"But I
could have done my best. He can't overpower both of those men alone."
He held tightly to the shoes and the coat, and looked longingly after
the swimmer, turning his eyes often to the sloop, that now, under the
influence of a light breeze, was going along in a surprising fashion.
"And how did Inza come to be aboard of that sloop?"
Bart had not time to think of this before, but now the answer came
quickly enough. Inza's clothing had clung to her, as she rushed on the
deck, showing that her skirts were weighted with water. No doubt, she,
too, had been hurled into the sea by the collision of the steamer with
the barge, and this fishing-boat had in some manner picked her up.
"It's very queer, though, the way that fellow acted! She was afraid of
him. But she is below, and he is now on deck. Likely enough he has her
shut up in the cabin."
He beheld Merriwell lift himself slightly out of the water and send out
a ringing call. But the men on deck did not stir. And the sloop sailed
on.
"The scoundrels!" Bart hissed, through his white teeth. "I should like
to knock their heads together. They refuse to hear him. They are
carrying Inza away, and they do not intend that any one shall come
aboard. And this within the very shadows of New York City!"
The sloop heeled over under the breeze and increased her speed.
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