like a brood of new-born serpents sallying from
their parents' side intent on mischief. Not a sound was heard on shore,
not a sound either did the boats make as they glided over the smooth
surface of the bay. Morton's mind misgave him. It seemed strange that
no people from the shore had come off to the ship.

"Surely they must have seen her even through the gloom," he said to
himself. "Can the Frenchman have left the place, and carried off the
prisoners?"

The question was soon to be solved, but his impatience would scarcely
brook the necessary delay. He had ascertained from Doull the direction
of the huts where the English prisoners were located. Doull had also
described the best landing-places under the forts. The boats, in three
divisions, proceeded on their separate courses. The centre fort was the
strongest. Ronald selected that for himself. His heart beat quick as
he approached it. Who when going into action does not discover that his
pulse beats more rapidly, even under ordinary circumstances? Ronald
felt that the safety of one now dearer to him than life was involved in
the success of his undertaking.

As the boats drew closer to the shore it was necessary to proceed more
carefully, for fear of running on the rocks, which jutted out in certain
parts of the bay. Though the surface of the bay was smooth, there was a
slight surf on the shore, the noise of which, as it broke, tended to
overpower any sound which the oars made as they dipped into the water.

Could the French garrisons be asleep? No sentry's challenge was heard
on the walls. Perhaps, believing that it was unlikely an enemy should
discover them, and impossible for one to approach at night, they had
all, in fancied security, gone to rest; but then they must have seen the
approach of the ship.

Ronald had promised to send up a rocket the instant the parapet was
gained and the enemy aroused. A few more strokes, and the boats would
reach the landing-place. Just then a loud hail came from the walls of
the fort. Ronald answered, in French, "People from the captured
Indiaman."

"Stay there," said the sentry, who had, it seemed, either been asleep or
just come up to his post. This, however, was an order the English were
not very likely to obey, so on they dashed as fast as possible, knowing
that in another minute their purpose would be discovered. Leaping on
shore, several carrying ladders, they rushed to the walls. At the same
momen