They
fell just beside the boat, as Random saw when he reached the
spot. A confused volley of curses arose, as the boat pushed out
from the encrusted pile, the mate thrusting with a boat-hook.
Hervey and Date were in the water, but as the boat shot into the
moonlight, Random--and now Hope and De Gayangos, who had come up
--saw a long green form in amongst the sailors; also, very
plainly, Cockatoo with his great mop of yellow hair.
"Shoot! shoot!" yelled Date, who was struggling with the skipper
in the shallow water near shore. "Don't let them escape."
Hope ran up the jetty and fired three shots in the air, certain
that the firing would attract the attention of the four or five
constables on guard at the cottage, which was no very great
distance away. Random sent a bullet into the midst of the
boatload, and immediately the mate fired also. The bullet
whistled past his head, and, crazy with rage, he felt inclined to
jump in amongst the ruffians and have a hand-to-hand fight. But
De Gayangos stopped him in a voice shrill with anger. Already
the shouts and noise of the approaching policemen could be heard.
Cockatoo gripped the green mummy case desperately, while the
sailors tried to row towards the ship.
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