Another pause succeeded the rhapsody of Jack Roupall and then Springall
inquired how it was that he could not open the strong room where the
preacher had been left to his prayers.
"How it was? why, because I had not the key. And I am sure there's
nothing in it. I was in with the skipper after the long-legged puritan
was out, and I could see only squashed fruit, broken boxes, and old
good-for-nothing rags. Whatever had been worth moving was moved; but
that room will mount as high as any of them, I warrant me. I laid a good
lot of combustibles to the door. Ah! there was the gleam of a spear, to
my thinking." And he arose as he spoke, groaning out a curse against
Springall the moment after. "My back--a murrain upon you and upon me
too!--aches like the rheumatism from the weight of that old hag's
coffin, which you would have me carry from the Gull's Nest out yonder,
for fear it should be blown up with the crag. What did it signify if it
was, I wonder?"
"You wouldn't like the body of your own mother to go heavenward after
such a fashion, sinner as ye are, would ye, Jack?"
"They are coming," observed the rover, without heeding Springall's
words, "they are coming."
It was a fine sight to see even a small number of such well-disciplined
soldiers winding their way under the shadow of the hill nearest the
scene of so many adventures.
Roupall and the youth crept stealthily down the cliff by a secret path;
then, with the greatest deliberation, Jack struck a light, and prepared
to fire the train they had connected with those within the nest, to
which we alluded at the commencement of our narrative; while Springall
proceeded to perform a similar task a little lower down the Crag,
towards the window from whence the preacher, Fleetword, slung the packet
which so fortunately arrived at the place of its destination.
The instant their purpose was effected by a signal agreed upon between
them they quickly withdrew, and sheltered beneath the shade of a huge
rock left bare by the receding tide, where no injury could befal them.
It was well they did so, for in a moment the report as of a thousand
cannon thundered through the air, and fragments of clay, rock, and
shingle fell, thick as hail, and heavy as millstones, all around.
Immediately after a piercing cry for aid burst upon their ear, and
spread over land and water.
"God of Heaven!" exclaimed Springall, "it is not possible that any human
creature could have been within the place!" and he stretched himself
forward, and looked up to where the cry was uttered.