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Updated: June 28, 2025
A cloud of smoke from the gunboat's funnels showed that she had noted the Aphrodite's new direction, and meant to take a close interest in it. She had a few miles to make up, but that was a simple matter, and her nose swung to the southwest as she raced for the bay towards which the yacht was steaming. Both vessels held on, following converging lines, for nearly an hour.
For the third time saluting, the coxswain possessed himself of Jack's suit case and sword, then crossed the wharf to the landing stairs down below, the gunboat's cutter waited, a natty little craft, occupied by a bowman and four oarsmen. The three young officers seated themselves at the stern of the gig. "Cast off," directed the coxswain. "Up oars! Let fall! Give way!"
"And thus ends that chapter of the story, I reckon," grimly ventured Jack, when he saw the gunboat's cutter convey the corporal's guard away from the Rhinds submarine. Jacob Farnum came back in the early evening. Lieutenant Danvers was ashore, which left only the regular crew of the "Hastings" on board.
The Spanish lieutenant bowed without speaking, signed to his men to go back into their boat, and followed them down the side. Five minutes later Jack and Milsom saw him gesticulating violently on the gunboat's quarter-deck as he related to the commander of the craft his version of the recent interview.
She said, looking at the officer a little wearily: "Thank the general. It will give me much pleasure to fulfill his request. Ask him to bear my brother in mind; that is all." The A.-D.-C. bowed to her, cap in hand, then went out, making considerable racket with sabre and boots. Half an hour later a long, deep, warning blast from the gunboat's whistle set the echoes flying through the hills.
"How?" inquired Doctor McCrea, looking up with interest. "Why, I'd " Jack hesitated, glancing in the direction of the gunboat's commanding officer. "I I guess I had better go and see how the midshipmen are coming on," muttered Mr. Mayhew, rising. Yet there was a twinkle in his eye as he turned away. For some minutes Jack Benson talked with Doctor McCrea.
The gunboat's engines slowed down. Ere long her port side gangway was lowered. Jack saw not only two marines and a corporal come down over the side, but Lieutenant Commander Mayhew appeared in person. That officer came over in the cutter. "You've had treachery aboard, have you?" asked the lieutenant commander, as he climbed up over the side. "Rather.
Glancing backward only once, to make sure that Williamson was not yet on deck, and that the gunboat's marine guard had not detected their stealthy work, the swimming pair struck out lustily for shore. Back into the same clump of bushes they made their way. In the first few moments neither of the recent swimmers appeared to dare a glance into the face of his comrade.
"I shall have to ask you to take the signal for that from the 'Sudbury," Eph answered. On the gunboat's quarter deck, following Ensign Somers's report, there was an anxious conference. "If this is the craft we've been following all the time," muttered Jack Benson, "we've a lot of hunting yet ahead of us." "Shall I signal the schooner permission to proceed, sir?" asked Ensign Fullerton.
Jasper turned about instantly to watch his brig; and, even before he realised that in obedience, it appears, to Heemskirk's orders given beforehand to the gunner the tow-rope had been let go at the blast of the whistle, before he had time to cry out or to move a limb, he saw her cast adrift and shooting across the gunboat's stern with the impetus of her speed.
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