t make much of a showin' against a
boat-load of men."

"All that has been in my mind, lad, an' I reckon it won't be hard to
put ourselves in right good shape. If any British spies count on
comin' up the river, it wouldn't be till after dark, an' we've got no
right to expect they'd be around this way much before midnight. Now
I'll paddle back to the village, an' see if I can't scare up two or
three muskets. It won't take me more'n an hour for the whole job."

Darius said this as if asking advice; but I could make no reply, and
my companions held their peace, therefore, after waiting a few moments
without hearing any comment, the old man set about carrying his plan
into execution.

Noiselessly he hauled the canoe alongside, went over the rail into
her, and took up the paddle, as I stood near the bow waiting for his
command to cast off the painter.

"Keep quiet, whatever happens, an' don't fuss if I'm kept quite a
spell, for if there's anythin' to be learned, I shall make mighty
little account of time. Cast off, lad, an' be certain that nothin'
goes up or down the river without your seeing it."

I obeyed the command, and in an instant the canoe glided into the
obscurity of the shadows cast by the overhanging trees.

With the disappearance of Darius there came upon me the full sense of
my responsibility, for I was the one to whom the others would look in
event of trouble, and I knew full well how poorly fitted I was by
experience to be in command of the pungy.

The knowledge of my own short-comings at least served one good turn,
since it made me more than usually cautious, and without delay I set
about preparations for obeying the command given by Darius.

All my companions were on deck, and calling them aft to the cuddy
companion-way, I said in a whisper:

"You heard the words of Darius. Now I propose the work shall be done
in this fashion: All hands will remain on duty, not in a group, but
stationed equal distances apart at the rail, each one to watch and
listen to the best of his ability. No fellow shall speak with his
neighbor, nor can he move about lest the sound of footsteps on the
deck give an alarm."

Then I took up my station near the stern, and in the gloom I could see
the forms of my companions while they ranged themselves as I had
suggested, neither of them making more noise than so many mice.

From that moment not a sound could be heard from the deck of the
Avenger. That which Darius said had arou