Part 26 (2/2)
”No; I can see it directly over the yard when I stand up and keep well aft,” answered Bill ”The wind, too, won't let us go in any other direction”
”How about the tide?” asked Jack
”Why, as it was just on the ebb e ca, it is, I calculate, er in that direction, and it will then carry us to the eastward for a good six hours We'll be well out of sight of land by that tih, for ht across the Channel It would be fine fun to land, and tell the people hoe ed it They would think h there are not many boys afloat ould not try to do as we have done”
Jack was of the sa, while Bill steered, Jack sat on a chest with his ar very peckish; I vote we have soo for it,” observed Bill, ”seeing we have got enough in our pockets to last us for the whole of to-e to steer and tend the sheet and eat his supper, too, he let Jack finish his; after which they changed places, and Bill fell to with a good appetite on some of the old Frenchwoet into any scrape for supplying us,” said Bill
”I don't see hoill be found out that she gave us so one, she'll keep her own counsel, depend on that”
”We h,” reet across Channel; and it won't do to run short of provisions”
”You forget those we have in the chest,” said Jack
”Are you certain that the French the lid of one of the about ”Yes! here's a piece of beef or pork and soht, we shall do now
I'll take the helain if you like; I feel h, I dare say”
”As you like,” said Jack ”I'd just as soon stand by the halyards”
They again changed places
Bill kept his eye on the polar star, while Jack peered under the sail ahead, that they ht passed away The breeze slightly increased, but Bill considered that they ht still carry their whole sail with safety
Perhaps they did notquite so fast as he supposed He told Jack that he thought they were running through the water at five knots an hour; but four, or even three, knots was a good deal for a raft to ether as it was
They were too htest inclination to sleep, and being both in capital spirits, did not trouble theht change before they could get across to the English coast A fast lugger would take nearly two days to do the distance
The da broke, and they eagerly looked out on every side for a sail As the light increased they were greatly disappointed, on gazing astern, to discover the French coast still in sight, though blue and indistinct, like a cloud rising out of the water No sail, however, was to be seen in that direction That was a coe craft, and could certainly not be seen froht sight of a sail just rising above the horizon, and soon afterwards another was seen to the eastward, but which way she was standing they could not determine
As the sun rose the wind decreased, and before long it became perfectly calain,” said Bill ”It won't do to stop where we are”
”I ath in ot out his oar
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
A NARROW ESCAPE--THE FUGITIVES PICKED UP BY A FRIGATE