“There was a shot fired,” said Aleck.
“Orficer’s, p’raps, sir. Here, I can’t do no good a-poling; it’s getting deeper here.”
“Scull then,” said Aleck; “and be careful. They’ve got boats somewhere.”
Just then there was a flapping noise, which gave them a turn.
“What’s that?” said Aleck, sharply.
“Wind got the sail loose,” said Tom. “There’s a nice breeze coming on. Shall I shake out a reef or two of the sail, sir?”
“Yes, if you think we can see to steer?”
“Dunno about that, sir. We must go gently, and feel.”
The next few minutes were devoted to preparations for spreading a portion of the canvas to the light breeze, as they listened to hail after hail from the shore; and then, as they began to glide softly along, one of the hails from the shore bidding them heave-to was answered from round to their right.
“Ay, ay, sir!”