"The Pelikan is expecting an attack," said O'Hara. "So she is disguised. Some of her guns are taken ashore."
"Why not all?" asked Denbigh.
"I should not think so," was the reply. "They would be almost certain to keep those in position on the port side. They haven't abandoned the ship, otherwise the boat wouldn't be waiting to take somebody off to her. Hulloa, there they go!"
Two brilliant arcs of light swept across the lagoon. The searchlights had been unmasked and were directed towards the narrow gap in the coral reef.
"They've spotted something," continued O'Hara.
"Not necessarily," replied Denbigh. "Those lights are tantamount to a challenge. Our fellows will go for the searchlight, thinking that they are being worked from the Pelikan. Then the ship's guns and those of the masked battery will be able to open a converging fire. We'll have to stop their little game, old man."
"Can't see how," said O'Hara.
"No more can I at present," added his companion. "We've about three hours to daylight. We must allow an hour and a half at the very outside to work our way back to the Myra."
"If our fellows put the hat on the Pelikan, we may as well hang on and get them to pick us up. You can bet your bottom dollar they'll take good care to see that the Pelikan is properly done in."
"My dear fellow," protested Denbigh, "are we fit to introduce ourselves as British officers, even suppose the cruisers send a landing party ashore?"