They ran the boat ashore hastily, and some of the men landed,
hurrying across the narrow head of the island toward the wreck,
while the rest put off again. Now there were but two men in the
stern, and the ten rowers bent to their work and were after us. We
could see that they were all armed, and the sun flashed from the
bright helms as they rose and fell at the work.
Phelim saw the men cross the island and groaned, fearing that when
they found nothing on the beach or in the sand hills they would
pass on to the village at once. But, like ourselves when we first
came ashore, they had no knowledge that a village was there, and it
was not to be seen as it nestled in its little valley. So they
bided on the shore and watched the chase as it began.
By the time that the big boat was after us in earnest, we had set a
full half mile between us and it, owing to the little delay in
landing the men. Then they hailed us again, but though we heard the
hail we paid no heed to it. So for a little while we held on, until
it was plain that the ten oars must needs wear down our four, and
then we stepped the mast and made sail, at least holding our own
under it and the oars. The northeast breeze was helping us, though
we must sail close-hauled, and my only fear was lest the pursuers
should do the same.
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