around them. I advised Green to launch the boats, and to
come round to the landing-place near the house to receive you on board.
There is not a moment to be lost, for they outnumber your people as five
to one, and can find plenty of shelter; and were they to discover you on
shore, they would make you prisoners."

Higson and Tom smiled. "They are not likely to do that," answered
Higson; "though we are very much obliged to you for your warning, and
most unwillingly we must wish our kind hostesses good-bye."

"Oh, do go! do go!" cried both the young ladies in a breath; "we should
deeply regret if you were to be made prisoners, and grieved still more
were you compelled to fight the Cossacks."

"We must first thank you for your kindness, which, believe me, we shall
never forget," said Higson, who, supposing that the Cossacks were still
at a distance, did not feel that there was any necessity to be in a
hurry. Tom was thanking Feodorowna in still more sentimental language,
when the old tutor seized their arms.

"Come down, come!" he exclaimed; "even now I am afraid that you are too
late. I hear the hoofs of the Cossacks' horses clattering along the
road, and they will catch sight of you before you can reach the
landing-place."

As he spoke, he went round to the front of the house, and quickly came
back again.

"It is as I feared," he exclaimed; "your retreat is cut off, and if the
boats come in to take you on board, they will to a certainty be fired
on. I must go and warn them, and leave you to the care of the ladies."

"But if you can go, so can we," said Higson, preparing to accompany Herr
Groben.

"Oh no, no! they will recognise you at once from your uniforms; but they
will not suspect my object. Besides, you will have to show yourself,"
said Herr Groben, "as you try to get on board; but I can remain
concealed, while I warn your friends to keep off the shore."

Higson and Tom still persevered in their intention of making their way
down to the landing-place, and were on the point of hurrying off, when
the young ladies seized their hands and entreated them, with tears in
their eyes, to remain.

"You will both of you be shot, for you will have to pass within a dozen
yards of the spot the Cossacks have reached, and it would be so dreadful
to have you killed. Do stay, and we can easily conceal you till they
have gone away, for they dare not search this house; indeed, they will
not suspect that English officer