the stern. She carried one mast, and was rigged between a felucca and a

lugger. It would seem that Skipper Arblaster had made an excellent

venture, for the hold was full of pieces of French wine; and in the

little cabin, besides the Virgin Mary in the bulkhead which proved the

captain's piety, there were many lockfast chests and cupboards, which

showed him to be rich and careful.

A dog, who was the sole occupant of the vessel, furiously barked and bit

the heels of the boarders; but he was soon kicked into the cabin, and the

door shut upon his just resentment. A lamp was lit and fixed in the

shrouds to mark the vessel clearly from the shore; one of the wine pieces

in the hold was broached, and a cup of excellent Gascony emptied to the

adventure of the evening; and then, while one of the outlaws began to get

ready his bow and arrows and prepare to hold the ship against all comers,

the other hauled in the skiff and got overboard, where he held on,

waiting for Dick.

Well, Jack, keep me a good watch," said the young commander, preparing

to follow his subordinate. "Ye will do right well."

"Why," returned Jack, "I shall do excellent well indeed, so long as we

lie here; but once we put the nose of this poor ship outside the

harbour--See, there she trembles! Nay, the poor shrew heard the words,

and the heart misgave her in her oak-tree ribs. But look, Master Dick!

how black the weather gathers!"

The darkness ahead was, indeed, astonishing. Great billows heaved up out

The Black Arrow