[CHAPTER III.]
PING PONG OBJECTS.
Motor Matt's first intention was to fish the China boy out of the water. He had barely started in the lad's direction, however, when he saw McGlory teetering on the edge of the wharf and throwing a rope.
"Whoosh!" gulped the China boy, as he bobbed to the surface and laid hold of the rope. "No likee boatee! My gottee, no wantee. Whoosh!"
Seeing that the lad was as good as rescued, Matt turned his attention to the runaway launch. By some freak of the steering gear the boat was cutting away in a straight line.
The rowboat Matt had secured for the occasion had been tied well to the south of the piles into which the Chinese had run the Sprite. The launch, describing a turn before she struck into a straightaway course, would have to pass a point directly abreast of Matt.
By quick work with the oars he could reach the point in time to lay hold of the launch.
Under his strong arms the rowboat leaped out across the water, and then, with a quick push on one oar and an equally quick pull on the other, the boat was laid broadside on to the course the runaway Sprite was taking.
Not a second too soon was this accomplished. Hardly had Matt dropped the oars when the Sprite came plunging up beside him.
Leaning out over the side of the rowboat, he grabbed the gunwale of the Sprite. Both boats were hauled together, and the rowboat was towed along at a fierce clip—but only for a moment.