"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"
This gunner was a careful man, and fired spasmodically, desiring to see the effects of his shots.
Sanders saw men fall, saw one canoe sway and overturn, and the black heads of men in the water; he rang the steamer ahead full speed.
Somebody fired a shot from one of the uninjured canoes. The wind of the bullet fanned his face, he heard the smack of it as it struck the woodwork behind.
There came another shot, and the boy at the wheel turned his head with a little grin to Sanders.
"Lord," he mumbled in Arabic, "this was ordained from the beginning."
Sanders slipped his arm about his shoulder and lowered him gently to the deck.
"All things are with God," he said softly.
"Blessed be His name," whispered the dying boy.
Sanders caught the wheel as it spun and beckoned another steersman forward.