"I reckon it's no—"
Captain Ole started to speak, but Jack interrupted him.
"She's starting," he shouted.
"I don't—"
"But I tell you she is. I felt her move," the boy insisted.
"Jack's right," Bob put in, glancing from the window.
"Right is right," Mr. Lakewood added, and a moment later there was no doubt about it.
Inch by inch the Valkyrie backed, as her powerful propeller bit into the water. But, even so, for a moment it seemed that it would be too late, for, before she was free from the clinging sands, three brown figures had climbed over the bow and reached the deck before being seen. But before they were half way to the cabin Jack spied them, and, taking quick aim, fired through the open door. With a wild howl of mingled pain and fear, the native dropped his blow pipe and rushed for the side of the boat, and without stopping, leaped into the water. His companions hesitated an instant, then, as Jack fired again, they too turned and disappeared over the railing.
"Three down," Bob sang out.
"But none out," Jack chuckled. "I hit the first one in the fleshy part of his leg and the other I didn't hit at all."