There is one danger, however, and that is, that it
may be swept back by the returning tide, cast up on
the island, and fall into the hands of the crew of
the Ebba when the schooner is hauled into her
creek. If Ker Karraje ever gets hold of it, it
will be all up with me.
It will be readily conceived with what anxiety I have
awaited the moment to make the attempt: I am
in a perfect fever of excitement, for it is a matter
of life or death to me. I calculate from previous
observations that the tide will be very low at about
a quarter to nine. The top of the tunnel ought
then to be a foot and a half above water, which is
more than enough to permit of the keg passing through
it. It will be another half hour at least before
the flow sets in again, and by that time the keg may
be far enough away to escape being thrown back on
the coast.
I peer out of my cell. There is no one about,
and I advance to the side of the lagoon, where by
the light of a nearby lamp, I perceive the arch of
the tunnel, towards which the current seems to be setting
pretty swiftly.
I go down to the very edge, and cast in the keg which
contains the precious document and all my hopes.
“God be with it!” I fervently exclaim.
“God be with it!”
For a minute or two the little barrel remains stationary,
and then floats back to the side again. I throw
it out once more with all my strength.
This time it is in the track of the current, which
to my great joy sweeps it along and in twenty seconds,
it has disappeared in the tunnel.
Yes, God be with it! May Heaven guide thee, little
barrel! May it protect all those whom Ker Karraje
menaces and grant that this band of pirates may not
escape from the justice of man!
BATTLE BETWEEN THE “SWORD” AND THE TUG.
Through all this sleepless night I have followed the
keg in fancy. How many times I seem to see it
swept against the rocks in the tunnel into a creek,
or some excavation. I am in a cold perspiration
from head to foot. Then I imagine that it has
been carried out to sea. Heavens! if the returning
tide should sweep it back to the entrance and then
through the tunnel into the lagoon! I must be
on the lookout for it.
I rise before the sun and saunter down to the lagoon.
Not a single object is floating on its calm surface.
The work on the tunnel through the side of the cavern
goes on, and at four o’clock in the afternoon
on September 23, Engineer Serko blows away the last
rock obstructing the issue, and communication with
the outer world is established. It is only a
very narrow hole, and one has to stoop to go through
it. The exterior orifice is lost among the crannies
of the rocky coast, and it would be easy to obstruct
it, if such a measure became necessary.
It goes without saying that the passage will be strictly
guarded. No one without special authorization
will be able either to go out or come in, therefore
there is little hope of escape in that direction.
