Part 25 (2/2)

Bill seized Jack's arh wall, near which they happened at that moment to find the to draw breath

The shout was not repeated

”Weup, they crept forward

Presently, below theht of the harbour, with the stars reflected on its surface

Thewas now to be performed

They had to find out exactly where their raft lay

Bill had not failed to observe the shape of the harbour, and to take note of the various objects on shore, as he and Jack were brought in prisoners by the French boat; but the partial survey he was then able to make did not enable hiht to proceed to find their raft

By keeping on as they were then going they believed that they should reat distance fro up it until they reached the place where they landed, near which they hoped to find their raft uards or patrols, or fisher off to their vessels,” observed Jack

”If we do weas close as we can under the cliffs, or any walls or houses we are passing, so that we may see people before we are seen ourselves”

They acted as Bill suggested, and pushed boldly onwards Not a sound was heard co either from the land side or frolass

They were still going forhen Jack seized Bill's arm ”That's the place,” he whispered ”I can make out the raft, moored outside a boat at the end of a slip”

Bill, creeping forward, assured hiained by waiting a moment, they hurried on, and in a few seconds were on board their raft Jack plunged his hand into one of the chests, to ascertain that the articles it had contained were still there They had not been taken away

He could scarcely refrain fro out for joy

Even the oars had not been reside to supply the place of the one which had been splintered

”Cut the warps,” cried Bill ”We'll paddle on till we find the breeze”

The raft was quickly cast loose, and, getting out the oars, they began to paddle silently down the harbour They could not avoid ht noise, but they hoped that there was no one on the watch to hear it Very frequently they turned their glances astern to ascertain if they were followed, but they could see nothingThere were several vessels lower down the harbour, so they steered a course which would carry them past at some little distance from them

The raft ood way

There was only one vessel more which they had to pass before they reached the harbour's mouth They both earnestly hoped that her creere fast asleep, and that no watch was kept on deck

They paddled slowly by, andtheir oars as gently as possible, and scarcely daring to breathe