At any rate, it would be better to take our chance there than to see the inside of a Russian prison." "If you send a man along the road to that crest," Lieutenant Myers suggested, "he will see them coming, and if we all keep close to the boat, we may get out of gunshot in time." A sailor was accordingly despatched up the hill.

The instant he reached the top he was seen to turn hastily, and to come running back at full speed.
"Now, lads," Mr.Simmonds said, "put your shoulders to her.

Now, all together, get her into the water, and be ready to jump in and push off when Atkins arrives." When the sailor was still a hundred yards away the head of a column of Russian infantry appeared over the crest.

When they saw the boat they gave a shout, and breaking, ran down the hill at full speed.

Before they reached the village, however, Atkins had leaped into the boat, and with a cheer the men ran her out into the surf, and scrambled in.
"Out oars, lads, and row for your lives!" Mr.Simmonds said, and, with steady strokes the sailors drove their boat through the waves.
The Russians opened fire the instant they reached the beach, but the boat was already 150 yards away, and although the bullets fell thickly round, no one was hit.
"I think, Mr.Myers," Lieutenant Simmonds said, "we had better lay-to, before we get quite out of shelter of the bay.