Phillips, who was the only one of the crew remaining on board, hastily belayed the clewline at the fife-rail, hauling it just taut enough to hold Bitts, without choking him to death. As the ruffian leaped into the boat, to which he had been assigned, Perth gave the order to shove off, and the runaways pulled with all their might for the shore.
CHAPTER XVII.
HEIDELBERG AND HOMBURG.
On the arrival of the excursion party at Heidelberg, they were conducted, by Mr. Arbuckle's avant-courrier, to the Hôtel Prinz Karl, in the marketplace, and near the castle, which is the principal object of interest in the town. One of the first persons that Shuffles saw, as he walked up to the hotel, was Lady Feodora, promenading the veranda with Sir William. She looked a shade paler than when the captain had met her last; but her color deepened when she discovered her gallant friend.
"I am delighted to see you, Captain Shuffles!" exclaimed she, deserting her titled companion, and rushing towards him, her cheeks suffused with blushes.
"This is a very unexpected pleasure," replied the commander, his brown face flushing, "but none the less welcome because unexpected."
"How glad I am to see you again!" said she, taking his offered hand, as they met.
"Thank you; but not so glad as I am," added he, in a lower tone.
"I hope you are very well, Captain Shuffles," interposed Sir William, stiffly.