slowly by; at last they roused up the crew, called in
the sentries, and shoved off. The oars were muffled as proposed, and by
keeping in the centre of the channel they hoped not to be heard by the
enemy, though, of course, they ran the risk of being seen should any one
be on the lookout. No lights were, however, observed on the shore, or
anything to indicate that the banks were inhabited; indeed, the
brushwood came close down to the water. Needham, acting as pilot, led
the way, Jack's boat came next, and Terence brought up the rear.

Except the usual cry of the nightbirds and the quacking of frogs, which
issued from the forest, no sound broke the silence which brooded over
the water. The current was very slight, and scarcely impeded their
progress. Never did a half-hour appear so long. Jack strained his
eyes, hoping every instant to catch sight of the schooner, but Needham
pulled on steadily, as if he knew that she was still some way ahead. At
length Jack observed that his oars ceased to move, and he accordingly
pulled up alongside his boat.

"There she is, sir," he whispered. "I can just catch sight of her
fore-topgallant-mast against the sky, over the trees." Jack
communicated the information to Terence, and then, silently as before,
they pulled on. Were the crew of the schooner asleep, or had they
abandoned her? In either case her capture would be easy. Closer and
closer they got, till they could all see her with perfect distinctness,
her yards across, and her sails bent. For a moment or two Jack expected
to receive her broadside, or to have a volley of musketry opened on the
boats. No movement, however, was perceived on board. He now took the
lead, directing Adair to pull for the bow, and Needham for the quarter,
while he intended to board her by the main chains.

It was evident that they were not expected. The boats' crews gave way
altogether. Jack was the first alongside; he quickly sprang on deck,
followed by his men; Adair and Needham were a few seconds behind him.
Scarcely had he gained the deck, than, looking down the main hatchway,
he observed a bright light, a stilling column of smoke issuing
immediately afterwards.

"Back, all of you! Back to the boats!" he shouted, and was in the act
of springing after his men, who were jumping over the sides, when he
felt his feet lifted up, and an instant afterwards he found himself in
the water, amid fragments of wreck, several fathoms from the vess