"Never. I'm merely thinking of what might happen."
"Hist now! Here they come. Jump when I give the word."
In that critical moment Glennie thought how much better off he and Dick would have been, and how much more certain of success, if they had brought Speake and Clackett along with them. But it was too late to think of what might have been. Dick and Glennie were face to face with the emergency, and must, alone and unaided, deal out the desperate measures themselves.
The crunching footsteps approached. Glennie caught a glimmer of starlight on a musket barrel, and saw dimly two marines marching ahead, followed by Matt, with a uniformed figure and another marine bringing up the rear.
"Now!" roared Dick.
His voice was loud enough to arouse the town. Dick made it so purposely. He aimed to startle the guards—to hold them panic-stricken, if possible, until Matt could be apprised of conditions and help in the resulting battle.
In this Dick was entirely successful. Every member of the party jumped, even Matt.
"It's Dick and Glennie, Matt!" cried the young sailor. "Get into it, old ship! Everything hangs on our success!"
Dick, while he spoke, was plunging at one of the marines. Glennie leaped at another. Matt, quick to realize what was afoot, turned on the third. Captain Sandoval drew his sword.
Before the sword could be used, Matt whirled about, the marine's musket in his hands. Clash! The sword struck the musket barrel and Matt, by a dexterous jerk, flung the blade a dozen feet away into the darkness.