"God protect you!" she said. "Do you feel sure you can creep through?"
"I've done it before," he replied. "What I'm thinking of, the worst thing for me, is the new line of pickets along the river bank. I shall be fired at, pretty sure, before I can paddle on into the Hudson Narrows. There'll be some risk from our own pickets above Anthony's Nose. I guess they'll all miss me. I've one package, though; that's all weighted, ready to drop into the water if I'm exhausted. I'd make out to sink it, if I was dying. Now, give me some supper."
"Oh, Tom!" she said, "God keep us!"
CHAPTER IX.
THE PICAROON.
"Guert," said Vine Avery, as they stood together, with their backs against the main boom of the Noank, "what do you think of this?"
"Think?" said Guert. "Well! It's the first time I ever saw summer in winter."
"They're having good sleighing in New London," said Vine. "Skating, too."
"Guess so," said Guert. "I wish my mother were here, and Rachel Tarns with her. They'd enjoy this."