Dory obeyed, and remained seated in the bottom of the tender, directly behind the rower. Then, not a little to the astonishment of the prisoner, Angy began to untie the cords which bound him. He did the job by fits and starts, being obliged to use one or the other oar occasionally to keep the boat from falling off. But he finished the task, and Dory found that he was free; and it was a delightful sensation to be able to change the position of his arms.
As soon as he was released, without waiting for any order from the burglar, he moved aft to the stern-sheets of the boat. While he was doing so, Angy shifted to the forward thwart, keeping the oars at work all the time, with hardly a moment's intermission.
"Now take the other oar, Squillypod!" said the chief, in imperative tones.
"Where are we to go?" asked Dory.
"Where are we to go! None of your business where we are going! Obey my order, or it will be the worse for you!" returned Angy.
"If you are going to the shore, I will pull the other oar: if you are going back to the schooner I will not pull a stroke," added Dory.
"Won't you?" howled the robber, with an oath which was colder to the prisoner's blood than the angry elements. "I will see if you won't! I am going to the schooner, and you are going to pull that oar!"
As he spoke, he drew a revolver from his hip-pocket. Dory did not like the looks of this implement; but he could not assist the burglar to escape, and he took no notice of it. Angy raised the weapon hastily, and pulled the trigger. It was soaked with water, and did not go off. Dory did not wait for a second trial, but threw himself on the robber.
CHAPTER XI.
THE TURNING OF THE TABLES.
Dory Dornwood had made no promises in order to procure his release from the bonds with which he had been secured, and he felt free to fight his way out of the scrape into which he had fallen, if he could. Mr. Michael Angelo Spickles had looked, talked, and acted as though he regarded his prisoner with the utmost contempt.