"Why is it just the thing? Do you think it will lay the dust?" asked Mack. "Not exactly: it will throw the dust into the eyes of the men who are trying to follow us. The heavy rain is making a thick cloud on the water, so that they can't see us. You can hardly make out the shore now," replied Angy. But the wind blew the rain in the faces of the rowers with so much force that they could not keep their eyes open much of the time. Assisted by the gale, the boat drove furiously ahead. Occasionally a sea came in over the stern, and the skipper had to use the bucket. She soon reached the island; and when the boat came under its lee, their troubles for the present were over. The La Motte was pitching violently at her anchor when they boarded her. CHAPTER X. A BATTLE WITH THE ELEMENTS. The two oarsmen sprang on board of the La Motte, Chuck taking the painter. The schooner was not anchored near enough to the island to shelter her entirely from the fury of the blast, and she was making rather rough weather of it. The tender banged against her sides, and Angy was in a hurry to get on board. "Come, Dory!" shouted he to his prisoner. "Heave ahead, and go on board!" Dory tried to stand up, but the uneasy motion of the boat prevented him from doing so successfully. He was compelled to resume his seat as often as he tried to do so, or he would have been knocked overboard. "What are you about, you squillypod? Why don't you obey orders? I told you to go on board of the schooner," added Angy. "You can see for yourself that it is impossible for me to do so with my hands tied behind," replied Dory, in his usual calm tones. "That's so," added Chuck, who stood at the gangway with the painter in his hand. "No fellow could stand up in that boat with his hands tied behind him." "Do you want me to let him loose?" demanded Angy. "Not if I know myself!" "All right; have your own way," added Chuck. "Put yourself on your pins now, Squillypod!" said the chief sharply. "I am not going to fool all day with you. Get on board of the schooner, and then you will be out of trouble." "It is useless for me to attempt to do an impossible thing," replied Dory. "The bulwarks of the vessel are three feet above the boat, and I can't step that distance. The only way to get on board is to take hold with the hands, and climb up. I think you can see that for yourself. I am willing to go on board, and I would do so if I could. It is impossible to stand up in the boat." "Come along and try it, and I will boost you up," Angy insisted. "He can't do it," added Chuck. "Try to stand up yourself with your hands free, and you will see how it is, Angy." "Shut up, Chuck! If you interfere with me again, I will throw you overboard. I want you to understand that I am in command here, and I won't let any fellow meddle with my affairs," said the chief angrily. "I will put another fine down against you."