The motor instantly took up its tune, and, with the muffler almost silencing the noises of the motor’s explosions, they glided into the velvety darkness illumined only by the bright tropical stars. The headland, in the shadow of which they were to wait, was soon reached, and then followed a long period of silence and watching.
At last, however, out of the blackness lying harborward, came a motor-boat’s sharp cough. It grew rapidly nearer and louder.
“Here they come!” breathed Stark, in a low, tense voice.
CHAPTER X.
A BATTLE IN THE DARK.
Closer and closer came the sharp, insistent bark of the gasoline motor. Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
“They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
At last the command came. The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started. Loaded down as she was, the revolutionaries’ craft was making but slow time. It was evident, though, from the rapid beat of her exhaust that her engine was being pressed to the uttermost.