Part 30 (1/2)
”Perhaps. I also know that you are a prisoner on this s.h.i.+p, and that it is dangerous for you to kill me.”
”Not so dangerous as to let you go. You have heard every word that pa.s.sed between my friends, and have their secret and their lives in your hands. I need say no more to justify myself.”
The Spaniard tapped lightly on the boat, and instantly Juan and Manuel rose. They walked round to the other side.
”You here!” they cried, seeing their brother officer.
”Yes, and caramba! but it would have gone hard with your plot, but for me. You seemed to forget that you are not the only people on this s.h.i.+p.
Look!”
He pointed to Young Glory as he spoke.
They were astounded.
”Then he's heard what we said?”
”Every word, Juan.”
”It means ruin.”
”No, fortunately no harm is done. I hold this sailor in my power. He cannot escape me. You must carry out your plot instantly.”
”All is ready. We will do so.”
They knew there was no time to be lost, and leaving Young Glory to the care of their friend, they turned away to carry into execution their diabolical scheme.
The Spanish officer who had Young Glory in his power, did not wish to be noticed by any of the crew in a suspicious att.i.tude. So he sat down underneath the boat by the side of Young Glory.
”Don't move,” he said, showing the sailor his glittering steel blade.
”It will be fatal to you if you do.”
Young Glory's position was a maddening one. He was in possession of a secret, and was unable to disclose it in the proper quarter. But he never lost sight of the fact that it might yet be possible for him to get away from the Spaniard, and his brain was busily at work upon the project.
It is doubtful if he would have succeeded if fortune had not favored him.
Two sailors, coming along, were thrown nearly off their feet as the vessel lurched, and in saving themselves they fell with outstretched hands against the boat.
The cutter toppled over on the Spaniard. Young Glory quicker than he in moving, had rolled to one side.
In a moment the Spaniard had recovered himself, and furiously threw himself at Young Glory. But the latter was prepared now. He caught the Spaniard by the arm, wrested the dagger from him, and then with a tremendous effort he hurled the man backwards, throwing him off the deck into the sea.
”Help! Help!” screamed the poor wretch.
But it was too late. The cruiser was sailing at a fast pace, the sea was running high, and the night was dark. Long before a boat could have reached him he would have sunk.
Young Glory had no time to lose.
He was rus.h.i.+ng away when the two sailors barred his path, and one of them handled him somewhat roughly.