Jack merely nodded. But his lips were firmly compressed, and his face bore a look of determination that spoke far louder than words.
"Are you coming back, or do we have to sink that boat and drown you two rats?" bellowed Walstein, deliberately steadying his arm on the stern bulwark of the tug to take better aim.
But before the words were out of his mouth the boat was empty. It seemed almost as if by magic, so swiftly had both boys dived, immediately following Sandy's quick-spoken:
"Now!"
A perfect roar of rage arose from the decks of the anchored tug, as the two splashes sounded and only spreading rings of water marked where the lads had vanished.
"Fire at the water!" shouted Walstein, almost beside himself with anger.
As for Dampier, he danced up and down, and shook his fists at the shore in impotent fury.
"Guess the boys have euchered us this time, Walstein," grinned Captain Rangler ruefully.
Among all that angry crew the captain alone was cool.
"No use firing at the water," he continued, "it will only be waste of ammunition. Anyway, those kids must be 'most ashore by this time."