"Fix bayonets!" Hal ordered, quietly, for now the two boats were close together, and Helmsman Hank was running the "Restless" right in for a boarding.
Bump! The two boats came together.
"Prepare to board! Board!" shouted Hal, and was first to leap to the deck of the stranger, a craft some seventy feet in length and rather broad of beam.
His soldiers followed him. All the young officers went over the side, and Lieutenant Noll led the reserves from the cabin of the "Restless."
Right on the heels of the soldiers followed Skipper Tom and Engineer Joe, to lash the two craft fast.
"Who commands here?" demanded Lieutenant Overton.
There was no answer.
"Where's the gentleman with the fog-horn voice who appeared to have so much to say?" Hal questioned sharply.
None of the crew of the boarded vessel spoke. Nor was any further effort at resistance made.
On the deck Lieutenant Overton found one Mexican dead, and another badly wounded. Near each lay a rifle. Another Mexican seemingly unarmed, stood by the wheel, looking on with a sickly grin, but saying nothing. Down in the engine-room huddled two other Mexicans.