Seeing that he was for the time worsted he tried to cover his confusion
with a grin that was more of a snarl.
"Better send for your captain and be quick about it," cried Jack
impatiently. "We can't afford to burn up good gasolene chasing you. Move
quickly and it will be better for you."
Ungraciously the mate dispatched one of the hands to call the captain
who appeared on deck directly in a not very good humor.
When he saw the boys in their neat uniforms, however, and observed the
trim appearance of the craft alongside his own vessel, his manner
changed. He approached the rail and hailed:
"Launch, Ahoy! What can I do for you?"
"I must speak with you on important business, Captain."
"All right, sir. If you'll bear off a little, I'll heave to and you may
come aboard. I'm heavily laden and on short time, but I'll spare you a
few moments if you can be brief."
In a short time the schooner lay quietly upon the water, with the
Fortuna ranged alongside. Fenders had been put overboard by the
Fortuna's crew in order to protect the paint on the launch.
Jack was received by the captain, who met him with a smile and hearty
handshake of welcome. The situation was soon explained by Jack, who won
the captain's heart by his straightforward, manly appearance and by his
directness of speech.
"So we've got some of your chums who have been shanghaied?" queried the
captain, when Jack had finished his recital.
"It looks that way, Captain," Jack announced.
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