"And there's a good job done!" he thought, triumphantly. "Guess that gang of blacklegs won't get very far in the _Barracouta_ to-night!" Voices on the shore. Dolph and Brittler were coming with a lantern; a blur of light brightened through the fog. "The compass and chart are aboard," came the captain's voice, "and this can of gas'll be enough to make us sure of striking the mainland. Launch that dory!" The dip of oars and an increasing brightness told that the boat was approaching. It would not do for Percy to be detected. Lowering himself from the port bow into the water, he clung to the bobstay. "They won't see me here!" Bump! The dory struck the sloop and grated along her side. Dolph and Brittler clambered aboard and descended into the cabin. "Here's the chart!" exclaimed the captain. "And the compass, too! He told the truth about them, at any rate." "Lucky for him!" rejoined Dolph. "I don't like that big fellow worth a cent." "Good reason!" was the captain's rather sarcastic comment. "You haven't any license to joke me about that knockdown, Bart Brittler! I noticed you weren't in any hurry to mix it with him." There was a moment of silence. "What's that?" cried the captain, suddenly. "Sounds like water running in! Hope the old scow isn't leaking. Let's have that lantern!" Through the thin planking Percy could hear him open the little door and crawl up into the bow. Then his faint, muffled voice reached the eagerly listening boy. "There's a bad leak here! Come in a minute!" Into Percy's brain flashed a sudden idea that left him trembling with excitement. Could he do it? If he tried, he must not fail. An instant resolution set him dragging himself toward the stern. Clutching the rim of the wash-board, he flung up one leg, caught his toe, and raised himself, dripping. A moment later he was in the standing-room. He looked down into the cabin. The light of the lantern, shining round a body that almost filled the little door to the bow, showed a pair of legs backing out. The die was cast. It was too late now for Percy to withdraw. His only safety lay in action. Like lightning he slammed and hooked the double doors of the companionway, pulled the slide over, and snapped the padlock. Dolph and Brittler were prisoners on board the _Barracouta!_ There was a moment of surprised silence. Then bedlam broke out below, a confused, smothered shouting, a violent thumping on the closed doors and slide. But Percy gave it no heed. Thus far his plan had succeeded, even beyond his expectations. But his work was only begun. Before it should be finished, four men on shore must be overcome. Aquiver with excitement, he sprang into the dory and quickly rowed to the beach, some distance from the camp. Then he leaped out with the oars and carried them well up on the shingle.