"He's the best shot of us three."
"Oh, I don't know," spoke Jerry modestly, but Mr. De Vere handed him
the rifle.
"We have no time to lose," he said. "Blowitz may be here at any hour,
and, as he said, possession is nine points of the law. I want to get
aboard."
Jerry looked to the loading of the weapon, and then, at his suggestion
the motor boat was backed off some yards.
"I want to see to get a good shot, and put the poor things out of
their misery as soon as possible," he said.
The dogs acted more wild than ever as they saw the motor boat moving
about. They almost leaped overboard, as they raced about the derelict
and finally, they both jumped on the quarter deck, where they stood in
bold relief.
"Now's your chance, Jerry!" cried Ned.
Jerry took quick aim, steadying himself as best he could against the
motion of the boat. The rifle cracked, and, at the same instant one of
the dogs gave a howl, a convulsive leap, and, a second later was
floundering in the water.
"There's one of the poor brutes gone," remarked Mr. De Vere. "Now,
once more, Jerry. I hate to kill the dogs, for they are valuable
animals, but it is a question of their lives or ours, and it would not
be safe to let them live."
The remaining dog, startled by the rifle shot, and the disappearance
of its companion stood in mute surprise on the quarter deck. He
offered a good shot, and Jerry fired. The dog howled, and began
whirling about in a circle, snapping its jaws.
Pages:
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162