But what was the use? As well die quick as slow, since there could be
but one end to it. And then, to his very great surprise, the boats crept
slowly out of sight round the corner of Coupee Bay, and he lay
wondering.
What could be the meaning of that? Why had they put in there? Why
couldn't they come on and finish the matter?
The sea was all deserted again. If he had not just happened to catch
sight of them stealing across there, he would have felt sure they were
not coming to-day.
Perhaps they were going to wait there till night, though why on earth
they should wait there instead of at the Creux, was past his
comprehension.
And then, after a time, to his amazement, he saw them all go crawling
back the way they had come. One, two, three, four--yes, they were all
there, and they crept slowly round Laches point and disappeared, and
left him gaping.
It was past believing. It was altogether beyond him. He lay, with his
eyes glued to the point round which they had gone, stupid with the
wonder of it.
They had actually given it up--for to-day, at least, and gone back! He
cudgelled his brains for the meaning of it all, till they grew dull and
weary with futile thinking.
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