The skipper directed Matt to tack at the proper moment, and the Goldwing rushed on her course in a direction to intercept the Winooski. When Tom Topover saw the schooner approaching, he called Kidd Digfield to the tiller-lines, and, taking a boathook in his hand, went forward himself.
"That fellow means fight," said Oscar Chester.
"No doubt of it; he means it every time, and for that reason you had better have a boathook in your hand, and be on the forward deck with me," answered Dory, as he picked up his lasso. "Keep her off a little more, if you please, Matt."
The oarsmen of the Winooski showed a disposition to abandon their oars, for a collision seemed to be inevitable to them. Tom stood in the bow of the barge with his boathook poised ready to strike. Dory saw that it would be impossible for him to lasso the boat, and he removed the stove cover from his line.
"Luff a little, Matt," called Dory; and the schooner rounded in upon the barge. This movement seemed to be too much for Tom's nerves, and instead of striking with the boathook, he used it to fend off. The moment he bent over, Dory threw his line, not at the stem of the boat, but at the body of the Topover. The noose went over his head, and dropped down upon his shoulders.
"Keep her off!" shouted Dory.
The instant Tom felt the rope, he dropped the boathook and tried to seize hold of the bow of the barge. The Goldwing fell off, and dashed ahead on her course. Dory let off his line a few feet, and then took a turn with it over a cleat. Tom Topover suddenly felt a smart jerk, which was irresistible, and he was twitched out of the boat as a fish is twitched out of the water.
"Tom Topover suddenly felt a smart jerk, which was irresistible."
—Page 168.
With Oscar's help, he was dragged alongside, and pulled on board of the yacht. It was found that he had the painter of the Winooski in his hands, which he had grasped in his effort to save himself. Matt had thrown the schooner up into the wind, and the painter was secured and made fast. The Winooski brought up at the stern of the Goldwing, captured by the aid of Tom Topover.