Among Malay Pirates : a Tale of Adventure and Peril by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty
page 44 of 233 (18%)
page 44 of 233 (18%)
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suddenly, "There is a current, sir. I have had my eye upon that
root, and we have drifted backwards a couple of feet since we lost way, so there must be a stretch of water above us." The lieutenant watched the root of the tree to which Harry had pointed, for a minute in silence, then he said, "You are right, my lad, there is a current, and, as you say, there must be a stretch of water above us. Lay in your oars, lads; stand up, and pull her along by the boughs and bushes, but don't make the slightest sound." Twenty yards farther the creek widened, and the oars were again got out. "Take your place in the bow, Mr. Parkhurst, and hold up your hand the instant you see anything unusual, and do you, men, be ready to hold her up the instant I give the order." They proceeded for a quarter of a mile, the gig following close behind. Suddenly, at a bend in the stream, a glare of light was seen ahead. Harry held up his hand, and passed the word down in a whisper that just ahead the creek widened into a broad sheet of water. The lieutenant stopped the gig by holding up his hand, passed the order for the men to lay in their oars noiselessly, and told the coxswain to keep in well under the bushes on the left hand side; then he made his way forward, and joined Harry, telling the men to pull the boat forward by means of the branches overhead which were well within reach, but to avoid breaking even a twig. In a minute or two the bow of the boat arrived at the end of the screen of bushes, and a low exclamation broke from the lieutenant |
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