"Then who did take our boats?" asked Andy blankly.
"I don't know," replied the man. "But I do know that you have more than you bargain for if you think you can make me talk. There is no one on this island but ourselves, now that Splane played me a mean trick, and deserted. Talk of authorities! Ha! Ha! It's a joke," and he pretended to be amused.
"We'll soon be off the island," said Frank, with more confidence than he felt. "Our father will be looking for us, and may arrive at any minute."
The man uttered an exclamation beneath his breath. Evidently he had not counted on this. The two boys stood regarding him. Now that they had him, they hardly knew what to do with the fellow.
With a suddenness that was surprising, considering that his feet were tied, the man managed to stand upright. Then, with a mighty effort, he tried to loosen the rope around his hands.
"When I get loose I'll show you what it means to trifle with me!" he shouted. "You'll be sorry you ever meddled in this matter! Wait until I get this rope off!"
He tried desperately to get it off his hands, and Andy saw the strands loosening.
"Quick, Frank!" cried the younger lad. "We've got to take some more turns on that! I'll help! He can't hurt us now!"
The two brothers fairly threw themselves on their prisoner and all three went down in a heap on the sands.