Then for a short space it passed out of sight behind a group of four vessels which were safely moored. Then it was out again, and as the lookers-on excitedly watched, they made out dimly that the vessel answered her helm readily and was gliding round in a tack for the other side of the harbour, while the two boats in pursuit altered their direction, the men rowing with all their might, as if to cut the brig off during her next tack.
There was another ragged volley, this time from the second boat; but if they were firing to bring down the steersman, it was in vain, for the brig sailed swiftly on, gaining a little way, as she made for the mouth of the harbour.
This was far distant yet, and her chances of reaching it even in the shelter of the harbour, with such a gale blowing, were almost nil.
“She’ll do it, though, uncle,” shouted Rodd, with his lips close to Uncle Paul’s ear.
“Yes, my boy, I expect she will,” was the reply; “but they’ve got some daring people on board, and I shouldn’t like to be the man at the wheel.”
“Ah, why don’t they shoot? Why don’t they shoot?” cried the waiter. “She is an enemy, and—”
The rest of his speech was unheard, for another flash cut the darkness, followed by the thud of a big gun, the shot coming as it were instantly upon the waiter’s question; but it had no effect upon the brig, which came nearer and nearer to the pier-like wharves of the harbour, glided round again with the two stay-sails rilling upon the other tack, and then went off once more.
“She’ll get away, uncle,” cried Rodd excitedly, “and I don’t know what they are, but one can’t help admiring such a brave deed.”
There was another report, this time from quite another direction.
“That must be from the fort up behind the town, Rodd,” cried Uncle Paul. “It’s too thick to see any splash, but they must be in earnest now, and will not be firing blank charges. It looks as if they mean to sink her if she doesn’t stop.”