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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Midnight Webs, by George Manville Fenn
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Midnight Webs
+
+Author: George Manville Fenn
+
+Release Date: July 27, 2011 [EBook #36875]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MIDNIGHT WEBS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+Midnight Webs
+By George Manville Fenn
+Published by Tinsley Brothers, 18 Catherine Street, Strand,
+London. This edition dated 1872.
+Midnight Webs, by George Manville Fenn.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+MIDNIGHT WEBS, BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.
+
+
+STORY ONE: SMITH'S DITTY.
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+FIRST WORDS.
+
+I've waited these many years, expecting some one or another would give a
+full and true account of it all, but little thinking it would ever come
+to be my task; for it's not in my way.  But seeing how much has been
+said about other parts and other people's sufferings, while ours never
+so much as came in for a line of newspaper, I can't think it's fair; and
+as fairness is what I always did like, I set to, very much against my
+will; while, on account of my empty sleeve, the paper keeps slipping and
+sliding about, so that I can only hold it quiet by putting the lead
+inkstand on one corner, and my tobacco-jar on the other.  You see, I'm
+not much at home at this sort of thing; and though, if you put a pipe
+and a glass of something before me, I could tell you all about it,
+taking my time like, it seems that won't do.  I said: "Why don't you
+write it down as I tell it, so as other people could read all about it?"
+But "No," he says; "I could do it in my fashion; but I want it to be in
+your simple unadorned style; so set to and do it."
+
+I daresay a good many of you know me--seen me often in Bond-street, at
+Facet's door--Facet's, you know, the great jeweller's, where I stand and
+open carriages, or take messages, or small parcels with no end of
+valuables in them; for I'm trusted.  Smith, my name is--Isaac Smith; and
+I'm that tallish grisly fellow with the seam down one side of his face,
+his left sleeve looped up to the button, and not a speck to be seen on
+that "commissionnaire's" uniform, upon whose breast there are three
+medals.
+
+I was standing one day, waiting patiently for something to do, when a
+tallish gentleman came up, nodded as if he knew me well; and I saluted.
+
+"Lose that limb in the Crimea, my man?"
+
+"No, sir; Mutiny," I said, standing as stiff as use had made nature with
+me.
+
+And then he asked me a heap more questions; and I answered him; and the
+end of it was, that one evening I went to his house, and he had me in,
+and did what was wanted to set me off.  I'd had a little bit of an
+itching to try something of the kind, I must own, for long enough; but
+his words started me; and in consequence I got a quire of the best
+foolscap paper, and a pen'orth of pens; and here's my story.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER ONE.
+
+Dub-dub-dub-dub-dub-dub.  Just one soft beat given by the boys in
+front--the light sharp tap upon their drums, to mark the time for the
+march--and in heavy order there we were, Her Majesty's 156th regiment of
+Light Infantry, making our way over the dusty roads with the hot morning
+sun beating down upon our heads.  We were marching very loosely, though;
+for the men were tired, and we were longing for the halt to be called,
+so that we might rest during the heat of the day, and then go on again.
+Tents, baggage-wagons, women, children, elephants--all were there; and
+we were getting over the ground at the rate of about twenty miles a day,
+on our way up to the station, where we were to relieve a regiment going
+home.
+
+I don't know what we should have done if it hadn't been for Harry Lant,
+the weather being very trying--almost as trying as our hot red coats and
+heavy knapsacks and flower-pot busbies, with a round white ball like a
+child's plaything on the top; but no matter how tired he was, Harry Lant
+had always something to say or do; and even if the colonel was close by,
+he'd say or do it.  Now, there happened to be an elephant walking along
+by our side, with the captain of our company, one of the lieutenants,
+and a couple of women in the howdah; while a black nigger fellow, in
+clean white calico clothes, and not much of 'em, and a muslin turban,
+and a good deal of it, was striddling on the creature's neck, rolling
+his eyes about, and flourishing an iron toasting-fork sort of thing,
+with which he drove the great flap-eared patient beast.  The men were
+beginning to grumble gently, and shifting their guns from side to side,
+and sneezing, and coughing, and choking in the kicked-up dust, like a
+flock of sheep, when Captain Dyer scrambles down off the elephant, and
+takes his place alongside us, crying out cheerily: "Only another mile,
+my lads, and then breakfast."
+
+We gave him a cheer, and another half-mile was got over; when once more
+the boys began to flag terribly, and even Harry Lant was silent, which,
+seeing what Harry Lant was, means a wonderful deal more respecting the
+weather than any number of degrees on a thermometer, I can tell you.
+But I looked round at him, and he knew what I meant; and, slipping out,
+he goes up to the elephant.  "Carry your trunk, sir," he says; and
+taking gently hold of the great beast's soft nose, he laid it upon his
+shoulder, and marched on like that, with the men roaring with laughter.
