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It was arranged that letters in the care of the Italian consul at Boston would always be forwarded to him. Jim and Throppy took the departing party over to Matinicus on the Barracouta, getting them there in ample time for the Rockland steamer. The sloop was back at Tarpaulin by four o'clock. Meanwhile John P. Whittington had started on his vacation.
Trawling's a cold, wet, dirty business, and you want to be well prepared for it. And don't forget those nippers! They'll protect your hands from the chafe of the line." Taking buoys, anchors, and other gear from the fish-house, they got into the dory and rowed out to the Barracouta. The six tubs of trawl, baited two afternoons before, were already on board.
"Wait till we hear what Jim says," was Lane's reply. The remaining traps were hauled in double-quick time and they made a bee-line for Sprowl's Cove. Spurling and Throppy came in at noon on the Barracouta. Jim's brows knitted when he heard of their new neighbors. "What should you say they were?" he inquired. "Don't know," answered Lane. "Only I'm sure they're not Yankees."
He landed, and started on the run for Main Street. In twenty-five minutes he was back. "Sold 'em!" he announced. "Sixty dollars!" A little later an express-wagon with two men drove down on the wharf. The swordfish were hoisted from the Barracouta, the agreed price paid, and the team hurried away. "Not a bad day's work," said Budge. "Fair! Now let's go somewhere and get a good supper!"
Jim decided that they should never make use of the Barracouta. The spokesman dropped his conciliatory mask and turned away defiantly. "All right, young fellow! You've had your say; now we'll have ours." "Throppy," said Jim in a low tone to Stevens, who was standing with Lane beside him, "these men are smugglers. Call the cutter!" He had time for nothing more.
The Barracouta, drawing thirteen feet, just scraped them at high water. About five or six leagues up the Landa branch, and about thirteen from the sea, stands the town and palace of Sambas, on the confluence of the Landa and Salako rivers.
He grasped Jabe by the collar and jerked him backward. Jim dropped a compelling hand on Percy's shoulder. "Come on, Whittington! You ought to have brains enough to know you've been licked. It's time we started for Tarpaulin Island." Conversation lagged on the Barracouta as she jogged smoothly over the starlit sea toward Tarpaulin Island.
And very soon our food and water became exhausted, and our sufferings intensified to such an extent that some of the men went mad and threw themselves into the sea. As for me, I became so weak at last that I lost consciousness, and did not again revive until I found myself on board the Barracouta, with Mammy looking after me.
But no warning fin appeared above the ripple; only, more than once, close to the stern of the boat, a heavy fish broke water with a sharp splash and swirl, which was said to be a Barracouta, following us up in mere bold curiosity, but perfectly ready to have attacked any one who fell overboard.
The blind body curled backwards spasmodically; and the tentacles, shorn off at the roots, fell aimlessly and helplessly apart. Little Sword flashed away, trailing his limp captors behind him till they dropped off. And the barracouta ate the remains of the Inkmaker at his leisure.
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