"He was on the upper island all the while!" He pulled straight for shore.

"Threat me with your bow, good Dick; threat me with it plain," he added.

"I have tried to save your skins, save you mine!" The boat ran into a tough thicket of willows with a crash.

Matcham, pale, but steady and alert, at a sign from Dick, ran along the thwarts and leaped ashore; Dick, taking the horse by the bridle, sought to follow, but what with the animal's bulk, and what with the closeness of the thicket, both stuck fast.

The horse neighed and trampled; and the boat, which was swinging in an eddy, came on and off and pitched with violence.
"It may not be, Hugh; here is no landing," cried Dick; but he still struggled valiantly with the obstinate thicket and the startled animal.
A tall man appeared upon the shore of the island, a long-bow in his hand.
Dick saw him for an instant, with the corner of his eye, bending the bow with a great effort, his face crimson with hurry.
"Who goes ?" he shouted.