I _think_ there is enough of water to float this little cutter over the reefs, but I am not sure." "Think! sure!" echoed Thorwald, in a tone of exasperated surprise; "and if we _do_ strike, Mr.Gascoyne, do you mean us to go beg for mercy at the hands of your men, or to swim back to Sandy Cove ?" "If we strike, I shall take the boat, land with the men, and leave the cutter to her fate.

The Avenger will suffice to take us back to Sandy Cove." Ole was rendered speechless by the coolness of this remark; so he relieved himself by tightening his belt, and spouting forth volcanoes of smoke.
Meanwhile, the cutter had run to within a short distance of the island.
The night was rendered doubly dark by the rapid spreading of those heavy clouds which indicated the approach of a squall, if not a storm.
"This is well," said Gascoyne, in a low tone, to Henry Stuart, who stood near him; "the worse the storm is to-night the better for the success of our enterprise.

Henry lad, I'm sorry you think so badly of me." Henry was taken aback by this unexpected remark, which was made in a low, sad tone.
"Can I think too badly of one who confesses himself to be _pirate_ ?" said Henry.
"The confession is at least in my favor.

I had no occasion to confess, nor to give myself up to you." "Give yourself up! It remains to be seen whether you mean to do that or not." "Do you not believe me, Henry?
Do you not believe the account that I gave of myself to you and your mother ?" "How can I ?" said the young man, hesitatingly.
"Your mother believed me." "Well, Gascoyne, to tell you the plain truth, I _do_ feel more than half inclined to believe you; and I'm sorry for you; I am, from my soul.

You might have led a different life, you might even do so yet." "You forget," said Gascoyne, smiling sadly.