The shot rattled among the
stalactites of the roof, and the report filled the cavern with
deafening noise.
Kinlay was utterly taken aback by what happened, and as the weapon
fell from his hand and dropped into the deep water, he turned
instinctively to see who had attacked him. Two of the cutter's men
thereupon crossed the planks and encountered him on the large flat
rock whence the casks had been taken, while I made my way past
them.
I was walking coolly over the little bridge, with my extinguished
lantern in my hand, when the lieutenant stepped forward and took me
by the collar.
"Aha, youngster!" he exclaimed, "I've seen you before. You've done
me a good turn, but I must take you nevertheless."
And he retained his hold of my jacket, giving directions to his men
the while.
I made a gentle protest, showing no resistance, and stood by the
officer, looking excitedly at the scuffle that ensued between the
smugglers and the revenue men. Tom Kinlay had already been seized
and dragged off to the cutter's boat. One of the smugglers had
retreated to the inner recesses of the cave, taking refuge in the
darkness, and the three others were having a severe fight with the
sailors, using large knives in their defence.
Two of them were speedily overpowered, one of them receiving a
serious wound in his side, the other a great cut across his cheek.
Pages:
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290