"Stand by!" he shouted to the seaman on the ladder when the Rio Negro steadied after a violent roll; and then touched Adam. "Now; before she goes back!"
Adam, jumping awkwardly, seized the seaman's hand, and Kit, leaning out, pushed him on to the platform as it began to sink. Then he jumped and coming down in a foot or two of water helped Adam to the deck. Mayne met them at the gangway and took them to his room, where Adam sat down and gasped. When Mayne poured out some liquor he clutched the glass with a shaking hand. After he drained it he was silent for a moment or two; and then asked in a strained voice: "Have you brought the goods?"
"Got them all. We hadn't a nice trip. Don't know how Finlay kept her going and I thought I'd lost her on Tortillas reef; but we can talk about that afterwards."
Adam made a sign of satisfaction and leaned back feebly. "It's some relief to know the goods are here."
"Finlay can drive her seven knots and has plenty steam," Mayne said to
Kit. "I'm bothered about the water; there won't be too much."
Kit asked the vessel's draught and looked thoughtful when he heard what it was.
"I can't guarantee my soundings, but imagine she won't float across and an ugly sea is running on the bar."
"She'll certainly hit the bottom and the chances are she hits it hard," Mayne remarked when Kit told him the depth he had got. "I expect, too, the mist will drift off from the mangroves with the land-breeze and hide our marks." He paused and glanced at Adam, who leaned back in a corner with his eyes half shut.
"But I reckon we have got to take her in?"
"Yes," said Adam dully. "Leave me alone; you can fix things with Kit."