Facing the Flag · Chapter
God Be with It explained
Simon Hart, imprisoned in the pirate lair of Back Cup, observes the power of Thomas Roch's fulgurator as it is used to blast a tunnel through the cavern wall.
What happens
Simon Hart, imprisoned in the pirate lair of Back Cup, observes the power of Thomas Roch's fulgurator as it is used to blast a tunnel through the cavern wall. He devises a plan to send a message in a keg through the submarine tunnel during low tide, hoping it will reach the outside world and expose Ker Karraje's operations. After several anxious attempts, the keg is swept away by the current, carrying his plea for rescue.
Themes in this chapter
Imprisonment and Escape
Hart's desperate attempt to send a message in a keg represents a bid for escape from the pirate stronghold.
Technology and Destruction
Roch's fulgurator demonstrates immense destructive power, used to blast through solid rock.
Piracy and Criminality
Ker Karraje's pirate band operates from Back Cup, using advanced technology to commit crimes with impunity.
Characters to notice
- Simon Hart
Narrator and prisoner; observes the fulgurator's power and devises the keg message plan.
- Engineer Serko
Supervises the tunnel blasting and displays ironic cordiality toward Hart.
- Thomas Roch
Works in his laboratory; his fulgurator is used to blast the tunnel.
- Ker Karraje
Pirate leader; mentioned as the true identity of Count d'Artigas and the target of Hart's message.
Key passages
“God be with it!”
May divine providence guide this keg to safety.
Hart's fervent prayer as he launches the keg into the current.
“The pickaxes hardly made any impression on the rock, but its disaggregation was effected with really remarkable facility by means of the fulgurator.”
While pickaxes failed, the fulgurator easily shattered the rock into fine dust.
Demonstrates the superior power of Roch's explosive.