized that it was only a question of time when the submarine would overtake them.
“That man in the stern is crouching there as if he meant to do something, Captain!” called out Ballyhoo; while Jack was grinding away at his crank, and getting it all in for future reference; because they would doubtless often wish to recall these tempestuous happenings when once more safe at home, and the living, moving thing must far excel mere word painting.
“I saw a little flash then,” asserted Oscar, “as if he gripped something in his hand. I wouldn’t be surprised now if he had a weapon of some sort, perhaps a revolver!”
“Do you believe he’d actually shoot at us?” asked Jack, doubtless thinking more about his camera than himself, should hostilities open.
“Better be ready to duck down in case he does,” warned the captain. “That Badger generally surrounds himself with the same kind of men he is himself; and he’d shoot at the drop of the hat. But we’ll soon fix that bunch, don’t forget it.”