I'm better now.

But hasn't it grown dark rather suddenly ?" "Yes, sir," I said; for I felt in my excitement as if it would be impossible to enter into explanations then.
"But we're in motion." "Hooray!" Every one took up that cheer; for the combined efforts of the men who rowed the laden craft, and the tugging of two boats' crews of men straining with all their might at their stout ashen blades, had the required effect.

We were indeed in motion, and going steadily down the stream.
"Ahoy, there: Mr Reardon!" "Answer him, Herrick," said Mr Reardon; and I hailed again.
"Can you keep them off with your fire ?" "Say, yes." "Yes; all right," I cried.
"Then we'll tow you out as fast as we can." "Thank Heaven," I heard Mr Reardon whisper, as he crouched there, listening to the yelling, gong-beating, and firing, and with our men replying from time to time whenever there seemed a chance.
And now the bullets from the matchlocks began to patter upon the bales; for the banks were growing lower and lower, and the trees more open, but not a man was hit; and after another quarter of an hour's sharp replying we heard fresh cheering, the overshadowing trees on the banks suddenly began to grow distant.

Then it became lighter still, with the stars twinkling over head and the lights of the _Teaser_ apparently close at hand.
But the enemy, enraged at our escape, now crowded down to the bank and began to fire rapidly, while the men replied till the _crack crack_ and _ping ping_ of the rifles was silenced,--the men stopping as if by mutual consent.

For there was a flash from the side of the _Teaser_ right in front of us, a shell whistled over our heads and crashed in among the trees where the petty firing of the matchlocks was kept up.
Then--_crash_! the shell sent shrieking amongst them exploded, and all was still but the steady beating of our oars.
"Are you much hurt, sir ?" I said to Mr Reardon; but Ching took the inquiry to himself.
"Velly stiff; velly hungly," he said.
"I wasn't speaking to you," I cried angrily; for my temper seemed to have suddenly grown painfully acid, and a titter rose from among the men.
"No, Mr Herrick, scarcely at all.