+
+"Pulla-wulla.  Ma-pa-na," shouted the nigger who was driving, or
+something that sounded like it; for of all the rum lingoes ever spoke,
+theirs is about the rummest, and always put me in mind of the fal-lal-la
+or tol-de-rol chorus of a song.
+
+"All right.  I'll take care!" sings out Harry; and on he marched, with
+the great soft-footed beast lifting its round pats and putting them down
+gently, so as not to hurt Harry; and, trifling as that act was, it meant
+a great deal, as you'll see if you read on, while just then it got our
+poor fellows over the last half-mile without one falling out.  And then
+the halt was called; men wheeled into line; we were dismissed; and soon
+after we were lounging about, under such shade as we could manage to get
+in the thin topes of trees.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWO.
+
+That's a pretty busy time, that first half-hour after a halt: what with
+setting loosely up a few tents, and getting a fire lighted, and fetching
+water; but in spite of our being tired, we soon had things right.  There
+was the colonel's tent, Colonel Maine--a little stout man, that we all
+used to laugh at, because he was such a pudgy, round, good-tempered
+chap, who never troubled about anything; for we hadn't learned then what
+was lying asleep in his brave little body, waiting to be brought out.
+Then there was the mess-tent for the officers, and the hospital-tent for
+those on the sick-list, beside our bell-tents, that we shouldn't have
+set up at all, only to act as sunshades.  But, of course, the principal
+tent was the colonel's.
+
+Well, there they were, the colonel and his lady, Mrs Maine--a nice,
+kindly-spoken, youngish woman: twenty years younger than he, she was;
+but for all that, a happier couple never breathed; and they two used to
+seem as if the regiment, and India, and all the natives were made on
+purpose to fall down and worship the two little golden idols they'd set
+up--a little girl and a little boy, you know.  Cock Robin and Jenny
+Wren, we chaps used to call them, though Jenny Wren was about a year and
+a half the oldest.  And I believe it was from living in France a bit
+that the colonel's wife had got the notion of dressing them so; but it
+would have done your heart good to see those two children--the boy with
+his little red tunic and his sword, and the girl with her red jacket and
+belt, and a little canteen of wine and water, and a tiny tin mug; and
+them little things driving the old black ayah half wild with the way
+they used to dodge away from her to get amongst the men, who took no end
+of delight in bamboozling the fat old woman when she was hunting for
+them, sending her here and there and everywhere, till she'd turn round
+and make signs with her hands, and spit on the ground, which was her way
+of cursing us.  For I must say that we English were very, very careless
+about what we did or said to the natives.  Officers and men, all alike,
+seemed to look upon them as something very little better than beasts,
+and talked to them as if they had no feelings at all, little thinking
+what fierce masters the trampled slaves could turn out, if ever they had
+their day--the day that the old proverb says is sure to come for every
+dog; and there was not a soul among us then that had the least bit of
+suspicion that the dog--by which, you know, I mean the Indian
+generally--was going mad, and sharpening those teeth of his ready to
+bite.
+
+Well, as a matter of course, there were other people in our regiment
+that I ought to mention: Captain Dyer I did name; but there was a
+lieutenant, a very good-looking young fellow, who was a great favourite
+with the Colonel and Mrs Maine; and he dined a deal with them at times,
+besides being a great chum of Captain Dyer's--they two shooting
+together, and being like brothers, though there was a something in
+Lieutenant Leigh that I never seemed to take to.  Then there was the
+doctor--a Welshman he was, and he used to make it his boast that our
+regiment was about the healthiest anywhere; and I tell you what it is,
+if you were ill once, and in hospital, as we call it--though, you know,
+with a marching regiment that only means anywhere till you get well--I
+say, if you were ill once, and under his hands, you'd think twice before
+you made up your mind to be ill again, and be very bad too before you
+went to him.  Pestle, we used to call him, though his name was Hughes;
+and how we men did hate him, mortally, till we found put his real
+character, when we were lying cut to pieces almost, and him ready to cry
+over us at times as he tried to bring us round.  "Hold up, my lads,"
+he'd say, "only another hour, and you'll be round the corner!" when what
+there was left of us did him justice.  Then, of course, there were other
+officers, and some away with the major, and another battalion of our
+regiment at Wallahbad; but they've nothing to do with my story.
+
+I don't think I can do better now than introduce you to our mess on the
+very morning of this halt, when, after cooling myself with a pipe, just
+the same as I should have warmed myself with a pipe if it had been in
+Canady or Nova Scotia, I walked up to find all ready for breakfast, and
+Mrs Bantem making the tea.
