“If Zorro is aboard that craft he should know that his friends are near at hand for the rescue,” Don Audre said.
And then it was that they got out a sail and painted a gigantic Z upon it, and sent it aloft. It was their banner of battle, a flag of war that betokened their allegiance to a man and a cause.
“Courage and swift work does it!” the schooner’s captain told Don Audre. “We are greatly outnumbered. But my crew has had dealings with pirates before, hence each man will fight with the strength of five. And you and your friends, Don Audre, have good reason for fighting like fiends.”
“We are prepared to do it,” Don Audre replied. “Think you that we can overhaul the pirate?”
“It is but a question of time,” the captain declared. “The pirate sails prettily, but her bottom is foul. I can tell that much at this distance. Pirates are too lazy to keep a ship in perfect shape. And this little schooner of mine is a swift craft and in prime condition.”
They gained steadily, and meanwhile they watched the distant pirate ship continually. They saw that there was some sort of a tumult on board. Don Audre Ruiz, standing at the rail near the bow, with a glass glued to his eye, watched carefully.
“It is probable that Señor Zorro is fighting the entire pirate company,” he announced. “I can see men running about the rigging. Let us pray that we may be in time.”
Sergeant Gonzales, standing near him, uttered an oath that the presence of Fray Felipe did not keep back.
“Meal mush and goat’s milk!” he exclaimed. “Let us crowd on more sail and have at these pirates!” He swept his blade from its scabbard. “That for a pirate!” he shrieked, thrusting about him in a rage. “This for a pirate! Ha!”
“Save your breath and your strength,” Don Audre advised him. “You may have need of them both soon.”