Nick Carter Detective Library, No. 1 | Page 7

have followed, and his plans would have failed.
Thus far he had made not a sound.
Nick climbed aboard, and crept softly toward the companion-way,
pausing every second step to listen, but hearing nothing.
He went over the entire deck, and finally descended to the cabin, -
moving with the same stealthy caution.
Nick had almost decided that he had been outwitted, and that the sloop
was deserted, when suddenly, without any warning whatever, he
received a violent blow on the head and sank senseless to the deck.
"Did you lay him out, John?" asked the cool tone of the man whom we
know as captain.

"As stiff as a door, cap."
"Good. Close the hatch so that no light can get out, and we'll have a
look at him."
"Better chuck him into the river now," said John, gruffly. "I hit him
hard enough to break a dozen heads."
"No. Do as I say. Time enough to throw him overboard when we know
he's dead."
The hatch-way was closed and a light procured.
The captain bent over the senseless form of Nick Carter and closely
examined his face.
"Boys," he said, presently, "this fellow is made up. He is a fly cop, as I
more than half suspected, and he must die."
CHAPTER VI.
TONY, THE STRANGLER.
An ominous silence followed the captain's discovery, which was
presently broken by the voice of John, who growled:
"Shall I stick him now?"
"No-no; wait. Haste never does any good. Besides, I want to question
him before he takes his bath."
Some brandy was poured into Nick's mouth, and he presently opened
his eyes, and looked around him.
He saw that five men were in the cabin with him, and realized instantly
that he was in the hands of a gang who would not hesitate at murder,
and by the expression of their faces he judged that they meant to mete
out small mercy for him.

That he was right, the sequel proved.
The captain stood nearest him, and Nick noticed that his face was hard
and cruel.
He also noticed another thing with a great amount of satisfaction.
The men were so confident of the strength of superior numbers, and the
meekness consequent upon the force of the blow that their victim had
received, that they had not thought it worth their while to bind him.
It did not occur to them that one man could get away from five,
particularly when they surrounded him in a little cabin like that of the
sloop.
"Who are you?" asked the captain, coldly.
"Jest what I was wonderin'," replied Nick. "I feel sorter dazed with the
hit on my head."
"Answer me!"
The voice was cold and stern, and the demand was emphasized by the
exhibition of a glittering knife held menacingly before the detective's
eyes.
"I'm a river broker," said Nick, coolly.
"Let me remind you that we are not now on the open river, young man,
and that this thing makes no noise. You were plucky enough when you
knew that I would not shoot, but I promise you that I will cut if you
trifle with us now. Answer me; who are you?"
"I'm Flood-tide-Billy. Ever heard of me?"
"That's too thin, my friend. We all know Billy."
"Do,eh? Allright. Then what did ye ask me fur?"

"Your name?"
"Well, ye got it, didn't ye?"
"Not the right one."
"Mebby you know more about it than I do."
"Why did you return to this sloop?"
"Why do I go to any sloop, or schooner, or any other craft? say!"
"Come-come! you can't play that game on us. We're onto you, my man.
River pirates don't go around with wigs and false mustaches."
"Don't eh?"
"You're a fly cop."
"Am, eh?"
"And we want to know your lay."
"Do, eh?"
"Yes, we do, eh I We're not out here to-night for pleasure."
"Neither was I."
"For what, then?"
"Profit."
Nick had been gaining both time and strength during the short
conference, as well as studying the faces and comparative strength of
the men around him.
He had made up his mind to make a bold dash for liberty, relying upon
his wonderful strength and agility to accomplish it.

He was still flat upon the deck, but to him that fact made little
difference, for his muscles were so active that he could leap to his feet
from such a position as quickly as from a chair.
The captain quietly took out his watch.
"I will give you one minute in which to decide whether you will make a
clean breast of the whole thing, or die," he said. "Draw your knives,
boys, and when I drop this handkerchief, you may make short work of
the cop."
Five knives glittered in as many hands upon the