“Quick, get behind the cabin!” he shouted excitedly, interrupting himself.
Without waiting to ask the reason, the boys obeyed, and with them went all of the crew near at hand. Scarcely had they gained the protection of the deck houses than there was a patter like hail on the iron deck.
“Stones,” said Mr. Adams, simply.
“They do hate to see a boat take on cargo,” asserted Hansen. “Wonder where our guards are?”
The guards themselves answered the question, for barely had the shower of stones ceased than the four men whom Phil and Ted had noticed when they boarded the Admiral sprang from the cabin, revolvers in hand, rushed across the deck, leaped to the dock, and, joined by similarly armed guards who appeared from among the freight cars, charged up the bank.
Not long did the crowd linger on the hill when they saw the guards, and as the men and boys scattered in all directions, an automobile dashed up from which six policemen jumped out and began to patrol the top of the sand bank.
Ever since the Admiral had docked, men had been working about the elevator and in the adjoining engine room.
“All ready?” called one of them to the mate.
Recalled to his business, Mr. Adams looked along the deck. Every hatch cover was in place.
“Lively, open those hatches, Hansen,” he snapped; then, raising his voice, he answered, “All ready.”