Part 39 (2/2)

I edged over to starboard--that was the side I had selected--and again a little ht movement; but he was a well-drilled minion, with implicit trust in the 'old ave her the full pressure of the hel, and I raised hter, and I re 'What the dickens'll happen to her?' when the end caradual (for the sands are fringed with mud) that the disaster was on us before I are of it There was just the tiniest pre as our keel clove the buttery medium, a cascade of ripples froidity in -place

In the scene of panic that followed, it is safe to say that I was the only soul on board who acted with methodical tranquillity The look-out flew astern like an arroling to the lighter Gri up after hi hiled the telegraph, and wrenched at the spokes The tug listed over under the force of the tide; wind, darkness, and rain aggravated the confusion

For my part, I stepped back behind the smoke stack, threw offand bitter experience of running aground had told me that that was sure to be wanted On the way I cannoned into one of the passengers and pressed hi an old conjecture It was one who, in Gerht to insist than anyone else

As we reached the davits there was a report like a pistol-shot frohter with her shallower draught swung on past the tug Fresh tumult arose, in which I heard: 'Lower the boat,' from Grier and I had each cast off a tackle, and slacked aith a run; that done, I prouy to steadylisted heavily to starboard; think of our course, and the set of the ebb stream, and you will see why) The forward fall unhooked sweetly; but the after one lost play 'Slack away,' I called, peremptorily, and felt for my knife My helper above obeyed; the hook yielded; I filliped away the loose tackle, and the boat floated away

XXVIII We Achieve our Double Ai on the stranded tug was dissipated, I do not know, for by the time I had fitted the rowlocks and shi+pped sculls, tide and wind had caughthts twinkled through the scud in the north With hter--which I could see sagging helplessly to leeward--but as soon as I thought I was out of sight of the tug, I pulled round and worked outwhich soon died away Full speed on a falling tide! They were pinned there for five hours sure It was i e There was a sharp tussle at the last, where the Riff-Gat poured its strea over my shoulder, God knohat tense anxiety, for the low hull and taper mast of the 'Dulcibella' Not there! No, not where I had left her I pulled furiously up the harbour past a sleeping ferry-steaside the jetty

'Who's that?' came from below, as I stepped on board

'Hush!+ it'sone another in the dark of the cabin

'Are you all right, old chap?' said he

'Yes; are you? A match! What's the time? Quick!'

'Good Heavens, Carruthers, what the blazes have you done to yourself?' (I suspect I cut a pretty figure after )

'Ten past three It's the invasion of England! Is Dollmann at the villa?'

'Invasion?'

'Is Dollmann at the villa?'

'Yes'

'Is the 'Medusa' afloat?'

'No, on the mud'

'The devil! Are we afloat?'

'I think so still, but they made me shi+ft'

'Think! Track her out! Pole her out! Cut those warps!'

For a few strenuous minutes we toiled at the sweeps till the 'Dulcibella' was berthed ahead of the steamer, in deeper water

Meanwhile I had whispered a few facts

'How soon can you get under way?' I asked