Simpkins, Ternip’s wife and three sailors who had some concept about work with cars. It was necessary to put the boat in order only.
– Well? We go!
– Oh, we go! – obediently Ternip answered, and they started on on a way.
The boat really appeared in a relative order.
Something rusted, something demanded repair. But all bodies of the mechanism were whole. There was even a radiotelegraphic device.
Work on repair began. It went slowly. With the greatest precautions it was necessary to make the way at night in the roundabout ways by “residence” where there were guards and to work till the dawn that for an hour till the dawn to be already on the place.
Little by little the boat was put in order and filled with provisions: canned food, bread and wine. But in two days prior to the assumed departure there was one unpleasant surprise. Having been fond of work, Gatling was late a little. When it came back with two sailors, to them islanders from Sleyton’s party who left at dawn met to catch fish. They suspiciously examined Gatlinga and passed by… It was not necessary to doubt that Sleyton learns about this suspicious night walk of Gatlinga in the company of two sailors today and will take measures…
It was necessary to work immediately.
And Gatling disposed to notify now participants of escape that they armed (it was provided) and went to the submarine. The island will wake up not earlier than as in an hour. It was enough. In twenty minutes fugitives were assembled.
With involuntary nervousness they started at way to the submarine.
It was beforehand taken away on the place, rather free from thickets, where it was possible to ship it in water. The small raft stood at the old steamship.
Chapter 13
FLIGHT
Fugitives already reached two thirds of a way when noticed a pursuit. It came nearer from “mountain” – the highest frigate, going down on the sloping bridge. It was necessary to hurry.
Ternip and his respectable half were exhausted from fatigue, catching up with young satellites. From the deck on the deck – up, down, up, down – on a shaky planked footway Gatling, Ms. Kingman, spouses Dode-Ternipy, Simpkins and three sailors ran.
Having passed by itself all, Gatling was late at the narrow bridge which connected caravel fragments to the old steamship broke boards and threw them into water. Thus it was succeeded to detain a pursuit which had to break from this place on roundabout ways.
It was heard as Sleyton who was at the head of a pursuit loudly swore at the destroyed bridge.
Fugitives won time to sail on a raft from the coast towards the submarine. But it was necessary to float with big sluggishness. Though there was a place, rather free from seaweed, nevertheless sargassa clung to a raft, and every minute it was necessary to stop and hands to clear away a way.
The raft hardly crossed a half of a way, and the pursuit already approached that place from where fugitives sailed.
– Give up! Return, or I will leave nobody in live! – Sleyton shouted from “coast”, shaking by a rifle over the head.
Instead of the answer one of sailors from a raft shook by a fist.
– And, dog! – Sleyton cried and shot. The bullet hit in a raft.
Firefight was started.
Islanders held more advantageous position. They were under cover of masts and fragments whereas the raft was all in the public eye.
Among persecutors there was all population of the Island.
– My God! – the old woman Ternip spoke. – Look, Ms., even Maggie Flores was dragged with the baby; she over there, looks out because of the deck, see?.
Sleyton something ordered. A part of islanders went down to water and began to force down a raft hastily. Driving off attacked them shots. Here also another fell in water one… here, having shaken the head, with groan gets out to the deck of a fishing launch…
Fugitives had a lucky escape so far. The islanders who weaned to shoot, did not hit the mark. Bullets laid down around a raft, lifting splashes. Soon, however, one of sailors on a raft was wounded in a leg. The bullet penetrated the veil fluttering on Ms. Kingman’s head. The Gatling suggested women to lay down.
From the Island the raft with five armed islanders already sailed.
Fugitives rowed, being beaten out with the last bit of strength.
Here at last and the boat towering the surface part with the small bridge above.
The Gatling swelled up on the boat, opened the hatch and lowered women.
In it he was a high time is wounded in a shoulder. Having turned pale from bleeding, he continued to give orders.
– Damned Sleyton! – the Irish sailor, увидав a wound of Gatlinga exclaimed. – I will treat you! In the purpose!
And, having carefully aimed, it shot.
Feargus Sleyton dropped the gun and fell. His breast was painted by blood.
It was visible how on its call Maggie approached it and, inclining, stretched the child. Sleyton touched by the weakening hand the head of the child and told something to Maggie and Flores…
But to watch this scene to fugitives there was no time: the pursuit on a raft already moored to the submarine. And while the hatch of the submarine slammed for the last of fugitives – Gatlingom, islanders already clambered to the bridge…
The boat trembled and began to plunge into water quickly…
The become puzzled persecutors, losing the support crumbling under the feet, zabarakhtatsya in water and, being confused in seaweed, began to climb up a raft.
This moment of immersion was come by shouts “hurrah” by crew of the submarine.
The last fears disappeared: the mechanism operated perfectly. Bright electric light filled in a cabin. The motor worked trouble-free. Lungs breathed freely.
But to indulge in joy there was not time. Wounded demanded cares. Ms. Kingman and the old woman Ternip undertook a role of sisters of mercy. To the wounded sailor tied up a leg, Gatlingu – a shoulder.
With great efforts it was succeeded to lay Gatlinga on a bed. It was in a fever, the shoulder swelled up and hurt, but he wished to steer the boat personally.
At night to it became worse. The old woman Ternip tired with flight and disorders of day left to sleep, and at the patient Ms. Kingman remained to be on duty.
The Gatling did not fall down. Viviana moistened to it whisky with water.
He poorly smiled and told:
– I thank you… I feel better… do not get tired, have a rest.
– I was
