to obtain the necessary provisions. About this she had
been engaged for some time, getting some in one place and some in
another, so that no suspicions might be raised as to her object.

The _Ouzel Galley_ had sailed a fortnight or more, when Pompey announced
that all was ready. Mammy packed up all the provisions in bundles, and
had obtained two small casks of water, besides a number of gourds filled
with the precious liquid. Pompey and Dan started as soon as it was
dark, carrying loads, which they intended to hide near where the canoe
was drawn up.

"We carry all de tings dere first," he said, "and den you, cappen, and
mudder, and Tim, come along, and we shove off widout delay."

The last trip was made at about an hour before midnight, when Pompey and
Dan returned, and Owen, with the old woman and Tim, accompanied them
down to the beach. The night was very dark; no human being was
stirring. As silently as possible the canoe was launched, when the
stores were quickly put on board.

"Now, mudder, we put you 'longside cappen," whispered Pompey. "Whateber
happen, don't cry out."

And taking the old woman up in his arms, he waded with her till he
plumped her down in the stern of the canoe. She knew no more of the
navigation than they did, so she could not be of further use to the
adventurers, and they thus had to depend on their own judgment.

Owen took the after paddle. Pompey placing himself in the bows, Dan and
Tim gave way, and the canoe noiselessly glided down towards the supposed
entrance to the harbour. They hoped that any look-outs who might, under
ordinary circumstances, have been stationed on the other side of the
channel, would be withdrawn to man the _Ouzel Galley_. They therefore
trusted that they could escape without being questioned. Still the
expedition was one to try the best strung nerves. Owen feared that,
should they be hailed, Mammy might forget her son's injunction. He was
not aware of the determined character of the old woman.

They soon got into the narrow channel, in the centre of which Owen
steered the canoe. It was necessary to proceed slowly, as from the
darkness the shore on either side was in some places scarcely visible.
The channel was long and intricate, but Owen, of course, knew that there
must be considerable depth of water to allow large ships to get up it.
They had just got to the end of the cliff, when a light was seen.
Whether it proceeded from a hut or from a man