“Don’t you think we won’t! exclaimed Alex. “Can’t you show a light just for a minute? It’s so dark I wouldn’t know the river was wet if I didn’t feel it.”
A flashlight was turned on for just an instant and then shut off. Captain Joe greeted the finger of light with a joyous bark and plunged into the lagoon. Alex was about to follow his example in the matter of taking to the water when he felt himself seized by the collar and drawn back. It was evident that the two had made altogether too much noise, and had been followed by the men from the steamer.
“Keep your mouth closed now!” whispered one of the men in Alex’s ear.
“Ram your gun down his throat if he doesn’t!” another voice said.
Alex knew that the purpose of the pirates was to prevent his warning his companions of the presence of the steamer and its crew in that vicinity. He knew, too, that unless he could notify those on board the Rambler of the intentions of the pirates, their retreat from the lagoon would soon be shut off.
He knew, too, that he was taking great chances in making the situation understood. Still, he decided to risk his own life in order to warn his friends. With the pirate holding him by the collar, he sprang forward and cried at the top of his voice:
“Captain Joe! Captain Joe!”
Something in the tone of the boy’s voice told the dog as well as those on board the motor boat that Alex was in deadly peril. It was not his habit to ask for assistance unless it was very badly needed.
Answering the indefinite but well-understood appeal, the dog turned back to the shore, unseen but plainly heard in the disturbed waters.
One of the men struck fiercely at his head with the butt of a gun as he swept past him. The man who had hold of the boy fired a shot at the dim rushing figure. The bullet went wide of its mark.