“Mr. Strock!” It was Wells, who called to me softly from close at hand. I drew back in all haste and crouched down beside him. Was it too late to take possession of the boat? Or would the attempt perhaps result in disaster from the presence of others watching on board? At any rate, the two men with the lantern were close at hand returning down the ravine. Plainly they suspected nothing. Each carrying a bundle of wood, they came forward and stopped upon the quay. Then one of them raised his voice, though not loudly. “Hullo! Captain!” “All right,” answered a voice from the boat. Wells murmured in my ear, “There are three!” “Perhaps four,” I answered, “perhaps five or six!” The situation grew more complicated. Against a crew so numerous, what ought we to do? The least imprudence might cost us dear! Now that the two men had returned, would they re-embark with their faggots? Then would the boat leave the creek, or would it remain anchored until day? If it withdrew, would it not be lost to us? It could leave the waters of Lake Erie, and cross any of the neighboring states by land; or it could retrace its road by the Detroit River which would lead it to Lake Huron and the Great Lakes above. Would such an opportunity as this, in the narrow waters of Black Rock Creek, ever occur again! “At least,” said I to Wells, “we are four. They do not expect attack; they will be surprised. The result is in the hands of Providence.” I was about to call our two men, when Wells again seized my arm. “Listen!” said he. One of the men hailed the boat, and it drew close up to the rocks. We heard the Captain say to the two men ashore, “Everything is all right, up there?” “Everything, Captain.” “There are still two bundles of wood left there?” “Two.” “Then one more trip will bring them all on board the ‘Terror.’” The “Terror!” It WAS she! “Yes; just one more trip,” answered one of the men. “Good; then we will start off again at daybreak.” Were there then but three of them on board? The Captain, this Master of the World, and these two men? Evidently they planned to take aboard the last of their wood. Then they would withdraw within their machine, and go to sleep. Would not that be the time to surprise them, before they could defend themselves? Rather than to attempt to reach and capture the ship in face of this resolute Captain who was guarding it, Wells and I agreed that it was better to let his men return unassailed, and wait till they were all asleep. It was now half an hour after ten. Steps were once more heard upon the shore. The man with a lantern and his companion, again remounted the ravine toward the woods. When they were safely beyond hearing, Wells went to warn our men, while I stole forward again to the very edge of the water.