Frank wasted no further time.
He raced toward the mouth of the cave and scrambled out onto the beach. Behind him he could hear Captain Royal screeching wildly.
Frank almost collided with Joe.
His brother's face was white. He had heard the shot and was sure Frank had been a victim of the maniac's wrath.
"Are you all right, Frank?"
"Sure. Come on—let's beat it out of here."
They stumbled across the rocks toward a great heap of boulders that offered shelter. Frank glanced back in time to see Captain Royal emerge from the cave, still carrying the shotgun.
"Did he miss you?" panted Joe.
Frank chuckled.
"If that gun had been loaded, my goose would have been cooked by now."