There is one danger, however, and that is, that it may be swept back by the returning tide, cast up on the island, and fall into the hands of the crew of the Ebba when the schooner is hauled into her creek.  If Ker Karraje ever gets hold of it, it will be all up with me.

It will be readily conceived with what anxiety I have awaited the moment to make the attempt:  I am in a perfect fever of excitement, for it is a matter of life or death to me.  I calculate from previous observations that the tide will be very low at about a quarter to nine.  The top of the tunnel ought then to be a foot and a half above water, which is more than enough to permit of the keg passing through it.  It will be another half hour at least before the flow sets in again, and by that time the keg may be far enough away to escape being thrown back on the coast.

I peer out of my cell.  There is no one about, and I advance to the side of the lagoon, where by the light of a nearby lamp, I perceive the arch of the tunnel, towards which the current seems to be setting pretty swiftly.

I go down to the very edge, and cast in the keg which contains the precious document and all my hopes.

“God be with it!” I fervently exclaim.  “God be with it!”

For a minute or two the little barrel remains stationary, and then floats back to the side again.  I throw it out once more with all my strength.

This time it is in the track of the current, which to my great joy sweeps it along and in twenty seconds, it has disappeared in the tunnel.

Yes, God be with it!  May Heaven guide thee, little barrel!  May it protect all those whom Ker Karraje menaces and grant that this band of pirates may not escape from the justice of man!

CHAPTER XIV.

BATTLE BETWEEN THE “SWORD” AND THE TUG.

Through all this sleepless night I have followed the keg in fancy.  How many times I seem to see it swept against the rocks in the tunnel into a creek, or some excavation.  I am in a cold perspiration from head to foot.  Then I imagine that it has been carried out to sea.  Heavens! if the returning tide should sweep it back to the entrance and then through the tunnel into the lagoon!  I must be on the lookout for it.

I rise before the sun and saunter down to the lagoon.  Not a single object is floating on its calm surface.

The work on the tunnel through the side of the cavern goes on, and at four o’clock in the afternoon on September 23, Engineer Serko blows away the last rock obstructing the issue, and communication with the outer world is established.  It is only a very narrow hole, and one has to stoop to go through it.  The exterior orifice is lost among the crannies of the rocky coast, and it would be easy to obstruct it, if such a measure became necessary.

It goes without saying that the passage will be strictly guarded.  No one without special authorization will be able either to go out or come in, therefore there is little hope of escape in that direction.