He also thought
he heard a whining noise, such as a sick person or a child might make,
and then a rough voice saying: "Stow that now!" but Richards, like the
two Pilgrims above, was snoring, and Harry had a slight cold in his
head. "What a stoopid, superstitious being I should become," said the
fisherman to himself, "if I were out here long all alone." But, hark!
the sound of paddles softly dipping came from the left, and at once the
sentry lay down behind the upturned skiff, and, gun in hand, listened.
He poked Richards with his foot, and, as he awoke, enjoined silence.
Richards crawled out, and quietly replaced the boat in its original
position. There were now two on guard instead of one. The boat entered
the lake. It was the scow, Richards' scow, and Harry was indignant.
There were five men in it, and they were talking in a low tone.
"Quite sure them blarsted Squire folks has all gone home, Pete?"
"Sartin, I seen 'em, the hull gang's scattered and skee-daddled, parsons
an' all."
"Where's the blarsted light, then?"
"Seems to me I kin see long, thin streaks. O Lawr, boys, Rodden must ha'
been hard put, when he drapped the block into the hole.
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