wn, lest even at that distance the two
sentries, so plainly visible in the red light of the guard-house fire,
should see them.

"Well, bo's," said Gabbett, "what's to be done now?"

As he spoke, a long low howl broke from one of the chained hounds, and
the whole kennel burst into hideous outcry. John Rex, who perhaps was
the bravest of the party, shuddered. "They have smelt us," he said. "We
must go on."

Gabbett spat in his palm, and took firmer hold of the axe-handle.

"Right you are," he said. "I'll leave my mark on some of them before
this night's out!"

On the opposite shore lights began to move, and the fugitives could hear
the hurrying tramp of feet.

"Make for the right-hand side of the jetty," said Rex in a fierce
whisper. "I think I see a boat there. It is our only chance now. We can
never break through the station. Are we ready? Now! All together!"

Gabbett was fast outstripping the others by some three feet of distance.
There were eleven dogs, two of whom were placed on stages set out in the
water, and they were so chained that their muzzles nearly touched. The
giant leapt into the line, and with a blow of his axe split the skull of
the beast on his right hand. This action unluckily took him within reach
of the other dog, which seized him by the thigh.

"Fire!" cried McNab from the other side of the lamps.

The giant uttered a cry of rage and pain, and fell with the dog
under him. It was, however, the dog who had pulled him down, and the
musket-ball intended for him struck Travers in the jaw. The unhappy
villain fell--like Virgil's Dares--"spitting blood, teeth, and curses."

Gabbett clutched the mastiff's throat with iron hand, and forced him
to loose his hold; then, bellowing with fury, seized his axe and sprang
forward, mangled as he was, upon the nearest soldier. Jemmy Vetch had
been beforehand with him. Uttering a low snarl of hate, he fired, and
shot the sentry through the breast. The others rushed through the now
broken cordon, and made headlong for the boat.

"Fools!" cried Rex behind them. "You have wasted a shot! LOOK TO YOUR
LEFT!"

Burgess, hurried down the tramroad by his men, had tarried at Signal
Hill only long enough to loose the surprised guard from their bonds, and
taking the Woody Island boat was pulling with a fresh crew to the Neck.
The reinforcement was not ten yards from the jetty.

The Crow saw the danger, and, flinging himself into the water,
desperately seized McNab'