Part 30 (1/2)
Rick strained to hear She was talking to soood to keep us here, because nal faded as she talked Rick turned the little radio unit, trying to keep the volu ”You'll get into a lot of trouble if you don't”
Rick groaned Her threats would do about asa wolf pack Where was she? On the houseboat?
Suddenly he realizedhe had the key in his hands!
Barby's voice was high-pitched and frightened now ”What are you doing? Why are you putting that plastic cap on Jan?”
Rick turned the radio unit as the plane circled The sweat stood out on his face Unerringly, the axis of the built-in antenna pointed to the houseboat
There was no longer any doubt!
”Land!” he yelled ”Land next to the houseboat!”
Scotty slaon dived toward the water he cast a quick look at Rick ”What did you hear?”
Rick was already slipping off his shoes, getting ready to ju the irls!”
CHAPTER XVIII
The One-Man Boarding Party
Scotty hit the water and bounced once, but he held the plane down and in a ain and taxied as rapidly as he dared to the houseboat, swung broadside to it, and throttled back
Rick aiting He flung the door open and dove far enough to clear the pontoon The cold water closed over him briefly, then with a powerful kick he flashed to the surface again A few strokes brought hi on the rail One, a hefty lasses, said politely, ”Do you want so?”
Rick stopped and tread water ”I want the two girls you have inside
Have them come out here, and on't bother you any more”
The second man, the dark-haired one who had co a nap Sorry”
”I , Mister”
Striped shi+rt shook his head ”Sorry, boy We haven't seen your sister Now cliet out of here”
Rick's reply was a stroke that brought him to the houseboat He reached up for a handhold, when a boat hook suddenly touched his forehead
”Don't try it,” striped shi+rt said ”Stay off this barge or I'll bend this pole over your head Now get out of here”
Rick back-pedaled helplessly Nohat? He knew there was no possibility of his cli aboard while theinside? He swam forward, to the front of the boat, and the men followed They couldthe was useless He had to do so! He called, ”Barby! Can you hear me?”
There was no answer froht, perhaps gagged, or had the mind reader already worked?
Rick say fro There had to be a way of getting aboard There had to!