Moored to the steps, several wherries were dancing in the rushing current, as if impatient of restraint.  Into one of these the waterman jumped, and, having assisted Mr. Wood to a seat within it, immediately pushed from land.  Ben had scarcely adjusted his oars, when the gleam of a lantern was seen moving towards the bank.  A shout was heard at a little distance, and, the next moment, a person rushed with breathless haste to the stair-head.

“Boat there!” cried a voice, which Mr. Wood fancied he recognised.

“You’ll find a waterman asleep under his tilt in one of them ere craft, if you look about, Sir,” replied Ben, backing water as he spoke.

“Can’t you take me with you?” urged the voice; “I’ll make it well worth your while.  I’ve a child here whom I wish to convey across the water without loss of time.”

“A child!” thought Wood; it must be the fugitive Darrell.  “Hold hard,” cried he, addressing the waterman; “I’ll give the gentleman a lift.”

“Unpossible, master,” rejoined Ben; “the tide’s running down like a mill-sluice, and the wind’s right in our teeth.  Old saltwater was right.  We shall have a reg’lar squall afore we gets across.  D’ye hear how the wanes creaks on old Winchester House?  We shall have a touch on it ourselves presently.  But I shall lose my wager if I stay a moment longer—­so here goes.”  Upon which, he plunged his oars deeply into the stream, and the bark shot from the strand.

Mr. Wood’s anxiety respecting the fugitive was speedily relieved by hearing another waterman busy himself in preparation for starting; and, shortly after, the dip of a second pair of oars sounded upon the river.

“Curse me, if I don’t think all the world means to cross the Thames this fine night,” observed Ben.  “One’d think it rained fares, as well as blowed great guns.  Why, there’s another party on the stair-head inquiring arter scullers; and, by the mass! they appear in a greater hurry than any on us.”

His attention being thus drawn to the bank, the carpenter beheld three figures, one of whom bore a torch, leap into a wherry of a larger size than the others, which immediately put off from shore.  Manned by a couple of watermen, who rowed with great swiftness, this wherry dashed through the current in the track of the fugitive, of whom it was evidently in pursuit, and upon whom it perceptibly gained.  Mr. Wood strained his eyes to catch a glimpse of the flying skiff.  But he could only discern a black and shapeless mass, floating upon the water at a little distance, which, to his bewildered fancy, appeared absolutely standing still.  To the practised eye of the waterman matters wore a very different air.  He perceived clearly enough, that the chase was moving quickly; and he was also aware, from the increased rapidity with which the oars were urged, that every exertion was made on board to get out of the reach of her pursuers.  At one moment, it seemed as if the flying bark was about to put to shore.  But this plan (probably from its danger) was instantly abandoned; not, however, before her momentary hesitation had been taken advantage of by her pursuers, who, redoubling their efforts at this juncture, materially lessened the distance between them.