The two rowboats were raised, there was a cloud of
black smoke from the funnel, a creaking of chains sounding
faintly across the water, and the ship started at half-speed
and moved out of the harbor. The Opekians and the Hillmen
fell on their knees, or to dancing, as best suited their sense
of relief, but Gordon shook his head.
"They are only going to land the marines," he said; "perhaps
they are going to the spot they stopped at before, or to take
up another position farther out at sea. They will land men
and then shell the town, and the land forces will march here
and co-operate with the vessel, and everybody will be taken
prisoner or killed. We have the centre of the stage, and we
are making history."
"I'd rather read it than make it," said Stedman. "You've got
us in a senseless, silly position, Gordon, and a mighty
unpleasant one. And for no reason that I can see, except to
make copy for your paper."
"Tell those people to get their things together," said Gordon,
"and march back out of danger into the woods. Tell Ollypybus
I am going to fix things all right; I don't know just how yet,
but I will, and now come after me as quickly as you can to the
cable office.
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