It's big enough."
He turned to Jervis.
"Nip across to the wooden stairs," he directed, "and tell Inspector
White to stand by, but to keep out of sight. If we've started before
you return, go back and join him."
"Very good, sir."
Jervis turned and disappeared into the mazes of rubbish, as Seton and
Kerry grasped the boat and ran it down into the rising tide. Kerry
boarding, Seton thrust it out into the river and climbed in over the
stern.
"Phew! The current drags like a tow-boat!" said Kerry.
They were being drawn rapidly up-stream. But as Kerry seized the oars
and began to pull steadily, this progress was checked. He could make
little actual headway, however.
"The tide races round this bend like fury," he said. "Bear on the
oars, sir."
Seton thereupon came to Kerry's assistance, and gradually the dinghy
crept upon its course, until, below the little pier, they found a
sheltered spot, where it was possible to run in and lie hidden. As
they won this haven:
"Quiet!" said Seton. "Don't move the oars. Look! We were only just in
time!"
Immediately above them, where the boats were beached, a man was coming
down the slope, carrying a hurricane lantern. As Kerry and Seton
watched, the man raised the lantern and swung it to and fro.
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