"Now, boys," cried Lawless, "the saints have had a care of us, indeed.

The tide ebbs; let us but sit down and drink a cup of wine, and before

half an hour ye may all march me ashore as safe as on a bridge."

A barrel was broached, and, sitting in what shelter they could find from

the flying snow and spray, the shipwrecked company handed the cup

around,

and sought to warm their bodies and restore their spirits.

Dick, meanwhile, returned to Lord Foxham, who lay in great perplexity and

fear, the floor of his cabin washing knee-deep in water, and the lamp,

which had been his only light, broken and extinguished by the violence of

the blow.

"My lord," said young Shelton, "fear not at all; the saints are plainly

for us; the seas have cast us high upon a shoal, and as soon as the tide

hath somewhat ebbed, we may walk ashore upon our feet."

It was nearly an hour before the vessel was sufficiently deserted by the

ebbing sea; and they could set forth for the land, which appeared dimly

before them through a veil of driving snow.

Upon a hillock on one side of their way a party of men lay huddled

together, suspiciously observing the movements of the new arrivals.

They might draw near and offer us some comfort," Dick remarked.

The Black Arrow