But could I hope to attain the ship in advance of the returning party of raiders?
To succeed in my object this must be done, because the moment these reached the deck the bark would hastily depart for the open sea.

And if I was to accomplish this end it must be attempted at once.

The call to action, the possibility of thus being of service to Dorothy, seemed instantly to awaken all my dormant energies; the painful chafing of my wounds was forgotten, while new strength returned miraculously to my bruised body.

God helping me, I would try! My brain throbbed with fresh resolution--the call to action.
There were oars in the boat.

I had noticed these dumbly before, but now I drew them eagerly forth from the bottom, and quickly fitted them into the oarlocks.