Chapter Twenty Six.
What Mr Jones thought.
“What’s to be done, Mas’ Don?” whispered Jem, whom this second proof of treachery against them seemed to have robbed of the power to act.
“This way,” cried a voice, which they recognised as Ramsden’s. “By the forechains.”
“Oh, if I had hold of you,” snarled Jem, as he ground his teeth.
“Do you hear me?” whispered Don. “Come on.”
He spoke from where he stood on the bulwark, holding by one of the shrouds, and offering his hand to Jem, who could not see it, but climbed to his side.
“Header?” he whispered.
“Yes.—Off!”
Don gave the word as he glanced in the direction where he believed the canoe to lie; and then, raising his hands above his head, he sprang right off the bulwark into the sea.