"I can see the objection to Mylor's plan," remarked Captain Restronguet. "They will be hidden from the river everywhere except from this bearing. However, it is well to windward, and ought to be fairly pleasant under the shade of the trees. But I wish those fellows would bestir themselves a little more."
Presently Mylor disappeared from view behind the trees. He had not been gone very long before he returned to his companions running as hard as he could go. A few words passed and the whole crowd, leaving Kenwyn lying in the shade, doubled off behind the clump.
"Now what's up," muttered the captain impatiently. "I wish I had sent Devoran with them to keep them together. They are like a pack of schoolboys out of bounds."
Back came the men, never pausing till they reached the brink of the hill on the river side. Here Mylor, standing well apart, began to "call-up" the "Aphrodite" by semaphore.
"Acknowledge, Mr. Devoran," said Captain Restronguet.
Clambering on to the top of the conning-tower the first officer signalled that attention was being paid to the message.
"'Vorwartz' is lying on the other side of the hill," semaphored Mylor.
"What's that? Impossible!" exclaimed the captain, for both he and Hythe had read the message correctly. "Ask them to explain more fully."
"'Vorwartz' is in a river flowing behind this hill."
"Boat's crew to return instantly," ordered Devoran at Captain Restronguet's request. "Leave Kenwyn and his two men."