"Has the spear hit you?" said Frank anxiously.
"Gone clean through and through me. Oh, don't attempt to draw it out! Blood will flow in bucketfuls if you do. No, let me just collect my thoughts and try to pray a bit. Oh! ain't got nary a cigar about you, 'ave you?"
Meanwhile the boat was speeding across the water towards the Island Queen.
"Oh, be careful now!" cried Silas. "I tell you I'm pinned clean through the body on to the gunwale of the boat."
Fred showed his light. The spear certainly appeared to be sticking right through Silas like a pin through a moth. But more minute investigation showed it had only gone through his jacket and shirt, grazing his skin.
"Oh," he said coolly, "well shiver me if I didn't think I was a gone coon!"
In less than ten minutes after, all were on board, the sails were filled, and the Island Queen was standing rapidly out to sea.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
SOUTH AND SOUTH SAILED THE GOOD BARQUE.
The word "Sarpinto" kept ringing in the old fisherman bard's ears as he retired to bed that night.