In spite of vigorous protests, the powerful men quickly overcame opposition, bound ropes around the boys’ arms and legs, knotted them, dropped the helpless bundles unceremoniously on the cabin floor, and hurried to climb into their own rowboat and the tender which had brought the chums. The quick orders, followed by a rythmic plash of oars and voices dying away gradually in the distance was the story their ears told.
“You’re a nice one!” said Cliff, sourly.
“Why?” said Nicky, wrenching futilely at his well-trussed arms.
“After we’d signalled, and all,” Tom cut in. “Tell all, and tell nothing—oh, yes! Then you tell all!”
“What would you have done?” demanded Nicky.
“Gave them a false direction!”
“Would you?” asked Nicky and worked again on his bonds.
CHAPTER XX
NICKY CHANGES A WORD!
Cramped and aching in every muscle, the chums struggled uselessly throughout a long and irksome day. The ropes were tied too securely to be loosened; they would not stretch.
It was almost twilight when they heard the returning sweep of oars and the grate of the boats alongside.