"Hold your tongue, Tom!" replied Paul, sharply. "Try the pump, and see whether she leaks any."
The cheers were not given in the face of this sharp rebuke, and Tom hastened to obey the order which Paul had just issued. The examination revealed the gratifying fact that the Flyaway was still sound, and made no water. She had only bumped a few times in deep water with the action of the waves.
"You can take the helm again, Tom," said Paul, when the survey was completed. "If you wish to make me a prisoner again, I will go below."
"I do not," replied Tom.
"I am not one of your number, but I should like to ask what you intend to do?"
"We calculated to go to Portland," replied the chief of the conspiracy.
"To Portland?"
"That is what we intended."
"That is not what you told us," said one of the boys. "You said you would only run out a little way, and return before Captain Gordon got back."