as easily followed by the noise they made. Jem was the first
to be hauled on board, and a minute or two later the listeners on
the schooner heard him assisting Dobbs. Then the sounds of strife, of
thumps, and wicked words broke on their delighted ears.

"They're coming back for us," said the mate, taking a deep breath. "Well
done, Jem."

The boat came towards them, impelled by powerful strokes, and was soon
alongside. The three men tumbled in hurriedly, their fall being modified
by the original crew, who were lying crouched up in the bottom of the
boat. Jem and Dobbs gave way with hearty goodwill, and the doomed ship
receded into the darkness. A little knot of people had gathered on the
shore, and, receiving the tidings, became anxious for the safety of
their town. It was felt that the windows, at least, were in imminent
peril, and messengers were hastily sent round to have them opened.

Still the deserted _Susan Jane_ made no sign. Twelve o'clock struck from
the little church at the back of the town, and she was still intact.

"Something's gone wrong," said an old fisherman with a bad way of
putting things. "Now's the time for somebody to go and tow her out to
sea."

There was no response.

"To save Lowport," said the speaker feelingly. "If I was only twenty
years younger----"

"It's old men's work," said a voice.

The skipper, straining his eyes through the gloom in the direction of
his craft, said nothing. He began to think that she had escaped after
all.

Two o'clock struck and the crowd began to disperse. Some of the bolder
inhabitants who were fidgety about draughts closed their windows, and
children who had been routed out of their beds to take a nocturnal walk
inland were led slowly back, By three o'clock the danger was felt to be
over, and day broke and revealed the forlorn _Susan Jane_ still riding
at anchor.

"I'm going aboard," said the skipper suddenly; "who's coming with me?"

Jem and the mate and the town-policeman volunteered, and, borrowing the
boat which had served them before, pulled swiftly out to their vessel
and, taking the hatches off with unusual gentleness, commenced their
search. It was nervous work at first, but they became inured to it,
and, moreover, a certain suspicion, slight at first, but increasing in
intensity as the search proceeded, gave them some sense of security.
Later still they began to eye each other shamefacedly.

"I don't believe there's anything there," said th