“I never saw such a boat before,” answered Henry.
“It’s a fire-boat, that’s what it is. The straw and pitch will make a red-hot fire.”
“A fire-boat? What for?”
“To send out among the shipping. Most likely the French thought to burn some of General Wolfe’s ships with it.”
“I see. Hadn’t we better dump the straw and the barrels overboard? She will move quicker with no load.”
“No time now, lad. Pull, and pull for all you are worth, if you want to get away.”
Both did their best, and as they worked they heard a dozen or more of their enemies running up and down the river bank.
“They are looking for another boat,” said Silvers. “I trust to luck they find none.”
Suddenly they heard the cry of a number of Indians, who had joined the French sentries. Then came several shots, one striking a barrel of pitch and causing the stuff to overflow upon the straw.
“Keep out of range, lad,” cried Silvers.