“A ship! We are drifting directly upon a ship!”
His words proved true. But a short distance away was a broad-sterned brig, standing slowly down the stream.
“If it’s a French craft we are lost,” whispered Silvers.
In a minute more the plank bumped up against the side of the brig, and they could see half a dozen sailors at the rail.
“Hullo there!” cried a rough English voice. “Keelhaul me, if there are not two soldiers on a board!”
“Frenchmen! spies!” put in another voice.
“No! no! we are not spies!” called back Silvers joyfully. “We are prisoners escaped from the French.”
“Harken to that, mate. Escaped prisoners! In that case we must help ’em aboard.”
It was not long before a rope was thrown overboard, and with great difficulty Henry and Silvers climbed to the main deck of the ship, where they were immediately surrounded by the captain and several other officers.
“Who are you?” demanded the captain sharply.