"Oh, the boat! The boat will be smashed to firewood," shouted Andy, sliding down from his perch.
Terence had joined him, and, heedless of Ellerton's voice shouting to be released from his prison, the two lads rushed to the side of the vessel.
The animal had fallen upon one of the thwarts of the boat, breaking it completely in half, and was lying on the bottom-boards plunging wildly. One kick in a vital place and the boat would be holed.
"There's enough damage done already," muttered Andy. "It's the only way," and running aft he returned in a moment with a loaded rifle.
"How are you going to manage it?" asked Terence. "You'll do almost as much damage to the boat with the bullet——"
"Shut up!" growled Andy, and, snapping the safety catch of the weapon, he swung himself without further delay into the stern sheets of the cutter.
The bull tried to rise, but in vain. Its head reared itself slightly above the gunwale; the rifle cracked.
"There's fresh beef at least, Terence. Throw Hoppy the tail end of a rope and get him out of that hole."
Then, as Ellerton appeared, blinking in the strong sunshine, Andy continued:
"Throw those things into the boat, and look sharp. We've wasted enough time and precious cargo this morning—all for the sake of that brute."