CHAPTER XXII.
THE ESCAPE OF THE BULLY The group standing about the newly rescued lad on the veranda of the deserted bungalow galvanized into instant action.
"Jack Curtiss and Bill Bender are in her!" shouted Rob, "come on, scouts, we'll get after them while we can." With a shout the Boy Scouts ran for the boat and speedily pulled out to the Flying Fish.

Hastily as they executed this move, however, the two in the other boat had had time to head her about and start at top speed for the mouth of the inlet.
"Clap on more sail, my hearties," roared the captain, almost beside himself with excitement, "I want ter get my hands on them two piratical craft." Rob, with a look of grim determination on his usually pleasant face, held the Flying Fish true on her course, but, heavily laden as she was, she could not make her usual speed and the hydroplane soon distanced her.

Jack Curtiss stood in her stern and waved a mocking hand at the Boy Scouts as the light-draft craft shot over the shoals and shallows with case while the Flying Fish had to lose much time and way by threading in and out seeking the deeper water.
"Douse my toplights, I can't stand that," bellowed the irate Captain Hudgins.

"I'll put a shot in that jackanapes' locker." With these words, and before any of the boys could stop him, he rose to his feet and sent a bullet from his ponderous revolver flying in the direction of the fleeing motor boat.

It missed and hit the water near by, sending up a little fountain of spray.
Even at the distance they were the occupants of the Flying Fish could see the fear which this warlike move inspired in the bully and his companion.