by Paul Moxham
Will moved fast and went headfirst through the hole. Joe reached out and grabbed his arms to help him through but, at that very moment, Rocky grabbed his feet!
Will was caught in the middle as both parties tried to drag him either way. He knew that the situation was hopeless since Rocky was a lot stronger. “Go!”
Joe didn’t want to leave him. But he had to. “I’ll be back!” he cried out, as he let go, turned, and stumbled through the cave. He tripped but pulled himself back up almost straight away.
He made his way to the entrance of the cave, paused, and glanced out. He could see the dinghy and some men farther up the beach, but no one close by. Knowing that Rocky would be onto him at any moment, he left the cave and ran to the cliff.
He was just in time. Rocky appeared at the entrance of the cave and scoured the beach with his torch. The light bounced off the cliff wall near where Joe was hiding, but as he was behind the rock, Rocky couldn’t see him.
Rocky called out to the men down the beach. “Dan! Louis!” He walked over to meet them.
Joe stood up. Now was his chance. He turned towards Smugglers Cove but was shocked to see a torch light bobbing to and fro. Someone was coming towards him!
He couldn’t go that way and he couldn’t stay where he was. He suddenly remembered the alcove that he and Will had hid in previously. He left the cliff and climbed up the rocks.
The full moon provided him with some light to see, which was handy as it would have been almost impossible to climb up the rocks, along the little walkway, past the window, and into the alcove in complete darkness.
Joe sat down and waited. There was nothing he could do now except sit and watch the men below. They had started searching the beach and the caves, and he just hoped that they didn’t climb up to where he was.
Time passed. The search stopped and a group of men gathered near the waters edge. He heard the voices of the others and, glancing below, saw that they were being led to the dingy.
This caught Joe by surprise. He had assumed that the crooks would have just tied them up and left them in the caves, but now it looked as though they were going to be taken with them. He was shocked. Utterly shocked. Although he knew that the men were going to France, he didn’t know which part.
He realised that Mr Spencer must have heard something when the two men had been drinking in the cave. Thinking back, he remembered that he did hear a French name but couldn’t recall what it was. This was why the men were taking them as prisoners. They didn’t want them to report to the police where they were going to be landing.
Joe stood up and peered down as he saw his friends climb into the small craft. Wanting to get a better view, he headed down the rocks and made his way along the cliff until he was close by. He watched in horror as the dinghy headed out into the water. He didn’t want to stand there and do nothing, but what could he do? He started to run towards Smugglers Cove but stopped as he realised that he had no idea how to contact the inspector and even if he did, he wouldn’t get to the beach within twenty minutes. And any longer than that would be too late.
Joe glanced back and saw the remaining men sitting on the beach. Only a few boxes were in sight. They must be waiting for the dinghy to return. He sat down and tried to think of a plan.
After a few minutes, he had come up with only one option. It was a wild idea, but one so wild that it might just actually work. He hadn’t worked out the finer details yet, but he knew what he had to do first.
Joe crept along the beach until he was quite a distance from the men. He then headed closer to the water’s edge. Once there, he waited.
Five minutes passed before he caught sight of the dinghy approaching. He walked into the water until it was chest height and then, slowly but surely, waded towards the men.
Once he was close, he descended lower into the water. He didn’t want to take any chances with the men seeing him, though he was pretty confident that they would be busy looking towards the approaching craft.
Joe paused as he moved closer. He watched as Rocky joined Constable Howard in the boat and took the oars. Dan loaded the remaining boxes in, tied them down, and pushed the small craft out into the water before also jumping aboard.
Now was the moment that Joe had been waiting for. He waded towards the craft as quickly as he could. He had been hoping the men would use a rope to tie down the boxes, and he had kept his eyes glued to the leftover rope Dan had thrown to the back of the dinghy. Luckily, the end of it had fallen off the side and was now dragging in the water.
Joe rushed through the water as fast as he could as the craft, now powered by the strong arms of Rocky, headed out of the cove.
