Part 26 (1/2)
The slightest sound ot outside her, and there was nothing noeen theain Jack could hardly refrain fro
Just then a voice caed by the distance the vessel was off that the character of the raft could not be discovered He answered in very good French, ”We are going out early thisyou some for breakfast”
”Thank you, my friend, thank you,” answered theon all the ti He was certain that the man did not suspect who he and Jack were, and in a few ether
They now gave ithfor life and liberty; for if again caught, they fully believed that they should be shot How anxiously they wished that a breeze would spring up!
For fully an hour they rowed on, till the shore faded fro by the polar star, which both Jack and Bill kneell
”If there's a breeze froht to feel it by this time,” observed Jack
”Never fear; we shall find it before long,” answered Bill ”We are not so far away from the cliffs as you suppose, and it would be as well not to speak loud, or our voices , or even people on shore”
”I hope there will be none there at this hour, though they will co from the chateau, when they find we have taken French leave,” said Jack
”A very proper thing to take, too, seeing ere in France,” remarked Bill, with a quiet chuckle ”I hope we shall never set foot on its shores again”
”So do I; but I'et a breeze pretty soon I am inclined to whistle for it,” said Jack
”It won't coood by working our oars We are sending the raft along at three knots an hour at least, and as it will be three hours or ht, we shall be ten et a breeze, before the Frenchot off”
As Bill advised, he and Jack continued pulling away as lustily as at first
The se to theress would have been much slower
An hour or more passed ahen Bill exclaiht aft, too! It's not very strong yet, but it will freshen soon, I hope Stand by, Jack, to hoist the sail!”
”Ay, ay!” answered Jack, taking hold of the halyards and feeling that all was clear
”Hand me the sheet; and now hoist away,” said Bill
Jack, with right good will, hauled away at the halyards, and the sail was soon set
The raft felt the influence of the breeze and glided on at an increased speed It was cheery to hear the water rippling against the bows
”We must take care not to capsize the raft if the wind increases o in a e for our craft, and it would not take long to capsize it”
”Trust me for that,” said Jack; ”I have no wish to be drowned, and I feel wonderfully jolly at the thought of having got away Are you steering a right course, Bill? It seems to me that the sail must be between you and the polar star”