Part 20 (2/2)
”I should say, captain,” Ned said, ”we had best take to the boat and row off for a short distance, and then wait. As likely as not they may think when they board her that she has simply drifted out from the town, having been carelessly moored. In that case they may let drop her anchor and return to their s.h.i.+p.”
”That is a happy thought,” the captain said; and running forward he told the crew to take the boat at once.
”I have another idea, captain,” Ned said, just as they were about to push off. ”As we saw when we were pa.s.sing the s.h.i.+p we are drifting stern foremost. If we can fasten a long line to her stern we can hang on to it. They will not be able to see us if we are twenty fathoms astern. Then, if they anchor, and, as is likely enough, leave two or three men on board, we can haul ourselves noiselessly up with the rope and board her.”
”Capital!” the captain replied. ”I was wondering how we should find her again in the dark. That would be the very thing.”
He sprang on board again, fastened a light line to the rudder, and dropped down into the boat again.
”Now, back her astern, lads, very gently. I can hear their oars.”
In a minute the captain gave orders to cease rowing, for the line had tightened. The Spanish s.h.i.+p was showing a bright light in her stern. This acted as a guide to the boats, and in two or three minutes after the crew had left the smack two large boats full of soldiers came alongside. Those in the little boat, lying but fifty or sixty yards away, could hear every word that was spoken. First came a volley of angry exclamations of disappointment as the Spaniards found that they had been called from their beds only to capture an empty little coaster. As Ned had expected, they speedily came to the conclusion that having been carelessly fastened up alongside the wharves, without any one being left in charge, she had drifted out with the tide.
”It would serve them right if we were to set her alight,” one of the officers said.
”We had best not to do that,” another replied. ”It might cause an alarm in the town; and, besides, boats are wanted. We had better drop her anchor, and leave four men on board to take care of her. In the morning the knaves to whom she belongs will come out to claim her; and I warrant you the captain will punish them sharply for the trouble they have given us.”
This opinion prevailed. A minute latter a splash was heard in the water, and in a very short time the line connecting the boat with the smack tightened, and those on board knew that she had been brought up by her anchor. There was a good deal of noise and trampling of feet as the Spaniards took their place in the boats again, and then the heavy splas.h.i.+ng of many oars as they started to row back against the tide to their own vessel.
The captain wrung Ned's hand.
”You have saved the boat for us, young sir, for we should never have found her again; and if we had, those on board would have heard us rowing up to them, and would have given the alarm. Now we have only to wait for a bit, and then haul ourselves up and overpower the Spaniards.”
”I doubt if we could do that without noise,” Ned replied. ”At any rate it would be very dangerous while their s.h.i.+p is lying so close. I should say the best plan will be to wait, as you say, till the Spaniards have settled themselves comfortably, then to haul up to her and push the boat along by her side, fending her off carefully so as to make no noise until we reach the bow, then we can cut the cable and let her drift. The tide is running strong now, and in half an hour she will be over a mile down the river, and there will be no fear of a shout being heard on board the s.h.i.+p, and we can then board her and tackle the Spaniards.”
”That will certainly be the best way,” the captain agreed. ”Nothing could be better. Well, we will give them half an hour to settle themselves in the cabin. They will not stay on deck many minutes in the wet.”
The sound of voices on board the smack soon ceased. After waiting half an hour to give the Spaniards time if not to go to sleep to become drowsy, the captain and one of his men began to pull upon the line. Presently the dark ma.s.s could be seen ahead, and they were soon up to her.
Very carefully they pa.s.sed the boat alongside, taking pains to prevent her touching. When they reached the bow the captain grasped the cable, and with two or three cuts with the knife severed it. Then the boat was pushed off from the s.h.i.+p and gently paddled away to the full length of the line. Another half hour and they again drew alongside, and noiselessly climbed on to the deck. The men armed themselves with belaying pins, and Ned took his pistols from the belt beneath his jacket. Then they quietly approached the door. There was a light burning within.
The cabin was astern, and built upon the deck, and was used by the skipper himself and by any pa.s.sengers he might be carrying, the crew living in the forecastle. The doors, which opened outwards, were noiselessly closed, for two of the Spaniards were sitting up playing cards, and there was no chance of taking the party so much by surprise as to capture them without noise. The instant the doors were closed a heavy coil of rope was thrown against them. There was a loud exclamation in the cabin, and a moment later a rush to the door. This, however, did not yield. Then a window in the side was thrown open and a head was thrust out, and there was a loud shout of ”Treachery! Help!”
A moment later a heavy belaying pin fell on the head, and it disappeared. Then there was a loud explosion as an arquebus was fired, the bullet cras.h.i.+ng through the door.
”It is a good thing we are well on our way,” the skipper said. ”We must be two miles from the Spanish s.h.i.+p now; and even if they hear the report they will not think it has anything to do with us. Besides, if they did, they could never find us.”
Some more ropes had now been piled against the door, and there was no fear of its being burst open. Two men were posted at the windows on each side of the cabin with swords, for weapons had now been fetched from the forecastle.
”Now,” the captain said, ”let us get up the sails. There is but little wind, but I think there is enough to give us steerage way and prevent us from drifting on to the sandbanks.”
”I suppose we are well beyond the guard boats now, captain?” Ned asked.
”Oh, yes; they are not more than half a mile below the forts. Besides, I should think they have not been out; for they would know that when the tide once turned no craft could come up from below. Yes, we are quite safe as far as they are concerned.”
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