Part 50 (1/2)
And so the afternoon wore on.
”We shall be no sooner,” said Jack at last. ”In an hour it will be dark.”
”Yes,” said the doctor with a sigh. ”It would not matter if the blacks are not there first, but the worst of it is, as soon as it's dusk the captain will be lighting up that firework business for a beacon, and that will show the canoes where to steer.”
It proved just as he said. The darkness came on with awful rapidity as soon as the sun disappeared beneath the waves, all searching the edge of the reef most anxiously during the last rays which flooded the sea; but in vain; and then for a full hour they rowed steadily on, guided by the gleaming of the fireflies against the black darkness ash.o.r.e, but all at once a bright star shone out.
”There she is!” cried Jack excitedly. ”Look how Mr Bartlett has turned the boat's head straight for the light.”
”Yes; we shall follow the bright path straight away now,” said the doctor.
”How are you getting on there?” came from the boat in front. ”Hungry, or will you wait till we get on board?”
”We'll wait, father,” shouted Jack.
”Yes. Only half-an-hour now. Mr Bartlett thinks we've distanced the canoes.”
They were soon to learn for certain, as they followed the bright path of light which minute by minute grew clearer, till they could see as it were right up to the anch.o.r.ed yacht.
”Shall we hail the captain?” said Jack.
He had hardly spoken when he felt a jar run through the boat, and found that the towing-line had been hauled upon till the prow of the second boat touched the stern of the first.
”Hist there!” said the mate. ”Perfect silence, please. We must creep alongside so as to give warning. There must be no hailing. This is the most dangerous time.”
”How far are we away?” said the doctor in a whisper.
”About five hundred yards.”
”How is it the oars go so quietly now?” whispered Jack.
”m.u.f.fled, and the men are just dipping them, so as to keep a fair way on.”
The next two or three minutes were pa.s.sed in silence, Jack's boat having once more dropped astern to the full length of the rope.
The lad had risen to stand up and watch the line of light extending from them right up to the source of the rays ahead, and from his position he could look right over the foremost boat.
”How deceptive it is!” he thought. ”One can hardly tell how near we are, and--ah!--”
”What is it, boy?” whispered the doctor.
For answer Jack pointed right ahead to where something dark could be seen crossing the line of sight.
”One of the canoes,” said the doctor quickly. ”We shall be right aboard her.”
He crept forward, but Jack forestalled him, and was hauling in the line till they wore close up.
”Mr Bartlett--father!”