e manner a swimmer far from where he wished to
go.

But they swam steadily on for some time longer, Jem being the first to
break the silence.

"Say, Mas' Don," he whispered, "did you hear oars?"

"No, Jem."

"I thought I did. I fancy one of the boats put off without a lanthorn.
Weren't there three?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Well, you can see two of 'em easy like."

"Yes, Jem; I can see."

"Then there's another cruising about in the dark, so we must be
careful."

There was another interval of steady swimming, during which they seemed
to get no nearer to the shore, and at last Jem spoke again.

"Say, Mas' Don, don't you feel as if you'd like a cup o' tea?"

"No."

"I do. I'm as dry as sawdus'. S'pose we're nearly there, but I can't
touch bottom. I tried just now."

They swam on, with the lights of the boat farther off than ever, and the
ship more distant still.

"Getting tired, Jem?"

"N-no. Could go on for about another week. Are you?"

"My clothes seem so heavy. Can you see the shore?"

"I can see the beach right afore us, but can't tell how nigh it is.
Never mind about your clothes, my lad; but they're a great noosance at a
time like this. Take your strokes long, and slow as you can."

"That's what I'm doing, Jem, but--do you think it's much further?"

"Now, lookye here, Mas' Don; if ever there was a good-tempered chap it
was--I mean is--Jem Wimble; but if you gets talking like that, you
aggravates me to such a degree that I must speak."

Jem spoke angrily, and with unwonted excitement in his manner.

"Is it much furder, indeed? Why, of course it arn't. Swim steady, and
wait."

Jem closed in as much as was possible after raising himself in the
water, and scanning the distant shore; and as he did so a cold chill of
dread--not on his own account--ran through him, for he felt that they
were certainly no nearer shore than they were before.

"Throw your left shoulder a little more forward, Mas' Don," he said
calmly; "there's a p'int runs out here, I think, as'll make the journey
shorter."

Don obeyed in silence, and they swam on, with Jem watchfully keeping his
eyes upon his companion, who was now deeper in the water.

"Jem," said Don, suddenly.

"Yes, Mas' Don. Take it coolly, my lad. We're getting close there.
Oh, what a lie!" he added to himself, with a chill of misery unnerving
him.

"Jem."

"Ay, ay, Mas' Don."

"If you escape--"

"If I escape!" whispered Jem, angrily.