While Augie and I pressed against the hull where we were out of sight of any of the portholes, Charlie silently opened the door, slipped through, and disappeared. Several minutes passed during which I hardly dared to breathe. I began to feel cramped and even though it was warm, my teeth were trying to chatter. Then from inside the Big Boat I heard a noise—as though someone had dropped a large sack of potatoes. In another minute Charlie was back holding the door open.
“Welcome aboard, gentlemen,” he invited.
We didn’t waste time. While Charlie was back inside tying up his man, Augie and I pulled out and launched another rubber boat and stocked it with firearms. Then, as soon as Charlie was ready, we climbed into the boat and paddled rapidly for the shore. Time was running out on us and we
