Part 62 (2/2)
Vince looked sharply round for the channel by which this vessel o--for it seee a boat could not by anythe cavern; and he was not long in seeing that, so swiftly in round the cliff, which lapped over another to its right, but so calmly did the tide run that at the first its rasped this fact, when the boat was run up alongside, one of the er with the boat's painter and et away, and the captain turned to his prisoners
”Aboard!” he said sharply; and as there was nothing for it but to obey, Vinceforward, climbed up and over the bulwark, to stand upon a beautifully white deck, and see that rigging, sails and spars were all in the highest state of order
Six or eight , and they ca for orders, while Mike and the captain stepped on board
”Back at once!” said the French, red-faced man, who appeared to be the et all on board”
This order was given in a low tone, but Vince's ears were sharpened by his position, and he divined its full an to lower one of the boats hanging to the davits; while in his close scrutiny Vince grasped the fact that they were upon no peaceful vessel: there being a couple of longish guns forward, and another pair aft, all evidently in the best of trim, and ready for use at a very short notice
While thetogether aft, and laying his hands upon their shoulders, he led them forward to where one of the stout hawsers ran over the side to the great ring secured in the rock
”You see zat hawser, _ly
”Look you zen at ze ozaire”
”Yes, I see it,” said Vince
”Vat you make of zem?”
”They look strained too much, and as if they would part”
”Good boy! You vould ood sailor Zey vill not part, for zey are new, and _tres fort_--strong Now you look here, _mon ami_”
As he spoke he picked up a heavy dwarf bucket, with its rope attached, raised it above his head, and hurled it soer and the high cliff face
The water was like glass, and streaked with fine threads apparently; and the next rasped the reason why, for the bucket had hardly touched the water when it began to be borne towards the lugger's side, striking it directly after sharply, and then diving down out of sight
Vince ran across the deck instantly to see it rise; and Mike followed, the captain joining them to lay his hands upon their shoulders once ain? No? Look _encore_ and _encore_, and you nevaire sall see him Vat you say to zat?”
”There must be a tremendous current,” said Vince ”Yais,--now,” said the captain ”_Apres_, sorind ze sheep close up right to ze rock Vat you sink now? You shu ze hawser and try to climb up ze cliff?
No, I sink not now You stay here on ze deck and vait till I vant you-- ven ze boat coo avay ze bucket
Look now again”
One of the boats was ready, and two men in her The rope that held her to the side was cast off, and in an instant she glided away across the pool, towards an opening that had been unnoticed before, was deftly steered, and passed out of sight
”Why, sheat the other end of the rock!” thought Vince; and he stood watching while the other boats left the side of the lugger, to be cleverly guided to the saht directly