human
Oh, if it were only lighter! cried Rodd, stamping his foot with vexation.
gpt
Why, she'll soon be out of sight.
human
Before she gets much farther, said Uncle Paul gravely,
gpt
Why critical, uncle? cried the boy earnestly.
human
Because the men in the fort will have a better chance of hitting her, I should say.
gpt
Oh, I hope they won't, said Rodd beneath his breath.
human
Why, it would be horrible, uncle, he half whispered, with his lips close to his uncle's face.
gpt
She must have a brave captain to dare all this.
human
A very brave captain, said Uncle Paul earnestly.
gpt
But you think she'll get away, uncle?
human
No, Rodney, said the doctor, laying his hand with a firm grip upon his nephew's shoulder.
gpt
She may pass through the harbour mouth without being hit by the gunners, for it would require a clever marksman to hit so swiftly moving an object, rising and falling as the brig does now that she is getting into the disturbed water near the mouth.
human
But suppose she passes through untouched, uncle? What then?
gpt
What then, boy? She will be out of the shelter given by the end of the jetty. It's too dim now to see, but once or twice I had just a glimpse of the waves washing over the harbour light, and there must be a terrific sea out there. Why, you can hear it plainly even here.
human
No, uncle; that's the wind.
gpt
And waves, my boy. Why, trying to sail out there in the teeth of such a gale as this, it will be almost impossible for her to escape. It seems to me to be an act of madness to attempt such an escapade, and cleverly as the brig is handled I think it is doubtful whether she will ever clear the mouth. But if she does she will catch the full force of the storm and--
human
And what, uncle?
gpt
Be carried away yonder to the east somewhere and cast ashore.
human
Oh-h!