The boy was willing to take many risks for the purpose of ending the struggle speedily, and stood peering out from the edges of the mattresses where he could see any one who came to starboard of the deck-houses.
His companions obeyed the commands so hurriedly given, and in a few seconds the throbbing of the screw ceased as Roy shut off the supply of steam.
CHAPTER XXII.
SUCCESS.
The machinery had hardly ceased moving before Ned saw a target at which to aim.
The worthy Manuel was creeping as stealthily as a cat to the engine-room door, and before he could stretch out his hand to grasp the knob a bullet struck his arm, calling forth a wild shriek of pain.
There was no opportunity for a second shot, for the fellow disappeared from view with remarkable celerity, and Ned muttered to himself:
“It’s better to disable them than have the thought always before a fellow that he has killed a human being.”
“I reckon by the sound that you hit the mark,” Vance cried from his station in the cabin.
“It was Manuel again, and this time I reckon he’ll find it mighty hard work to use a revolver, unless he’s left-handed.”
“Now what are we to do?”