Part 59 (1/2)

Then, to the delight of the two lads, the firing ceased, and as they sat anxious and excited, they compared notes and pa.s.sed opinions, while the lieutenant sat sombre and silent, looking straight out before him, only uttering an e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n of impatience from time to time as the wind dropped in some bend of the river, or filled the sails again upon a fresh tack.

Only once did the lieutenant rouse himself a little, and that was when they came in sight of the place where the river forked and down which the second cutter had long pa.s.sed. Murray pointed it out, while Roberts exclaimed--

”Of course! I remember that well now; but I had forgotten all about it before.”

”Yes; I can recollect it now,” said the lieutenant bitterly; and he relapsed into silence again, though he was listening to the conversation of the two middies all the same, as he proved before long.

”You may be right or you may be wrong,” said Murray, after a time. ”I think you are wrong and haven't told the difference between the shotted and the unshotted guns; but the firing has quite ceased now, and that means that the lugger has given up, and lowered her sails.”

”Maybe,” said Roberts, ”but more likely after holding on so long she has had an unlucky shot and been sunk.”

”Lucky shot,” said Murray grimly.

”Ah, that depends upon which side you take. I believe that our lads have grown pretty savage, and sunk her.”

A low murmur of satisfaction arose from amongst the men who overheard the conversation, and then there was silence again, till the lieutenant suddenly spoke out.

”You've only provided for two alternatives, gentlemen,” he said.

”Do you mean about the lugger, sir?” asked Murray.

”Of course. You settled that she had lowered her sails or been sunk.”

”Yes, sir; there is no other way.”

”Indeed, Mr Roberts?” said the lieutenant. ”It seems to me that there is another alternative.”

”I don't understand you, sir,” said the lad.

”Perhaps Mr Murray does,” said the lieutenant sadly. ”What do you say, my lad?”

”I'm afraid so, sir, but I hope not,” cried the lad; ”but we shall soon know, for the river is opening out fast.”

”Yes, that will soon be proved,” said the first lieutenant; and he relapsed into silence.

”I say,” whispered Roberts, giving his companion a nudge, ”what do you mean by your alternatives? The lugger must either have lowered her sails or been sunk.”

”What about the coast here?” replied Murray.

”Well, what about it?”

”Isn't it all wooded and covered with jungle?”

”Of course: don't we know it well!”

”Yes, and don't the slaving people know it well?”

”Of course they must.”