the doings of the river pirates. They say that boats are often picked up
stove in and broken, and that none know what had become of their occupants,
and that bodies, gashed and hewn, are often found floating in the river.

"How horrible," the girl said; "your tale makes me shiver, Martha; I would
you had said nothing about it till we were on land again.

"Do not be afraid, Edith," the lady said cheerfully; "we shall soon be safe
at Westminster."

There were now only two or three boats to be seen on the river. They were
nearing the end of their journey now, and the great pile of the Abbey could
be seen through the darkness. A boat with several men in it was seen rowing
across the river towards the Lambeth side. It was awkwardly managed.

"Look out!" the steersman of the boat coming down stream shouted; "you will
run into us if you don't mind."

An order was given in the other boat, the men strained to their oars, and
in an instant the boat ran with a crash into the side of the other, cutting
it down to the water's edge. For a minute there was a wild scene of
confusion; the women shrieked, the watermen shouted, and, thinking that it
was an accident, strove, as the boat sank from under them, to climb into
that which had run them down. They were speedily undeceived. One was sunk
by a heavy blow with an oar, the other was stabbed with a dagger, while the
assailants struck fiercely at the old man and the women.

At this moment, however, a third boat made its appearance on the scene, its
occupants uttering loud shouts. As they rowed towards the spot their
approach was heralded by a shower of arrows. Two of the ruffians were