The moment he was free, Joe went over the side.
He struck the cold water of the bay with a splash and went far down into the depths. Then he found himself rising again and at last he bobbed up over the surface.
He did not know where the motorboat was, but he swam ahead, at the same time keeping a wary eye above. He could see dark figures silhouetted above the side of the vessel and he could hear voices.
"He's down there!" declared a gruff voice.
"I almost had him!" shouted another. "I grabbed him just as he was going over, but he kicked me in the jaw."
"How many were there?" asked another sailor.
"Two," declared the gruff voice. "Harbor thieves—both of 'em. Come sneakin' aboard, one at a time. I caught one of 'em peepin' down into the galley where the cabin boy was peelin' potatoes and I followed him till he went back to the side, so I figured he had the rest of his pals down below. I grabbed him and clapped my hand over his mouth and made him wave for 'em to come up. But there was only one come up and Bill here grabbed him, but he got away."
"Both of 'em get away?"
"Yeah! I hope they drown."
Then a thrill of fear ran through Joe as he heard one of the men say: