"I am," mocked Dave, "when I have fellows of your stripe to handle. Men, you'd better iron that pair, too. They belong to the same outfit."
None of the three proved to have any arms on his person.
"Now, where are the members of your crew?" Dave demanded of the manacled skipper.
"Find them!" came the surly retort.
"In what business is this ship engaged?"
"Find out!"
"Bring these prisoners out on deck," Darrin commanded. Then, as the order was obeyed, Darrin made his way to the bridge.
"Boatswain's mate, pipe all hands on deck," he directed.
Shrilly the whistle sounded at the lips of the petty officer. But no men came to answer.
"We'll try other tactics, then," Darrin smiled.