Returning outside, he carefully pulled the skiff alongside, got aboard with a pair of oars, and cast off.
At first he rowed very gently in the direction of the station, fearing the chance of noise if he made undue haste.

But gradually he increased the strength of his strokes till he had settled down to the regular stride.

When he had covered half the distance he glanced about.

Escape was sure now, for he knew, even if he were discovered, that it would be impossible for the _Dazzler_ to get under way and head him off before he made the land and the protection of that man who wore the uniform of Uncle Sam's soldiers.
The report of a gun came to him from the shore, but his back was in that direction and he did not bother to turn around.

A second report followed, and a bullet cut the water within a couple of feet of his oar-blade.