“It may not easily be done,” he said thoughtfully. “To look forward it seems impossible, an’ yet I would not dwell upon the chances we must take, but rather as to which would be the more honest, so far as duty to our comrade is concerned. Whether we are to lay here in safety, leavin’ him to his fate, or, takin’ our lives in our hands, do what little we may toward aidin’ him? I am not eager to give up my life, an’ this is not a matter in which the Cause can be benefited by our death. Yet does it seem to me that we must make an effort, if so be no other plan presents itself, rather than reproach ourselves durin’ all the remainder of our days, which havin’ been too cowardly to raise a hand in behalf of one who would have given up everythin’ to help us.” Abel spoke so seriously that it was as if he had been reading a sermon, and I was awed by his tone as well as by the words. It seemed to me as if he had left us no opportunity for discussion; but so set it down that it had become our solemn duty, regardless of all danger, and once more I fell silent. It appeared very much as if Sam and Seth Hartley had been impressed in the same way as had I, for we remained there idle, each busied with his own thoughts, until the noon was near at hand. Then, as if having forgotten some duty, Sam leaped suddenly to his feet, hauling in on the cable as if time was precious, and Abe asked curiously what he was about. “I’m pullin’ the sloop so far in that I can wade ashore, for a wettin’ is necessary in order to land.” “Where are you goin’?” “To get a skiff, since that must be done before we can set off. You are not minded that we shall sail into the lower bay without means of landin’ save by runnin’ the sloop ashore?” This was sufficient proof that Sam believed there was no other course left us to pursue save that of carrying out Seth Hartley’s plan, and because I was growing so nervous that action of any kind was preferable to idleness, I lent a hand until the bow of the sloop grated on the sand, when Sam started for the shore. He gained it at no other expense than a partial wetting, which on a day so warm was not to be reckoned as a disaster, and then, at a rapid pace, set off in the direction of Master Dyker’s dock. Now that it seemed as if we were fully committed to the venture our tongues were loosened, and while he was absent we speculated upon that which was to be done as if it was no more than an ordinary incident, instead of a hazard upon which our lives were staked, with the odds in favor of their being lost.