II
The boat swept shoreward.
A man with a musket, standing in the bows, was about to fire at the fugitives.
A sharp voice stayed him.
"Ne tirez point! Nous les prendrons vivants. Ce n'est qu'un seul homme et le gosse."
A bugle from the shingle-bank retorted defiantly.
"Halte!"
The boat stopped short.
The crew looked over their shoulders.
"Les soldats!"