scape in that
direction."

"That will be the best plan, Philippo; and now goodbye."

Francis walked down to the shore. There were no boats lying there of a
size he could launch unaided, but presently he heard the sound of oars,
and a small fishing boat rowed by two men approached.

"Look here, lads," he said. "I want to be put on board the ship. I
ought to have been on board three hours ago, but took too much wine,
and lay down for an hour or two and overslept myself. Do you think you
can row quietly up alongside so that I can slip on board unnoticed? If
so I will give you a ducat for your trouble."

"We can do that," the fishermen said. "We have just come from the ship
now, and have sold them our catch of today. There were half a dozen
other boats lying beside her, bargaining for their fish. Besides they
are taking on board firewood and other stores that have been left till
the last moment. So jump in and we will soon get you there."

In a few minutes they approached the side of the ship.

"I see you have got half a dozen fish left in your boat now," Francis
said.

"They are of no account," one of the men said. "They are good enough
for our eating, but not such as they buy on board a ship where money is
plentiful. You are heartily welcome to them if you have a fancy for
them."

"Thank you," Francis said. "I will take two or three of them, if you
can spare them. I want to play a trick with a comrade."

As the fishermen said, there were several boats lying near the vessel,
and the men were leaning over the sides bargaining for fish. Handing
the fishermen their promised reward, Francis sprang up the ladder to
the deck. He was unnoticed, for other men had gone down into the boats
for fish.

Mingling with the sailors, he gradually made his way to the hatchway
leading into the hold, descended the ladder, and stowed himself away
among a quantity of casks, some filled with wine and some with water,
at the farther end of the hold; and as he lay there devoutly thanked
God that his enterprise had been so far successful.

Men came down from time to time with lanterns, to stow away the
lately-arrived stores, but none came near the place where Francis was
hidden. The time seemed long before he heard the clank of the capstan,
and knew the vessel was being hove up to her anchors. Then, after a
while, he heard the creaking of cordage, and much trampling of feet on
the deck above, and knew that she was under way. Then he m