Part 33 (2/2)

”Over the trees, behind azed at a warloay beyond the forest

”No, sir; the moon She'll soon be up, and we in at once,” said Mark, decisively

”Right, sir The lads have soot two good hard fists; and it strikes ive the word”

Mark felt for his dirk, which was safe in his belt, and then thought of the quiet little parsonage at home, and of the horror that would assail his mother if she could know of the perilous enterprise upon which he was bound Then ca father, and of ould be his feelings

”Would he say don't go?” thought Mark

The answer seemed to come at once

”No; he'd say, 'It's your duty, boy In God's nao and do your best'”

”I'm ready, Tom Fillot,” he said half aloud, as he felt for and seized the rudder-lines ”Now, my lads”

There was a low buzz of excitement, and then, in obedience to an order, a couple of oars were softly thrust into the water Dance stood ready, but there was no boathook, and he fretfully asked what he was to do

”Hold on by the chains, mate,” whispered Tom Fillot, ”and I'll help you

Dessay we can et aboard”

As he spoke, he was busily loosening the rope which held the the end just round the bough

”Ready, sir, when you like to say 'Let go!'”

Mark paused athat had been left undone, knowing as he did that the slightest hitch in the proceedingsforward, he whispered,--

”You understand, my lads? Drop down, make fast, all in silence Then follow me aboard, et on deck”

”Ay, ay, sir,” came in a whisper that was terribly i then reo!” But he hesitated yet, and looked about hie would be rising above the forest, flooding the river with its silvery light If a watch was kept, which seemed to be certain, they would be seen, the captain and crew alaret aboard, and, with so weak an attacking party, they would be at a terrible disadvantage So hesitating no longer than to give himself time to loosen his dirk in its sheath, he leaned forward once ave the order,--

”Go!”

There was a faint rustle as the rope passed over the bough, a little splash as it struck the water, the two oars dipped without a sound, as the boat swung round, and they glided rapidly up the river with the tide

The distance, at the rate of speed at which they were going, was extremely short, and Mark had to whisper to the men to pull harder, so as to her, and though still invisible above the horizon, sent upward so warlow that the topmasts of the schooner becaht for her bows

”Now!” he whispered, ”in with your oars”