ft tide had carried
us much farther than we thought for.

"We shall never get back at this rate," said Mr Brooke, "and it can't
be very long before the tide turns, and then those scoundrels will come
sailing down, perhaps pass us before we can get to the _Teaser_."

"Hardly," I ventured to observe.

"Well, no; you are right," he said. "I am too impatient. We have a
good start, and must get to the gunboat long before they can."

Meanwhile Tom Jecks sat fast, pressing his feet against the jacket
placed over the hole, and kept baling, while Ching took his time from
him, and used his baler with enough skill to help get rid of a great
deal of water, so that the boat was freed to an extent which set aside
all danger of our sinking; but with all their efforts they never got
beyond a certain point, for the water oozed in pretty constantly through
and round the extempore plug.

At last, faint with heat and nearly exhausted, we came in sight of the
first straggling houses, then they grew more close together, and fields
and gardens gave place to the closely-packed habitations. For we had
reached the town, though even then we had quite a long row before we
could reach the _Teaser_.

The final stretch came at last--just about a quarter of a mile to
traverse, and then we should be alongside.

"Thank goodness!" said Mr Brooke, drawing a deep breath; "I don't know
when I have felt so anxious. Now, my lads, only another five minutes--a
long pull and a strong pull, and all together."

The men cheered and pulled, sending the boat merrily along now, for the
tide was close upon its highest point, and for some little time it grew
more and more sluggish before the coxswain cried out--

"She's swung round, sir; tide's with us."

"Ha!" ejaculated Mr Brooke. "Then we shall get to the _Teaser_ in
time. They couldn't start from the creek with those light junks till
now."

"How much farther is it, sir?" I said, as he stood up and shaded his
eyes with his hand.

"It can't be many hundred yards," he replied. "It must be just beyond
that head where the boats lie so thick. Yes, off that temple there up
on the hill."

The men gave a cheer, and the boat sped on fast now, feeling the push
given by the falling tide, and the short distance that lay between us;
and the spot where we had lain at anchor so many days was soon
traversed--the latter part in perfect silence, with Mr Brooke standing
in the stern-sheets gazing straight ahea