What Happened to Doc and the Dinghy
Those aboard the Nuestra watched the dinghy for a minute as it came on, the sunlight flashing from the oars. Two men were still on the beach, far up to the left, with their hands to their eyes, watching the progress of the boat.
"Now what's the game?" asked Locke.
"It looks like a boarding party," said Trask. "If they wanted to come back and behave themselves, they'd all come. Get those dishes out of sight. They may manage to get aboard in spite of all we can do, but we've got to bluff 'em."
"We can't let 'em aboard," declared Locke.
Trask moved forward and mounted the forecastle, followed by Locke.
"Hello, you!" called Trask.
The rowers ceased their work, and with suspended oars allowed the dinghy to drift on.
"It's all right," said Jarrow. "They want to put me aboard for a talk."
"You can't come alongside," warned Trask. "We'll shoot if you attempt to come close," and he put his hand to his hip pocket and pulled out his silver cigarette case, taking care that the sun hit the upper edge.