“I don’t know,” cried the middy suddenly, as a shell shrieked toward the courageous little craft. “The land batteries have opened fire.”
“And, by Christopher Columbus, they’ve got the range, too!” exclaimed Stanley, as a shell struck the water near the adventurous little destroyer.
“If only we were aboard her we would be safe for a while,” breathed Ned, as they perceived the red, white and blue, with the gold star, of the Costavezan republic floating at the bombarding vessel’s stern.
“It was my idea to make for her,” rejoined Stanley. “Come on, let’s get down on that little wharf there and wave to her. If we can attract their attention they’ll take us on board.”
“If the fire from the fort doesn’t get too hot, and they have to skedaddle first,” observed the middy.
There was good reason for his fear. Shells were now breaking all about the destroyer. So far, however, she seemed uninjured.
They gained the wharf that Stanley had indicated in a few minutes. As they stood breathless on the slender timbers Stanley gave a shout.
“A boat!” he exclaimed, pointing to a small dinghy moored below.
“Come on, we’ll row out!” cried the middy. “Get aboard there, men. Slippy now!”
In another moment they had put several boats’ lengths between themselves and the wharf.