There was little excitement in Alex’s face as he turned to Clay.
“I ought to shoot them both,” he said, pointing to the swimmers. “I know what they were about to do. Shall I shoot them?”
Clay shook his head and Alex put up his revolver.
“How did it happen?” the latter asked. “Who are those men?”
“They are river pirates,” Clay replied, “and I don’t know how it happened. Case was on guard, but the first thing I knew the men were in the cabin, holding a gun in my face. I guess Case must have been asleep.”
“I was,” Case said, sheepishly. “I ought to be shot!”
“He was asleep when I went away,” Alex, with a sly wink, contributed. “I ought to have got him up, but he looked too sleepy!”
“Where did you go?” demanded Case. “You’re a fine boy, not to make me get up and attend to business! And Captain Joe must have been sound asleep, too, or he would have given the alarm!”
“Captain Joe went to the beach with me,” the boy cut in. “We were just striking out for the mountain when we saw that something unusual was going on on board the Rambler. Then I saw Teddy swimming to shore and he told me what was doing! At least he insisted with his teeth on my returning right off. Guess we got back here just in time!”
“I guess you did!” Clay admitted. “The pirates were thinking of warming my feet! I almost wish you had killed them all!”