"We've found them aboard, Mr. Somers," shouted Terrell. "Drugged, I think,
sir. Will you come alongside, sir."
Eph quickly rang the signal, then did some careful manoeuvring. As he
touched, one of the marines leaped back to the platform deck, then passed
a line to Mr. Terrell. The two craft were held together until Jack and Hal
had been passed, still unconscious, over the side. The naval party quickly
followed, then cast loose from the sloop.
"This whole proceeding is high-handed," growled Curtis, as soon as he saw
that he was not to be molested.
"Oh, you shut up, and keep your tongue padlocked," retorted Midshipman
Terrell, in high disgust. "You're lucky as it is. Now, Mr. Somers, are you
going back to the bay, sir?"
"Aren't you going to take those two--body-snatchers?" demanded Eph, glaring
venomously at the pair on the sloop.
"My instructions don't cover that, sir," replied the cadet midshipman.
"Then hang your orders!" muttered young Somers, but he kept the words
behind his teeth. Eph veered off, next headed about, while the two seamen
bore Jack and Hal below to their berths.
"Will you take the wheel, Mr. Terrell?" asked Eph, edging away, with one
hand on the spokes.
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