[pg 189] Eph quickly rang the signal, then did some careful manœuvring. As he touched, one of the marines leaped back to the platform deck, then passed a line to Mr. Terrell. The two craft were held together until Jack and Hal had been passed, still unconscious, over the side. The naval party quickly followed, then cast loose from the sloop.
“This whole proceeding is high-handed,” growled Curtis, as soon as he saw that he was not to be molested.
“Oh, you shut up, and keep your tongue padlocked,” retorted Midshipman Terrell, in high disgust. “You're lucky as it is. Now, Mr. Somers, are you going back to the bay, sir?”
“Aren't you going to take those two—body-snatchers?” demanded Eph, glaring venomously at the pair on the sloop.
“My instructions don't cover that, sir,” replied the cadet midshipman.
“Then hang your orders!” muttered young Somers, but he kept the words behind his teeth. Eph veered off, next headed about, while the two seamen bore Jack and Hal below to their berths.
“Will you take the wheel, Mr. Terrell?” asked Eph, edging away, with one hand on the spokes.
“Yes, sir.”
[pg 190] Eph hurried below to the port stateroom. Jack lay in the lower berth, Hal in the upper. The two seamen, after feeling for pulse, stood by looking at the unconscious submarine boys.
“What's been done to them?” demanded Eph.