The cries of the woman from the dungeon and the rattling of the grated door answered him.
“Something is wrong,” said he, hurriedly. “Come along, two of you; the other two remain here, and keep your eyes open.”
As Danvers led the way into the cellar, Ethan nudged Longsword.
“Only two in the room above,” said he in a whisper.
“One apiece,” said the grim dragoon with a chuckle.
Danvers and the two seamen passed quickly along toward the dungeons; instantly Ethan and his companion were out of their hiding-place and softly climbing the stairs. When they reached the top, they suddenly flung open the door and leaped into the room. In the middle of the floor stood the two remaining sailors from the tender; and before they could recover from the surprise which the sudden appearance of the prisoners occasioned, they were beaten down by a series of swift stunning blows. Then Ethan and Longsword pushed into the street and went speeding away through the silent town toward the sea.
CHAPTER XIV
HOW ETHAN AND LONGSWORD TOOK THE SCHOONER
They ran for some little time, and then Ethan looked back and saw no signs of pursuit.
“Take it easy,” said he to Longsword. “There is no one after us.”
“There will be in a few minutes,” panted the Irishman, distrustfully. “They’ll lose no time, sure, when they find which way we’ve gone.”