“I think we ought to give him a chance,” said John. “Untie his arms, and let him swim for it.”
“Right,” said Nancy. “We’ll agree to that. All hands up?”
All hands went up.
Roger was looking over the side.
“Are there plenty of sharks?” he said.
“Millions,” groaned the prisoner.
“Bandage his eyes,” said Captain Nancy. “Here’s a handkerchief.”
“A clean one?” asked the prisoner.
“Well, let him have Peggy’s. Hers was clean yesterday,” said Nancy.
Peggy’s handkerchief had not even been unfolded. It was quickly made into a bandage, and tied over Captain Flint’s eyes.
“Untie him from the mast, and get him on the plank,” said Nancy.
Mate Susan and John loosed him from the mast. Then they unbound his arms. The prisoner swayed heavily this way and that. At last, with Titty and Roger pushing behind, Peggy, John, and Susan between them guided him to the plank. Captain Nancy watched with folded arms.
“Now walk!” she cried.
Captain Flint, blindfolded, moved his feet little by little along the springboard. He stopped, shaking all over, while the springboard bent and quivered under his weight.
Captain Nancy stamped her foot. “Walk, you son of a sea-cook,” she cried.