ord?--`Tails!'" said Nic, wonderingly.

"Of course. I told you we must have a password, to tell friends from
foes."

"Not a word, father."

"What, sir? Humph, no! I remember--I meant to give it to all at once.
The word is `Tails' and the countersign is `Heads,' and any one who
cannot give it is to have heads. Do you see?"

"Oh yes, father, I see; but are the sailors coming?"

"Can't hear anything of them, my boy, and it's too dark to see; but they
must be here soon."

"I hope they will be, father," said Nic.

"Don't say you hope they will be, as if you felt that they weren't
coming. They're sure to come, my boy. Jack Lawrence never broke faith.
Now, look here; those scoundrels will be here by ten o'clock, some of
them, for certain, and we must have our men in ambush first--our men,
Nic. Jack Lawrence's lads I shall place so as to cut off the enemy's
retreat, ready to close in upon them and take them in the rear. Do you
see?"

"Yes, father; excellent."

"Then I propose that as soon as we hear our reinforcement coming you go
off and plant your men in the wood behind the fall. I shall lead the
sailors right round you to the other side of the pool; place them; and
then there must be perfect silence till the enemy has lit up his torches
and got well to work. Then I shall give a shrill whistle on the French
bo'sun's pipe I have in my pocket, you will advance your men and fall
to, and we shall come upon them from the other side."

"I see, father."

"But look here, Nic--did you change your things?"

"Yes, father; got on the old fishing and wading suit."

"That's right, boy, for you've got your work cut out, and it may mean
water as well as land."

"Yes, I expect to be in a pretty pickle," said Nic, laughing, and
beginning to feel excited now. "But do you think the sailors will find
their way here in the dark?"

"Of course," cried the Captain sharply. "Jack Lawrence will head them."

"Hist!" whispered Nic, placing his hand to his ear and gazing seaward.

"Hear 'em?"

Nic was silent for a few moments.

"Yes," he said. "I can hear their soft, easy tramp over the short
grass. Listen."

"Right," said the Captain, as from below them there came out of the
darkness the regular _thrup_, _thrup_ of a body of men marching
together. Then, loudly, "king's men?"

"Captain Revel?" came back in reply.

"Right. Captain Lawrence there?"

"No, sir; he had a sudden summons from the port admiral, and i