“And there is another light moving.”
“That is the tug which just left us. Is there much more coal left, Mr Webster?”
“About fifty sacks, sir, I should say.”
“Whip them in, then. All firemen get below.” He approached the tube. “Stand by, Mr Dixon!”
The steamer which had just entered the harbour put out her lights, but there was a glow from her funnels which revealed her movements, as it grew rapidly brighter.
“All aboard!” shouted the Captain. “Cast off the barge!” The men clambered from the barge, and the unwieldy craft was shoved away.
“Full speed ahead!”
The water was lashed by the screws, the Swift vibrated like a living thing, and shot away, leaving the barges rocking on the swell she had kicked up.
“Surely, Captain,” said Miss Anstrade, “that steamer is following us!”
“She is, Miss Laura, sure enough. It is the Brazilian ship Esperanza, Captain Don Juarez.”