"You've only wounded him!" exclaimed Bob.
Before any one else could speak Jerry had fired the repeater again.
This time the bullet went true, and the dog fell to the deck, gave a
few convulsive struggles, and was still.
"That settles him," remarked Mr. De Vere.
"Now, boys, we'll go aboard, and I'll get what belongs to me. Then
we'll see if we can tow the ship in."
The Ripper was once more put alongside the brig, cork buffers were
adjusted to prevent damage being done, and, in a few minutes Jerry had
scrambled up on deck.
"That's a fierce brute," he remarked to Bob who followed him, as they
stood looking at the dead dog. "I'm glad I didn't have to tackle him
at close quarters."
"Let's heave him overboard," suggested Bob, and they did so, though it
took all their strength to drag the body to the rail.
"I guess you'll have to lower the accommodation ladder for me, boys,"
said Mr. De Vere. "I don't believe I can scramble up by way of the
chains, as you did."
"Wait until I get up there and I'll give you a hand," called Ned, who
had been left in the motor boat.
"No, you had better stay here and help fasten the ladder when Bob and
Jerry lower it," answered Mr. De Vere. "I'll need your aid."
After some little difficulty, for part of the tackle had fouled, Bob
and Jerry succeeded in lowering over the ship's side an accommodation
ladder, somewhat like a short flight of steps. It hung above the
Ripper's deck, and when some ropes had been strung for hand rails, Mr.
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