"Put that captain in irons," Mr. Jephson ordered the marshal who had no prisoner to cumber him.
Sullenly, the captain of the "Victor" submitted to being handcuffed.
"All of the rest of the officers and crew muster up in the bow," called Mr. Jephson. "Captain Halstead, I call upon you to take command of this yacht for the present. The quartermaster of this craft may remain in the wheel house if he'll take orders straight."
"Aye, aye, sir," the quartermaster called, briefly, through one of the lowered windows of the pilot house.
Tom Halstead, still carrying his rifle and holding it ready, ran up to the bridge.
Stepping over to the signaling apparatus, Halstead rang for speed enough to furnish bare headway.
"Quartermaster," the new commander of the "Victor" called down through the wheel house speaking-tube, "you'll keep to the same course you've been following, and sound the fog whistle every thirty seconds."
"Captain," called Mr. Baldwin, a few moments later, "can you put one of your party up there on the bridge? We have yet other duties to perform here."
"Take the bridge, Mr. Prentiss," called Tom, for he understood instantly what other work was likely to be on hand, and he knew that Joe Dawson would want a hand in it.
Aft of the captain's quarters there was a main deck house. Into this cabin Rollings and the captain of the steam yacht were taken. Mr. Jephson was now talking to the two prisoners as solemnly as though holding actual court.