There, directly in the steamer's course and just out
of the moon's track, another faint light waved, so close to the water as
to be reflected in it. The moment the whistle broke out it ceased to
swing and when the whistle ceased the engines had stopped.
"What is it?" she asked again as Hugh stood by her looking out ahead
with eyes better trained to night use than hers.
"A skiff," he replied, "with some message."
She could see only that Watson had put the light on their starboard bow.
It seemed to drift toward them but she knew that the movement was the
steamer's, and now the light was so close as to show the negro who held
it. He stood poised to throw aboard a billet of wood with a note
attached. And now he cast it. The lower guards were out of Ramsey's line
of sight but a cry of disappointment told her the stick had fallen short
and would be lost under the great wheel, which at that moment, with its
fellow, "went ahead." But as the _Enchantress_ passed the skiff its
occupant called out a hurried statement to the mate, on the forecastle,
and as the skiff and its light swept astern the mate repeated the word
to the commodores.
"Man at Red River Landing accidentally shot. Must be got to the city
quick or he can't live."
The commodores, and then the lovers, resumed their seats.
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