The sky was clear, and white with stars. They could hardly realize what had happened. It seemed like a dream—a horrible nightmare, or some tragedy that had been played on the stage.
The boys pulled hard until they got abreast of the island. Each stroke which took them further away from the scene of that sudden horror lifted a weight off their minds.
It was almost daylight when they got there. But a thick fog came up with the dawn, and hidden under its friendly canopy they rowed round until they struck a little reedy bay, where they could not be seen from the opposite bank or noticed by chance steamers. Tired out, they ran in here, and, getting their tent unrolled, spread it over them in the boat, and stretching themselves out on the bottom, with a seat for a pillow, fell fast asleep.
Chapter VI.
THEY TAKE AN OATH.
The dreams of the adventurers were troubled. Their minds went over the recent tragedy, of which they had been the unwilling and unexpected witnesses.
They heard again the low groaning of the departing storm, saw the wicked glare of the sheet lightning, the darkness, and the deed.
At times either lad would start up and murmur in his sleep; but they were young and healthy, and it was not till the sun rose high overhead that they awoke.
The morning was cool, bright, and lovely.