"We will respond to it, by the help of God," replied Ralph; "it came, surely, from that dark wherry which I see yonder preparing to shoot the bridge."
"I thought so also," said William, "and methought I recognized the voice of him who called for help; it rang into my very soul, and, if I err not, it was the voice of our friend Diego!"
"To the rescue! to the rescue!" cried Ralph in reply, and in an instant they had turned their boat down-stream and were following the suspicious wherry.
Their light boat soon brought the heavier wherry into full view. They could see that there were three men on board of her; two were rowing, the third held the tiller.
"What are our plans, William?" said Ralph; "do you take the lead, and I will second you promptly."
"Agreed," replied his brother. "I propose, then, that we follow that wherry whithersoever it goes. If those men have a captive on board, they will soon seek to lodge him in durance—that will be our moment of attack.
"For the present we keep within reach of them, but sufficiently far off to disarm their suspicions.
"Leave the boat to me, I will row, and do you keep a vigilant eye on their movements. Loosen your poignard in its sheath—I will do the same—for this matter will not be decided without bloodshed, and may God defend the right!"
"Amen," said Ralph solemnly, yet with a distinct sound of joyous exultation in his voice.
No fear, no misgiving, found place in their brave young souls!