He perceived clearly enough, that the chase was moving quickly; and he was also aware, from the increased rapidity with which the oars were urged, that every exertion was made on board to get out of the reach of her pursuers.

At one moment, it seemed as if the flying bark was about to put to shore.

But this plan (probably from its danger) was instantly abandoned; not, however, before her momentary hesitation had been taken advantage of by her pursuers, who, redoubling their efforts at this juncture, materially lessened the distance between them.
Ben watched these manoeuvres with great interest, and strained every sinew in his frame to keep ahead of the other boats.
"Them's catchpoles, I s'pose, Sir, arter the gemman with a writ ?" he observed.
"Something worse, I fear," Wood replied.
"Why, you don't think as how they're crimps, do you ?" Ben inquired.
"I don't know what I think," Wood answered sulkily; and he bent his eyes upon the water, as if he wished to avert his attention forcibly from the scene.
There is something that inspires a feeling of inexpressible melancholy in sailing on a dark night upon the Thames.

The sounds that reach the ear, and the objects that meet the eye, are all calculated to awaken a train of sad and serious contemplation.

The ripple of the water against the boat, as its keel cleaves through the stream--the darkling current hurrying by--the indistinctly-seen craft, of all forms and all sizes, hovering around, and making their way in ghost-like silence, or warning each other of their approach by cries, that, heard from afar, have something doleful in their note--the solemn shadows cast by the bridges--the deeper gloom of the echoing arches--the lights glimmering from the banks--the red reflection thrown upon the waves by a fire kindled on some stationary barge--the tall and fantastic shapes of the houses, as discerned through the obscurity;--these, and other sights and sounds of the same character, give a sombre colour to the thoughts of one who may choose to indulge in meditation at such a time and in such a place.
But it was otherwise with the carpenter.