Scotty hit the water and bounced once, but he held the plane down and in a moment the water slowed it. He revved up again and taxied as rapidly as he dared to the houseboat, swung broadside to it, and throttled back.
Rick was waiting. He flung the door open and dove far enough to clear the pontoon. The cold water closed over him briefly, then with a powerful kick he flashed to the surface again. A few strokes brought him to the houseboat.
The two men were leaning on the rail. One, a hefty man of middle age with a striped shirt and glasses, said politely, "Do you want something?"
Rick stopped and tread water. "I want the two girls you have inside. Have them come out here, and we won't bother you any more."
The second man, the dark-haired one who had come to Spindrift, smiled. "You mean our wives? They're having a nap. Sorry."
"I mean my sister and her friend. Stop stalling, Mister."
Striped shirt shook his head. "Sorry, boy. We haven't seen your sister. Now climb back on your little airplane and get out of here."
Rick's reply was a stroke that brought him to the houseboat. He reached up for a handhold, when a boat hook suddenly touched his forehead.
"Don't try it," striped shirt said. "Stay off this barge or I'll bend this pole over your head. Now get out of here."
Rick back-pedaled helplessly. Now what? He knew there was no possibility of his climbing aboard while the men were on deck.