Just then the bow of the boat dipped sharply, and they knew that at last she was afloat.
"Three cheers," Bob shouted, and they were given with a will.
"And thank God," Mr. Lakewood added.
Slowly the Valkyrie backed for a short distance, and then, turning slightly, headed for the open sea.
"No one outside till we're clear," Captain Ole ordered, as one of the sailors was about to pass through the door. "They can't hurt us now if we keep out of the way of those darts."
As they saw their fancied victims escaping, cries of rage came from the boats all about them and, when they did go out a little later they picked up more than a hundred of the small but deadly darts.
"What if she hadn't come off?" Jack asked, as he and Bob were watching the small boats, now well behind them, as they made their way back to the island, having given up the chase.
"Well, she did, thank God, so what's the use of worrying?" Bob responded. "By the way," he added, "have you seen Pat?"
"Not since before we went inside."
"Neither have I."