"Now, Joe, let us get under weigh," said Stephen. "As I have been to
sea I can lend you a hand, and will either take the helm or help you
forward."

"You will take the helm, and let the other young men come forward and do
as I tell them," said Joe, eyeing Simon's muscular form and Andrew's
active figure. "We are stronger-handed than usual, for even when old
Mr Headland is aboard, though he has got a head on his shoulders, he
has not much bodily strength remaining." The main-sail was soon set,
the anchor, with the assistance of Andrew and Simon, quickly hove up and
secured, when the little vessel began to glide out of the cove. They
had just got off the southern point of the bay when they saw a number of
men running along the cliff towards them. As Stephen was steering he
did not observe them particularly, but Andrew and Simon, after
attentively looking at them, exclaimed, "They are soldiers!"

As they caught sight of the boat, the soldiers were seen to beckon
vehemently, as if to call her back.

"Very unlikely that we will do that," said Stephen. "The fellows have
somehow or other found out who we are, and old Mr Headland will, I
fear, be the sufferer."

"If those soldiers want us, should not we put back?" asked Joe.

"The very reason we should not," said Stephen. "We should do no good,
and should certainly have our voyage delayed."

Just as he was speaking the sail gave a flap; the boat was becalmed
under the high ground.

"Get out the oars, lads; we must make the best of our way from the
shore."

Joe and the lads got out the oars, and Andrew and Simon assisted them to
pull. They had not made many strokes before several shot came whistling
over their heads.

"Pull away," cried Stephen; "we shall soon be out of range, and in a few
minutes will catch the breeze again."

The soldiers once more fired; two bullets struck the boat, but did no
damage; the third went through the main-sail. The soldiers shouted and
gesticulated more vehemently than before. The party in the boat, at
Stephen's suggestion, took not the slightest notice of them, though they
pulled on with might and main till the breeze once more filled the sails
and rapidly freshened. The boat now stood away to the southward, and
was soon out of range of the soldiers' muskets.

"Perhaps after all we shall be followed," remarked Andrew.

"No fear of that," said Joe. "There is not a man left in the harbour to
take out a boat; the chances ar