"Well, there was no use in hanging back, since the thing must be done, and I had sense enough to know that if we were going to make the venture the sooner it was begun the better chance we had for succeeding, therefore I went over the rail into the canoe, where I found a small sprit-sail, a package of food, and one musket with powder and balls sufficient for two or three charges.
"We've done the best we could by you, lad," Darius called out as he saw me examining the cargo. "You'll soon be where you can lay in a good supply."
"Yes, if we don't go to the bottom first," I replied just a trifle sharply, whereat Darius replied with a laugh:
"I'll trust you for that part of the business. Bill Jepson should be a master hand with a paddle, an' take it all in all, you're bound to push ahead right fast."
"How are we to find you again?" Jerry asked.
"The commodore will attend to that part of it. We'll stay here foolin' around as agreed upon, for a week—unless we get important news before then—, an' if you haven't shown up I'll allow that Joshua Barney set you about other business."
Jerry and Bill Jepson took their places in the canoe, the latter stepping the small spar to which the bit of canvas was rigged, and as I ran a paddle out over the stern to take the place of a rudder, I was astonished at feeling that the little craft was making remarkably good headway.
Almost at the same moment we started, the pungy was hauled around for the Delaware shore, and in less than five minutes she was lost to view in the darkness.
"How is she doin'?" the old sailor asked as he leaned over to watch the rush of water along the side.
"Better than we could shove her with the paddles," I replied, not feeling overly inclined to talk very much.