The flag reached the peak and streamed out in the wind.
“Now if they only see it,� thought Raynor. He watched the schooner in an agony of apprehension. Then, with a cry of triumph that he could not suppress, he saw the canvas on the other craft flapping as she put about.
So absorbed was he in the spectacle that he did not notice a quick, sharp tread behind him, did not see the uplifted sledge-hammer fist of Terror Carson.
But the next moment a terrific blow felled him to the deck.
CHAPTER XVI: LOCKED IN THE CABIN.
Half stunned, Raynor looked up in time to see Carson lowering the reversed ensign. He staggered painfully to his feet. He was in time to see the other schooner filling away again on her course as those on board her saw the signal of distress lowered to the deck.
Carson paid no attention to Raynor till he had finished with the ensign. Then, in bitter tones, he told him to follow him. Raynor had no recourse but to obey.
The captain took him aft and opened the door of a small cabin. It was not the one Raynor had been used to occupy.
“I’m going to lock you up in here,� he said, “for the time being. I’ll decide what to do with you later.�
“Why can’t you let me go?� demanded Raynor, “I’m no good to you in your poaching schemes and sooner or later you’ll have to free me. Why not now?