Fortunately the threatened storm passed away, and as daylight broke Les Trois Frères was beyond the influence of the Race, Guernsey and its attendant islands, Sark and Herm, being plainly visible.
With a skill acquired by long years of experience, the Guernseyman steered his craft between the islands, taking advantage of every current that would help to bear them south, and, before the sun was high, the Island of Jersey was abeam. The waters, too, were dotted with the sails of fishing boats, forming a pleasing contrast to the dreary waste of water they had traversed on the previous day.
Worn out and faint from the effect of his long fast, Raymond sat up and looked around, as if unable to bring himself to recall his surroundings; but after a scanty meal of dry bread and water, he felt the giddiness leave him, and with an effort he stood on his feet, gripping his father tightly for fear of falling.
"Where are we?" he asked dejectedly.
"Nearly there," replied Redward. "A sailorman thou'lt be some day, but beshrew me if thou lookest like one now! An hour ashore will make all the difference; but rest awhile, my son, for there's work enow ere long for both of us."
Late in the afternoon Les Trois Frères entered St. Brieuc Bay, the high ground showing up distinctly, while far away they could discern the lofty Bretagne hills, that lay between them and their destination; and, just as the sun was sinking low behind the Brittany coast, the little craft brought up under the shadow of the gloomy castle of Cesson.
Redward and the master conferred long and anxiously on the subject of how to gain the shore without observation, but at length a light dawned upon the dull mind of the Guernseyman.
"Thou hast said well," he remarked. "Of a truth we cannot make sure whether they of St. Brieuc are for the Countess of Montfort or against her. And none of us wishes to put his head into the wolf's mouth. But I know of a man—a foster-brother of mine—at whose house ye could stay until the way is clear for ye to journey across country. He dwells at Légué, but a mile from St. Brieuc, and I will go ashore and converse with him."
Silently and in the now black night the little skiff was lowered, and Pierre de la Corbière was rowed ashore by two of his men.
For nearly two hours Redward and the young squire remained on board, anxiously listening for the sound of oars, till at length the little boat shot noiselessly alongside, and the master sprang upon the deck.