ADI 'RON D AC. 109 



On we sped, noiselessly as ever, but with in- 

 creased velocity. Presently, with a thrill of 

 new intensity, I saw the boat was gradually 

 heading in that direction. Now, to a sports- 

 man who gets excited over a gray squirrel, 

 and forgets that he has a gun on the sudden 

 appearance of a fox, this was a severe trial. 

 I felt suddenly cramped for room, and trim- 

 ming the boat was out of the question. It 

 seemed that I must make some noise in spite 

 of myself. " Light the jack," said a soft 

 whisper behind me. I fumbled nervously 

 for a match, and dropped the first one. An- 

 other was drawn briskly across my knee, 

 and broke. A third lighted, but went out 

 prematurely, in my haste to get it up to the 

 jack. What would I not have given to see 

 those wicks blaze ! We were fast nearing 

 the shore, already the lily-pads began to 

 brush along the bottom. Another attempt, 

 and the light took. The gentle motion 

 fanned the blaze, and in a moment a broad 

 glare of light fell upon the water in front of 

 us, while the boat remained in utter dark- 

 ness. 



By this time, I had got beyond the ner- 

 vous point, and had come round to perfect 

 coolness and composure again, but preter- 



