A LUCKY FIND
"Land ahead!" sang out Captain Broadbeam's terrific voice in foghorn bass.
"We'll never reach it," declared Bob Vilett.
"Begorra, this is the worst yet," observed Pat Stoodles.
"Steady; be ready to jump if the raft tips," said Dave Fearless.
Fog, blackness, rain, and tempest surrounded the crew of the Swallow. A critical moment, indeed, had arrived in their experiences.
The capture of the Swallow early that morning had been effected by their enemies within an hour. The attack had been a vast surprise. No one had anticipated it, no one was prepared to meet it.
Superior numbers, desperate men heavily armed, had simply overpowered those on board of the steamer two at a time.
The bound captives were put ashore. With sad hearts they saw the Swallow sail out of the secret cove in the hands of their enemies. Dave's hardest trial was to listen to the triumphant taunts of Bart Hankers. The elder Hankers gloated over Amos Fearless.
Captain Nesik goaded Captain Broadbeam to the verge of madness with his mean sneers.