ty.

"Well, that bein' so, we must take them alive. I will creep into the
tent with you, Jim Heron, for you're big and strong enough. You will
fall on Trench and hold 'im down. I'll do the same to Burns. Garnet
will manage the boy. The moment the rest of you hear the row begin, you
will jump in and lend a hand wi' the ropes. After we've got 'em all
safe into the boat, we will pull to the big island--land them there, an'
bid them a tender farewell!"

"But surely you won't land them without a morsel to eat?" said Taylor.

"Why not? They're sure to fall in wi' their _dear_ friends the savages,
who will, doubtless, be very grateful to 'em, an' supply grub gratis!
Now, lads, you understand what you've got to do?"

"Ay, ay," was the response, in a low tone, as they moved cautiously
away, like evil spirits, to carry out their wicked plans.

"Fortune," it is said, "favours the brave," but in this case she did not
thus bestow her favours, for the cowardly plan was successfully carried
out. Before the sleepers were well awake, they were overwhelmed by
numbers, secured and bound. They were not gagged, however, as no one
was near to hear even if they shouted their loudest, which they knew it
was useless to do. In a few minutes the three prisoners were hurried
into the boat and rowed across the wide channel that separated the islet
from the opposite shore.

At that time it was not supposed, either by the original discoverers or
those who immediately followed them, that Newfoundland was one large
island--considerably larger than Ireland. Not till many a year
afterwards did explorers ascertain that it was an island of about three
hundred and seventeen miles in length, by about the same in breadth; but
so cut up by deep bays, inlets, and fords as to have much the appearance
of a group of islands.

During their passage across the channel both Trench and Paul attempted
to reason with Swinton, but that hardened villain refused to utter a
word till their prisoners were marched up the shingly beach, and told to
sit down on a ledge of rock under the steep cliffs, where innumerable
sea-birds were screaming a clamorous welcome, or, perchance, a noisy
remonstrance.

"Now, my friends," said their foe, "as you are fond of commanding, you
may take command o' them there sea-birds--they won't object!--and if ye
fall in wi' your friends the savages, you may give them my love an' good
wishes."

"But surely you don't mean to leave