One of the small Shinnecock Bay freight boats lay in at the other side of the same pier. A good many cases and barrels were piled up, as though awaiting shipment. Captain Tom stepped over to his own side of the pier, still thinking intently.
Just as the young skipper turned toward the “Rocket’s” gang-plank a heavy object came up over one of the freight piles, flying through the air. Some instinct of danger made young Halstead leap aside. Bump! An iron hitching weight struck the gang-plank with a bang.
For just an instant Captain Tom stood gazing at that heavy missile almost in a daze.
“That was aimed at my legs. The intention must have been to cripple me!” leaped to his lips.
Then, in a lustier voice, he roared:
“Joe! Jed! Tumble out on deck! lively, now!”
CHAPTER VI
THE SIGN OF MISCHIEF
THE next instant after that rousing hail there was a sound of scrambling below. Halstead did not wait. Turning, he raced around the end of that pile of freight. He was in time to hear a loud splash in the water astern of the little freight steamer, though not in time to see who or what jumped. Then he heard Joe and Jed on the “Rocket’s” deck.