hem
to make out if a vessel left Dunbar. Both fancied that they could see a
sail, just as twilight was falling, but neither could be sure that it
was not the effect of imagination. They were already ten miles away,
and as the tide had now begun to make along the shore, it was certain
that for some time, at least, a ship, however fast she might be, would
gain but little upon them, until she had fairly entered the Firth.
There would be no moon and, even should she overtake them, she might
well pass them in the dark.

When they lay down, they agreed that they would keep awake in turns;
and that, if they made out a ship apparently pursuing them, they would
offer the skipper the full value for his boat, and betake themselves to
it, and row for shore.

"The greatest danger," Roger said, "would be of their passing us,
unseen; and then lying-to near the entrance of the port, and
overhauling us as we came in."

"That is a danger that we cannot guard against. Can you swim, Roger?"

"It is years since I have done so," the monk replied, "but I used to do
so, in the old days."

"There is an empty cask here, by my side," Oswald went on. "If we are
challenged, the best plan would be to lower it down, quietly, into the
water; and to hold on by it. The boat would certainly go some distance,
before she had lost her way and brought up; and we should be out of
sight of both ships, before they came together."

"That is a good idea. If we hear a hail, I will at once cut a good
length of rope, and twist it round a barrel for us to hold on by. But I
don't think there is any chance of our being overhauled."

"I agree with you in that respect; still, it is just as well to have
our plans prepared, in case it should happen."

They kept a vigilant watch through the night, without catching sight of
any craft proceeding in the same direction as themselves.

It was still dark when the helmsman hailed the skipper: "I see the
lights of Leith ahead," and later they passed the beacon fire that
marked the entrance to the port. Five minutes later Oswald and his
companion, after paying the sum agreed on, stepped on shore.

"That danger is over. I did not think that there was any real cause for
fear. I should like to see the earl, as his bands of horsemen ride in,
today, with the news that they can hear nothing of us."

"I should like to hit him just such a clout, with my staff, as I gave
his two retainers," Roger said. "Earl as he is, it was sca