"There y'ar," said Brack triumphantly; "I knew it. You'd take him aboard and gie him a hearty welcome." "Put back; I won't go," said Hector. "Put back, eh, and land yer right in his arms. Not me, not for Brack, oh dear, no; you just sit still, will yer?" Brack had a peculiar habit of saying "you" and "yer," and sundry other words, changing them as the mood took him. "Now I'd not be at all surprised if he'd hired a boat and was on his way to the _London Belle_, just to scent out things; he's a human bloodhound, d----n him, that's what he is." "If he goes to the _London Belle_ he'll find out we have not been there and he will guess we have come to the _Sea-mew_," said Hector. "I cannot risk it, Brack." "Leave him to me. We'll reach the _Sea-mew_ long afore he can get to the _Belle_. That's her out there, right beyond the yacht. I'll put you aboard and row round to her like h----, and I'll meet him comin' to her if so be he's set out; I'll see he doesn't board her if I have to run him down." Brack was pulling with all his might; the boat seemed to skim through the still water of the bay like a skiff; they were nearing the _Sea-mew_. Captain Ben Bruce was on deck, looking over the side. They were about to leave the harbor; Picton was anxious to get away. He was in the cabin. Ben left him reading; probably he had fallen asleep after the excitement of the day. He heard the sound of oars, and in another minute or two saw the boat shooting toward the yacht. "Who's this coming here?" he wondered. He made no sound, merely watched, wondering what would happen. Brack did not see him as he came alongside; the gangway steps were up; how was he to get Hector aboard? "Is that you, Brack?" said Ben. "It's me, sir. Let down the steps quick. I've something to say to you, something that won't keep." "As particular as all that?" "Yes, a matter of life or death," said Brack. "We're just about to leave the harbor." "For God's sake, let down the steps!" said Brack. Hector did not move or speak; his nerves were strung to the highest pitch, he quivered all over. Captain Ben called a hand and they opened the gangway and lowered the steps. "Now's yer time--go up quick!" said Brack. "Who's that?" asked Ben, as Hector rose up. "He's comin' aboard; he's a friend of Mr. Woodridge's." "Who is he?" "He'll tell you when he's aboard," said Brack. "That won't do for me," said Ben. "Don't yer trust me?" asked Brack. "Yes." "Then, for God's sake, let him aboard or you'll regret it for the rest of your days." "Come up," said Ben, thinking it passing strange the man did not give his name. Hector hesitated; Brack urged him on. "Go, go! Think what I've got to do--row round by the _Belle_ in case he's after us."