"That makes the situation look a little more jolly," said Scott. "There goes the gong, and we are going ahead now. We had better hurry up our cakes, or we shall be too late to do anything, for the steamer has only five or six miles to make before the smugglers will discharge her, her occupation gone, if they only get a breeze."
"Captain Velazquez is confident that the schooner will get a breeze as soon as she gets out from under the lee of the hills."
"Then we had better lose no time," said Scott.
"Faix, I belayve ye's can't do much wid yo'r arrums toied behoind ye's," interposed Felix, as he rose from his seat, and began to strain on his bonds. "Where are ye's now, Morris, moi darlint? Sure it was you that set us loose in the felucky out from Teneriffe."
"But my hands are tied behind me as well as yours this time," replied Morris, as he made an attempt to draw his wrists through the line that secured his arms behind him.
"Never mind your arms just yet," interposed Scott. "We shall have the use of them when we have business for them. Let us look over the situation a little before we try to do anything. I understand from what Captain Belgrave has told us that Diego Valequizco, the captain, and Lucio are on board of the schooner, which we are dragging very slowly after us out of the river."
"Quite correct, Captain Scott," added Louis.
"Don't call me captain, Louis, for you are the commander in this excursion," replied Scott, shaking his head.
"But you are five times the sailor that I am, Scott, and so is Morris; and one of you ought to be captain if any one."
"No! no!" protested Felix. "Captain Belgrave is the proper laygind."