Joe thought he could keep up, but the dinghy began to pull away. Desperation shot through his head as he realised that, if he failed to grab the rope, it would be all over. This was his very last chance.
Strength he never knew he possessed shot through him and he swam towards the small craft faster than he had ever swam before. His arms yelled out in pain and his legs burnt in agony, but he was determined. He was not going to let his sisters down. No one, not even fully grown men could defeat him. Not now, not ever.
Approaching the craft, he reached out for the lone piece of rope. Closer, closer, until he finally clutched it in his hand. Just like that, all his strength seemed to be zapped from him and he stopped swimming. He clutched onto the rope with both hands and held on tight as it unravelled a number of feet before it pulled tight.
The waves lapped at Joe’s face as he held on. His arms were burning. As the dinghy travelled farther into the cove, he realised what he had got himself into.
If he were to let go now, he would be all alone in the middle of the cove. And, with exhaustion almost upon him, there would be no chance of him being able to swim back to the beach. This was a scary thought.
Joe didn’t know how he managed to keep hanging on, minute after minute, but he did. He caught a glimpse of a big boat moored at the entrance of the cove and he knew that he was nearly at his destination.
He was happy that he had reached the vessel, though now the next part of his wild plan had to be put into action.
Waiting until the last possible minute, Joe let go of the rope as the dinghy came to a stop. He swam away and headed towards the stern of the boat. He was looking for the rope ladder that he had climbed the other time he was on the boat.
He was tired out and his swimming strokes were smaller than before, but he kept on going. Not long to go now, he thought.
He reached the stern and stopped in amazement. No ladder could be seen. And, for that matter, no rowboat. Fear struck him. Where could it be? Surely the men hadn’t pulled it up? Was his plan going to come undone now?
Joe glanced back at the dinghy and saw that it was nearly on the deck. A moment later, he heard a strange sound. He dog paddled while he waited to see what it was and realised, as a metal object came out of the water, that it was the anchor being pulled up.
Joe’s heart froze in fear. He had been fairly optimistic about the plan when he started, but now, with the vessel getting ready to set sail and no rope ladder, he would be left all alone in the choppy and wild waters. And, with his arms and legs almost at the point of exhaustion, there was no way that he would be able to swim even a quarter of the way to the shore.
With a sick feeling, Joe realised that it was all over. He had come so close to saving those he loved the most, but now, with no options left, he was going to die a lonely death. And it would all be for nothing.
Chapter 25: Bound For France
Joe frowned as something occurred to him. He swam around the stern to the other side and smiled. In front of him lay the rope ladder. The men hadn’t pulled it up at all! He had been looking on the wrong side.
He quickly swam over to it and climbed up. He was just in time. A moment later, the boat was underway, slowly chugging away from the coast.
Once on deck, Joe paused. He could hear voices, but they were some distance away. Staying close to
the railing, he walked along the deck. He passed several rooms and looked through the windows but learnt nothing of interest.
Joe continued towards the front of the vessel. He could hear voices as he approached the bridge and saw that Constable Howard was in the wheelhouse.
Suddenly, the door next to the wheelhouse opened and out stepped a crewmember. He entered the wheelhouse and began speaking to Constable Howard.
Not wanting to be seen, Joe decided to head back, having noted that the room from which the man had emerged was the radio room.
Joe headed to the middle of the boat and saw a hatch, which, he presumed, would lead to the cabins below deck. He quietly opened it and listened. There were faint voices. He hurried down the stairs, closing the hatch behind him.
Once in the hallway, he could hear voices coming from one direction. He couldn’t risk going that way, so he headed the other way, stopping beside each cabin door to see if it was locked.
A minute later, he found a room that had a key in it. He turned the key and opened the door. Joe smiled as he saw the others tied up and sitting in the small cabin. They couldn’t believe their eyes.
Sarah smiled as she quietly yelled out, “Joe!”
