Fortunately there was a rack of pins close by and all did as the captain had ordered. It was not so dark but that they could see the bow and for a minute or two they waited for the first sign of hostilities.
"If one of them gets on deck he'll get one or more of us," the captain whispered, "so we mustn't miss him."
As he finished speaking, Bob and Jack spied a woolly head peep up over the bow and instantly two of the heavy pins whirled through the air. The distance was only six feet and both pins reached the mark. Followed a loud and surprised grunt and a loud splash.
"Set 'em up again," Jack whispered.
"Get another pin, quick," Captain Ole ordered.
"You bet."
By this time Pat was back followed by the rest of the crew with the exception of the engineer, who, he explained, was already getting up steam.
"You boys got guns?" Captain Ole asked quietly.
Two or three of the sailors replied in the affirmative and showed the weapons.
"That's good, but don't shoot unless I give the word."