At one instant the prison door had opened, at the next it had closed.

The picture which had presented itself to the eyes of the convicts was as momentary as are those of the thaumatoscope.

The period of time that had elapsed between the opening and the shutting of the door could have been marked by the musket shot.
The report of another shot, and then a noise of confused cries, mingled with the clashing of arms, informed the imprisoned men that the ship had been alarmed.

How would it go with their friends on deck?
Would they succeed in overcoming the guards, or would they be beaten back?
They would soon know; and in the hot dusk, straining their eyes to see each other, they waited for the issue Suddenly the noises ceased, and a strange rumbling sound fell upon the ears of the listeners.
* * * * * What had taken place?
This--the men pouring out of the darkness into the sudden glare of the lanterns, rushed, bewildered, across the deck.

Miles, true to his promise, did not fire, but the next instant Vickers had snatched the firelock from him, and leaping into the stream, turned about and fired down towards the prison.