“Your reward shall be ample,” continued his tempter.
“I don’t see why I should turn away a job,” said the man; “if I wasn’t to take it, some one else would, of course.”
“A very true remark,” cried Jacob Gray. “You consent then to do this little service?”
“I do, master.”
“Give me your name and address then.”
“Sheldon is my name, and I am always at the stairs at which you hired me, unless away as might be now, when I return again as, soon as possible.”
“That will do,” said Gray. “Now turn your boat’s head and go back with the stream.”
The wherry, with the two rowers, had kept at a considerable distance in the rear; and now that Gray’s boat was suddenly turned and rapidly going down the stream, there seemed some little confusion on board the other wherry; but before the two boats could meet or pass each other, the pursuers had shot off on one side, as if with the intention of landing near Westminster.
“Follow them,” cried Gray; “and wherever they land, do you land me.”
The waterman was a powerful man, and he bent to the oars with such effect, that the wherry shot through the water with amazing speed.