uriously, till
at length the point of Foy's implement struck upon the head of a barrel.

"The stuff is still here, keep to it, friends," he said, and they worked
on with a will till three of the five barrels were almost free from the
mud.

"Best make sure of these," said Martin. "Help me, master," and between
them one by one they rolled them to the water's edge, and with great
efforts, Elsa aiding them, lifted them into the boat. As they approached
with the third cask they found her staring white-faced over the tops of
the feathery reeds.

"What is it, sweet?" asked Foy.

"The sail, the following sail," she answered.

They rested the barrel of gold upon the gunwale and looked back across
the little island. Yes, there it came, sure enough, a tall, white sail
not eight hundred yards away and bearing down straight upon the place.
Martin rolled the barrel into position.

"I hoped that they would not find it," he said, "but Martha draws maps
well, too well. Once, before she married, she painted pictures, and that
is why."

"What is to be done?" asked Elsa.

"I don't know," he answered, and as he spoke Martha ran up, for she also
had seen the boat. "You see," he went on, "if we try to escape they will
catch us, for oars can't race a sail."

"Oh!" said Elsa, "must we be taken after all?"

"I hope not, girl," said Martha, "but it is as God wills. Listen,
Martin," and she whispered in his ear.

"Good," he said, "if it can be done, but you must watch your chance.
Come, now, there is no time to lose. And you, lady, come also, for you
can help to roll the last two barrels."

Then they ran back to the hole, whence Foy and Adrian, with great toil,
had just dragged the last of the tubs. For they, too, had seen the sail,
and knew that time was short.

"Heer, Adrian," said Martin, "you have the cross-bow and the bolts, and
you used to be the best shot of all three of us; will you help me to
hold the causeway?"

Now Adrian knew that Martin said this, not because he was a good shot
with the cross-bow, but because he did not trust him, and wished to have
him close to his hand, but he answered:

"With all my heart, as well as I am able."

"Very good," said Martin. "Now let the rest of you get those two casks
into the boat, leaving the Jufvrouw hidden in the reeds to watch by
it, while you, Foy and Martha, come back to help us. Lady, if they sail
round the island, call and let us know."

So Martin and Adrian went down