The long anxious day at last drew to its close, anchor was got up on the diving boat, and she was headed back for the schooner.
As they passed a large piece of driftwood covered with large black birds with very long necks, Manuel pointed at them, "Those are fine eating," he said wistfully. "If the young gentlemen could kill a few it would give us all a great feast."
Walter looked at Charley who nodded assent, for he was not loath that the Greek should witness their skill with the revolver.
Both boys had practiced often with their revolvers and were better than average marksmen. Their pistols were automatics, a style of weapon with which even the unskillful can shoot fairly accurately. Walter fired six shots in as many seconds, killing four birds and wounding one. Charley fired four shots at the same time, killing two birds and crippling a third. The rest of the birds took flight before the boys could shoot more. The captain and Chris emptied their pistols at the flying flock without success.
The diving boat was run alongside the dead birds and they were picked up by the crew. Manuel seemed delighted, "The young gentlemen are wonderful shots," he declared.
CHAPTER XVII.
OUTWITTED.
The chums hastened below when the schooner was reached for they were eager to talk over the next move to be made.
"Things have got to be brought to a head right off," declared the captain when Charley had acquainted him with his suspicions of Manuel's foul play. "It's rank foolishness to linger along an' give them more chances to work out their devilish tricks. It's better to have trouble with them right now while we are prepared than to wait and perhaps have them take us unawares."