Blueneck began to expostulate.
“The Preventative folk?” he said fearfully.
Dick swore.
“And since when have you been feared of the Preventative folk, dog?” he asked, and his fingers played round the hilt of his knife.
Blueneck flushed.
“I’m not feared,” he said stoutly, “but ’tis madness to go on.”
Dick laughed happily, putting the glass up again. Suddenly his whole manner changed. His bright black eyes lost their sleepy indifference and became alight with interest and excitement, his slender white hand ceased to play with his knife, and his voice, no longer caressing, adopted a note of command as he wheeled round and strode off down the deck shouting orders here and there.
“Put on full canvas and keep her straight,” Blueneck heard him say, and he groaned inwardly.
Under the extra load of canvas the Anny plunged and righted herself, speeding through the water at her full speed.
The other brig was well in sight now, and she hailed the smugglers several times.