But, aside from the question of safety, there was another matter he wished brought to a conclusion. He had been assaulted by Red, and was raging for revenge. Once in the company of his lawless fellows, his revenge might be gained!
“There is some one on that wreckage,” the watchful Sam finally declared. “I saw a movement there. Good thing we are not near enough to be asked for help.”
Red looked at the floating raft and shook his head.
“There is a boat lodged against the mess,” he said, “but there’s no one on board her, and there’s no one on the raft, either.”
The light of the moon was now shut out by a drive of clouds, and the two men waited for a clear sky again. When the raft was revealed they saw a white bulldog running up and down across the timbers!
“That’s the brute I pitched overboard up in the bayou!” cried Sam. “I wish I had knocked him on the head. Some of those boys are not far off.”
Red laughed at the idea of the boys being there, But Clay, listening with every faculty awake, had a different notion of the capabilities of his chums.
“If Captain Joe is there,” the boy mused, his heart bounding with hope, “the boys are not far off! Anyway, I’ll give them a chance to see the old boat once more!” he continued, reaching out and turning on the cabin lights.
Sam uttered a fierce oath as the lights flashed out on the rushing water, and made for the cabin, but Red caught him by the arm and faced him around.
“Look here!” he snarled, “if you go to making trouble for that boy I’ll send your worthless hulk bobbing down to the Gulf! The lights won’t hurt! We don’t have to answer any calls for help that may come. Now, edge her out into the current and leave the boy to me. There’s no sense in beating up the kid!”