l it, Tom and Johnny changed places, and the former, boiling
over with rage, would have been mean enough to revenge himself upon the
helpless clerk if he had not been restrained by the chief.

"Hold on, cap'n," cried Sam, catching Tom's hand as it was about to
descend, with savage force, upon the prisoner's face; "it aint fair to
strike a man when he's down, an' we haint got no time to waste in
nonsense, neither. Now, Harding, I reckon you'll stay there fur awhile.
Come on, fellers."

The Crusoe men hurried back to their skiff, and in a few minutes more
were pulling up the harbor as if nothing had happened. Friday sat in the
bow with his boat-hook; Will Atkins and Jack Spaniard handled the oars;
Sam managed the helm; and Tom thought over the events of the night, and
enjoyed his anticipated triumph over the students. None of the band had
any thing to say about his adventure with Johnny Harding; in fact, they
soon forgot it, and thought only of the dangers attending the work they
had yet to perform. The governor glanced at Tom's face a good many times
while they were moving up the harbor, and was surprised that he did not
discover some signs of fear. But that sentiment had no place in Tom's
mind just then. He grew bolder and more reckless the nearer they
approached to the Storm King. He did not even tremble; his nerves were
as firm as a rock, and his determination to attempt the destruction of
the yacht was stronger than it had ever been before.

"Didn't I tell Harry Green, when he had me locked up in that state-room,
that if he did not release me at once I would square yards with him some
day?" said Tom to himself. "I suppose he thinks I have forgotten all
about it, but I'll show him that I never forget. The sight of that yacht
in flames will amply repay me for all the misery she has caused me."

In ten minutes after leaving the pier the Crusoe men had arrived within
sight of the Storm King. The governor raised his hand, and Atkins and
Jack Spaniard became more cautious in their movements. They handled the
oars so carefully, and sent the skiff along so quietly, that not a
ripple was heard in the water. Nearer and nearer the pirate crew
approached the devoted vessel, holding themselves in readiness to seek
safety in instant flight, should occasion require it, and presently
Friday fastened into the fore-chains with his boat-hook, and Tom drew
himself up and looked over the rail. He heard a few words of the story
which o