"If we swim to the English they will mistake us for spies or Spaniards.

And we are too far from the shore." "In a day or two," said Ludar, "unless the English stop us, we should be near the French Coast.

Wait till then.

Perchance your master has a better chance for his type after all than he thinks for." But any plan of escape was fated to be thwarted then and there, even as we laid it.

For as we passed a black corner, turning below towards our bunk, there came a sudden gleam and a Spanish curse out of the darkness, and Ludar, next moment, with the blood rushing from his side, staggered forward and fell to the ground.
In an instant, before the villain could slink away, I had him by the neck.