en all the provisions for them, so we'll be left
to suck our thumbs when we get right hungry."

Darius not only planned the journey while we were absent; but had gone
ahead with the preparations as if advised in advance that we would
agree to it.

"Well, there was no use in hanging back, since the thing must be done,
and I had sense enough to know that if we were going to make the
venture the sooner it was begun the better chance we had for
succeeding, therefore I went over the rail into the canoe, where I
found a small sprit-sail, a package of food, and one musket with
powder and balls sufficient for two or three charges.

"We've done the best we could by you, lad," Darius called out as he
saw me examining the cargo. "You'll soon be where you can lay in a
good supply."

"Yes, if we don't go to the bottom first," I replied just a trifle
sharply, whereat Darius replied with a laugh:

"I'll trust you for that part of the business. Bill Jepson should be a
master hand with a paddle, an' take it all in all, you're bound to
push ahead right fast."

"How are we to find you again?" Jerry asked.

"The commodore will attend to that part of it. We'll stay here foolin'
around as agreed upon, for a week--unless we get important news before
then--, an' if you haven't shown up I'll allow that Joshua Barney set
you about other business."

Jerry and Bill Jepson took their places in the canoe, the latter
stepping the small spar to which the bit of canvas was rigged, and as
I ran a paddle out over the stern to take the place of a rudder, I was
astonished at feeling that the little craft was making remarkably good
headway.

Almost at the same moment we started, the pungy was hauled around for
the Delaware shore, and in less than five minutes she was lost to view
in the darkness.

"How is she doin'?" the old sailor asked as he leaned over to watch
the rush of water along the side.

"Better than we could shove her with the paddles," I replied, not
feeling overly inclined to talk very much.

"Then I can't see but that everything is as smooth as grease, an'
what's better'n all else, we're leavin' the bloomin' Britishers astern
in a way to make my heart glad. The wind is likely to increase before
it lessens, so we'll be a good bit on our way by sunrise."

"Ay," Jerry said grimly; "but if you've lived in Baltimore you know
what the mouth of the Potomac is when the breeze comes strong, an' I
don't allow that this canoe would mak