Amy shook her head, stunned. “Golly, how on earth did you get here?”
Joe smiled as he closed the door. “It wasn’t easy.”
Will grinned from ear to ear. “You’re the best.”
Mr Spencer was also smiling. “I don’t know how you did it, Joe, but well done. Now untie us and let’s see if we can get off this boat.”
Joe untied Mr Spencer. Once he was free, the two of them went to work on the others. Just as the last person was freed, footsteps sounded nearby.
“Quiet!” Mr Spencer said. They waited in silence as the footsteps got closer and closer. To Joe’s dismay, they stopped directly outside the door. He heard a click.
Mr Spencer rushed forward and reached out for the door handle, but it was too late. He slumped and turned around. “He locked it.”
Joe slammed his fist upon the bed, angry. “I should have taken the key out.”
Mr Spencer shook his head as he sat down on the bed. “He must have decided to check the door and found that it was unlocked. So, even if you had taken the key, I’m sure he would have noticed and come in. At least we’re untied now.”
“But what good is that if we can’t escape?” Sarah cried.
“I should have just used the radio to call for help,” Joe said.
“The radio?” Mr Spencer asked.
“Yes, I saw it on the way here,” Joe replied. “Why?”
“We can use it to contact Inspector Price,” Mr Spencer said eagerly. “Once he knows that we are heading to Toulville, he’ll contact his French counterpart. Then, as we enter the harbour, the police will surround us.”
“But how do we get to the radio?” Amy asked.
Mr Spencer smile softened. “Well, I haven’t got an answer to that at the moment.”
Amy stood up and walked over to the small porthole. “If only this porthole wasn’t so dirty. Then at least we could see out.”
“Open it then,” Mr Spencer muttered.
As Amy did so, Will suddenly smiled. “Of course.” He headed over to where Amy was and looked through the porthole. He glanced up and saw that a rope ladder, the same one that Joe climbed up, was nearby. It was perfect. Well, nearly perfect.
Will turned to the others. “One of us can go through the porthole, use the ladder to climb up onto the deck, and radio for help.”
Mr Spencer quickly stood up. “That’s a brilliant idea. Why didn’t we think of it sooner?” He strode towards the porthole, glanced out, and saw the ladder. He tried putting his arms out and reaching for it, but it was no use. His size prevented him from leaning out far enough. “I’m afraid I can’t go. It will have to be someone smaller.”
“I’ll try,” Will said. He was okay with putting his head out, but when the others took hold of his legs and pushed him out in an effort to reach out and grab onto the rope ladder, his hips couldn’t fit through the hole.
They pulled Will back in and Joe tried. But he also failed. Amy was the next to try and she was nearly successful, but not quite. The others pulled her back and Sarah tried.
With Mr Spencer holding her legs, she reached out for the ladder. Everyone held their breath as, with each passing moment, she got closer.
Then, just like that, her waist was through. Because of this, she was able to reach her fingers out and touch the ladder.
Mr Spencer brought Sarah back inside and everyone sighed with relief as she came back into the cabin and sat down. Mr Spencer closed the porthole.
Everyone was silent for a moment as they digested what this information meant. Will had been the one to think of this plan, but even he wasn’t too keen on Sarah attempting it. He voiced his opinion to the others. “I think we should think of another plan.”
Mr Spencer agreed. “It’s too risky.”
“Why? Because I’m a girl?” Sarah said.
“You’re only eight years old,” Joe broke in. “You’re just a baby.”
Sarah shook her head. “Just because I’m eight doesn’t mean I can’t do the same things as you.”
Mr Spencer looked at Sarah. “You were just able to touch the ladder that time. And that isn’t good enough. Once I let go, you will be all on your own. So if you can’t hold onto the ladder, you’ll fall into the sea.”
Joe glanced around the cabin. His eyes came to rest upon the rope that the others had been tied up with. He walked over and picked it up. Holding a piece, he turned to Mr Spencer. “If we were to tie these together, and then tie one end to Sarah, it wouldn’t be so dangerous.”
