here for an hour at a pinch. We shall
have our swim long before that, and with heaven's good light to help us
safely there."

"Hurrah!" shouted Morgan, hoarsely. And then we all joined in a hearty
cheer, while the cry of the bird rang out directly after from close at
hand.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

Black night comes quickly down there in the south, with but little of
the twilight of the north, and after the night's dark reign there is but
a short dawn before the sun springs up to shed hope and light, and the
bright thoughts of a new day.

And now, with the blood seeming to flow more swiftly through our chilled
frames, came the pipings and twitterings of the birds at the edge of the
forest; there was a misty light, then a roseate flush overhead which
rapidly changed to orange above and below. The black mirror spangled
with diamonds and gold had gone, and as we sat there with the water
lapping now over the ridge, which was quite invisible, the sun's edge
rose over the forest, glorifying the tops of the trees, and the great
green cypress stood up with golden gleams darting through it, and
offering us an inviting refuge from the peril in which we were placed.

"Now, Morgan, ready?" said my father, as he stood up and shook his
limbs.

"Yes, sir, ready. Cheer up, old lass; we'll soon get you there."

I caught a glimpse of Sarah's white despairing face, but my attention
was taken up directly by my father's words.

"Come, Pompey, brave lad, jump in and swim across to the big tree, and
show us the way."

"Iss, massa," cried the boy; and he started up and dived in plump, to
disappear, and then his black head popped up. "Come 'long, Mass'
George," he cried; "so lubbly warm."

"Yes; in with you!" cried my father; and I rose, hesitated a moment, and
then plunged in, to find that by comparison with the air the water was
quite warm.

"I dab fuss," cried Pompey, and he swam on to soon reach one of the
boughs, and turn round to wait for me.

I did not keep him long; and as soon as we had seated ourselves astride
of the great branch just level with the water, we stayed to watch the
coming of the rest.

That little swim after the effort required to make the first plunge was
simplicity itself to us boys; and consequently I looked almost
wonderingly at the effort it caused my father and Morgan to get across
with Sarah, whom they supported between them.

They started well, swimming of course abreast, and with Hannibal c