“In such a case there must be no hesitation about shooting them at once. By that time we shall have gone so far that it will be the only way of saving our own lives.”
“Let’s begin immediately,” Vance said eagerly.
“Wait till I fasten the cabin doors on the inside so they can’t get in that way without considerable trouble,” Ned replied as he stole softly and noiselessly toward the companion-way.
Three minutes later everything was in readiness for the bold scheme, and as Vance and Ned stationed themselves in front of the partially loosened panel, Roy whistled through the tube.
It was nearly a minute before he received any reply, and then he nodded his head to show that the interpreter had spoken.
Ned looked at his companion to make certain the latter had his weapon ready, and dexterously inserting the blade of his knife in the crevices of the wood-work, succeeded in wrenching out the panel with but little noise.
It can safely be said that their hearts were beating furiously as the two boys darted through the opening thus made and ran swiftly down the iron ladder which led to that portion of the yacht where it was necessary the engineer should remain in order to attend to the machinery.
The man looked up in surprise at the sound of the hurried footsteps, and before he had an opportunity to speak a word Ned was aiming the revolver directly at him as he said in a low, stern tone:
“Up with your hands, quick, or I shall fire! I shan’t have the slightest hesitation about shooting you as I would a dog!”
The fellow had obeyed at the first glimpse of the weapon, and Ned stepped aside slightly in order to let Vance pass him, saying as he did so: