Commodore Junk — page 164: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE GIBBET SPIT. 157 gleam rose from the breaking waves, and the wet shore glistened with tiny points of light, which were eclipsed from time to time as the two dark, shadowy figures passed slowly along, the first accommodating its pace to that of the heavily-burdened second, till the first stopped short, close to where the boat was moored. It was plain to see, for the rope shone through the shallow water, as if gilded with pale, lambent gold; while, when it was seized and drawn rapidly, the boat came skimming in, driving from each side of its bows a film as of liquid moonlight spread thinly over the water beyond, where the waves broke upon the sand. There was the sound of a voice as the figures waded in, one holding the boat, and the other depositing his burden there. “ What’s that?” whispered Bart. ‘“ Did you speak?” No.” “Quick! Get hold of the grapnel. No. On board, lad, quick !” ‘¢ Halt! Who goes there?” cried a voice close by from where the darkness was thickest, For answer Bart cut the grapnel line, made sure that his companion was in the boat, and then, exerting his great strength, he ran out with it through the shallow water, just as there was a vivid flash of lightning, revealing, about twenty yards away, a group of soldiers standing on the rough shore, just beyond the reach of the tide. “ Halt!” was shouted again, followed by a warning. And then followed a series of rapid orders; four bright flashes darted from as many muskets, and the bullets whistled over- head, the intense darkness which had followed the lightning disturbing the soldiers’ aim. Orders to re-load were heard ; but the boat was well afloat by now, and Bart had crawled in, the tiller had been seized, Eomilcbooks