Chapter 75

The sinking sun flashed crimson on mast and sail and hull as the boats, getting under way, crept out of the shadow of Tiger Island. Red shirts, red bandanas gleamed; red sunset light glinted on rifle and shotgun; the wild shouts became a sustained and yelling uproar; boats fouled; were fended off, fought clear with curses and blows from pole and oar; the staccato racket of launches echoed over the water, drink-crazed men began to shoot at the distant, sunlit islands toward which they were headed; futile volleys fro…