Chapter Fourteen CLEARING THE DECKS
When Jack appeared on the Merle, rather late that afternoon, Jerry met him by the steps, his arm in a sling.
"Good heavens, Tab," cried the captain, "what's the matter? What have you done to your arm, boy?"
"Nothing much," Jerry answered. "Just got a little piece of the cutter in it in a night engagement. What the deuce kept you so long?"
"But was it last night?" Jack insisted. "Did you get into trouble?"
"We were under fire," Jerry laughed; "but I had the only casualty."
"The devil you did! What sort of a trap did your infernal Englishman lead you into?"
"That's just what I want to tell you before you see him. What in the world made you so late? I've been waiting all the afternoon."