ADVENTURES. 163 



Swivel. With all my heart, Bill. I wish we could 

 send a truce flag before us, and cause these long- 

 shanked islanders to know of our pacific intentions : 

 however, at the worst, we shall only scare them 

 during a brief interval from their domiciles, and 

 this, methinks, is no great grievance. What, Bill, 

 already on the point of plunging ? Have a care 

 of those water-weeds to your right. They are 

 tough and long, and should you strike in amongst, 

 them 'twill be no easy matter, I apprehend, to escape 

 perdition. But stay ; let us start together. I would 

 fain back my oars against thine for a handful of 

 groats. Now, push off. 



THE HERON ISLE. 



May. Manifestly, we are intruders, and, to speak 

 truth, Doctor, I am alarmed lest a bold bird or twain 

 from among these screamers should take heart to 

 attack us. We have no weapons of defence, and 

 by these beaks overhead run risk of being stilettoed 

 at a swoop. Good luck ! here is a cudgel, and a 

 strong one. 



Swivel. Folly, Bill ! Art afraid, man, of a few 

 water-fowl ? 



May. Not so, Doctor, but I stand on guard, being 

 ignorant of their natures. Marry ! are they not 

 threatening in their attitudes, wrathful in their cries, 

 dangerously armed, and desperately congregated ? But, 

 what have you there ? 



