“The best thing we can do is to send him ashore at once,” Ned added. “We don’t want such fellows around, for it isn’t safe.”
“But Boy has already hired a sailing master and a steward. In addition to that, he has engaged Manuel to go with us to Key West.”
Ned looked at Roy as if asking if the statement was correct.
“I didn’t think there would be any harm in making ready to leave as soon as possible, for the machinists reported that the engine had been repaired, and by leaving now we can be in Key West before morning.”
“But you surely are not willing to take a crew selected by Manuel after what I have told you?” Ned said in surprise.
“When I engaged them I didn’t know there was anything wrong.”
“But now that—What is going on? It sounds as if we were under way!”
Ned ran hastily up the companion stairs, looked around for an instant, and then leaped below in the greatest excitement as he said hurriedly:
“It is a fact! We are steaming out of the harbor! What is the meaning of it?”
“I told them to start the minute you came on board,” Roy said in a low tone, wishing from the very bottom of his heart that he had never given such an order.