Although the Britons had little hope or expectation of overtaking them,
yet, with that bull-dog tenacity characteristic of Englishmen, they
continued the chase.
"That danger is over," said Terrence, as they once more resumed their
seats in the boat.
"What would they have done with us, Terrence, had they captured us?"
"Faith, it's hard telling; but I think we'd found it unpleasant."
"Wasn't the fight fair?"
"As fair as iver one saw; but, begorra, it didn't turn out the way they
expected."
"Why, la sakes, they didn't think Fernando was goin' to miss, did they?"
said Sukey. "He ain't been shootin' squirrels out o' the tallest trees
in Ohio for nothin'."
"This lieutenant thought he was going to have some sport with a
greenhorn."
"Can you see them yet?" asked Fernando of Williams, who sat well up in
the stern holding the helm.
"Yes."
"How far are they away?"
"Two or three miles."
"And still a-coming?"
"Yes."
"Plague take 'em!" growled Sukey, "why do they follow us so
persistently?"
"May be they think to get us when we go ashore; but, bad luck to thim,
they'll find it tough if they come afther us."
"Fernando, I wish we had our rifles," growled Sukey. "Wouldn't we make
it unprofitable for the redcoats!"
Fernando was rather non-communicative, and sat in the bow of the boat
lost in painful meditation. He had shed blood.
Pages:
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152