Erda's heart gave a great throb, not of fear, but comprehension. That was the beginning; a minute or two more and these men would be out of hand.
"Am-ma!" she called again, "do what I tell you. Remember the child! Remember we have the Dee-puk-râg."
Another laugh came from the men. "If you have the Dee-puk-râg, send it now. We need light, for sure, and--"
The voice ended in a gasp--
For it was there! A long ray of light, showing them that they were, indeed, just opposite the gaol.
"Am-ma!" came Erda's voice again, and there was a hush and yet a triumph in it, "to the right--steer to the right."
The raft edged slowly towards the ray, but the soldiers still crouched inactive; awed, yet not certain.
Then suddenly that quick crack of George Dillon's first shot echoed over the river, then the yell, then the answering shots.
And following on their heels rapidly came a stir among those crouching figures, and one of them stood up excitedly--"It has begun!--see you, Prag! Lehna, give the boatman a hand! Lo! do as the Miss-baba bade thee, quickly, son of a pig! Steer for the light--they have begun!"
Erda gave a sigh of relief. That danger was over.