Every moment he expected a company of soldiers
to pounce upon him, or that their torpedo boats would capture him at the
foot of the cliff. Shot after shot followed him as he made for the
place at which he had concealed his dress, with all the speed with which
he was possessed. Being less cautious in the descent than he had been
in going up, he loosened great masses of guano and rock that rolled down
ahead of him. When he reached the breakers again, an avalanche of
guano had covered his dress. He hurriedly searched up and down the beach
until he discovered one foot of the rubber pantaloons sticking out
from under the guano. He pulled it out and was soon paddling across the
gut again. As he ran under the cliff where the sloop had been
anchored, he could not see her; but as he rose on the waves he
discovered her nearly out of sight, standing away for the mainland,
with all canvas spread. The crew had heard the firing, had weighed
anchor and sailed for the protection of their own guns, under the
impression that their Captain had been killed; in fact, such was the
report they made on their arrival at Lima.
Appreciating the fact that he would surely be discovered by the enemy if
he attempted to paddle to the mainland in the dress; if not during the
night, certainly in the morning, for he could not hope to reach safely
before daylight revealed him.
Pages:
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473