e was awakened by the singing of the men as they toiled at the
windlass, and the sullen rattle of the chain as it rose reluctantly
link by link from the water. Then he heard the waves rippling against
the bow, and he knew that the schooner was moving.

As he rightly guessed, she was making her way to her berth at the
wharf. During all that day there was continual motion on the deck, and
the boy imprisoned in the hold tried to while away the long hours by
guessing what it meant, and what the sailors were about. Ben brought
him a bountiful breakfast, dinner, and tea. He stayed only while Eric
ate, and did not seem much disposed to talk. He could not say exactly
when the English ship would sail, but thought it would be soon.

The schooner became much quieter by nightfall, for the majority of her
crew had gone ashore. Soon there was perfect stillness; the vessel at
times seemed to be completely deserted. There was a tower clock not
far away which rang out the hours loudly, and Eric heard seven, eight,
and nine struck ere he fell asleep.

How long he had slept he knew not, when he was aroused by two men
talking in loud tones on the deck just above him. They were evidently
the worse for liquor, and had fallen into a dispute about something.
Presently one of them exclaimed,--

"It is there. I know it's there. I'll prove it to you."

CHAPTER X.

RELEASE AND RETRIBUTION.

Then came the sound of the fore-hatch being unfastened and lifted
aside, and the light of a lantern flashed into the hold. Whatever the
man sought, he soon found it; for he said triumphantly,--

"There, now! Do you see it? Didn't I say right?"

He drew the hatch back again, and with his companion went stumbling off
to the cabin. As the hatch was opened, Eric shrank back into a corner,
for he knew not what the man might be about. But when all was silent
again, he crept to the spot underneath the hatchway, and looked up.

The instant he did so he saw something that caused his heart to give a
wild bound. It was one little star shining brightly into his eye. The
sailor had carelessly left the hatch unfastened and drawn a little
aside.

The way of escape was there!

With bated breath and beating heart, Eric raised himself softly and
pushed at the hatch. At first it would not budge, but on his putting
forth more strength, it slid away a few inches, making no perceptible
noise.

Little by little he pushed at it, until there was