elp us,
for a madder venture I have never seen! And yet it may be worth the
trial. But if it be done let me have the handling of it, little master,
for you know no more of a boat than I do of a war-horse. The skiff can
bear five and not a man more. Now, who will come?"

They had all caught fire, and there was not one who would be left out.

Badding picked up his hammer. "I will come myself," said he, "and you
also, little master, since it is your hot head that has planned it. Then
there is Black Simon, the best sword of the Cinque Ports. Two archers
can pull on the oars, and it may be that they can pick off two or three
of these Frenchmen before we close with them. Hugh Baddlesmere, and you,
Dicon of Rye--into the boat with you!"

"What?" cried Aylward. "Am I to be left behind? I, who am the Squire's
own man? Ill fare the bowman who comes betwixt me and yonder boat!"

"Nay, Aylward," said his master, "I order that you stay, for indeed you
are a sick man."

"But now that the waves have sunk I am myself again. Nay, fair sir, I
pray that you will not leave me behind."

"You must needs take the space of a better man; for what do you know of
the handling of a boat?" said Badding shortly. "No more fool's talk, I
pray you, for the night will soon fall. Stand aside!"

Aylward looked hard at the French boat. "I could swim ten times up and
down Frensham pond," said he, "and it will be strange if I cannot go as
far as that. By these finger-bones, Samkin Aylward may be there as soon
as you!"

The little boat with its five occupants pushed off from the side of
the schooner, and dipping and rising, made its slow way toward the
Frenchman. Badding and one archer had single oars, the second archer was
in the prow, while Black Simon and Nigel huddled into the stern with the
water lapping and hissing at their very elbows. A shout of defiance rose
from the Frenchmen, and they stood in a line along the side of their
vessel shaking their fists and waving their weapons. Already the sun was
level with Dungeness, and the gray of evening was blurring sky and
water into one dim haze. A great silence hung over the broad expanse of
nature, and no sound broke it save the dip and splash of the oars
and the slow deep surge of the boat upon the swell. Behind them their
comrades of the Marie Rose stood motionless and silent, watching their
progress with eager eyes.

They were near enough now to have a good look at the Frenchmen. One was
a big