“I’ll bring youse some grub. Don’t worry. I’ll make all excuse to git a bit of waste or rope out of that cubby hole. I got ter go now. De old man’s lookin’ forward. He mus’ tink I’ve gone nuts talkin’ ter myself.�
He hurried off but an hour later brought Raynor a good meal, consisting of what was left over from the cabin dinner. The hidden lad ate it with a relish which was sharpened by the thought that that night he might be able to make good his escape.
That afternoon it began to grow rough, and Raynor’s retreat was anything but comfortable. Water poured in every time the Polly Ann breasted a big wave. The lad was soon cold and shivering. But the hours passed somehow and at last, by the chiming of the ship’s bell, Raynor knew that the time had come to put his plan of escape into operation.
He crawled out upon the deck from his hiding place, feeling wet and stiff, and proceeded cautiously, for discovery was likely at any instant.
CHAPTER XVIII: RAYNOR TO THE RESCUE.
As he made his way toward the now dark and deserted galley, Raynor noted, with regret, that it was a rough night. The schooner appeared at one minute to rush at what seemed to be a towering black wall but which Raynor knew was a wave.
It looked as if she must be submerged in the mass of water. But every time she rose gallantly and topped the crest of the giant combers. Storm sail was set, just sufficient to give the craft steerage way.
“Bother it all,� muttered Raynor, “it seems that luck is always against us. Here I had everything planned for an ideal escape and now I doubt if it wouldn’t be suicidal to venture forth in such a sea.�
The schooner rushed up a wall of water and then coasted hissingly down the other side. Her lights shone out bravely like red and green jewels on either side of her bow. But it seemed that momentarily they would be drowned out.
Raynor clawed his way along the bucking, plunging deck, to the door of the galley. Here he gave three cautious knocks. The door opened and Noddy drew him in.