It was impossible to determine as yet whether or not the island steamer was at her berth, so they could only push on boldly and trust to luck.
Hozier, never for an instant forgetting Iris, saw that Marcel still remained with his leader.

Under these new circumstances, it certainly would be a piece of folly to send back until they were sure of the launch.

So he hurried after them, struggling the while into a coat far too small, though fortunate in the fact that his captive's head was big in proportion to the rest of his body.
Some few men were met, running from the town to the main road where they had located the shooting.

Each breathlessly demanded news, and was forthwith given most disconcerting information by a savage blow.
The _Andromeda_ had received no quarter, and her crew retaliated now.
They did not deliberately murder anyone, but they took good care that none of those whom they encountered would be in a condition to work mischief until the night was ended.
It was a peculiar and exasperating fact that although they were descending a steep incline to the harbor the presence of trees and houses rendered it impossible to see the actual landing-place.

Hence, there was no course open but to race on at the utmost speed, though De Sylva was careful to keep his small force compact, and its pace was necessarily that of its slowest members.