Eight o"clock struck from the church of St. Philip when the sh.o.r.e-boat ran aground at White Point.
There was an hour to wait before the exact time fixed by Crockston; the quay was deserted, with the exception of the sentinel pacing to and fro on the south and east batteries. James Playfair grew impatient, and the minutes seemed hours to him.
At half-past eight he heard the sound of approaching steps; he left his men with their oars clear and ready to start, and went himself to see who it was; but he had not gone ten feet when he met a band of coastguards, in all about twenty men. James drew his revolver from his waist, deciding to make use of it, if needs be; but what could he do against these soldiers, who were coming on to the quay?
The leader came up to him, and, seeing the boat, asked:
"Whose craft is that?"
"It is a gig belonging to the _Dolphin_," replied the young man.
"And who are you?"
"Captain James Playfair."
"I thought you had already started, and were now in the Charleston channels."
"I am ready to start. I ought even now to be on my way but--"
"But--" persisted the coastguard.
A bright idea shot through James"s mind, and he answered:
"One of my sailors is locked up in the citadel, and, to tell the truth, I had almost forgotten him; fortunately I thought of him in time, and I have sent my men to bring him."
"Ah! that troublesome fellow; you wish to take him back to England?"
"Yes.
"He might as well be hung here as there," said the coast-guard, laughing at his joke.
"So I think," said James Playfair, "but it is better to have the thing done in the regular way."
"Not much chance of that, Captain, when you have to face the Morris Island batteries."
"Don"t alarm yourself. I got in and I"ll get out again."
"Prosperous voyage to you!"
"Thank you."
With this the men went off, and the sh.o.r.e was left silent.
At this moment nine o"clock struck; it was the appointed moment. James felt his heart beat violently; a whistle was heard; he replied to it, then he waited, listening, with his hand up to enjoin perfect silence on the sailors. A man appeared enveloped in a large cloak, and looking from one side to another. James ran up to him.
"Mr. Halliburtt?"
"I am he," replied the man with the cloak.
"G.o.d be praised!" cried James Playfair. "Embark without losing a minute. Where is Crockston?"
"Crockston!" exclaimed Mr. Halliburtt, amazed. "What do you mean?"
"The man who has saved you and brought you here was your servant Crockston."
"The man who came with me was the gaoler from the citadel," replied Mr.
Halliburtt.
"The gaoler!" cried James Playfair.
Evidently he knew nothing about it, and a thousand fears crowded in his mind.
"Quite right, the gaoler," cried a well-known voice. "The gaoler is sleeping like a top in my cell."
"Crockston! you! Can it be you?" exclaimed Mr. Halliburtt.
"No time to talk now, master; we will explain everything to you afterwards. It is a question of life or death. Get in quick!"
The three men took their places in the boat.
"Push off!" cried the captain.
Immediately the six oars dipped into the water; the boat darted like a fish through the waters of Charleston Harbour.
Chapter IX
BETWEEN TWO FIRES
The boat, pulled by six robust oarsmen, flew over the water. The fog was growing dense, and it was with difficulty that James Playfair succeeded in keeping to the line of his bearings. Crockston sat at the bows, and Mr. Halliburtt at the stern, next the Captain. The prisoner, only now informed of the presence of his servant, wished to speak to him, but the latter enjoined silence.
However, a few minutes later, when they were in the middle of the harbour, Crockston determined to speak, knowing what thoughts were uppermost in Mr. Halliburtt"s mind.
"Yes, my dear master," said he, "the gaoler is in my place in the cell, where I gave him two smart blows, one on the head and the other on the stomach, to act as a sleeping draught, and this when he was bringing me my supper; there is grat.i.tude for you. I took his clothes and his keys, found you, and let you out of the citadel, under the soldiers" noses.
That is all I have done."
"But my daughter--?" asked Mr. Halliburtt.
"Is on board the ship which is going to take you to England."
"My daughter there! there!" cried the American, springing from his seat.
"Silence!" replied Crockston, "a few minutes, and we shall be saved."
The boat flew through the darkness, but James Playfair was obliged to steer rather by guess, as the lanterns of the _Dolphin_ were no longer visible through the fog. He was undecided what direction to follow, and the darkness was so great that the rowers could not even see to the end of their oars.