hey intended to go, and, with the
task before them, should they escape, of passing their enemy's lair once
again.

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

THE CROWNING POINT OF THE TRIP.

"Come and lay hold o' one scull," said Bob, whose eyes seemed to be
fixed as he stared at the back of their enemy. "Oh, do be quick!"

Dexter slipped into his place, took the scull, and began to row.

"Getting closer, ain't he?" whispered Bob hoarsely. "Yes. I'm afraid
so."

"Pull, pull!"

Dexter needed no telling, and he tugged away at the oar as the boat
glided a little more swiftly on.

"Ain't leaving him behind, are we!" growled Bob, whose face now grew
convulsed with horror. "No; I'm afraid he's coming nearer."

"Oh dear, oh dear!" groaned Bob. "He'll half-kill me, and it's all your
fault. Let's stop rowing and give him the boat."

"That we won't," cried Dexter, setting his teeth. "I'll row till I die
first."

"But it'll only make him more savage," growled Bob. "I wish I was safe
at home."

"You're not half-pulling, Bob."

"It's of no use, matey. He's sure to ketch us, and the furder we rows,
the more wild he'll be."

"I don't care," cried Dexter; "he shan't have it if I can help it.
Row!"

In his most cowardly moments Bob was obedience itself, and breaking out
into a low sobbing whimper, as if it were a song to encourage him in his
task, he rowed on with all his might, while only too plainly it could be
seen that the man was gaining steadily upon them in spite of the
clumsiness of his boat; and consequently it was only a question of time
before the boys were overtaken, for the muscles of the man were certain
to endure longer than those of Dexter, untrained as they were to such
work.

"He's closer, ain't he?" whined Bob.

"Yes, ever so much," replied Dexter, between his set teeth.

"Well, jest you recollect it was you hit him that whack on the head. I
didn't do nothing."

"Yes, you did," said Dexter sharply. "You said, _yah_! at him, and
called him names."

"No, I didn't. Don't you be a sneak," whined Bob. "You were ever so
much worse than me. Is he coming closer?"

"Yes."

It was a fact, closer and closer, and the tide ran so strongly now that
the boys had hard work to make much progress. They did progress,
though, all the same, for their boat was narrow and sharp. Still the
current was dead against them, and their want of movement added to their
despair.

Bad as it was for them, however, it w