“But those men don’t know how to manage her, do they?”
“I think so,” I replied. “I don’t half understand big ships, but they seem to be doing what my father would do with a yacht.”
“Let me come, Dale,” whispered Mr Frewen.
I drew back, but I was still near enough to hear every word that was said as the pistol was passed through by Mr Frewen.
“Take it, and be careful. When it is light, you had better make sure that there is no moisture in the chambers.”
“But when are we going to try and do something?” said Mr Preddle, in quite an ill-used tone. “I thought you were going to saw out one of these boards.”
“We are going to act as soon as the word comes from our friends outside. We can do nothing better than be ready.”
I clapped my hand over Mr Frewen’s lips, and forcing myself by him, whispered sharply to Mr Preddle—
“Quick,—lie down!”
I had no occasion to warn my companion, for he had seen my reason for checking him, and lay down at the side of the cabin, while I glided into the cot. For I had caught sight of a gleam of light beneath the door, and I had hardly settled myself in my sleeping-place, the noise of the waves and wind covering any sounds we made, when the door was thrown open, and Jarette and two men stood in the entrance, holding up lanterns which made their dripping oilskins glisten.