But he need not have worried, for Turk was too busy enjoying himself giving the same treatment to Jerry, who came flying out of the cabin to land heavily on the deck alongside Sandy.
“These boys sure play a lot of rough games,” he murmured. “And I’m afraid that this is only the beginning of a whole world’s series!”
“Take it easy,” Sandy whispered to his friend. “Let’s just go along with them quietly. Maybe we can keep in one piece until we have a chance to figure a way out.”
At Turk’s orders, they rose to their feet. Looking up to the freighter’s deck high above them, they saw the other sailor, Bull, already on board, at the top of a long rope ladder. He too had his pistol held ready, and the expression on his face gave every indication that he would be only too glad to use it if he were given even half an excuse to do so.
“Get up that ladder,” Turk ordered, “and don’t try nothing funny. We’ll have you covered all the way.” He waved his pistol at Jerry to indicate that he wanted him to go up the ladder first.
Sandy’s heart seemed to sink in his chest. The order of climbing was all wrong—it couldn’t be wronger! Jerry first, himself next, and Turk last! Surely Turk, if he was below him looking up as he climbed, couldn’t fail to notice the flare pistol taped to Sandy’s leg!
Acting as if he misunderstood Turk’s wordless command, Sandy stepped forward and grabbed the rope ladder, but the sailor’s big hand gripped him by the shoulder hard and firmly pulled him back.
“You sure are eager, ain’t ya, kid? And you’re tricky, too. Now why did you want to go up that ladder first? That ain’t no picnic or party up there!” He screwed his big face into a frown of deep thought. Apparently unable to reach a decision, he undid his thinking expression and snarled at Sandy. “Just stop thinkin’ up tricks, see! You let me do the thinkin’ here! Now, you go on first, the way I told ya!” He pushed Jerry toward the ladder.
Resigned to having his flare gun discovered, and almost resigned to whatever would happen next, Sandy moved to the ladder to take his turn, when once more the big hand of Turk pulled him back. “I told you I’d do the thinkin’!” Turk said. “I don’t know what you got up your sleeve, but whatever it is, you’d better forget it. I’m goin’ up next!”
At last, here was a turn of luck! Sandy could hardly keep from grinning as Turk started to mount the rope ladder. The big sailor swung up easily, keeping his eyes always turned downward to Sandy. Halfway up, he stopped.