Neither Vance nor Ned dared to answer it lest it should be a trick similar to the one they played a short time previous with such good success, and it was necessary to wait until Roy returned.
Then the following conversation ensued, Manuel, as a matter of course, being the spokesman at the wheel-house end of the tube:
“We are willing to admit that we are beaten, and will take to the small boat at once if you send our friends up.”
Ned dictated the reply:
“It can’t be done. Go alone if you choose, but they stay where they are until we reach port or are overhauled by some craft, when you will have a chance to explain how you happen to be on deck with everybody else holding the fort below.”
“Then we shall stay here, and it may be you’ll have a chance to fight fire after we get ready to take to the small boat.”
This threat had the effect of frightening Roy somewhat, but Vance cried positively:
“They won’t dare to do anything of the kind while their chums are in the hold. Besides, I’d rather take my chances of fighting fire than of letting them loose. What would prevent them from doing the same thing after their friends were freed?”
“That’s so!” Ned cried. “Here’s a good trade for them! If they’ll get into the small boat and push off where we can see them, we’ll let the others go one at a time. They can swim to the small boat, and thus save themselves from spending quite a while in jail.”
Roy repeated the words, and a few moments later, to the surprise of all, Manuel cried: