And any one who may have seen me there would certainly have set me down as waterman to some visitor at the Hall, waiting my orders.
So indeed I was; and as the moments passed, I grew impatient and anxious.

The tide would scarcely serve us all the way; and should the Frenchman haul his anchor too early on the morrow, we might find him gone.

Besides, every moment they delayed, the man Laker might perchance suspect what was afoot and take measures to spoil our escape.
At length they came, Ludar supporting the old nurse, the serving man carrying a box, the maiden walking quietly in front, as calmly as if she were taking an evening walk to hear the nightingale sing.

Not a word was spoken as they embarked, or until the boat, with Ludar and me at the oars, was dropping swiftly down the stream.

Then the old woman broke out in a torrent.
"A plague on all these schoolboy antics!" cried she.