be ten miles or so away from the shore, even if we do not get a
breeze, before the Frenchmen find out that we have got off."

As Bill advised, he and Jack continued pulling away as lustily as at
first.

The smoothness of the water was a great advantage to them, for had there
been any sea their progress would have been much slower.

An hour or more passed away, when Bill exclaimed, "Here comes the wind,
and right aft, too! It's not very strong yet, but it will freshen soon,
I hope. Stand by, Jack, to hoist the sail!"

"Ay, ay!" answered Jack, taking hold of the halyards and feeling that
all was clear.

"Hand me the sheet; and now hoist away," said Bill.

Jack, with right good will, hauled away at the halyards, and the sail
was soon set.

The raft felt the influence of the breeze and glided on at an increased
speed. It was cheery to hear the water rippling against the bows.

"We must take care not to capsize the raft if the wind increases much,"
observed Bill. "Keep the halyards ready to let go in a moment; the sail
is full large for our craft, and it would not take long to capsize it."

"Trust me for that," said Jack; "I have no wish to be drowned, and I
feel wonderfully jolly at the thought of having got away. Are you
steering a right course, Bill? It seems to me that the sail must be
between you and the polar star."

"No; I can see it directly over the yard when I stand up and keep well
aft," answered Bill. "The wind, too, won't let us go in any other
direction."

"How about the tide?" asked Jack.

"Why, as it was just on the ebb when we came out of the harbour, and
helped us along, it is, I calculate, making to the westward. It won't,
however, run much longer in that direction, and it will then carry us to
the eastward for a good six hours. We'll be well out of sight of land
by that time, and, I hope, may fall in with an English cruiser, though,
for my part, I would rather run right across the Channel. It would be
fine fun to land, and tell the people how we managed it. They would
think more of our raft than the Frenchmen did, though there are not many
boys afloat who would not try to do as we have done."

Jack was of the same opinion, and as there was no necessity for rowing,
while Bill steered, Jack sat on a chest with his arms folded. Suddenly
he exclaimed, "I say, Bill, I am getting very peckish; I vote we have
some supper."

"Well, we have not far to go for it," observed Bill, "seein