"We must chance that. Come on now! Over this rail and drop into the boat. We——"
"Hold on there, young fellows! Where are you coming to?"
The burly form of a sailor, who had been taking a nap in the boat tied astern, suddenly upreared itself from the stern sheets, just as the lads had their legs over the rail and were prepared to drop into it.
"We have orders from the captain to go ashore instantly," spoke Sandy swiftly.
"Ah! Get out with that gammon," was the disconcerting reply, "you're the two kids we catched in Rockport. You—
"Catch those boys! Hold them!"
"Fifty dollars to the man that gets them!"
"Don't let them escape!"
Uttering these and similar cries, Walstein, Dampier and Captain Rangler came pouring out of the companionway in the bow. At the same instant half a dozen sailors appeared, as if by magic, from various spots where they had been taking quiet naps.
The sailor in the boat comprehended instantly.