"Crickets! We'll have to go some to catch up with 'em," cried Bob. "Give me a hand with the sail, Dick—that's it. Keep her steady, Sam."
"What's the program?" asked Dave, calmly.
"Board the 'Spray,' if necessary. When Dugan and 'Surly Joe' find we mean business, they'll back down."
"Maybe they won't, Bob," put in Tommy Clifton, nervously.
"You might as well give it up," came floating over the air. "Little Bill," in the stern, was waving Bob Somers' rifle tauntingly.
"If you know what's best for yourself you'll come about," shouted Bob.
"Is that elephant holding yer back?" sneered Dugan, and "Surly Joe's" harsh laugh reached their ears.
"Jiminy, the wind's kicking up awful big waves," said Tommy Clifton a few minutes later. "Might be better to get back."
"No siree, Tommy. It's now or never. We're not so easy as all that."
"We must get that gun, even if they lead us a chase around the two islands," put in Sam, emphatically.