"They don't gain upon us," growled Cutting Tom, with a desire of making himself agreeable to the maid.
"But they do not lose," said Millicent, in a troubled tone.
"Why, sooth, an they still gain not, 'tis sure they'll ne'er catch us."
"But they can see where we land," said she, "and they can land there, too, and so follow us to the end."
"Then we can e'en teach 'em better manners," said Tom, grandly. "I'd as lief split a throat this night as another."
"Oh, no; in heaven's name, no!" she cried. "We must escape them without that. No blows, I beg of you, whate'er befall!"
"Yet you see how they stick to our heels. How is it, waterman? Shall we not give 'em the slip soon?"
"Belike, and belike not," replied Tooby. "We can do our best, no more."
Suddenly Master Holyday, thinking in some manner to redeem himself, had an inspiration.