Page:A Sailor Boy with Dewey.djvu/252

234 He was right about the Chinamen. The small boat had left the junk and was moving up the shore as swiftly as the oarsmen could drive it through the surf. Captain Kenny was again on board, but Ah Sid was missing.

"They are going to make for the beach and attack us from land," exclaimed Dan.

"Can't we hit him with the howitzer?" asked Matt Gory. "You are afther bein' a foine shot, Brown."

"I'll try it," answered the mate, and once again the cannon was loaded. To sight the piece was difficult, as the small boat danced up and down on the waves incessantly.

When the howitzer was touched off it was seen that the shot had passed over the small boat. That it had come clgse, however, was proven by the consternation on board, several of the Celestials having dropped their oars in terror.

"Missed!" muttered Watt Brown. "Try the muskets."

We at once complied, the mate firing with us. But the distance was too great for those who were not sharpshooters, and none of the bullets took effect, excepting upon the small boat.

Before the howitzer could be loaded again the party landed and, hauling the rowboat up on the sands, they ran for the shelter of the trees and rocks.