Part 75 (1/2)
At last, after what seeth of tiht on the surface of the water--a ray which sent a flood into the hearts of the watchers--and froher, while they suddenly woke to the fact that the boat was ently towards the entrance of the cavern, drawn by the falling tide
After a while there was a tiny archway; then this began to increase as the water sank and rose, but always rose less and less, leaving the sea aneathered together, glittering and treht, and then fell with a musical drip upon the smooth surface
The little arch increased rapidly after a time, and still the boat drew nearer to the entrance, neither of the boys having the heart to check its progress after their long ilorious before
But they had to pay for their pleasure As the level sank till there was a that to be safe they ought to withdraw a little and wait until they could feel sure that the lugger and her creere gone--a departure they felt , when the tide was at a certain stage well known to old Joe--the entrance was suddenly darkened once ht, and were cleverly directed in, while her occupants began to thrust her along by pressing against the sides, and a couple of lanthorns were held up
”Aha!” cried the voice the boys had grown to hate, ”so ve have found a pair of ze seal sitting in a boat vich zey steal avay You are right, Joseph, _one out of ze pool, and you sall have him back Aha! Stop you bose, or I fire, and zis time I vill not miss”
”In, in farther, Vince,” whispered Mike wildly
”No: they've seen us, and they could follow us in their boat It's of no use, Mike; we ive up this time”
”You hear me?” roared the captain fiercely ”I see quite plain vere you sall be _Venez_ Come out”
”Come and fetch us,” said Vince shortly ”You have your ave his orders, the boat was thrust on, and as its bow approached the boys saw the black silhouette of their old co trip seated on the forward thwart
This was too an upon him at once, with bitter irony in his words and tone
”You there, Joe!” he cried ”GoodDon't you feel very proud of this?”
”Dunno 'bout proud, young gen'leet my boat back”
”Your boat back!” cried Vince, as one of the s-bolt in their stern
”Aye Didn't know as young gen'leether”
”You dare to say we stole the boat, and I'll--”
”Well, you took it right away, anyhow That co leave”
”Better than taking to kidnapping people”
Old Joe growled out so, and shuffled himself about in his seat while the boat was drawn out into the sunshi+ne oncetill she reached the slers' cavern
”Give zem some biscuit and some vater,” said the captain ”You, Joseph, take your boat and go on _Allez_!”
The old fisherman looked at him rather uneasily, then at the boys, and back at the captain
”You hear vat I sall say?” cried the latter fiercely
He ht of water, and began to nibble the hard sea biscuit that was their fare