“Haul up the cable and draw the boat to us,” said Groslow.
One of the sailors got down the side of the ship, seized the cable, and drew it; it came without the least resistance.
“The cable is cut!” he cried, “no boat!”
“How! no boat!” exclaimed Groslow; “it is impossible.”
“‘Tis true, however,” answered the sailor; “there’s nothing in the wake of the ship; besides, here’s the end of the cable.”
“What’s the matter?” cried Mordaunt, who, coming up out of the hatchway, rushed to the stern, waving his torch.
“Only that our enemies have escaped; they have cut the cord and gone off with the boat.”