252 FOR THE FLAG

off the edge, to which he had gone too near. The helm
was righted slightly, and impelled by the screw, we
advanced in the right direction.

When we had gone no more than ten yards I said
“ Stop.” Sosoon as the current was interrupted the Sword
stopped, opened her valve, filled her compartments, and
sank slowly.

The lantern of the periscope was again lighted; a sort
of black circle, which did not reflect the light, showed
itself in the dark part of the wall.

“There! There! The tunnel!” I cried.

Was it not the door through which I was going to
escape my prison? Was not Liberty awaiting me out-
side?

The Sword moved slowly towards the orifice.

A vague light appeared through the depths of the
tunnel, less than twenty yards in front. It was bearing
down upon us; it could only be the light projected by the
look-out of Ker Karraje’s boat.

“The tug!” I cried. “ Lieutenant, there is the tug!”

* Back her!” he shouted.

And the Sword backed at the moment it was about to
enter the tunnel.

There was still a chance of escape. With a rapid move-
ment the officer extinguished our lantern, and it was just
possible that neither Captain Spade nor any of his com-
panions had perceived us. Perhaps by our turning aside
the tug might pass us by. Perhaps our dark mass might
be lost in the lowest depths of the lagoon. Perhaps the