256 FOR THE FLAG

pursuit had been suspended, and whether the Sword would
be able to rush through the tunnel.

Then there was a collision. The shock did not seem to
be very violent. But I could not be mistaken. The Sword
had been run into on her starboard quarter. Perhaps,
however, the iron plates of her hull would resist the shock,
or even, in the contrary case, perhaps the water might not
enter farther than the compartments.

Almost ‘immediately a second blow struck the Sword,
this time with terrible violence. It was as though the
boat were lifted up by the ram of the tug, against which it
sawed, so to. speak, as it turned away. Then I felt that
we stood upright, bow up, and sank perpendicularly
by the weight of the water which filled the stern compart-
ment.

Suddenly my companion and I, being unable to cling
to the partition, were flung head over heels on top of one
another. Then, after a last blow, the Sword grated upon
the sea floor with a sound of ripping plates and became
motionless,

From that moment I do not know what happened, for I
lost consciousness,

I have just learned that hours—many hours—have since
passed. The only thing I can remember is my last
thought :

If I die, at least Thomas Roch and his secret die with
me...and the pirates of Backcup will not escape the
punishment of their crimes !