All weapons were carefully hidden, and the dozen older
men, who were all that were left in sight, were directed to loll about, as
though suffering from long exposure or fatigue.
The haze was thickening, so there was little danger of the people aboard
the launch noticing the manoeuvre.
The launch had, however, sighted the boat. There was no doubt about that,
for she had altered her course, and was coming straight towards them.
'Beastly fuggy under here!' growled Roy in Ken's ear.
'Take it easy, old chap. We shan't have long to wait.'
Ken's father heard, and bent down.
'She's within a mile. Mind you don't move till I give the word.'
'All right, dad,' came the muffled response from under the tarpaulin. 'How
big is she?'
'A good size. She looks as if she carried a score of men. And there's a
6-pounder in her bows.'
Soon she was so near that Ken clearly heard the beat of her engine. His
breath came quick and short. The critical moment was very near.
The revolutions slackened, and a man hailed from the launch, speaking, to
Ken's dismay, in harsh German.
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