Two lads began massaging the offending member.
“If I’d known it was you swimming to us, I’d have lowered a boat myself and come to your assistance!” declared Jimmie.
“And if I’d known you were on board this schooner,” replied Frank, “I’d have left that ship long before I did!”
“Why, what’s the matter on that ship, Frank?” asked Ned.
“Oh, nothing, only it’s one of these ‘workhouses’ just exactly like we have read of. The captain is a hard nut and the mates are both of the ‘bucko’ type. There isn’t a man aboard who hasn’t got a mark from one or the other of the mates. They’re a tough crowd!”
“I’ll bet you didn’t just fall overboard, then!” shrewdly guessed Jimmie. “You missed your footing purposely! You know you did!”
“How do you know?” grinned Frank, nursing his cramped leg.
“I was watching through the binoculars,” answered Jimmie. “But go ahead and tell us something. We’re dying from curiosity!”
“Well,” began Frank, “you know I wasn’t quite satisfied to be left behind when you four lads left in chase of the fellow who had stolen the Panama plans. I wanted to go along in the Grey Eagle.”