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Percy secured the weapon. Escorting Shane to the camp, they soon had him safely trussed. Brittler was bellowing like a mad bull. "Now for Dolph and the skipper! Guess the three of us are good for 'em!" Leaving the four smugglers in the custody of Throppy and Filippo, the other boys proceeded down to the water. The shouting suddenly ceased. A rope splashed.
Budge strained his eyes, but no fin! The breeze was shifting to the northeast. Jim cast a practised eye about the horizon. "If the wind swings round much farther it'll bring the fog again. See anything, Budge?" "No yes! Up to starboard! Right, Throppy! Keep her as she is!" The fish was swimming at a moderate rate, and the sloop had no trouble in catching up with him.
Throppy had planned to install an outfit on Tarpaulin, and had already written home to have his plant there dismantled by his brother, and its parts forwarded by express to Matinicus. For an amateur he was an expert operator. The Barracouta was already well loaded when, with the dory towing behind, she rounded the granite breakwater and started for Vinalhaven, twelve miles away.
Evidently his hasty words still rankled in the Italian's breast. Breakfast over, Percy took his book and started for the beacon. It was a beautiful July morning. The sea rippled blue and sparkling to the horizon. Budge was hauling his traps on the ledges around the base of Brimstone. A half-mile farther out Jim and Throppy were busy at their trawls.
Percy, in particular, remembering the habits of certain of his friends, took the story to heart. Nobody said anything more until they were inside the cove and running toward the lobster-car. Budge and Throppy saw them coming and rowed out in the pea-pod. While the lobsters were being dipped aboard the smack and weighed, Spurling tinkered the Barracouta's engine.
He was not strong enough to drive her against it; but he could at least keep her pointed into the teeth of the gale and prevent her from swamping. He dropped to his knees, for it was too rough for him to keep his balance if he stood upright. How far off was Tarpaulin? As he looked back a red glare sprang up northeast. Budge and Throppy had fired the driftwood beacon on Brimstone Point.
Budge, you and Throppy each take one of those spare coils of rope! I'll carry another and the Coston lights. Now I can see why Uncle Tom always insisted on having a couple of 'em in the cabin. Filippo, you'd better stay here, keep up a good fire, and make plenty of coffee. There goes another rocket! The gun, too! I don't blame 'em. Men couldn't be in a worse fix!"
Fifteen minutes later the three orders were duplicated and despatched without undue delay. "Try it again, Budge?" "I'd like to," returned Lane, truthfully, "but I can't." Jim broke a five-dollar bill at the cashier's desk, and they filed out. "Sorry Throppy and Filippo aren't with us," said Percy. "So am I; but we'll even it up with 'em somehow, later."
It was high time to prepare to meet their second foe. "Throppy, Whittington, Filippo! Come here! Quick!" They came, Percy in the rear, his knees shaking. "Budge, can the four of you handle this man if I let go?" "Easy!" "Keep his mouth shut till I tell you he can open it!" "All right!" Lane's hand replaced Jim's over Dolph's lips. The other three grasped him wherever they could find a chance.
"Take him up to the camp, boys!" puffed Brittler. The doughty captain had not escaped unscathed. A swollen black eye and a bleeding nose bore eloquent testimony to the force and accuracy of Jim's blows. A guard on each side and another behind were soon propelling Spurling toward the open door. From within came the ceaseless click of a telegraph instrument. Throppy was still calling the cutter.
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