"Can there be from any other source?" demanded Will, quick to take the alarm from the tone of Frank's voice.
"I bet Frank's thinking of those three blooming pirates who wanted to smash us out on the big water," declared Bluff quickly.
"I confess they were in my mind; but, so far, they've paid no attention to us, and we're a quarter of a mile away from that sharpie. Don't bother your head about them, Will. Of course, we'll keep a watch, as usual, though."
"You just make up your mind we will, now. I didn't like the looks of the crowd a little bit. Some of these wild waterdogs along the gulf coast, they told me, wouldn't object to a little piratical business on the sly when—"
Jerry stopped short. Over the water, from the direction of the mysterious anchored sharpie, had come a strange cry, that seemed to be in the voice of either a woman or a child. The four chums sat there and stared at each other in consternation, for it seemed as though that pitiful cry was for help!
CHAPTER XV
A VISIT TO THE MYSTERIOUS SHARPIE
Jerry made a reach for his gun, that happened to be hanging from a couple of hooks close by his hand.
"Oh! What was that?" asked Will in a trembling voice.
"Sounded to me like a child. I reckon they've got a boy along with 'em, and the brutes are whaling him!" growled Bluff.