Reluctantly Rodney obeyed. Jack seized the boat-hook, and stood on the deck at the edge of the cockpit, ready for the struggle which he now felt was inevitable. It would still have been possible for him and his chum to get away in the dinghy, but the sloop was heading for harbor, and there was a tempting sporting chance for Jack to win out. Moreover, he was by no means sure that if he and Rodney did get away in the dinghy Hegan and his confederate would allow them to escape scot-free, for the men could overtake the dinghy rapidly, now that a fresh breeze was filling the sails.
Two more shots rang out, and the door of the companionway became badly splintered.
“Are you going to let us out?” demanded Hegan’s voice, in menacing tones.
Jack cautiously moved out of the way before replying.
“No, and if you put your head out you’ll get the boat-hook on top of it!” he shouted.
There was a brief pause, and then a heavy thumping began on the inside of the door. The men were using the table as a battering-ram. Jack moved nearer the cockpit again, and stood watching with misgiving the effects of the resounding blows. Suddenly Rodney gave a startled cry, at the same time pointing ahead.
Round the end of the breakwater, with all sails set, a fishing-schooner was coming.
“Starboard a bit, Rod, and cut her off,” said Jack. “Hegan, you’d better stop that now,” he added, raising his voice. “There’s a schooner coming.”
This information was apparently far from good news to the two captives. The battering ceased momentarily, and three shots were fired in rapid succession at the lock, which almost broke away. When the shots ceased Jack leaped down into the cockpit, with the boat-hook raised above his head, ready to defend himself as the men broke out of the cabin, but the instant he landed in front of the door another bullet tore its way through the woodwork, and he felt a sharp, stinging pain in his leg, just above the knee. With an involuntary cry he clapped his hand to the injured place.
“Come and take the wheel,” cried Rodney. “You’ve been hit, haven’t you?”