Part 44 (1/2)

They went on exploring, or rather climbing from block to block and ledge to ledge, till after some little difficulty the summit was reached, from which the lieutenant signalled with a handkerchief, an acknowledgment being seen from the s.h.i.+p.

The top was a slope of some twenty by thirty yards, and from here as they looked about over the edge a better idea of the capabilities of the place could be formed, and they looked down on what only needed a little of the work of man to make the place impregnable so long as there was no treachery from within.

The great peculiarity of the rock was, that from where they stood they could gaze down into a chasm beyond which rose a ma.s.s similar to that on which they stood. In fact, roughly speaking, the stony mount seemed to have been cleft or split in twain, giving it somewhat the aspect of a bishop's mitre, save that the lower part between the cleft expanded till it reached the sea.

”Well,” said the lieutenant, in a satisfied tone, as they climbed down into the chasm, and gazed from the bottom out at either end toward the sea, in the one case to see the _Sirius_ lying with her masts describing arcs on the blue sky; in the other case the white houses and port of Saint Jacques. ”Well, Belton, if I had been set to work to design a rock upon which to plant a fort, I could never have schemed so good a one as this.”

”Why?” said Syd, in his outspoken way. ”It's very awkward to get up unless you make some stairs.”

”The more awkward the worse for an enemy. But can't you see, my lad, we can mount our guns on platforms at either end of this tiny valley; and stow our men, stores, and ammunition there in the bottom of the rift.

Nothing can reach them from outside. Gibraltar's nothing to it.”

”Isn't it?” said Syd, who felt that he ought to say something.

”No, my boy, nothing. There's one thing though--I don't see water.”

”Water?” said Syd, laughing, as he looked round at the sea.

”Drinking water, sir. An enemy would have very little difficulty in taking a fort where the defenders have no water. Must make a cistern and store some up. Come along.”

He led the way, and they descended without much difficulty to a spot from whence it seemed possible to mount the other ma.s.s of rock, up which they toiled with more difficulty, for in some places it nearly approached the perpendicular. Had it not been for a series of rough cracks or splits in the side, some of which seemed to descend to vast depths, but whose edges gave good foothold, the ascent would have been impossible.

They reached the top, through a little mutual help, signalled again, and after gazing down into the chasm, which the lieutenant looked upon as a splendid find, they slowly went down to the little natural pier, the boat was carefully backed in, the sailor leaped lightly from the wet rock on to the gunwale, and then stepped into his place.

”Now you, Mr Belton,” said the lieutenant; ”and don't get wet this time.”

”No,” said Syd, ”I'll time it better;” and he let the sea flood the rock as the boat rose high, and then descend twice before he made this attempt.

”Now then!” cried the lieutenant, as the wave glided back from the rough surface, and the boat's stern was seen descending easily a few feet away.

Syd trotted over the wet rock with the water flying up and glittering in the suns.h.i.+ne at every step, reached the edge, and sprang lightly on to the gunwale just as the boat was at its lowest. Nothing in fact could have been better timed, but he had not calculated upon one thing.

The sailor had left the edge of the boat wet, and Syd's shoes were soaked and slippery, so that one of them glided sidewise; there was no chance of recovery, and he went down headlong into the deep. It was so sudden that he was below the surface with the water thundering in his ears almost before he was aware that he had fallen. But he was a good swimmer, and had practised diving often enough, and he knew that he had only to take a few strokes to rise clear of the boat, and then a few more in order to be taken in.

As he swam below after going down some distance he was aware of what seemed to be a black cloud over his head, which he knew was the boat; then he was rising again through the sunlit water, and as his head rose into the suns.h.i.+ne a cold chill of horror paralysed every energy, for he knew that he was almost within the jaws of death.

It was all so rapid that he hardly knew how it took place; but he had been long enough at sea to know that the long, thin, curved shadow approaching him was a huge shark, and that before he could reach the boat the monster would have seized him.

He was conscious of a wild shouting in the boat, of the rapid beating of oars which made the water fly up in fountains; then, as he swam with all his might, of a violent blow on the shoulder followed by a jerk, and then half insensible from the shock he was being dragged over the boat's side.

Amid the babel of voices that ensued, Syd made out a few words here and there.

One man said: ”It's broke my arm a'most; the beggar made such a jerk.”

”It's broke this oar,” growled a well-known voice. ”I give it him just in the jaws as he turned over.”

”Ah!” said one of the men, ”if that had been steel 'stead o' wood you'd ha' gone right through him.”

”Yes,” growled the boatswain, ”'stead o' having a broken oar. Well, if the skipper says I must pay for it, why I must.”