Colonsay, Islay of
McCrimmin.... Iristrahull was on the weather beam.... They swung
eastward.... Irishowen Head showed off the port bow.... On an August
afternoon, they slipped into Lough Foyle....

Section 15

The soft luminosity of a summer night was in it ... and a little moon,
which Shane damned.... Before them rose the outline of Donegal.... On
each beam they could see faintly the outlines of the bay's arms.... The
schooner moved under jibs and mizzen.... From the bow was the splash of
the lead....

"By the mark, fine!"

"Luff her a little, a little more ... steady!"

"Four fathoms, no bottom!"

"Keep her off a point!"

"By the deep, four!"

"How's the bottom?"

"Clean and sandy, sir!"

"No bottom at three!"

"Ready for'a'd to let go?"

"All ready, sir!"

"The mark three, no bottom!"

"Lee--o!... Hold her!"

The long swish of oars, the rattle of oar-locks.... A voice rapping out:

"Rest on the oars!" And then: "Schooner ahoy!"

Shane's heart sank. He gave no answer.

"What ship is that?" The voice rang over the little bay ... found a
grotesque echo in some cliff....

"Who are you?"

"His Majesty's coast-guards. Stand by. Coming aboard. Lay on your oars,
men!"

And then ... a long instant.... "Toss oars!"

"Bring her into the wind!" Shane ordered....

A scramble alongside, and some one was coming over the waist rail.... A
firm step on deck.... Some one was smiling....

"My name's Flannagan, Lieutenant Flannagan.... Sorry, Mr. Campbell, we
can't let you land ... your cargo or your passenger...."

"I don't understand."

"Well, sir, we know what your cargo is, and my orders are not to let you
land. And I was to tell you, sir, that you couldn't land anywhere."

"By God! I knew it would end like this.... Are we under arrest?"

"No, sir.... You are just not to land. I'm sorry, sir, but.... Orders!"

"Then what the blazes am I going to do?"

"Jove, I don't know. Can't you bring the cargo back where you got it?"

"I suppose I'll have to do that. But my passenger.... I can put her
ashore."

"I'm sorry, sir. But your passenger can't go ashore, anywhere, any time,
in her Majesty's dominions."

"Hmm!"

He heard her quick step on the companionway.

"Shane."

"Shane, are you there?"

"Shane, Shane, what's wrong?" She came into the shrouded light of the
binnacle. "Shane, who--who is this?"

"My name's Flannagan, Miss O'Malley--royal navy--I'm sorry; you can't
land."

"What