At the same instant, Sandy, with quick-witted comprehension of the requirements of the situation, dashed straight at Captain Rangler before that worthy could recover from the astonishment of his missed blow. Straight between the giant's legs hurtled Sandy's agile red-headed form. Caught all unawares, Captain Rangler went down with a crash. His great weight, as he fell, caused the cabin table to collapse, and brought the whole thing down in a pile of wreckage.
"Quick, Jack, before they recover their wits!" exclaimed Sandy, dashing for the companionway.
Jack sprinted after him. Up they dashed, three steps at a time, and before the group below recovered from their astonishment, the two lads had gained the deck.
Apparently nobody had heard the noise of the struggle, for the deck was deserted.
"What now?" asked Jack pantingly, as they paused, undecided for an instant.
"See, there's a boat astern. We'll make for that!" shouted Sandy, heading off at top speed.
The tug lay at anchor about a hundred yards off a well-timbered shore. As well as the boys could judge in their haste, the anchorage was in a sort of steeply-walled cove. But they hadn't much time to take in details as they ran.
"What are you going to do?" panted Jack, as they sprinted past the smokestack.
"Get in that boat and row ashore. It's our only chance. They'll half kill us if they capture us again."
"But—but suppose it's an island and there are no folks living there?"