It was quite a task in that heavy sea, but the eager sailors worked with a will, and though nearly swamped twice, managed to get clear of the tug.
And Clif was seated in the stern, heading for the big merchantman.
"Keep your eyes open," he heard the lieutenant shout. "They may make trouble."
And Clif nodded and the boat shot away. They wouldn't catch him napping on board that Spanish vessel—not much!
But they come perilously near it all the same.
It was a rough trip in that tossing rowboat. It seemed to sink and then fairly bound up on the next wave, its bow went down and its stern shot up. It did everything except turn over, while the spray fairly flew over it.
But the sturdy sailors worked with a will, and the distance was not very great. In a short time the little craft shot round in the lee of the Spaniard.
"A ladder there!" shouted Clif.
And in a few moments the rope ladder came tumbling down. It seemed to come with bad grace though, as if it knew its owners didn't want to send it.
The rowboat was backed near and Clif, with a sudden spring, caught the ladder and leaped clear of the waves.