There's naught for
it but to take a boat and give chase."
Someone suggested that Sal's own boat, the _Indefatigable Woman_,
would be lying off Runnell's Yard; and down to the waterside they all
ran, Pengelly gripping the tailor by the arm. They found the gig
moored there on a frape, dragged her to shore, and tumbled in.
Half a dozen men seized and shipped the oars: the tailor pitched
forward and driven to take the bow oar. Voices from shore sang out
all manner of different advice: but twas clear that no one knew which
way the press-boat had taken, nor to what ship she belonged.
To Hancock 'twas all like a sick dream. He hated the water; he had
on his thinnest clothes; the night began to strike damp and chilly,
with a lop of tide running up from Hamoaze and the promise of worse
below. Pengelly, who had elected himself captain, swore to hail
every ship he came across: and he did--though from the first he met
with no encouragement. "Ship, ahoy!" he shouted, coming down with a
rush upon the stern-windows of the first and calling to all to hold
water. "Ahoy! Ship!"
A marine poked his head over the taffrail. "Ship it is," said he.
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