"Keep your offing, you loafing longshore scuttler!" cried Dick angrily as the Chilian touched him with the sharp point of the harpoon. "You're the swab I saved from the wreck, and I wish now I had let you go to the sharks. Matt, old ship, what do you think of this?"
"Never mind, Dick, what I think of it," answered Matt. "We'll get the Grampus to the top of the water; then, if they want her sunk again, you'll find there's something wrong with the ballast tanks. There'll be three of us free, and perhaps we can do something."
"All I want is half a chance," growled Dick savagely.
"The first thing you do," spoke up Gaines, "cut me loose. That will make four of us—only one apiece."
The leader of the Chilians said something fiercely. Undoubtedly it was a command for silence.
"Quiet now, fellows!" warned Matt. "Pretend that you are scared to death and go ahead with your work."
"Hello, Matt!"
It was the voice of Glennie rattling through the speaking tube.
"What is it?" replied Matt.
"I'm at the wheel. Whenever you're ready you can count on me."