In another moment the corporal and two men of the guard raced to the spot.
"This is Corporal Shrimp. He was under arrest, and trying to escape," announced Hal. "There was a friend of his here with a boat, and he's out yonder now, Corporal, trying to get away."
"Load with ball cartridge, hail that boat, and fire if the man doesn't come about promptly and row in," ordered the corporal, turning to one of the members of the guard.
The soldier so directed loaded his rifle like lightning.
"Boat ahoy, turn about and come back!" shouted the soldier.
There was no answer from the water.
"Turn about and come back," repeated the soldier.
Still no answer. Then, after a third hail, the soldier raised his rifle to his shoulder, sighting as best he could in the darkness.
Bang! The rifle spat forth a jet of fire and sent a bullet whistling over the water.
"Send a couple of more shots after him," ordered the corporal.