ehaved admirably, and by careful management was put
about without the aid of an oar. She now hauled up for the bay.

"We shall fetch the moorings, if the wind holds as it now does; but we
must lower the mainsail if it increases much," said Lord Reginald.

Dick kept the halliards in his hands. For some time she stood up to her
canvas, when a strong blast striking her, she heeled over until her lee
outrigger was under water.

"Lower away!" cried Lord Reginald, and in an instant the mainsail was
taken off her. "We shall probably have to take in the foresail, too,"
he observed.

Dick stood by, ready to lower it. Before many minutes were over it had
also to be taken in, and the fore-staysail and mizzen were as much
canvas as she could carry.

The ship had by this time come almost off the island; the whole hull
down to the water could be seen. Lord Reginald had, however, too much
to do in attending to the _Janet_, to look after her; he had now to pick
up his moorings. Dick had manufactured a strong boat-hook, and was
standing at the bows, ready to get hold of the buoy.

"There it is, sir," he exclaimed; "if you luff up now, we shall get hold
of it."

Lord Reginald put down the helm, and Dick at the same moment hauling
down the fore-staysail, and the lugger shooting up, he got hold of the
buoy, and soon had the cable secured. The question was now, whether
they should haul the boat up on the beach or leave her afloat. She was
less likely to be seen hauled up, and a few branches would completely
conceal her. They decided to haul her up, and by bringing the cable
aft, with a warp attached to it, her bows approached sufficiently near
to enable Dick to leap out and get hold of the tackle. This being
secured to her bows, the stern warp was slackened off, and rollers being
placed under her keel, both exerting all their strength, they hauled her
up the beach. The masts were unstepped, and a few boughs, which were
quickly cut, were stuck into the sand on either side of her, to hide her
from view.

Lord Reginald had now time more narrowly to watch the proceedings of the
ship. Having come directly off the bay she hove to. "She has lowered a
boat," he exclaimed. "The Frenchmen must have seen the lugger after
all, and are coming in to ascertain what has become of her. We must
decide how to act. If we hide our selves, they may in wantonness
destroy our hut and our boat. What do you propose we should do,
Hargrave?"