Fiction > Book editions > London, 1886 - Kidnapped

176                                   KIDNAPPED.
all who were on deck tumbled one after another into
the skiff and fell to their oars. They were not two
hundred yards away, when there came a third great sea;
and at that the brig lifted clean over the reef; her
canvas filled for a moment, and she seemed to sail in
chase of them, but settling all the while; and presently
she drew down and down, as if a hand was drawing her;
and the sea closed over the Covenant of Dysart.
Never a word they spoke as they pulled ashore,
being stunned with the horror of that screaming; but
they had scarce set foot upon the beach when Hoseason
woke up, as if out of a muse, and bade them lay hands
upon Alan. They hung back indeed, having little taste
for the employment; but Hoseason was like a fiend;
crying that Alan was alone, that he had a great sum
about him, that he had been the means of losing the
brig and drowning all their comrades, and that here was
both revenge and wealth upon a single cast. It was
seven against one; in that part of the shore there was
no rock that Alan could set his back to; and the sailors
began to spread out and come behind him.
"And then," said Alan, "the little man with the
red head-I havenae mind of the name that he is
called."
"Riach," said I.
"Ay," said Alan, "Riach! Well, it was him that
took up the clubs for me, asked the men if they werenae
feared of a judgment, and says he, 'Dod, I'll put my
back to the Hielandman's mysel'.' That's none such an