For the next half hour they were in a state of suspense and uncertainty, not knowing whether they had overshot their mark, or were going too far north or south to be within measurable distance of the lugger.
Trigger busied himself with a coil of rope, which he first fastened to the hoop, and, after doing so, he divested himself of his coat and boots; he then attached the other end of the rope round his waist, which amused Mr Goodall and Warner, especially the latter, who wanted to know what he was preparing for.
“A miss would be as bad as a mile,” whispered Tom. “We might give her a close shave and yet pass by her. In that case I would go down the rope and try to hook on to the lugger where I could, being a pretty good swimmer.”
“A good idea, Tom,” said Harry Goodall; “but you forget that when we lost your weight the balloon would suddenly spring up, and we might leave you below. Still, I credit you with being ready for any kind of service in order to grapple with the lugger. The great point now,” added the aeronaut, “is to lower the lee-board in the event of being compelled to deflect one way or other, so we may as well do so at once and see how it acts. You can pay away that fore rope, my lad, as we can still draw ahead, and check her if necessary when we like.”
“They wouldn’t hear us do it, would they, sir?” asked Warner.
“Oh, no, or else we should be equally able to hear them. That board, you see, will cause us to sway to starboard or to port.”
“Hush, sir!” said the detective, in a whisper, “I fancied I heard a voice not far off.”
“Yes, you’re right, Warner—softly,” added Trigger, “I distinctly heard someone speaking.”
“And so do I,” said Harry Goodall, under his breath. “They are straight ahead, and are doubtless all unconscious of our proximity. We are gaining on them,” said Goodall, after a lapse of a few seconds. “Slack that lee-board line, Tom. Can’t you see her sails. We must bear more south, for the fog lifts a trifle, and it won’t do to be seen. And put your boots and coat on, Tom; you will not have to wet yourself after all. The great point now is whether she is the right craft or not? Heave on this line both of you—steady, Warner.”
“That gleam of sunshine will help us,” whispered Trigger.