After this had been done the anchor was weighed, and then the two in the boat pulled and tugged at the oars until the Day Dream was fully a mile from the shore.
This had not been accomplished without some show of remonstrance from the mutineers. When the yacht first began to move through the water, and they understood what was being done, a volley of bullets was discharged at random, many finding their way through the canvas screen; but finally this useless evidence of rage ceased, probably because the ammunition had been exhausted.
Not until they were beyond range did Mr. Jenkins allow his prisoner to cease his efforts, and then, wiping the perspiration from his face, he said:
“Now there is nothing to prevent your going ashore, if you feel so disposed.”
“Will you let the men pull me in to that point?”
“Not much. What is to prevent your swimming?”
“I couldn’t do it, even if there were no sharks hereabout, as there are sure to be. My leg feels as if it was broken.”
“You got off cheaply, and that’s more than can be said for the rest of the gang, since they will have to answer to the authorities for what has been done. If you don’t want to swim, get on board, for I sha’n’t give you the chance of stealing one of these boats.”
The man obeyed without another word, and once on the schooner he crouched under the rail forward as if anxious to escape observation.
Meanwhile, as soon as the yacht was at a reasonably safe distance from the shore, Gil and Nelse went below to learn what the mutineers had done there, and the scene which met their gaze was well calculated to fill them with mingled feelings of anger and dismay.