“Yes, sir.”
“Very well. If we find nobody about, we shall follow upstream to attempt to join the other party.
In that case, I shall fire three shots as a signal of our intentions. Do you keep the searchlight in play along the pier, with stabs into the sky at five minute intervals as a guide when we return. We may be led far inland. The smugglers may flee to some fastness in the mountains. But do you stay by the ship under any conditions until we return.
“Morgan,” he added, turning to one of the men in his party, “here are my keys. You will find a box of flashlights with extra batteries in my cabin. Do you and Doniphan go and get a flashlight for each of us with a set of spare batteries. Let’s see. That will be nine.”
The men sprang to obey with alacrity, and were back on the pier in a very few moments. The flashlights and spare batteries were parcelled out. All was in readiness for the advance.
“The firing has been growing more and more distant,” said the young naval officer, turning to Jack who stood beside him. “Doesn’t it seem so to you?”
“Yes, it does,” said Jack. “For several minutes now I have not heard a shot, and the last was very faint.”
“From the look of things aboard the trawler, the deserted appearance ashore, and those receding sounds, I suspect the smugglers fled with our friends
in pursuit,” said Ensign Warwick. “Perhaps, however, they hoped to drive them off, and the crew of the trawler was called ashore to help. If that is the case, our men may be hard pressed. Come, we have taken all the precautions possible here. Let’s go.”
And with Jack beside him, Bob and Frank close behind and the sailors pressing on their heels, the young naval officer started up the pier.