While Jeanne was doing this, Harry fastened a rope to a ring in the side
of the hatch; then he tied the corks on to Jeanne's shoulders, and
adjusted the third bundle to his own.
"Now, Jeanne," he said, "I will tell you what we are to do. You see
this hatch; when the vessel sinks it will float, and we must float on
our backs with our faces underneath it, so that it will hide us from the
sight of the wretches on shore. Even if they put out in boats to kill
any who may be swimming or clinging to spars, they will not suspect that
there is anyone under this. We may not succeed; an accident may betray
us, but there is a possibility. At any rate, dear, we shall live or die
together."
"I am content," Jeanne said quietly.
"You know, Jeanne," Harry said, putting his hands on the girl's
shoulders, "that I love you. I should never have told you so until we
had got home if it hadn't been for this; but though I have never said
it, you know I love you."
"I know, Harry; and I love you too with all my heart--so much, that I
can feel almost happy that we are to die together."
As Jeanne finished speaking, there was a sudden crash. Impatient at the
length of time the vessels were in sinking, those ashore had opened fire
with cannons upon them, and the shot had struck the lugger just above
the water.
With a little cry Virginie fell senseless on the deck.
"That's the best thing that could have happened," Harry said as Jeanne
stooped over her sister. "Lie down on the deck, dear, or you may be
struck; they are firing with muskets now. I am going to lie down too,"
he said in answer to her look, "but I shall first twist this cord round
Virginie so as to keep her arms by her side, otherwise when the water
touches her she may come to her senses and struggle. That's all right."
Then he lay down on the deck between the girls, with his head against
the hatch and holding the rope.
"Put your head on my shoulder, Jeanne, and I will put my arm round you.
I will hold Virginie the same way the other side. Hold tight by me for a
moment as we sink. I may have to use my arms to get the hatch over our
faces. Do not breathe while you are under the water, for we shall, no
doubt, go down with the lugger, although I shall try to keep you afloat.
When you are under the hatch you will find you will float with your
mouth well out of water, and will be able to breathe; the corks will
keep you up."
"I understand, Harry; now let us pray until the time comes."
Shot after shot struck the lugger, then Harry felt her give a sudden
lurch. There was a wild cry, and the next moment she went down stern
first. She was so nearly even with the water when she sank that there
was less downward suck than Harry had expected, and striking out with
his feet his head was soon above the surface.
The cord had kept the hatch within a couple of feet of him, and with
some difficulty, owing to the buoyancy of the corks, he thrust himself
and the girls under it. The tarpaulin was old and rotten, and the light
penetrated in several places, and Harry could see that, in the position
in which they were lying, the faces of both girls were above the water.
It was useless to speak, for their ears were submerged; but a slight
motion from Jeanne responded to a pressure of his arm, and he knew that
she was sensible, although she had not made the slightest motion from
the moment the vessel sank.