"Who will be engineer?" asked Tom Rush.
"I will be that myself. Bob Hale, you will run the Splash out from the shore, and come on board when we are clear of the pier; take two good fellows with you. Are you all ready?"
"All ready!" replied the boys; and the voices of some trembled.
"Forward then!" shouted Vallington; and he leaped from the stump, and ran down to the wharf, followed by the whole company.
Bob Hale got into the Splash with two boys, and pushed her off. The rest of us leaped over the bulwarks, scrambled up to the hurricane deck, or rushed in at the gangway. Vallington cast off the bow-line himself, just as I reached the wheel-house.
"Back her!" I shouted; and the word was passed through the boys to Vallington, who had now gone to the engine-room.
We were not a moment too quick, for just as the steamer began to back from the pier, the invaders, laden with canvas and poles, appeared on the wharf.
THE CAPTURE OF THE ADIENO.—Page 232.