'll strike across the flat."

The sand was soft and they labored hard. When they were halt-way
across, a low, dark object rose above the edge of the bank. It was
roughly triangular and moving fast.

"Shanks's punt!" said Jake. "He has set the little black lugsail and
the wind's fair. You can't head him off."

"I'm going to try," said Jim, who was now some yards in front; and they
pushed on.

They were exhausted when they stopped beside a belt of sparkling water,
and Jim cried out hoarsely and clenched his fist. The channel was
wider than he had thought, and near the other bank a punt was running
down with the tide. One could hardly see her low, gray hull, but the
tanned lugsail cut sharply against the bank, and its slant and the
splash of foam at the bows indicated speed. Shooting punts are not
built to carry canvas, but they sail fast in smooth water when the wind
is fair.

"We're too late; I don't know if I'm sorry," Jake remarked with labored
breath. "My notion is, Shanks has pulled out for good, and nobody is
going to miss him much. Wind's off the land, water's smooth, and the
tide will run west for three or four hours. He'll be a long way down
the coast before it turns. In the meantime, we're some distance from
Langrigg and it looks as if you had lost your shoe."

"So I have!" said Jim. "Guess it came off when I was plowing through
the mud. Well, let's get home. Shanks has gone and he'll find trouble
waiting if he comes back."

They set off. Both were wet and dirty, and when they reached Langrigg
Jim's foot was sore.

CHAPTER XVIII

JIM'S RELEASE

On the morning after his pursuit of Shanks, Jim was conscious of a flat
reaction. Dick's story and the excitement of the chase had helped him
to forget his troubles, but now he was cool they returned. He had
promised to marry Evelyn and found out, too late, that he loved
another. There was no use in railing at his folly, although this was
great, and it was futile to wonder how he had so grossly misunderstood
his feelings. Evelyn was all he thought her, but romantic admiration
and respect for her fine qualities were not love. The important thing
was that she held his promise and he must make it good.

There was no other way. Carrie knew he loved her, but she had shown
him his duty. If he drew back and broke with Evelyn, he would earn her
contempt; Carrie was very staunch and put honor first. Anyhow, he was
going to draw back; he