THE STOPPING OF THE SUPPLY SHIP
Joe crouched low, preparing for a spring. Jean and Raoul did likewise,
and not one of them breathed.
"Who goes there?" demanded a rough, stern voice, but the next instant
it was silenced, for Joe, throwing himself upon the speaker with a leap
like that of a panther, brought him to the ground with his hands at his
throat.
But the man lay so motionless in his grip that there was no need to
take his life. In falling backward, his head had struck a stone, and
he was senseless. As soon as Joe realized this he let go of him, and
whispering to his companions:
"Quick--quick--run!" he darted off with them at his heels.
Not trying to pick their steps, they plunged through the darkness as
fast as they could, slipping, stumbling, tripping, yet keeping on
desperately, for they knew not if the whole camp might not presently be
upon their heels.
There was a stir among Charnace's sentinels and a calling to one
another, but none of them knew in which direction the fugitives had
gone, and after some aimless scurrying about they gave up all idea of
pursuit, and settled down to quiet again.
Meanwhile, the three had continued their wild flight until their breath
was spent, and then they threw themselves down to recover it.
"All right now," said Joe, nodding complacently. "We see no more of
them," and he was quite correct. They were now beyond Charnace's
lines, and could pursue their way in a more leisurely fashion. The
break of day found them far down the shore and drawing near an
encampment of friendly Indians. From these Joe had no difficulty in
obtaining a good canoe, and a supply of provisions, and by noon they
were out on the Bay of Fundy, watching for the _Clement_.
The weather was fine, and Raoul keenly enjoyed dancing over the
white-capped waves in their buoyant craft, which Joe and Jean managed
with such matchless skill. They did not expect him to paddle, and so
he stretched himself out in the bottom of the canoe and took his ease,
the excitement and exertion of the past night having pretty thoroughly
tired him.
For some hours no sign of the ship appeared, and then, as the afternoon
drew towards its close, Joe's keen eyes descried a sail showing above
the horizon to the southward.
"Good!" he grunted, and with a sweep of his paddle he turned the canoe
in that direction.
"You paddle now," he said to Raoul, and the latter obeyed. Propelled
by the three blades, into which the paddlers put their strength, the
light craft bounded over the water towards the ship.
"Oh! I hope it is the _Clement_" said Raoul. "We shall be just in
good time."
Mile after mile they swept along, until Raoul's arms began to ache, and
his breath to become scant, but Joe and Jean were pegging away as
vigorously as at first, and he hated to give up. They were nearing the
ship rapidly, and ere long would be close enough to hail her, when, to
their surprise, she came about, and went off on another tack, leaving
them rapidly astern.
"Hullo!" exclaimed Raoul in a tone of consternation. "What did she do
that for? We shall soon be farther away from her than we were at
first."
Joe stopped paddling for a moment, and looked very cross. Then, rising
to his full height, he swung the paddle above his head, hoping to
attract the attention of some one on board the vessel. But it had no
effect. The ship continued in her course, and, there being plenty of
wind, her speed was so great as to make it useless for the canoe to
follow her.
[Illustration: "RISING TO HIS FULL HEIGHT, JOE SWUNG THE PADDLE ABOVE
HIS HEAD."]
The occupants of the canoe looked blankly at each other. Even the
usually impassive Joe did not disguise his chagrin, while Jean sought
relief for his feelings in some strong language that would have brought
upon him a reproof from Madame La Tour had she been present. The sun
had already set. Night was drawing near, and unless they reached the
ship before darkness fell they might miss her altogether, and she would
go on to become a prize for the waiting Charnace. Raoul clearly
realized their critical position, and while Joe and Jean discussed what
should be done, he lifted up his heart in earnest prayer that God would
guide them to the ship even through the darkness.
Rested by their brief halt, the paddlers resumed work, steering the
canoe straight up the Bay, so as if possible to intercept the vessel in
her next tack. Meanwhile the daylight faded out of the sky, the wind
dropped, and the water became perfectly calm. In almost complete
silence the canoe glided steadily forward, Raoul, who had paddled until
he was tired, once more taking it easy in the bottom.
Suddenly there came through the gloom the sound of a man's voice giving
a command, and it made the hearts of those in the canoe leap for joy.
Joe and Jean had been paddling listlessly, but now they went to work
with fresh energy. Their light craft shot over the smooth water in the
direction of the voice, and, a few minutes later, the dark bulk of the
ship they sought loomed up before them.
Jean promptly hailed her, and was bidden to come alongside. A rope was
thrown, whereby all three clambered up, and the next instant stood on
the deck of the _Clement_. Very hearty was their welcome here. The
Captain of the good ship felt deeply grateful for the timely warning,
and offered his wearied and hungry visitors the best at his disposal,
while the colonists and others crowded about, eager to be told about La
Tour and his forts, and how things were going in the new world to which
they had come. Raoul was pleased to find himself a person of some
importance, and his tongue wagged merrily as he answered the many
questions poured upon him, or in his turn made inquiries on his own
account. Ere he lay down that night in the Captain's cabin, he did not
forget to thank God for having answered his prayer by guiding the canoe
into the way of the _Clement_.
After consulting with Joe and Jean, the Captain of the _Clement_
decided that the best plan would be for him to keep the ship off for
the present, as it was not likely Charnace would break his blockade of
Fort La Tour to go after her, and, even if he did, she could easily
over-match any one of his vessels, and sail away from any of them.
In the meantime, Joe and Jean would make their way back to the fort,
leaving Raoul on board. This arrangement was carried out successfully.
The messengers again passed through Charnace's lines and brought their
good news to La Tour, who at once decided that the best thing to be
done was for him to get on board the _Clement_ and sail on her for
Boston, to obtain reinforcements against the enemy. So, on a dark,
still night a canoe, containing both Monsieur and Madame, glided unseen
past the blockading vessels, La Tour smiling grimly, and Constance
giving a shudder as they heard Charnace's own voice saying:
"The spy who just came from the fort says that his comrades will send
down La Tour in shackles at midnight," little knowing that the rascally
conspirators had been discovered, and were themselves now lying in
irons in the dungeon of the fort.