ever see us
under the shadow of the wall!"

As he spoke, two dark figures mounted the wall, straight above our
heads, and stood for some seconds as it were peering into the distance.

"I 'll swear I saw him take this way," cried one, in a deep low voice.

"If he were the Devil himself, he could not escape us here," said the
other, with an accent of vindictive passion.

"And he is the Devil," said the former speaker.

"Pooh, nonsense, man! any fellow who can win at dice, or has a steady
finger with a pistol, is a marvel for you. Curses on him! he has given
us the slip somehow."

"I'd not wonder, Harry, if he has taken the water; he swims like a
duck!"

"He could not have sprung from a height like that without a plash, and
we were close enough upon his heels to hear it; flash off some powder in
a piece of paper: it is dark as pitch here."

While the men above were preparing their light, I heard a slight stir
in the stern of the boat. I turned my head, and saw my companion coolly
fitting a cap on his pistol; he was doing it with difficulty, as he was
obliged to hold the pistol between his knees, while he adjusted the cap
with his left hand; the right hand he carried in the breast of his coat.
Nothing could be more calm and collected than his every movement, up to
the instant when, having cocked the weapon, he lay back in the boat, so
as to have a full stare at the two dark figures above us.

At last, the fuse was ready, and, being lighted, it was held for a few
seconds in the hand, and then thrown into the air. The red and lurid
glare flashed full upon two savage-looking faces, straight above our
heads, and for an instant showed their figures with all the distinctness
of noonday. I saw them both, as if by a common impulse, lean over the
parapet and peer down into the dark water below, and I could have almost
sworn that we were discovered; my companion evidently thought so too,
for he raised his pistol steadily, and took a long and careful aim. What
a moment was that for me, expecting at every instant to hear the report,
and then the heavy fall of the dead man into the water! My throat was
full to bursting. The bit of burning paper of the fuse had fallen on my
companion's pistol-hand; but though it must have scorched him, he never
stirred, nor even brushed it off. I thought that by its faint flicker,
also, we might have been seen. But no, it was plain they had not
perceived us; and it was with a delight I cannot d