rrangements to do so. But you shall carry out
your scheme first."

"I should be very glad to do so, and I am confident that I shall
succeed."

"You shall try it, at all events."

"Will you let Bailey go with me?" asked Richard.

"No; I do not wish to expose him to danger. You can take care of
yourself, it appears, if you get into trouble. Do you want some one
with you?"

"I think it would be better."

"Mr. Gault shall accompany you, but you shall manage the matter
yourself."

"Very well, sir. What shall I do for a boat?"

"You shall have one of the pontoon boats. It will be better than a
skiff."

"Good! I didn't think of that," said Richard, with enthusiasm.

"Now, Grant, not a word must be said of the events of to-night."

It was after nine o'clock when this conference was finished, and the
boys had retired. Richard and the principal left the office, and
repaired to the stables, where they found three of the instructors,
including Mr. Gault. The horses were attached to the pontoon wagon,
ready for a start. The whole party seated themselves in the vehicle,
and were driven by the public road to a spot near the shore of the
lake. One of the rubber boats was unloaded, and Mr. Gault and Richard
carried it down to the bank.

The night was cloudy and dark. Green Island was half a mile from the
place where they proposed to embark, and there was no danger that the
mutineers would see or hear them. The boat was filled with air, by the
aid of a bellows, and placed in the water. Richard requested Mr. Gault
to lie down in the boat, and, with a short paddle he had brought for
the purpose, he propelled the light craft towards her destination.

The utmost care and quiet were necessary to prevent the mutineers from
gaining any knowledge of the movement; and when the boat was within a
few rods of the island, Richard laid aside his paddle and listened. He
could hear the Regulators talking and laughing at some distance from
the shore, and he soon satisfied himself that no sentinels had been
detached to guard the approaches. With a few strokes of his paddle, he
brought the boat alongside the island.

Richard seemed to be a master of strategy, and conducted his movements
with such skill and prudence, that he and Mr. Gault succeeded in
effecting a landing without disturbing the mutineers.

"Now, sir, we must lie down and crawl upon the ground till we get
within hearing distance of them," whispered Richard.

"I will foll