mouth, he
should go on shore and desert from the cutter, as Mr Vanslyperken
would, of course, find out that his mother was killed, and the
consequences to Smallbones must be dangerous, as he had no evidence, if
Vanslyperken swore that he had murdered his mother; but this arrangement
was overthrown by events which we shall now narrate. It was on the
third morning after they sailed, that Vanslyperken walked the deck:
there was no one but the man at the helm abaft. The weather was
extremely sultry, for the cutter had run with a fair wind for the first
eight-and-forty hours, and had then been becalmed for the last
twenty-four, and had drifted to the back of the Isle of Wight, when she
was not three leagues from St. Helens. The consequence was, that the
ebb tide had now drifted her down very nearly opposite to that part of
the island where the cave was situated of which we have made mention.
Vanslyperken heard the people talking below, and, as usual, anxious to
overhear what was said, had stopped to listen. He heard the name of
Smallbones repeated several times, but could not make out what was said.

Anxious to know, he went down the ladder, and, instead of going into his
cabin, crept softly forward on the lower deck, when he overheard Coble,
Short, and Spurey in consultation.

"We shall be in to-morrow," said Spurey, "if a breeze springs up, and
then it will be too late; Smallbones must frighten him again to-night."

"Yes," replied Short.

"He shall go into his cabin at twelve o'clock, that will be the best
way."

"But the corporal."

"Hush! there is some one there," said Spurey, who, attracted by a slight
noise made by Vanslyperken's boots, turned short round.

Vanslyperken retreated and gained the deck by the ladder; he had hardly
been up when he observed a face at the hatchway, who was evidently
looking to ascertain if he was on deck.

These few words overheard, satisfied Vanslyperken that Smallbones was
alive and on board the cutter; and he perceived how he had been played
with. His rage was excessive, but he did not know how to act. If
Smallbones was alive, and that he appeared to be, he must have escaped
from his mother, and, of course, the ship's company must know that his
life had been attempted. That he did not care much about: he had not
done the deed; but how the lad could have come on board! did he not see
him lying dead? It was very strange, and the life of the boy must be
charmed. At all eve