“It is lucky we didn’t attempt to come in till we had silenced the guns,” observed Higson, pointing to the strong walls which frowned above them, from which the guns had been removed.
The country on one side was level; on the other, hills, some of considerable elevation, rose from the bank of the river, which twisted and turned, forming several short reaches, and prevented those going up from seeing to any considerable distance ahead.
“We must be prepared for anything that may happen,” shouted Higson to Green; “for what we know we may meet another steamer coming down to look after her friends, or we may fall in with a troop of Cossacks or other soldiers, who may give us a somewhat warm reception, if they suspect what we are about.”
“I suppose we shall board the steamer if she appears,” said Green.
“Depend on that—and take her too,” answered Higson; at which the men laughed, as if they thought there was no doubt about the matter. The boats pulled on, passing some pretty-looking country-houses, surrounded by gardens, and backed by orchards or vineyards planted on the hillside.
“A good style of country this to live in,” observed Higson to Archie; “I always have my eye on pleasant spots, and amuse myself with the idea that I shall some day come and settle down there, when I have had enough of a sea-life. After knocking about for the best part of his days, a fellow longs to find himself quietly settled on shore.”
“But surely, Mr Higson, you wish to become post-captain, or an admiral?” observed Archie.
“That is more than I ever shall be, youngster, unless I’m a yellow admiral; indeed, I shall consider myself fortunate if I get made a commander, and after serving a year or two am allowed to retire from the service,” said Higson. “Now, that is a place to which I should have no objection,” he continued, as, having opened a fresh reach, he pointed to a house of greater pretensions than those they had before seen. “After we have performed the work we have been sent on, when we come down we’ll look in there and request the inhabitants to provide us some dinner, for I am very sharp set, as I daresay you are.”
Of course Higson shouted to Green, telling him what he intended to do, and, of course, the master and Tom very willingly agreed to his proposal. “We have, however, first our work to do,” observed Higson; “to burn a few granaries and stacks of wheat, and as many vessels as we can fall in with; that won’t take us long, however, if we meet with no opposition, and if we do we must fight, and get the matter over as soon as possible. We must finish it, as Shakespeare says we should a beefsteak.”
“I don’t think it’s Shakespeare says that,” observed Archie; “however, there’s no doubt that unless we can do it quickly, we may miss doing it altogether, as those Cossack fellows who are in the neighbourhood will be coming down and trying to cut us off.”