“Lie down in the bottom of the boat—quick!”
Now, I could distinctly remember the time, since it was not so far back, when she had absolutely defied my lawful authority, and blankly refused to heed my request.
Not so now, for she seemed to recognize that in this case I not only knew what might be right, but was also in a position to command.
So she crouched down, with the terrified child clasped in her arms, while we two desperate men prepared to put up the best fight we knew how.
And, strangely enough, in that second of time, when there was a breathing space before the arrival of the boats, my strained ears caught a sound that thrilled me with renewed hope—it was the distinct “chug-chug-chug” of a little naphtha engine, and I knew that the launch had set out from the yacht and was bearing down upon us.
If we could only resist this savage attack for a few moments, we were saved.
“Keep back—keep back!” I shouted, as I stood up in the stern and waved my pistol, for I wanted no man’s blood on my hands, if it could possibly be avoided.
Perhaps they understood, for they laughed derisively and pulled wildly on.
It was time to begin.
I had the sole power of bridging the little distance still separating the boats, but which the rapid pace with which they advanced was quickly annihilating.