"Don't talk to him, gentlemen. Let him make his attempt on his own
basis. He will act according to circumstances, and will know what is
best to do. There, Dale. Now off! Go right forward into the bows, and
send Hampton aft. He shall put an oar over the stern and scull you
right in under the bowsprit. Then we shall go on round to the stern and
wait. If you do not hear or see us, act all the same. It is intensely
dark, and we shall be there. Off!"
It was like being started on a school race, and my breath came short as
if I were running. I crept forward as silently as possible to where Bob
Hampton was seated, and it was so dark that I had to feel for him.
"Go aft and take an oar with you," I whispered. "Don't speak, and don't
make a sound."
Then I crept right into the bows, and stood there gazing at the faint
lights on board the ship, and trying to think of nothing but the task I
had in hand.
"I've got it to do," I said to myself, "and I will do it for Miss
Denning's and her brother's sake."
Then I shivered, but I made a fresh effort to be firm, and said half
laughingly--but oh! what a sham it was!--"It's only like going in for a
game of hide-and-seek. There'll be no one on deck but Jarette."