as speedily seen floundering in the
water, his wig floating in one direction and his hat in another, his
sword sinking to the bottom, as he was suddenly forced to swim for it or
go down. The nightwatch lost his lantern in the scuffle, and there was
great confusion and hubbub. In the dark, men behind pushing forward to
see what was going on crowded redcoats and others into the river, and
the confusion and hubbub grew worse and worse every moment.

"Hallo, keep back there, you are throwing us all into the river!"

"Good thing, too, to get rid of all the redcoats!"

"Push a few more in and give them a good soaking."

"Shove in a few rebels to even things up."

"What's all the trouble about, anyhow?"

"Ten o'clock of a sultry night and all's well!" drawled the nightwatch,
recovering his lantern and lighting it.

Then other nightwatchmen came up, and there was more light and less
confusion and turmoil. The redcoats were very wroth at the people for
letting the "saucy young rebels" escape, and the bluejackets were angry
at the rebels for taking their boats, while some of the people were
wrathful at both redcoats and bluejackets, and others,--Tories, by the
way--were incensed against the others and angry at the escape of the
boys.

The latter were now out upon the river in the dark, but going cautiously
and steadily on. Dick took the lead and worked his way between the shore
and the nearest ship without being discovered, the hubbub on shore not
having yet resolved itself into an alarm which the ships could
understand. The officers, supposing it to be merely a fight between
rival crews or between sailors and people, paid no attention to it, and
the boys continued steadily on their way. Then other boats put out, and
some one shouted:

"Hallo! there's a boatload of young rebels on the river, trying to
escape. Fire upon them and sink the young rascals the moment you see
them!"

Now the cause of the fracas on shore was explained, and at once a search
for the daring boys was instituted. Lights flashed, hoarse voices were
heard calling across the water, and there was as much confusion on the
river as there had been on land. One could not see as far as on shore,
however, and the means of getting from place to place were not as
numerous, and much time was lost in getting into communication one with
another.

Dick knew his way and went on as rapidly as possible, and with all
caution, passing one ship and making his way tow