the Acadians were sent below, the anchor was raised, and
the schooner cruised about the bay. The strong tides and currents
caused a little trouble, but Zac soon got the run of them, at least
in a general way, and several nights were thus passed. At length he
began to grow impatient, and felt quite at a loss what to do. He was
half inclined to send one of the Acadians ashore with a message, but
as yet concluded to wait a little longer.

The Acadians, whether from fear or policy, did as they promised, and
kept quiet. They kept by themselves always, and refused to accept the
advances of Terry, though they were frequently made. They all
appeared listless and dejected, and the smiles, the laughter, and the
singing which had characterized their first days on board had all
passed away, and given place to low, murmured conversation or
silence.

At length, one evening at about six o'clock, Zac saw a solitary boat
coming from the shore. It was a long way off when he first saw it,
and it seemed to be coming towards the schooner. The tide was
unfavorable, so that the progress was quite slow; but its course lay
steadily towards him, and Zac, who watched it intently, was turning
over in his mind his best plan of action. It did not seem large
enough to contain any very formidable force; but Zac thought best to
take every precaution, and so sent all the Acadians below, while
Terry and Jericho stood ready for action.

The time passed away, and the boat drew steadily nearer. At length it
came near enough for Zac to see that it was rowed by two men, which
sight was most welcome, since it assured him that no danger was to be
apprehended. As he watched it, the boat drew nearer and nearer. He
said nothing, but waited for them to speak first. He could see that
both of the men were unarmed.

At last the boat touched the schooner's side. One of the men leaped
on board, securing the boat, and the other followed immediately. They
were both dressed like all the Acadians, but the second boatman had a
slouched hat, which concealed his face. Zac, who carelessly regarded
him, noticed that he was a smooth-faced boy, while the first boatman
was a grizzled old man.

Both of these looked around, and seemed surprised. At length the boy
advanced towards Zac.

"Capitaine," said this boy, "what ees dees? You no seem a
preesonaire. You haf a gun. Air you free?"

At the sound of this voice Zac started back a step or two in utter
amazement. Could it be