“That part of it doesn’t amount to anything. Bring some rope down, and I’ll end this business mighty quick.”
Nelse and Gil were sleeping soundly when the mutineers opened the unlocked door. Beside them were the revolvers, and these the ringleader took possession of, as he said to his followers:
“Now truss ’em up; but there’s no need of using the gags, for they can’t do any harm, no matter how loud they yell.”
The first intimation the boys had that anything out of the usual course had happened was when the men began roughly to tie their hands and feet, and then only a single glance was necessary to tell exactly what had been accomplished.
“Turn them out on deck, and we’ll make ourselves comfortable here for a while before doing the rest of the work,” the leader said, and, as if they had been so many bundles of merchandise, Gil and Nelse were conveyed to the main hatch, there to be flung roughly down.
From this time until fully an hour had passed the mutineers paid no attention to their prisoners. Two men were all that were needed on deck, and the others proceeded to make free with the cabin stores, as could be told by the sounds of revelry.
With sufficient wind to keep the canvas full and drawing, the little yacht sped on over the long swells, while her rightful crew could not so much as enjoy the poor consolation of conversation.
CHAPTER VII.
SET ADRIFT.
The orgie in the cabin was continued until nearly daylight, and during all that long, weary time the boys could talk to, but not with, their companions.