Just then, while the ruffians were picking their way into the boat, Bissell gave the prisoner an almost imperceptible wink, which Paul saw and comprehended. It was full of hope to him, for he did not see how the skipper could deliver him over to the magnate after the good service he had rendered, in his humble way, on board of the Silver Moon. Besides, he was a Beech Hiller now, and the store-keeper knew it. He was under great obligations to them, and Paul did not believe he would betray one of their number. The skipper had not lowered his mainsail when he made the landing, and the sloop was all ready to shove off. After two of the ruffians were in the standing-room, the prisoner was conducted on board between two others. At this point, Bissell went on board and took a stand near the tiller. "It blows like Sam Hill to-day," said he, "and I want you to keep your places, and not move out of them. There are eight of us now, and sit four on a side. Here, Paul, you sit there," and he shoved the prisoner into the place next to his own, on the port side. "But you won't have to go out into the rough water to get to Sandy Point," suggested Mad Twinker. "We must go out some distance, for there is hardly any wind under the bluffs," replied the skipper. "You take a seat in that corner, Mad;" and he crowded him into the place opposite his own. The other ruffians were arranged to suit him, and then he shoved the sloop off into deep water. The sail filled on the port tack, and the Silver Moon went off with the wind a little abaft of the beam. The shore was low at the head of the bay, and the sloop got her full share of the breeze. She struck into an eight-knot speed at once. "It was lucky for us that you came up to the creek, Mr. Bissell," said Mad Twinker, as the boat shot ahead. "Perhaps it was," replied the skipper; but there was not much enthusiasm in the remark. "Those villains from the other side blocked us in so that we couldn't do anything, and we were thinking of walking Paul over by land," added the leader. "But some of us are about used up, and we did not like the idea of such a tramp through the woods." As he spoke he glanced at the battered faces of some of his companions. They all looked as though they had been through the wars. "The head boat of the tinkers is swinging around," said Alf Sumner, as the Gildrock turned her bow towards the shore. "I wonder what they are going to do now," added Mad Twinker, with no little anxiety in his expression. "The rest of the tinker boats are following her," continued Ham Jackson. The Gildrock made a graceful sweep before the sloop came up with the position of the last barge in the line, and was abreast of the Silver Moon about as soon as she was under full headway. The Beech Hillers now laid themselves out, though they could hardly expect to keep up with the sailboat in that wind. "Can't you outsail those barges, Mr. Bissell?" asked Mad Twinker.