It was evidently a portion of Manuel’s scheme to play fair until his companions should be with him, when he probably intended to try something else.
Ned had opened the bull’s-eye a few inches to enable him to see what was going on, and when the men in the boat came within his range of vision he said to Vance:
“Now is your time to get into the wheel-house. Be careful to keep out of sight, and don’t stand erect until we are beyond range.”
“Now send over our friends!” Manuel shouted.
“You shall have them as soon as we can make the necessary arrangements,” Ned replied as he pushed the muzzle of his weapon through the aperture. “For fear you might take a notion to board us again, or send a few bullets at the man at the wheel, I shall stand right here ready to kill you whenever either of your party makes a threatening gesture. Bring up the prisoners, Roy.”
It was some moments before this order could be obeyed, owing to the network of ropes, but they were finally released and driven through the cabin, Roy marching behind with the heavy starting-bar ready to strike down the first one who attempted to show fight.
“See that they jump together,” Ned said, still keeping his eyes fixed on the boat, where Manuel was busily engaged heaping maledictions on the heads of the boys because his plans were not working exactly to suit him. “Comeback here instantly they are in the water.”
Roy gave the word for the march to be resumed, and the prisoners rushed on deck after the companion-way door had been forced by the aid of the bar.
A moment later a loud splash told that they had leaped together, and as Roy came at full speed below, Ned cried:
“Start her as quick as possible. A few seconds means everything to us just now!”