Page:In the Roar of the Sea.djvu/111

Rh cloak be mistaken for a patch of furze. She drew her feet under the skirt, that the white stocking's might not betray her, and plucked the hood of her cloak closely round her face. The gorse was sharp, and the spikes entered her hands and feet, and pricked her as she turned herself about between the bushes to bring herself deeper among them.

From where she lay she could see the faintly illumined horizon, and against that horizon figures were visible, one—then another—a third—she could not count accurately, for there came several together; but she was convinced there must have been over a dozen men.

"It's a'most too rough to-night, I reckon," said one of the men.

"No, it is not—the wind is not direct on shore. They'll try it."

"Coppinger and his chaps are down in the cove already," said a third. "They wouldn't go out if they wasn't expecting the boats from the Black Prince."

"You are sure they're down, Wyvill?"

"Sure and sartain. I seed 'em pass, and mighty little I liked to let 'em go by—without a pop from my pistol. But I'd my orders. No orders against the pistol going off of itself, Captain, if I have a chance presently?"

No answer was given to this; but he who had been addressed as Captain asked——

"Are the asses out?"

"Yes; a whole score, I reckon."

"Then they'll come up the mule-path. We must watch that. Lieutenant Hanson will be ready with the cutter to run out and stop their way back by water to the Prince. The Prince's men will take to the sea, and he'll settle with them; but Coppinger's men will run up the cliffs, and we must tackle them. Go on."

Several now disappeared into the darkness, moving toward the sea.

"Here, a word with you, Wyvill," said the Captain.

"Right, sir—here I be."

"Dash it?—it is so dark! Here, step back—a word in your ear."

"Right you are, sir."

They came on to the turf close to where Judith crouched.

"What is that?" said the Captain, hastily.