"Indeed it is," said Grant. "I'll take more interest in the lad now than ever."
* * * * * * * * * * *
Arrived at the mouth of the Niger, they found the Centiped anchored outside the bar.
She was not going to venture across, being too large.
On the bar itself the breakers were dashing and curling house-high. There was just one gap in the centre, and through this the saucy Rattler must force her way.
Before proceeding she was lightened as much as possible, that is, all men not required were sent on board the cruiser.
Then "Go ahead at full speed", was the order.
The Rattler's full speed was nothing very extraordinary, but when she reached the gap at last and entered it, poor Creggan felt appalled. The roar of a seeming Niagara at each side was so terrible, that even through the speaking-trumpet scarcely could the skipper's voice be heard.
The roar was mingled with a seething, hissing sound, which was even more deafening than the thunder of the breakers itself.
She bumped her keel several times on the bottom, which here was hard, so violently that the men were thrown down, and Creggan began to say his prayers, thinking the ship must undoubtedly become a wreck. Nevertheless, in a minute or two they were into the deep smooth water inside the bar. Here she was anchored for a time, until all the marines and blue-jackets of both ships were got on board the Rattler. The boats and steam launch would accompany the expedition, and after all were loaded up with armed men, the advance was made up stream.