Just as day began to dawn, they had passed over all the rocks, and come upon a fine sandy beach, and right before them appeared a long range of lofty sand-hills. As the sun rose, our hero paused between two of these sand-hills, covered here and there with stunted marine plants. “Now, Bill,” he observed, turning to his companion, and observing with a smile the oddity of his appearance, his trousers scarcely reaching his knees, his coat too short, and stretched to bursting, and on his head a red cap, like a night-cap. “Why, Bill, you made but a bad fit of it last night; your garments are far too small.” “Small!” repeated Bill, with infinite disgust, looking down at his powerful limbs, encased so tightly from the wet that they seemed a part of his skin. “They aint fit, sir, for a powder-monkey. There was no time, you know, to try others; it’s very lucky your honour found the skipper’s; he was a tall, powerful brute; but I had no such luck.” “Never mind, Bill, they will fit better when dry, and as I have secured some cash from the skipper’s desk—fair spoil in war—I will soon new rig you when we get to a town; but mind, you must not speak a word. I shall pass you off as being dumb.” Bill smiled grimly and clenched his huge hand. “Yes, sir, all right; I’ll be dumb enough, seeing as how I don’t understand their confounded parley-voo; but they had better keep their hands off me. I’ll never spare a couple of lubbers again, if I can get my fingers round their throats.” “Well, now pull off your garments; here’s a fine hot April sun; they will dry in less than an hour.” “Never get them off, sir, without a knife. Let them dry where they are; it’s all the same to me. Just let me dry your clothes, sir.” “It is not likely we shall be intruded on here,” said Lieutenant Thornton, sticking his jacket on a stunted shrub; “and I think after we cross this line of sand-hills, we shall not be more than three miles from Fecamp, where, with a little skill and management, we may be able to seize a fishing-boat, and put to sea.” “But what are we to do for grub, sir? I feel rather queer as it is.” “I can purchase some food,” said the Lieutenant, “at the first cottage we come to; only mind, not a word.” Just then Bill beheld a rabbit, and gave chase; pitched his cap and then his shoes at it, and finally, with exceeding chagrin, saw it dart into a hole. “Why, Bill, you never dreamt of running down a rabbit; you have burst your trousers.” Bill cast a rueful glance at a fragment of cloth that fluttered in the wind. “The beggar carried too much sail, sir. I thought we might roast him over a few sticks.” “But we are not Indians, Bill, and have not their skill in eliciting fire from two pieces of wood. Here is some twine I found in this jacket; you had better take in that rent you have made.”