“You seem to forget that there is anyone else in this boat,” said the voice of Frank Merriwell, who had remained quiet so long. “I am in the same box with you.” Wallace uttered a cry of surprise and joy. “I did forget!” he exclaimed. “Oh, I was thinking of myself! I am not alone!” “No. You helped get me into this scrape, and now you are sharing the fun. You do not seem to like it.” “Oh, Mr. Merriwell, I am sorry I ever had anything to do with that man—sorry I ever helped him in his work against you! It is true, and I hope you will believe me!” “I do,” said Frank, in a dry way. “Almost anybody in your position would be sorry. But I am tied up here so I can’t wiggle. Set me free, and we will see what can be done.” “Oh, nothing can be done! We are doomed!” “Well, you can set me free. You need not be afraid of me now. I’ll not hurt you, for I think you are being punished enough, and we must be companions for each other to the end.” “To the end!” echoed Wallace, as he set at work freeing Frank. He had a knife, and the task was simple enough. “Ah!” cried Merry, as he moved his stiffened limbs. “Oh, what pains! Help me. I am numb all over.” Wallace aided him to sit upon one of the seats in the middle of the boat, and Frank rubbed his arms and legs to start the circulation. “I am sorry I helped get you into this scrape, Merriwell,” said Wallace, feebly. “I hope you will believe me when I say I had no idea it would come to this.” “I haven’t a doubt of that,” came dryly from Frank. “I know what you think, and I do not blame you. You think I am repentant because I am in the scrape with you, but I swear I did not dream Flynn was such a desperado. He said the yacht rightfully belonged to him, and he induced me to help him run away with it. I thought that would be the end of it, and, as I had a grudge against you, I agreed to help him. I was a fool! And I was sorry an hour after we left Belfast harbor. I have felt all along that we should be punished for the job. I hope you will believe me when I say I meant you no bodily harm.” “I heard your racket with Flynn on the yacht just before he forced you into the boat, and so I believe you. Perhaps this experience will teach you a lesson.” “Little good it will do me, for I’ll not live to profit by it.” “Oh, it’s no use to give up. We can’t tell what may happen.” “Oh, there’s no chance for us. We are drifting out to sea, and a storm is coming. We’ll both be drowned before morning.” “Perhaps not.” Then a wave curled over the side of the boat and came near swamping her. Wallace cried out in fear, but Frank ripped out a seat and used it as a paddle to aid in holding the boat steady. “Take your cap and try to bail out some of that water,” directed Frank. “We must keep afloat as long as we can.” Wallace obeyed. Now they could hear a roaring that grew louder and louder with each passing moment. It was an awesome sound, and Wallace shuddered and grew sick at heart.