The boys reasoned along the same lines. Ballyhoo was for launching the collapsible, and in this way increasing their force; but Oscar told him there would be no need. Besides, the chances were that if they came upon the man, in his anger he would try to upset them, or damage the light canvas tender of the submarine.
“Better leave it to the skipper, fellows,” he went on to explain; “he knows what he’s doing, and can gauge that swimmer’s powers of resistance better than we could. We’ll get him all in good time, never fear.”
The man in the water gave them a good healthy chase before he found himself getting so exhausted that it was risky to try any longer. What with swimming and diving he had to be in constant motion; and just as the captain said his soaked garments were pulling dreadfully upon his reserve stock of strength.
“He’s nearly all in now, let me tell you,” Ballyhoo was saying at last, “and he’s a regular corker when it comes to water dodging. I’ve learned a few things right here by watching his ways. Yep, there he’s holding up his hand, which means he is ready to come aboard, if we draw closer. Well, he’s won the right to be treated decently as a prisoner of war.”
The boy’s words only prove how every one seems to admire the fellow who puts up a stiff fight. Toward the coward who runs away, even a boy like Ballyhoo could feel only detestation.
So the boat moved ahead, and then the swimmer was hauled aboard. He had a sarcastic grin on his face, as, dripping, he finally stood there. Captain Shooks brushed up to him and thrust out a huge paw.
“Shake hands, you!” he told the latest arrival; “you put up a game fight, and that’s the kind of man I take off my hat to. Guess you’ve been taking lessons from your old piratical boss, Badger, because he’s always had the reputation of being a hard loser.”
At least the man had the good sense to understand it would be wise to make the best of a bad bargain, so he accepted the skipper’s hand.
CHAPTER XIII
RECOVERING THE TREASURE
“You’ll have to pay for that boat, Captain Shooks!” said the officer; for the boys had seen some time before that the man in the stern of the cedar motor-boat was dressed in some sort of blue uniform, and wore a cap with gold braid, though this latter had been lost when he went overboard at the time of the crash.