Part 35 (1/2)

Young Halstead started and paled, as any one else would have done at such awesome information. Then he forced a sneer to his lips.

”Are you foolish enough to think, Don Emilio, that you are going to be allowed to escape to-night? You will sink the 'Meteor?' Perhaps, but what will you do with that United States cruiser over there off the port bow?”

As he pointed and spoke, Don Emilio and the two seamen rushed to the port rail. Tom was quick to seize the chance that he had made. Sooner than trust himself in Don Emilio's hands, he would risk the dangers of the deep.

When Don Emilio turned back Halstead was no longer on board. Leaping to the starboard rail, Tom had sprung as far out as he could, and the waters had closed over him.

In taking this desperate leap Tom had calculated, as well as he could, on avoiding the suction of the tug's propellers. As he struck the water he fought against that suction, and soon felt himself beyond it.

When he came to the surface the fast-going tug was so far ahead that Alvarez could not make out so small an object as the boy's head through the darkness and at the distance.

”Oh, the young fool has preferred drowning to going to Honduras!” cried Alvarez, turning to the seamen. ”Very good; let him have his choice.”

Tom, however, had no immediate plan of drowning. He was an expert swimmer, and with the sea as smooth as it was to-night not even his clothing hampered him much. In fact, he did not waste much strength on swimming, but soon allowed himself to float, treading water whenever it became necessary.

When the tug was leaving the wharf the young skipper was rather certain he had heard revolver shots, which would quickly bring the law's whole fighting force together.

”They'll come hustling along in the 'Meteor,'” thought the boy. ”If I can only make myself seen it will be easier to be picked up than to swim ash.o.r.e.”

Nor was it long ere he beheld the rays of a searchlight flas.h.i.+ng over the water. The searchlight came nearer. Halstead felt certain that the rays came from the boat that was usually under his command.

”Lawrence knows I was lugged aboard the tug, and Joe knows me well enough to know I'd jump sooner than stay with that crowd,” was the opinion with which Halstead comforted himself.

Nor was he disappointed. After a little the rays of the searchlight shone in his eyes, forcing him to close them. But he waved one hand aloft. Nearer came the ”Meteor,” and nearer, until Halstead saw that the boat was heading straight for him. Speed was shut off, while hails sounded from the motor boat's deck. The trim little craft, moving under headway only, came close alongside, while Jed tossed a line over.

”Good old Tom!” cheered Jed. ”Now, if you're fit, swim for it”

So Tom Halstead, dripping, but triumphant and vengeful, returned to his command.

”Take charge, captain, if you feel like it,” urged Lawrence, and Tom, after casting aside his water-soaked coat, stepped to the wheel. ”Keep right on after that tug,” added the inspector. ”I'll swing the searchlight for you.”

”I must caution you, though,” spoke Captain Halstead, after he had given Joe the go ahead word, ”that the tug carries a two-inch gun and plenty of sh.e.l.ls. Alvarez a.s.sured me that they'd sink you.”

”I don't believe they'll dare,” rejoined Mr. Lawrence, grimly compressing his lips. ”However, keep right on after them, and we shall see.”

The tug was quickly picked up by the searchlight.

”Whew! How she's cutting the water!” exclaimed Mr. Lawrence. ”That tug was surely built for fast work. She's easily an eighteen-knot boat.”

While the chase kept up, Tom detailed his brief adventure aboard the filibustering craft.

Though the tug was showing fine speed, the ”Meteor” was so much faster that at last the motor boat, dead astern, was within half a mile.

Bang! came a sharp report over the water, following a sharp, red flash from the tug's cannon.

”Blank charge-no sh.e.l.l,” commented Inspector Lawrence, coolly.

Holding the searchlight to the tug's after deck, however, the inspector and his friends saw two men again loading the bra.s.s cannon.

There was another flash, a report, and a projectile whizzed by to the starboard of the motor boat.