27
　　Escape
　　‘Sh!’ said Jack¹ fiercely, and pointed² over his shoulder towards the guard. But it was too late. Theman awoke with a jump, as the shouting penetrated³ into his dreams. He sat up blinking, and then,seeing the brilliant light streaming up from the open hatch, he leapt to his feet.
　　Bill had the sense to switch off the light. Now all was darkness. Bill began to climb up thehatchway, and the guard began to shout.
　　‘What’s all this? Hi, what are you doing? Who’s there?’
　　Philip sprang at him and tried to push him overboard, but the man was strong and began tostruggle. In the end it was poor Philip who was thrown overboard, with a most terrific splash. ThenBill came up and, guided by the sound of the panting of the guard, hit out with his right fist. Thesurprised guard felt the sudden blow and reeled over. Bill put out a foot, hoping to trip him, anddown he went to the deck. In a trice Bill was on top of him, and Jack came to help. ‘Who was thatgoing overboard?’ panted Bill.
　　‘Philip,’ answered Jack, sitting firmly on the guard’s legs. ‘He’s all right. He can swim to theother boat.’
　　‘Get the guard down into the cabin,’ ordered Bill. ‘Where’s the other fellow – Tipperlong? Theidiot spoilt the whole show.’
　　Horace was standing⁴ well out of the way, wondering what was happening. He could hear pantsand groans⁵ and strugglings, and he was scared. Then there came another yell from the guard, anddown the man went into the cabin, slithering sideways down the steps.
　　Bang! The hatch shut down on him and Bill slid the bolt across.
　　‘He’s safe for the moment,’ said Bill grimly. ‘Now let’s get the boat going, quick! We’ll be offbefore the enemy know what we’re up to!’
　　‘That’s what I planned we’d do!’ panted Jack, thrilled that his wildest hopes seemed to becoming true. ‘How do we start up the engine? Blow this darkness! I haven’t a torch on me.’
　　The guard below was kicking up a terrific row. He was yelling and banging for all he wasworth. Bill made his way in the darkness to the wheel of the boat.

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