runner and a good jumper, so that he gradually drew
away from his pursuers until he lost the sound of their feet; but he
knew that they were doggedly following, and that his only chance was to
reach the ferry, and get the ferryman to help him. Now this same ferry
plied across a swift stream that ran into the sea about two and a half
miles north of the place where he met the men. The current was so very
strong that no boatman could possibly row from bank to bank: the boat
would have been swept out to sea. So a strong chain had been run across
the river, and the boat was fastened to a ring which ran along this
chain. The ferryman simply stood in the bow of the wherry and hauled her
across by main force, passing the ring along as he went. Every night the
chain was lowered into the water, and the man left his little boat, and
went westward to his proper home. It should be said that the chain could
be wound from either bank, for a winch was placed at each side.

Jack was badly out of breath when he reached the ferry, and he felt
minded to lie down, but there was no time for resting. He ran to the
water's edge, and found the man and boat gone, the hut dark, and the
chain lowered. The stream poured past like a millrace, and he looked
hopelessly on the swift water. At first he thought of turning to take
his fate. He had his clasp knife and he could die fighting if they
really meant to murder him. Then he thought of his money and the good it
would do at home, and he determined to try once more. He ran to the
winch and bent himself at it; the chain came up and gradually tightened
until he saw dimly that the long arc was quite clear of the water. Just
as he had clenched the winch the foremost of the footpads came down the
hill and shouted as he saw the sailor. Jack got underneath the chain,
took firm hold with his hands and twisted his legs round as though he
were climbing a back-stay; then he began to haul himself across. Before
he had gone forty yards he felt that there was someone else clambering
along that awkward support, but he knew that forty yards more would make
him safe. He was nearly smothered at the place where the chain dipped
lowest, for the water was coming in freshets; but he hung on, and landed
panting and with grazed limbs on the north bank. By the shaking of the
chain he knew that the mugger was coming along, and he decided in a
flash to take strong measures. There was a good surplus to run out, so
he set the wi