y had hoped it would be. Two men were on deck as a watch, but both
were crouched under the taffrail fast asleep. Terry proposed to go
and shut down the cabin door, where the rest of the Acadians were;
but Zac concluded that it would be best for Jericho to do this, so
that in case the noise should wake the watch, he and Terry might be
on hand to deal with them. Jericho was now sent aft, charged with the
burden of an important commission. He went softly and swiftly, like a
spirit of night. His whole nature seemed changed by the purpose
before him. In an instant he had ceased to be the lowly slave intent
on cookery, and had started up into the attitude of an African
warrior. As he glided along, Zac and Terry, with equal noiselessness,
moved towards the slumbering watch, and then waited. It was necessary
that the cabin should first be closed, so that those within, if
alarmed by the outcry of their friends, should not be able to help
them.

All went on well. Jericho reached the cabin, and then swiftly, and
with as little noise as possible, shut the door and fastened it. Upon
this, Zac and Terry each seized one of the slumbering Acadians, and
before they were fairly awake they were disarmed.

Zac and Terry both scorned to bind them, partly out of kindly feeling
towards them, partly because they themselves had not been bound, and
partly out of the pride of their manhood. The Acadians at first stood
stupefied, and then, recognizing the whole truth, they slunk forward,
and stood dejectedly in the bows, where they awaited with fear the
further action of their late prisoners.

Both Terry and Zac made friendly signs to them, pressing their hands
on their hearts, smiling, nodding, and so forth; while Terry even
went so far as to whistle one of their favorite melodies. But the
Acadians were not to be reassured. They looked upon themselves as
lost men, and evidently regarded Terry as a traitor of the deepest
dye.

They now waited till the others in the cabin should make some sign.
Jericho had armed himself with an axe, with which he stood ready to
act in case of a fight. It was evident that the Acadians in the cabin
had heard nothing whatever, and not one of them awaked before the
usual time. Then, of course, the painful discovery was made by them.
At first, loud cries and threats were made; but these were stilled by
Zac, who in a voice of thunder awed them into silence.

"You are prisoners!" said he. "Give up your arms."

The