ittle backwards and forwards in the current as it
alternately tightened and slackened its mooring ropes, and occasionally
quivering gently as it touched the wharf. Three separate times Merriman
had heard the hour chimed by the city clocks, and then at last a
delightful drowsiness crept over him, and consciousness had gradually
slipped away. But immediately this shuffling had begun, and with a
feeling of injury he roused himself to learn the cause. Opening his eyes
he found the cabin was full of light from the dancing reflections of
sunlit waves on the ceiling, and that Hilliard, dressing on the opposite
locker, was the author of the sounds which had disturbed him.

"Good!" cried the latter cheerily. "You're awake? Quarter to five and a
fine day."

"Couldn't be," Merriman returned, stretching himself luxuriously. "I
heard it strike two not ten seconds ago."

Hilliard laughed.

"Well, it's time we were under way anyhow," he declared. "Tide's running
out this hour. We'll get a fine lift down to the sea."

Merriman got up and peeped out of the porthole above his locker.

"I suppose you tub over the side?" he inquired. "Lord, what sunlight!"

"Rather. But I vote we wait an hour or so until we're clear of the town.
I fancy the water will be more inviting lower down. We could stop and
have a swim, and then we should be ready for breakfast."

"Right-o. You get way on her, or whatever you do, and I shall have a
shot at clearing up some of the mess you keep here."

Hilliard left the cabin, and presently a racketing noise and vibration
announced that the engines had been started. This presently subsided
into a not unpleasing hum, after which a hail came from forward.

"Lend a hand to cast off, like a stout fellow."

Merriman hurriedly completed his dressing and went on deck, stopping in
spite of himself to look around before attending to the ropes. The sun
was low down over the opposite bank, and transformed the whole river
down to the railway bridge into a sheet of blinding light. Only the
southern end of the great structure was visible stretching out of the
radiance, as well as the houses on the western bank, but these showed
out with incredible sharpness in high lights and dark shadows. From
where they were lying they could not see the great curve of the quays,
and the town in spite of the brilliancy of the atmosphere looked drab
and unattractive.

"Going to be hot," Hilliard remarked. "The bow first, if you don't