Mr Spencer nodded and smiled. “That’s an excellent idea. Then if she falls, we’ll be able to pull her back in.”
Joe gave the rope to Mr Spencer and reached for the other pieces. With the others watching on, Mr Spencer tied the small pieces of rope together. He then pulled on it. Satisfied that it would hold, he tied one end around Sarah’s waist.
Suddenly, the boat pitched to one side. Everyone reached out and grabbed onto something as all loose objects tumbled to one side.
“What was that?” Joe asked, surprised.
Mr Spencer got to his feet and made his way to the porthole. He frowned. The others crowded around.
As far as the eye could see, a black mass of angry clouds hung over the sky. Rain thundered down and pelted onto the side of the boat. The wind whipped at Mr Spencer’s hair.
Mr Spencer looked towards the others. “We’ll have to delay the escape. With the rain, that ladder will be wet and slippery. It was tough before, but it will be impossible now.”
“I can still do it,” Sarah said, determined. “What if the storm lasts till we get to France?”
“Well,” Mr Spencer replied, “we—”
“Just let me try,” Sarah said. “I know I can do it.”
Mr Spencer looked to the others. “What do you think?”
Will slowly nodded. “The storm could go on for hours.”
“And we do have the rope,” Amy pointed out.
Mr Spencer nodded. “Okay. Now, for this to work, after I grab onto Sarah’s legs, I will need someone to hold onto the rope. Sarah will need every inch she can get, so I will be leaning out as much as I can. And I can’t do two things at once.”
“You can count on us,” Joe said. He looked towards Sarah and quickly explained where the radio room was.
As he did so, Mr Spencer caught sight of a pencil and some paper. Using the pencil, he drew something. He then looked towards Sarah as Joe finished speaking. “I’m drawing you a diagram of the radio. I will circle the switches that you will need to turn on. You’ve seen a radio before, haven’t you?”
Sarah nodded. “Uncle Roland has one.”
“Good. Now, after you have done all that, repeat the phrase mayday and keep switching the frequency until someone answers. Once they do, tell them to conta
ct the police and tell them that crooks will be landing at Toulville. You got that?”
Sarah nodded. “Then what?”
“Turn the radio off and hide somewhere until the police come.”
“Why can’t she come back here and let us out?” Amy said.
Mr Spencer shook his head. “It’s vital that the crooks think that we are locked up here. If they think that the police are waiting for them at Toulville, they will simply go to another port.” He finished drawing and handed the piece of paper to Sarah.
He then walked over to the porthole and opened it again. The storm was still as fierce as before, but at least this would cover up the noise of Sarah moving about on deck.
With the rope around her waist, Sarah started to edge out through the porthole. Mr Spencer grabbed onto her legs. The others held onto the rope.
The rain lashed at Sarah’s face, but this didn’t affect her one bit. She had a job to do, and she was determined to do it. She got closer and closer to the ladder as Mr Spencer leaned farther out.
She managed to touch it with her hand and tried to pull it towards her so she could place both hands on it. The ladder inched closer and closer. Suddenly, the rope started to come apart.
Chapter 26: One Last Chance
Mr Spencer yelled out. “I’m bringing you back.”
“No!” Sarah reached out and grabbed the ladder firmly with one hand. She kicked her feet, forcing Mr Spencer to let go. He watched in horror as Sarah hung onto the ladder with one hand.
“What’s happening?” the others yelled.
“She’s hanging on by one hand,” Mr Spencer said. He watched as Sarah reached out with her other hand and grabbed the ladder tightly. He sighed with relief. It looked as though things were going to be all right.
Sarah gave a slight smile as she climbed up the wet, slippery ladder. Things had been touch and go for a few moments, but now she was fine.
Reaching the deck, she brushed her wet hair out of her face and looked around. It was hard to see much with the rain lashing everywhere, but at least she knew the direction of the radio room.
