This brought the escaping party nearer to the cutter, but placed them full in the view of those who might be coming down the ravine at the head of the bay, and also shut them off from shelter and concealment should an emergency arise.
Jack had played so prominent a part hitherto that the eyes of all were directed to him for further instructions, and for a moment he hesitated and pointed to Abel.
"No," whispered the latter, "you have done so well; go on."
Jack hesitated for a moment or two more, and then said in a low voice--
"All follow quickly and go to the far side of the bay, seize the boat, and we are safe."
"But there is no boat," said Bart.
Jack pointed to a mass of rock, some fifty yards away, where a few inches of the stern of a boat were visible, but which had not been seen by the others.
"Lead on," said Abel, abruptly; "and if the men wake up Bart and I will tackle them while you and Dinny here get into the boat and row out.
We'll swim to you, and you can take us in."
"And d'ye think I'm going to run away like that?" whispered Dinny.
"I'll shtay."
"Dinny!" whispered Jack, fiercely.
"Ah, well, I forgot I was a soldier, my lad. I'll obey orders."
Whereupon Abel examined the priming of his musket, and Bart tried the bayonet at the end of the bamboo shaft to see if it was firm, while Dinny whispered--
"Howld her tight to yer shoulther, lad, when ye fire, for she's a divil to kick."
Jack gave a glance round once more, and then, holding up a hand to command silence, he listened, but all was still save the lapping of the waves as the tide retired and then returned.
His next proceeding was to steal out to where he could get a good look at the three sailors left in charge.
One lay on his breast, with his arms folded and his brow resting upon them. The second lay upon his back, with his hands beneath him, and his cap tilted over his eyes. The third was upon his side with his back to them, and all apparently fast asleep, for neither stirred.
Jack would have gladly waited till dark; but to have done this might have meant losing their means of escape, for they were not certain that the party would stay all night.
So, feeling this, and that their only chance lay in a bold attempt, he glanced back once, and after seeing that his companions were quite ready to follow, he stepped out quietly on to the yielding sand and made for the spot where the small boat lay.
To reach this boat the party had to pass within some fifty feet or so of the sleepers, and the crucial moments would be when they had passed within ken of the man lying upon his side with his back to them. Even if the others were awake it would be possible to pass them unseen; but it was otherwise with the third man, whose position would enable him to see whoever crossed the sands of the little bay, while, for aught they knew, he might be a faithful guardian, keeping strict watch over both boat and cutter while his companions slept.
Jack walked softly on, the sand deadening his tread, so that he was soon abreast of the guardians of the boat, and another five minutes would suffice for him and his party to reach the boat and push her off, when, armed as they were, they could have laughed at pursuit.
Another few yards and no one stirred. Jack gazed over his left shoulder at the dangerous reclining figure, but its position remain unchanged.
Another few yards, and still there was no sign, nor likely to be, for there could be no doubt of the fact--the man was fast asleep, and the agitation and anxiety of the fugitives was apparently wasted.
Jack glanced back to see that his companions were following in Indian file, walking upon the tips of their feet, and casting glances from time to time at the spot from which danger would arise.
Another dozen yards and the leader of the little party felt safe, when a sharp report came from the ravine above, the shot echoing and reverberating along the sides of the cliffs till it sounded like a peal of thunder which drowned the shout that followed, a shout meant as a warning to the guardians of the boat that their party was close at hand.
The man lying upon his side sprang to his feet, and the other two woke up, to stare stupidly about them before they realised the state of affairs, and that their companion had seized his musket, from where it lay with those of his fellows against the foot of the cliff which towered above their heads; for in accordance with their plans, Jack and Dinny had run on and seized the boat, while Abel and Bart had faced round with their weapons ready, retreating slowly toward the sea.
For a few moments no word was spoken, and then it was the first of the three sailors who realised their position.
"It's cat or a bullet in us, mates," he cried, desperately. "I says bullet; so come on."
The other two were Englishmen like himself, and evidently entertained their comrade's preference for a chance bullet or a stab to being tried by court martial and sentenced to a flogging, so they also snatched up their muskets and belts, hastily threw the latter over their shoulders, and, taught by training, brought their pieces to bear, shouting to the prisoners to surrender.
"Give up, you lubbers!" cried the first sailor. "It's of no good."
For answer Abel glanced over his shoulder, and seeing that Jack and Dinny had reached the boat, slowly continued the retreat.
"Will you surrender?" roared the sailor, as another shout came from the ravine.
"Surrender yourselves," cried Bart, fiercely. "Lay down them guns."
"Surrender, or we fire," cried the sailor again, as the two men slowly backed toward the boat, watchful of a rush being made.
Bart uttered a low, defiant growl, and the bamboo he held quivered in his knotted hands.
"All together, then, mates," shouted the sailor, "_fire_!"
Jack uttered a groan as he stood knee deep in water, running the boat as near as it could be got to his friend, and a mist swam before his eyes.
_Click click click_!--and as many tiny showers of sparks were struck in the pans of the pieces.
"Why, you stupid lubbers, you didn't load!" roared the sailor. "Now, then, ground arms--load!"
A shout of derision arose from Abel and Bart, and the former took up the tone of menace now.
"Throw down your muskets, or I fire," he cried.
"P'raps you're not loaded neither, mate," cried the sailor, laughing.
"Now, lads. Bagnets: charge."
His companions hesitated for a moment, and then, lowering their pieces, they made a rush for those who barred their way to the boat.
_Bang_!
One sharp report. The right-hand sailor span round, dropped his musket, stooped down and seized his leg beneath the knee, and dropped into a sitting position upon the sand.
"Hurt, mate?" cried the first sailor, halting.
"Leg," was the laconic reply.
"Never mind," cried the first sailor. "Come, on, mate."
He lowered his piece again, and the two rushed upon Bart and Abel, as brave as lions now in the excitement.