river, until another change was made,
the blacks taking the oars, when Pete, being the first of the rowers to
come back to his seat, found what had taken place, and insisted upon
relieving Nic of his task.

"On'y to think of it, zur," he said; "on'y to think o' your doing o'
that, and you so bad!"

Nic said nothing, but had to be helped back to his seat, the position he
had occupied having cramped him; and then once more he sat gazing at the
great black wall opposite to him as the blacks sent the boat along, till
suddenly, about midnight, there was heard a deep bark from somewhere
ashore.

The three dogs, which had been curled up asleep, sprang to their feet
and answered in chorus, when another chorus rose from the right and came
nearer and nearer. Then the black wall on the same side dropped away,
and amidst the baying of the great hounds the boat's speed was
slackened, and it was turned into a narrow creek. Here the oars were
laid in, and progress was continued for about a hundred yards by a
couple of the blacks poling the boat along towards a light which
suddenly appeared, the bearer hailing and coming alongside to begin
talking to the overseer.

It was dark enough still; but another lanthorn was brought, the
prisoners were ordered to step out, and were then marched to a barn-like
place, where, as they entered a door, Nic felt the soft rustling of
Indian-corn leaves beneath his feet.

"In with you, boys," cried the overseer; and the three dogs, and the
others which had saluted them, scampered in. "Watch 'em, boys, and give
it to them if they try to get away. There, lie down."

The man held up the lanthorn he had taken as he spoke, and Nic saw that
seven of the great hounds settled themselves in a heap of leaves close
to the door, while quite a stack was close to where he was standing with
his companions.

"There's your bed, my lads," cried the overseer. "You heard what I
said. Lie down, all of you, at once. There will be a sentry with a
musket outside, and you can guess what his orders are."

The man strode out; the door was banged to, there was the noise of a big
bar being thrown across and the rattling of a padlock, followed by the
clink of fetters as their wearers lay down in the heap of sweet-smelling
corn-stalks and leaves; and for a few moments no one spoke.

Nic had sunk down in the darkness, glad to be in a restful posture, and
began to wonder whether Humpy Dee had been carried in by the bla