Then they could take a good look for us in the open water next morning, and, failing to find us, steam all around Ukerewe, come back down the inside passage, and catch us between two banks.
It was Lady Saffren Waldon on my left hand, looking anywhere but at her maid and sweeping the dark waste of water with eyes as restless as the waves themselves, who gave the first alarm.
"What is that light ?" she asked me.
Following the direction of her hand I saw a red glow on the water to our left, not more than a mile behind.
"Reflection from the burning town," I answered, but I had no sooner said it than I knew the answer was foolish.

It was the glow that rides above hot steamer funnels in the night.
"Fred!" I shouted, for fear took hold of the very roots of my heart, "for the love of God make every one keep silence! Show no lights! Don't speak above a whisper! Keep all heads below the gunwale! That cursed German launch is after us!" We were in double danger.

I could hear surf pounding on rocks to starboard.

I did not dare to come up into the wind because nobody but I knew how the spar would have to be passed around the mast, and in any case the noise and the fluttering sail might attract attention.
"Look out for breakers ahead!" I ordered.

"I'm going to hold this course and hope they pass us in the dark!".