passage, not forty-eight hours previously, they had encountered no obstacle of the kind, and a misgiving of danger rose simultaneously to the hearts of each.  It was, however, a thing of too common occurrence in these countries, where storm and tempest were so prevalent and partial, to create more than a mere temporary alarm; for it was quite as probable the barrier had been interposed by some fitful outburst of Nature, as that it arose from design on the part of their enemies:  and when the vessel had continued stationary for some minutes, without the prepared and expectant crew discovering the slightest indication of attack, the former impression was preserved by the officers—­at least avowedly to those around.

“Bear a hand, my lads, and cut away,” at length ordered the boatswain, in a low but clear tone; “half a dozen at each end of the stick, and we shall soon clear a passage for the craft.”

A dozen sailors grasped their axes, and hastened forward to execute the command.  They sprang lightly from the entangled bows of the schooner, and diverging in equal numbers moved to either extremity of the fallen tree.

“This is sailing through the heart of the American forest with a vengeance,” muttered Mullins, whose annoyance at their detention was strongly manifested as he paced up and down the deck.  “Shiver my topsails, if it isn’t bad enough to clear the Sinclair at any time, much more so when one’s running for one’s life, and not a whisper’s length from one’s enemies.  Do you know, Captain,” abruptly checking his movement, and familiarly placing his hand on the shoulder of De Haldimar, “the last time we sailed through this very reach I couldn’t help telling poor Captain Danvers, God rest his soul, what a nice spot it was for an Ingian ambuscade, if they had only gumption enough to think of it.”

“Hark!” said the officer, whose heart, eye, and ear were painfully on the alert, “what rustling is that we hear overhead?”

“It’s Jack Fuller, no doubt, your honour; I sent him up to clear away the branches from the main topmast rigging.”  Then raising his head, and elevating his voice, “Hilloa! aloft there!”

The only answer was a groan, followed by a deeper commotion among the rustling foliage.

“Why, what the devil’s the matter with you now, Jack?” pursued the boatswain, in a voice of angry vehemence.  “Are ye scared at another ghost, and be damned to you, that ye keep groaning there after that fashion?”

At that moment a heavy dull mass was heard tumbling through the upper rigging of the schooner towards the deck, and presently a human form fell at the very feet of the small group, composed of the two officers and the individual who had last spoken.

“A light, a light!” shouted the boatswain; “the foolish chap has lost his hold through fear, and ten to one if he hasn’t cracked his skull-piece for his pains.  Quick there with a light, and let’s see what we can do for him.”