"
"Wot launch?"
"The launch that visited us this morning. Ten minutes ago she was
standing by at the foot of the rock."
Philip spoke slowly and clearly. He meant his news to strike home. As
he anticipated, De Sylva broke in.
"You _saw_ it?" he asked, and his deep voice vibrated with dismay.
"Yes. I even made out, by actions rather than words, that the darkness
alone prevented the soldiers from coming here to-night. The skipper
would not risk it."
De Sylva said something under his breath. He spoke rapidly to San
Benavides, and the latter seemed to be cowed, for his reply was brief.
Then the ex-President reverted to English.
"I have decided to send Marcel and Domingo ashore first," he said.
"They will select the safest place for a landing. Marcel will bring
back the catamaran, and take off Mr. Hozier and the young lady.
Captain Coke and I will follow, and the others in such order as Senhor
Benavides thinks fit. The catamaran will only hold three with safety,
but Marcel believes he can find another for Domingo. Remember, all of
you, silence is essential. If there is an accident, some of us may be
called on to drown without a cry. We must be ready to do it for the
sake of those who are left. Are we all agreed?"
A hum of voices answered him.
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