From aft came Captain Carrington's voice, shouting for 'Full speed ahead!'
Time, too, for the gunners in the forts, recovering from their paralysed amazement, were already getting busy and the roar of great guns was followed by the rocket-like hiss of shells.
Like a frightened hare the launch gathered speed and darted away downstream. Shells, each big enough to smash her to kindling, fell on every side, but the gunners on both sides were firing too high, and by a series of miracles the launch was not touched.
Searchlights sprang out, their white fingers feeling through the murk. But no searchlight ever made will penetrate a thousand yards of fog, and the dull glares only served to warn the steersman of the launch of dangers to be avoided.
'Jove, we'll do it yet, Ken,' cried Roy, shouting so as to be heard above the thunderous din of the guns.
'It will be a miracle if we do,' Ken answered. 'Remember we have to run the gauntlet all the way down.'
'It doesn't follow,' Roy said quickly. 'They haven't seen us, and they'll take it for granted that it must have been a submarine. Why, even the sweepers haven't ventured up here.'
'I only hope you're right,' replied Ken fervently.
'Ah!' he broke off, as a shell whizzed over so near they felt the wind of it. 'That was close.'
By this they had passed Nagara, and turning due south were rushing past the big fort of Kosi Kale. For the moment the tempest of shell had died away behind them.