When the boat swung around as the steamer went ahead, it was held by the painter abreast of the engine-room. Felix heard that whistle, and had been an attentive listener to the interview in front of the pilot-house. He had stationed himself at the rail near the point where the painter of the Spanish boat was made fast. He realized before the close of the conference that Gray "meant business," as he expressed himself. The instant he heard the whistle, he cast off the painter, which he had partly unloosed before. The boat began to slide aft, and Gray used some expletives which indicated that he was not in good standing in the Scottish Kirk.
Diego was not asleep, for he instantly detected the fact that his craft was adrift. He laid hold of the rail of the steamer with desperate energy, for he knew that once lost the Salihé could not be overtaken with oars, and the custom-house officers would settle their business in due time. The Spaniard held on to the rail, and his men did the same.
Gray had hurried aft as soon as he had blown his whistle, which must have been agreed upon as the signal to board, before he put his foot aboard the planks of the steamer. On the way he seized upon a heave-line, which was attached to a fast in the stern, and dropped it into the boat. It was caught by one of the men, and passed around the fore thwart. With this assistance the Spaniards were able to hold the craft, though it fell astern of the steamer when they let go of the rail.
Louis, Felix, and Morris now realized that the smugglers intended to take forcible possession of the Salihé, and their blood was stirred accordingly. All three of them had revolvers in their hip pockets for reasons set forth in the preceding volumes; though Morris had purchased his in London, for the adventure with the brigands in Teneriffe had satisfied his father that it was needed. All three of them followed Gray, and saw that the Spanish boat was again attached to the steamer.
Scott looked out for the wheel; but he had gone to the door of the pilot-house, where he had seen all that occurred farther aft. He had been the owner of two revolvers, but Captain Ringgold had ordered them to be taken from him when he was a rebellious character, and they had never been restored to him. He was not armed, therefore, as his companions were; but if there was to be any fighting he earnestly desired to do his share of it, for he was far from being a coward.
Under the binnacle in front of the wheel were several tools, including a hammer, two hatchets, and a common hand-saw. From this arsenal of available weapons he selected the smaller hatchet, because it was quite sharp, and the saw. He had heard an old shipmaster who resided near his foster-father give an account of a mutiny which he had suppressed, and his only weapon was a saw such as that he found in the pilot-house.
Thrusting the handle of the hatchet through the back of his belt, and with the saw in his hand, he secured the wheel amidships, and hastened aft, following closely at the heels of his three companions on board. Gray stood by the heave-line he had thrown to those in the boat, and which he had made fast at a cleat under the rail. Scott took in the situation at a glance, and noted the place where the line was made fast. But he did not wish to interfere with any plan Louis had made.
"I have fastened the wheel amidships, Louis, and I can be with you for a few minutes," said he to the leader.
"Gray has dropped a line into the boat, and the Spaniards have made it fast," replied Louis. "All we have to do is to beat them off if we can. I don't like the idea of shooting them;" and he had his hand on his hip pocket.
"Here is the line: shall I cut it?" asked Scott.