stood a chance of
getting clear, at least for a time. This was to have turned aside among
the sand ridges, and by keeping along some of the lateral hollows,
double back upon their pursuers. There were several such side hollows;
for on going up the main ravine they had observed them, and also in
coming down; but in their hurry to put space between themselves and
their pursuers, they had overlooked this chance of concealment.

At best it was but slim, though it was the only one that offered. It
only presented itself when it was too late for them to take advantage of
it,--only after they had got clear out of the gully and stood upon the
open level of the sea-beach, within less than two hundred yards of the
sea itself. There they halted, partly to recover breath and partly to
hold counsel as to their further course.

There was not much time for either; and as the three stood in a triangle
with their faces turned towards each other, the moonlight shone upon
lips and cheeks blanched with dismay.

It now occurred to them for the first time, and simultaneously, that
there was no hope of their escaping, either by flight or concealment.

They were already some distance out upon the open plain, as conspicuous
upon its surface of white sand as would have been three black crows in
the middle of a field six inches under snow.

They saw that they had made a mistake. They should have stayed among the
sand-ridges and sought shelter in some of the deep gullies that divided
them. They bethought them of going back; but a moment's deliberation was
sufficient to convince them that this was no longer practicable. There
would not be time, scarce even to re-enter the ravine, before their
pursuers would be upon them.

It was an instinct that had caused them to rush towards the sea--their
habitual home, for which they had thoughtlessly sped--notwithstanding
their late rude ejection from it. Now that they stood upon its shore, as
if appealing to it for protection, it seemed still desirous of spurning
them from its bosom, and leaving them without mercy to their merciless
enemies!

A line of breakers trended parallel to the water's edge--scarce a
cable's length from the shore, and not two hundred yards from the spot
where they had come to a pause.

They were not very formidable breakers--only the tide rolling over a
sand-bar, or a tiny reef of rocks. It was at best but a big surf,
crested with occasional flakes of foam, and sweeping in succ