Dennis had hastened to Turnpenny's side at the first sign of altercation.
"When the chase is over we will deal with these fellows," he said quietly. "Meanwhile, Amos, is not that our Maiden Isle on the lewside ahead?"
"Surely it is, sir."
"Think you not 'twould serve us best to run in among the reefs thereabouts? The bark could not follow us."
"True, but we might strike and run aground any moment, and lose our vessel and our lives withal."
"Ay, but we are being surely overhauled, and meseems 'twere better to take the risk of running aground than to fall into the hands of the Spaniards. There is a chance of our threading a way through, whereas the stranger, being of greater draught, would not venture her bottom among these uncharted shoals."
"Verily 'tis a wise thought—if there be time. What think 'ee, Ned? Yonder, mark 'ee, is the isle whereon Master Hazelrig and I lived secure for a matter of weeks, with food in plenty. Think 'ee there be time to make the shallows afore the Spaniard comes within shot of us?"
"Ay, there be time enough, but I fear me we should wreck our craft."
"There be no other way, Ned. And I warrant me I could make a shift to steer a safe course inshore, because 'twas on the south side of the isle we landed from the timber ship, and there, i' fecks, be her masts—see, Ned, standing out a little above the sea."
"Then do 'ee take the helm, Haymoss, and God save us all."