"I can't tell that, but they are together, and they are following us--that's sure. You are not done with Flynn, it seems." "He will get into trouble if he bothers me any more. I shall not stand any nonsense from him. As for Wat Snell, all I want is a good chance to square up with him. I will make him sorry he ever heard of me!" "That's the talk, Frank!" exclaimed Diamond, approvingly. "Snell will be easier to dispose of than the other chap, for it is probable that Flynn believes he can take this boat away from you because he has a right to it, or he would not be following us." "He has no right to it, and he will not be able to take it." "See, Frank! What is the fellow going to---- Look out!" On the steamer Flynn had been seen to hastily unbutton his mackintosh, jerk something bright out of his hip pocket and point it toward the yacht. It was a revolver. Jack Diamond realized the desperate fellow's purpose, and he caught hold of Frank Merriwell and gave him a push that threw him to the deck beside the wheel. There was a flash of fire from the revolver, a puff of smoke, and then a bullet whistled over the yacht, striking the water beyond. "Well, of all the foolhardy, cowardly tricks, I believe that takes the premium!" said Frank, as he arose and grasped the wheel again. "That man is drunk or crazy!" The moment Flynn fired, Snell took to his heels and scudded out of sight, disappearing on the other side of the steamer. Flynn hastily put up his revolver, shook his fist toward the yacht, and then followed Snell, both of them getting out of the way before anyone, attracted by the sound of the shot, came aft to investigate. The big paddlewheels of the steamer were in motion again, and she was forging on her course, as if nothing had happened. Frank brought the _White Wings_ round and set his course to follow as closely as the wind would allow. In a short time the steamer was almost out of sight in the thin mist that hung over the water where there was no fog. Then, at last, Hans Dunnerwust came puffing and stumbling on deck, fairly loaded down with life-preservers. He fell at the head of the companion way, and the life-preservers flew all over the deck. "Put me onto them kvick!" he squealed. "Uf I don'd haf a life breserfer on ven der yocht sinks you vos a goner!" The boys laughed at his ludicrous appearance, and he sat up on the deck, staring around blankly. "Vere dot sdeampoat vos?" he asked, in astonishment. "Why, the steamer is a mile away by this time," said Hodge. "If she had run into us, we'd been at the bottom long before this," laughed Frank. "You are too slow, Hans." "Vale, I done your duty, anyhow," sturdily declared the Dutch boy. "You don'd got me to makin' no mistake in dot." Then he was set to gathering up the life preservers and carrying them below again.