THE FUGITIVES.

Don and Jem plunged almost simultaneously into the black, cold water,
and felt the sea thundering in their ears.

Then Jem, being broader and stouter than his companion, rose to the
surface and looked round for Don; but a few seconds of agony ensued
before the water parted and the lad's head shot up into the faint light
shed by the lanthorns.

"Now for it, Mas' Don," whispered Jem; "think as it's a race, and we're
going to win a cup at a 'gatta. Slow and sure, sir; slow and sure,
long, steady strokes, and keep together."

"They're calling to us to stop, Jem," whispered Don.

"Let 'em call, Mas' Don. Somebody else seems a-calling of me, and
that's my Sally. Oh, don't I wish I hadn't got any clothes."

"Can they see us?" whispered Don, as they swam steadily on.

"I don't believe they can, sir; and if they can, they won't see us long.
Shouldn't be surprised if they lowered a boat."

"Ah! Look out!" whispered Don. "Shall we dive?"

For he heard the clicking of the muskets as they missed fire.

"Well, I do call that cowardly," said Jem, as he heard the order to
load; "shooting at a couple of poor fellows just as if they was wild
duck."

"Swim faster, Jem," said Don, as he gazed back over his shoulders at the
lights as the shots rang out.

"No, no; swim slower, my lad. They can't see us; and if they could, I
don't believe as the men would try and hit us. Ah! Not hit, are you?"

"No, Jem; are you?"

"Not a bit of it, my lad. There they go again. Steady. We're all
right now, unless a boat comes after us. We shall soon get ashore at
this rate, and the tide's helping up, and carrying us along."

"Toward shore, Jem, or out to sea?"

"Shore, of course," said Jem, as he swam on his side, and kept an eye on
the faint lights of the ship. "Say, Mas' Don, they won't hang us, will
they, if they ketches us?"

"What made you say that?"

"Because here comes a boat after us.--Hear the skipper?"

"Yes; but the canoe--where is the canoe?"

Don raised himself, and began to tread water, as he looked in the
direction where they had seen the water flash beneath the paddles.

"I dunno, my lad. Can't see nothing but the lights of the ship. Better
swim straight ashore. We sha'n't be able to see no canoe to-night."

They swam steadily on, hearing only too plainly the plans made for their
recapture. The orders, the creaking of the falls, even the plash made
by the boats, as they kissed the wa