Finally, if the Indians made good their footing, the defenders
were to rally towards the saloon companion where steam jets were ready
to spurt withering blasts along the corridors.
It was a good plan, and might have kept at bay an enemy of higher valor
than the Alaculofs, provided they were not armed with rifles. Against
modern weapons of long range nothing could be done. If Suarez did not
exaggerate, therein lay the real danger. Courtenay wished to make sure
at the outset of the number of guns carried by the savages; it was also
important to know whether their marksmen were distributed, or crowded
together in one or two canoes. If the latter, he would give those
warriors his special attention.
His binocular glasses were not strong enough so he walked back towards
the chart-house to procure a telescope. Catching Joey under his left
arm, he climbed the short ladder leading to the spar deck, and pulled
it up after him, the bolts having been already removed to permit of
that being done. Walker was screwing tight the door of the
engine-room, in order to safeguard the fireman in attendance on the
donkey-boiler.
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