"'They are getting ready to show their teeth,' remarked John, pointing to a group of three men in the bow.
"Besides the men in the bow of the Shark, there were several in the waist leaning over the rail and sizing up the Storm King with cold and calculating eyes.
"'Let's give 'em a shot, John,' I heard Joe urge.
"'No hurry,' replied his brother; 'don't let them worry you into wasting any ammunition.'
"In a few minutes John Singleton turned to me, 'could you turn her course a few points to the north, Captain?' he asked.
"'Certainly,' I replied.
"'Thank you,' responded the lad, 'I've a plan and it won't take over five minutes.'
"Then he and his friend, Comanche, lowered one of the ship's boats on the starboard side, where it was sheltered from the sight of the enemy by the deck cabins just abaft the midships. In this boat were two rifles, heavily loaded and ready for action. What the boy's scheme was I did not foresee but it was to develop a short time later.
"Upon the quarter deck of the Shark paced the figure of Captain Broome, with his long, swinging gorilla-like arms. Suddenly he stopped, put his hand to his mouth and shouted an order to the men in the bow of the ship. Then came the quick move of one of the men. A flash leaped from the mouth of the forward gun, a dull detonation, and a white cloud of smoke curled back over the bow of the Shark, while the shell plunged into the water directly in front of our prow.
"'That's for us to heave to,' cried John; 'give him our answer, Comanche, and give it to him hard!'