THE MAN IN THE BOAT
I
The ship awoke suddenly from her swoon.
An appalling clamour boiled up from the still waters.
Bugle-calls split the air; drums rolled furiously; a carronade went off with a shattering roar; there was a rush of feet and tumult of voices. Above the confusion could be heard Piggy thumping at the door and squealing,
"Les depeches! Les depeches!"
Kit, sliding through the water, was thankful for the flash of insight that had made him lock the door, and throw away the key. That action meant minutes gained; these minutes might mean life.
The tide was with him now. But for that, and this merciful mist, his chances would be nil.
His ears behind him, he swam like a hunted otter.
Aboard the privateer things were moving fast. The confusion abated; order began to reign; with it the danger grew. Somebody was at work with an axe on the door. It came down with a crash. There was a shrill command and the scamper of feet.