"You infernal cheat, you!" roared Truax, starting to get out of the berth. But the hospital man thrust him back.
"In view of what you've just been telling us, my man, you had better be just a bit modest about sprinkling bad names around." said the naval surgeon, turning on his heel.
He was followed by Lieutenant Commander Mayhew, Jack Benson and Hal
Hastings. On the faces of all three were rather pronounced grins.
The fellow had been caught easily enough.
"Mr. Benson," cried Doctor McCrea, grasping Jack's hand when the party had returned to the cabin, "I hope you are my friend?"
"I certainly am, sir," cried Jack, warmly.
"Thank you," replied the surgeon, making a comical face. "With your head for doing things, Mr. Benson, I can't help feeling a lot safer with your friendship than I would if I had your enmity."
"How easily the fellow threw everything to the winds!" muttered Mr.
Mayhew, in some disgust.
While they were still chatting in the cabin of the gunboat a shot sounded on the deck. It was quickly followed by another. Then a corporal of marines rushed in, saluting.
"The prisoner, Truax, sir, escaped while taking a walk on deck under guard of a marine. He took to the water headlong, sir. The marine fired after him through the darkness, sir, and a second shot was fired. The officer of the deck sends his compliments, sir, and wants to know if Truax is to be pursued by men in a small boat?"
"At once, and with all diligence," nodded the lieutenant commander.