"Shove off, Grummet! Into deep water with you!"
Grummet, understanding what is meant, brings the boat-hook point
downward, and with a desperate effort, pushes the keel clear, sending
the boat adrift.
But before he can repeat the push, pistols are fired, and, simultaneous
with their reports, he is seen to sink down, and lie doubled over the
thwarts.
A yell of vengeance peals from the pursuing party; and, maddened, they
rush on. They will be too late! Already the pirates have reached the
boat, now undefended; and all four together, swarming over the gunwale,
drop down upon the thwarts, each as he does so seizing hold of an oar,
and shipping it.