When he had said this much he paused, and started as if he had been shot, for a familiar voice interrupted him with—
“I say, Perk, if that’s you, you needn’t squeeze all the breath out of me.”
“Wilson!” cried the crew of the Banner, in concert.
Perk jumped to his feet, pulling the prisoner up with him. It was Wilson and no mistake.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE SPANISH FRIGATE.
“How came you here?” was of course the first question the Club addressed to the new-comer, as soon as they had made sure of his identity.
“I came in that boat,” replied Wilson, who was quite as much surprised to see his friends as they were to see him. “But how did you come here? I heard Tomlinson say that he and his crowd had stolen the Banner.”
“So they did; but they stole us with her, for we were hidden in the hold. What we want to know is, how you happen to be out here in the country. We left you and Chase to watch the yacht.”