"It's the Dianthus," roared the pirate skipper. "Our goose is cooked." With sudden fury he turned upon Alec. "It'll be state's prison for mine," he roared, "but before I go I'll fix you. You'll never spy on another man."
He leaped toward Alec. The lad shrank back in terror. He believed the desperate oysterman meant to kill him instantly. Still he kept a grip upon himself.
"If you harm me," he cried sternly, "it will be more than state's prison for you. It'll be the electric chair."
At that instant the search-light of the Dianthus was turned fairly on the pirate ship. The little group on her deck stood out like actors in a spot light.
"Hell!" roared the infuriated Hardy again, as he stepped back from Alec, his features working convulsively as he gazed in impotent rage at the oncoming guard-boat.
In a few minutes more the Dianthus ran alongside, and armed men came swarming over the side of the Shark. At their head were Captain Rumford and big Jim Hawley.
CHAPTER XIX HOME AGAIN
With a bound, big Jim Hawley was at Alec's side. "Did they hurt you, lad?" he cried.