CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.
WHAT THE BOYS THOUGHT.
As the boat glided alongside, the master's mate in command ordered the prisoners to go up; but Vince was already half-way over the side, followed by Mike, the lieutenant in command ordering them sternly forward.
"Quick, Mr Johnson!" he cried to the mate, "then back for the rest as smartly as you can.

Tell Mr Hudson to make any leakage sound.
Carpenter, there: go back with this boat." "Ay, ay, sir." "There's no fear of her sinking, sir," said Vince.
"What?
How dare--!" "It's all right, sir," cried Vince.

"I know.

We were prisoners on board the smuggler." "You were what ?" "It is right, sare," said Jacques quietly.

"I took ze boys avay and kept them as prisonaire." "Absurd!" said the lieutenant haughtily.