Part 57 (2/2)
Back on board the cutter there was a fair a theabout the coast, chasing luggers which proved to be eet theoods were to be landed, here was genuine infor i'sfiled up, pistols carefully examined as to their flints and nicked off to see that they threw a good shower of sparks into the pans, and the erly as if they were about proceeding upon a pleasant jaunt, instead of upon a risky expedition which ht result in death to several, and certainly would in serious injury
”Yes,” the lieutenant said, ”rats will run away as long as they can, but when driven to the end of their holes they will fight”
”But will they dare, do you think, sir?” said Archy
”Dare! Yes, ht when they were surprised in the lane They will be , I should like you to go with the men, show them the way, and then leave them to do the work”
Archy stared at him
”Yes: I mean it Of course as an officer you cannot shrink from your duty, but, as you are aet the better of you”
”But they are not all men there, sir,” said theheavier in his face ”There's a boy there-- that young rascal who ca that I must have a turn at him”
”Ah, that's different,” said the lieutenant; ”and it will keep up appearances But take care to confine yourself to fighting with him
And--er--I would not use my pistol, Raystoke”
”Not shoot, sir?”
”Well--no I want to destroy this wasps' nest, but in as iven orders to the men, and I wish you to mind too--I don't want to kill the wasps, but to make them prisoners”
”Yes, sir, I see”
”They are not French wasps, or Dutch wasps, but English You understand?”
”Quite, sir”
”That's right Another hour and you may be off You think you can find the place?”
”I do not feel a doubt about it, sir”
”Well, it's going to be a dark night, and you and Mr Gurr will have to be careful over your men You had better keep as close to the cliff as you can, for, of course, the entrance iven Mr Gurr full instructions You are to search and find the place, and if found hold it, but if you do not find it you will be back on board by daybreak, and another expedition ht, when they think all is safe, it o by day, they will have good warning, and be prepared to receive us, though theywith you, but that cannot be”
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
Everything was arranged on board, so that no watcher arlass who scanned the shi+p should suspect that an expedition was on hand; but as soon as it was dark the men were ordered into two boats, one commanded by Gurr, as Archy, the other by the boatswain, only leaving a very small crew on board with the lieutenant Then they pushed off, roith ht away from the cliffs, so that any watcher there should have no indication of their passing
The quiet little cove was still a couple of miles ahen Archy suddenly touched thehis cutlass
”Yes; what is it?”
For answer the midshi+pman leaned forward, and pointed to where, far back and apparently opposite to the cutter, a couple of faint lights could be seen high up and away frohts,” said Gurr; ”but they e What do you think?”