soe men that
they would ever again attempt the passage of the shoals. They told one
another that they had seen quite enough of them, and that the dangers
yet before them were insignificant, compared with those they had just
encountered. But they did cross them a second time that night, and not a
single boy in the band raised any objections to it.

The governor now directed the yawl's course toward the head of the
island, and, as she flew along, he revealed to his crew some of the
plans he had determined upon. It was necessary, he said, that the work
before them should be performed with as little delay as possible;
consequently they would not take the yawl to the village with them, for
she might be in their way. They would leave her at the head of the
island, and stop for her when they came back. They would first secure
possession of the Sweepstakes, and moor her at the end of the pier; then
they would visit Mr. Henry's store, help themselves to what provisions
they needed, and after that assist the captain in carrying out his
"splendid idea." Tom listened attentively to all the governor had to
say, and something he had not before thought of came into his mind.

"Governor," said he, "why do you leave my work till the last? Don't you
remember I told you that Johnny Harding sleeps in the store every night?
Suppose that while you are effecting an entrance you awaken him! He will
give the alarm, and then, what will become of my idea?"

"I'll risk that," replied the chief, confidently. "If we get inside the
store he won't give no alarm. I know how to make him keep still. Now,
fellers," he added, turning the boat's head toward the island, "we'll
stop here."

He ran the yawl's bow upon the beach, and with the assistance of his men
moored her securely to the rocks, after which he ordered the band into
the skiff. Will Atkins and Xury seated themselves at the oars, and in
half an hour the skiff rounded the light-house pier, and moved up the
harbor toward the place where the Sweepstakes lay at her anchorage.

CHAPTER IX.

JOHNNY HARDING'S VISITORS.

About nine o'clock, in the same evening in which happened the events we
have just described, Johnny Harding leaned idly over the counter in Mr.
Henry's store, whistling softly to himself, and gazing through the open
door at a vessel in the harbor, which was about to begin her voyage to
the West Indies. He looked as though he had been preparing for a game of
fisticuffs wi