Matt lifted a warning finger as Dick was about to speak, pointed upward toward the deck and then motioned for Dick and Clackett to come closer.
"Where is Gaines?" he whispered.
"He got out through the torpedo tube, half an hour ago," said Dick.
Matt, as will be remembered, had already thought of this maneuvre. But it was unfortunate that Gaines had put it into effect, in view of what was transpiring.
"What was Gaines going to do?" asked Matt, of Clackett.
"He reckoned he'd go up the river an' try an' find General Mendez," replied Clackett. "We sort o figgered it out between us that some of the soldiers under Mendez could come here and capture the boat and release the rest of us."
Here was an awkward situation, and Matt wrinkled his brows over it.
They could not leave without Gaines. He was taking chances and doing his best to be of service to his comrades, and dropping down the river without him was not to be thought of.
"What shall we do now, matey?" asked Dick.
"Keep on with our plan," answered Matt. "There are two of the scoundrels playing cards on deck. We must get them as safely as we have got Pedro."