The Canadian Brothers (Volume II) or The Prophecy Fulfilled

-and although the lake was calm and unbroken as the face of a mirror, a dense fog had arisen which prevented objects at the head of the vessel from being seen from the stern. Two men only wer

e, and, on these occasions, a profound sigh would burst from his chest. Then again he would resume his rapid walk, with the air of one who has re

my cabin, but fail not to call me an hour before day-break. Our friends being all landed, there can be noth

ising his brawny form from his rude couch with one hand, wh

ight?" inquired the o

assa Geral-but

the very first thing in the morning, provided the fog does not continue. By th

on, for e Bubbalo town-all, except dis here I

om his breast a small clasped pocket book, on a steel entablature adorn

hat you had not soo

tains papers that m

ow no means of for

the sc

aid the old man, in a tone that showed he felt, and was pained by the reproof of his young master. "D

he added to himself, "By heaven, it must be so-it is then as I expected. Would that I had had this proof of their participation before the

is pea jacket close under his ears, the negro agai

was to examine the severed portions of the rope itself, and in these he could observe, by the reflection of the lamp, near which he held them minute particles of steel, which left no doubt in his mind that this had been the instrument by which the separation of Desborough's bonds had been effected. We will not venture to assert what were the actual feelings of the officer, on making this

oing ashore himself, presenting this undoubted evidence of their guilt, and taxing them boldly with the purpose to which it had been appropriated. Perhaps there was another secre

whether he had not been deceived, a dark form came hurriedly, yet noiselessly, down the steps of the cabin. Gerald turned, and discovered Sambo, who now perfectly awake, indicated by his manner, he was the bearer of some alarming intelligence. His report confirmed the suspicion already entertained by himself, and at that moment he fancied he heard the same subdued sounds but multiplied in several distinct points. A vague sense of danger cam

d up," with no other addition to the shirts in which they had left their cots, then their trousers, a light state of costume to which those who were "boxed up" in their pea jackets and great coats on the forecastle, soon reduced themselves

in which not the slightest deviation was perceptible. It was evident that they were guided by some one who had well studied the distance and bearing of the schooner from the shore, and as it was impossible to hope that even the fog would afford them concealment from the approaching enemy, all that was left them, was to make the best defence they could. One other alternative remained, it is true, and t

depended, for the crew, composed of sixteen men only, exclusive of petty officers, could hope to make hut a poor resistance, despite of all the resolution they might bring into the contest, against a squadron of well armed boats, unless some very considerable diminution in the numbers and efforts of these latter should be made by "old Sally," before they actually came to close quarters. The weakness of the crew was in a great degree attributable to the schooner having been employed as a cartel;

ast, and at a distance of not more than twenty yards, announced that the main effort of their enem

ely opposite, while two others could be seen diverging, apparently one towards the quarter, the other towards the bows of the devoted little vessel. The crew bent their gaze eagerly o

breech unkivered last night," shouted the man who held the match, a

m by one, who also held t

d springing to the deck. "She's a spike in the touch

ean you?" eagerl

examine the touch-hole, "there is a great piece of steel in it, and

Sambo on duty the preceding night. "I thought I see her fiddlin' about the gun, when the chase was made af

re was no time to think of, much less to discuss it-th

depend upon ourselves. Down beneath the bulwarks, and move not one of you until they be

had discontinued their oars, but the bows of the several boats could be heard ob

is master. Its rays fell upon the first of the three boats, the crews of which were seen standing up with arms ou

t. Shrieks, curses and plashings, as of bodies falling in the water succeeded; and

eamed suddenly in air, and the contents of the yet undischarged bl

rowled Tom Fluke, who although concealed behind the bulwarks, had availed himsel

pose, that left little doubt as to the result. A few sprang into the chains and rigging, while others sought to enter by her bows, but the main effort seemed to be made at her gangway, at

ir comrades, their efforts became at each moment more resolute and successful. A deadly contest had been maintained in the gangway, from which, however, Gerald was compelled to retire, although bravely supported by his handful of followers. Step by step he had retreated, until at length he found his back against the main-mast, and his enemies pressing him on every side. Five of his men lay dead in the space between the gangway and the position he now occupied, and Sambo, who had not quitted his side for an instant, was also senseless at his feet, felled by a tremendous blow from a cutlass upon the head. Hit force now consisted merely of the five men remaining of his own party, and three of those

enly lighted, he was now seen casting looks of savage vengeance, and holding his formidable knife threateningly over t

authoritative voice and manner, announced him for an

d, the settler quitted his grasp, and ret

ours would not be an easy conquest-yet, little deemed it would have been purchased with the lives of nearly half our force. Still, even while we deplore our loss, have we hearts to estimate the v

an act of chivalrous courtesy, and he expressed in b

ald, who had exchanged his trusty cutlass, for the sword he had been so flatteringly permitted to retain, found himself in the leading boat of the little return squadron, and seated at the side of his generous captor. It may be easily imagined what his mortification was at this unexpected reverse, and how bitterly he regretted not having weighed anch

d, the conquest of the schooner would not be an easy one. W

y to name-but thus much I may venture to state, that the person who ha

u prepared to expect the failure of the schoon

ent when the harmless flash was seen ascending, you will require n

d the beach, where many of the citizens were assembled to hear tidings of the enterprize, and congratulate the captors. Thence he was conducted