The Mystery Boys and Captain Kidd's Message
The small cannon on the revenue cutter spoke with its sharp bark but the phantom cruiser did not heave to. Instead her engines fairly shook her hull in their race for freedom.

Fast as she was the revenue cutter was not fast enough to overtake the other. Her gun spoke, but at a distant range and on a bad target—the tail of a flying ship without lights is no easy thing to hit in the dark!

The cutter dropped back slowly and then, sure that they were no longer in sight of her watchful crew, the hi-jackers flung their tiller hard a-starboard, heeled with the swerve and their speed, heard the grate of coral on one side, and—were again in a hidden cove!

CHAPTER XV DISASTER!

Clearly the churns saw that, although the hi-jackers had escaped for a time, they were really trapped. The _Senorita_, their cruiser, if she lay where she was until dawn, must be discovered.

Within the Sound, reached with such daring and risk, there was no safety, now that Uncle Sam’s watchdog had their scent, so to speak.

But, with the perversity which Nature seems sometimes to show, the elements played a card in favor of the evil-doers. Heavy rain squalls came up, and the wind blew the water in sheets that made a perfect screen for a slipping, silent gray shape.

Captain Ortiga took quick advantage of his fortune. The gray _Senorita_ nosed out into Little Card Sound, crossed its end, skirting the shore, and, again at the outlet, nosed quietly, slowly out toward freedom. In the downpour it was unlikely that they could be sighted and the propeller thrash would be deadened by the wind and waves.

“I have a scheme,” whispered Nicky, as the chums stood at the bow, straining their eyes hopefully into the downpour, themselves heedless of the rain that stung their faces. Tew, with surprising kindliness, had loaned them oil-skins from the “slop chest” or supply reserve.

“What is your plan?” queried Tom, lips close to Nicky’s ear.

Three heads drew together.

“I was in the little steerman’s cubby at the front of the cabin, just now,” Nicky said. “I saw the place where the electric buttons are set. They control the electric lights.”

“I see what you mean,” Cliff broke in. “You want to get in there and work the electric lights.” 


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