+
+Some of the men didn't fail to laugh at us who took our tea for
+breakfast; but all the same I liked it, for it always took me home, tea
+did--and to the days when my poor old mother used to say that there
+never was such a boy for bread-and-butter as I was; not as there was
+ever so much butter that she need have grumbled, whatever I cost for
+bread; and though Mrs Bantem wasn't a bit like my mother, she brought
+up the homely thoughts.  Mrs Bantem was, I should say, about the
+biggest and ugliest woman I ever saw in my life.  She stood five feet
+eleven and a half in her stockings, for Joe Bantem got Sergeant Buller
+to take her under the standard one day.  She'd got a face nearly as dark
+as a black's; she'd got a moustache, and a good one too; and a great
+coarse look about her altogether.  Measles--I'll tell you who he was
+directly--Measles used to say she was a horse godmother; and they didn't
+seem to like one another; but Joe Bantem was as proud of that woman as
+she was of him; and if any one hinted about her looks, he used to laugh,
+and say that was only the outside rind, and talk about the juice.  But
+all the same, though, no one couldn't be long with that woman without
+knowing her flavour.  It was a sight to see her and Joe together, for he
+was just a nice middle size--five feet seven and a half--and as pretty a
+pink-and-white, brown-whiskered, open-faced man as ever you saw.  We all
+got tanned and coppered over and over again, but Joe kept as nice and
+fresh and fair as on the day we embarked from Gosport years before; and
+the standing joke was that Mrs Bantem had a preparation for keeping his
+complexion all square.
+
+Joe Bantem knew what he was about, though, for one day when a nasty
+remark had been made by the men of another regiment, he got talking to
+me in confidence over our pipes, and he swore that there wasn't a better
+woman living; and he was right, for I'm ready now at this present moment
+to take the Book in my hand, and swear the same thing before all the
+judges in Old England.  For you see, we're such duffers, we men: show us
+a pretty bit of pink-and-white, and we run mad after it; while all the
+time we're running away from no end of what's solid and good and true,
+and such as'll wear well, and show fast colours, long after your
+pink-and-white's got faded and grimy.  Not as I've much room to talk.
+But present company you know, and setra.  What, though, as a rule, does
+your pretty pink-and-white know about buttons, or darning, or cooking?
+Why, we had the very best of cooking; not boiled tag and rag, but nice
+stews and roasts and hashes, when other men were growling over a
+dog's-meat dinner.  We had the sweetest of clean shirts, and never a
+button off; our stockings were darned; and only let one of us--Measles,
+say--take a drop more than he ought, just see how Mrs Bantem would drop
+on to him, that's all.  If his head didn't ache before, it would ache
+then; and I can see as plain now as if it was only this minute, instead
+of years ago, her boxing Measles' ears, and threatening to turn him out
+to another mess if he didn't keep sober.  And she would have turned him
+over too, only, as she said to Joe, and Joe told me, it might have been
+the poor fellow's ruin, seeing how weak he was, and easily led away.
+The long and short of it is, Mrs Bantem was a good motherly woman of
+forty; and those who had anything to say against her, said it out of
+jealousy, and all I have to say now is what I've said before: she only
+had one fault, and that is, she never had any little Bantems to make
+wives for honest soldiers to come; and wherever she is, my wish is that
+she may live happy and venerable to a hundred.
+
+That brings me to Measles.  Bigley his name was; but he'd had the
+small-pox very bad when a child, through not being vaccinated; and his
+face was all picked out in holes, so round and smooth that you might
+have stood peas in them all over his cheeks and forehead, and they
+wouldn't have fallen off; so we called him Measles.  If any of you pay
+"Why?"  I don't know no more than I have said.
+
+He was a sour-tempered sort of fellow was Measles, who 'listed because
+his sweetheart laughed at him; not that he cared for her, but he didn't
+like to be laughed at, so he 'listed out of spite, as he said, and that
+made him spiteful.  He was always grumbling about not getting his
+promotion, and sneering at everything and everybody, and quarrelling
+with Harry Lant, him, you know, as carried the elephant's trunk; while
+Harry was never happy without he was teasing him, so that sometimes
+there was a deal of hot water spilled in our mess.
+
+And now I think I've only got to name three of the drum-boys, that Mrs
+Bantem ruled like a rod of iron, though all for their good, and then
+I've done.
+
+Well, we had our breakfast, and thoroughly enjoyed it, sitting out there
+in the shade.  Measles grumbled about the water, just because it
+happened to be better than usual; for sometimes we soldiers out there in
+India used to drink water that was terrible lively before it had been
+cooked in the kettle; for though water-insects out there can stand a
+deal of heat, they couldn't stand a fire.  Mrs Bantem was washing up
+the things afterwards, and talking about dinner; Harry Lant was picking
+up all the odds and ends to carry off to the great elephant, standing
+just then in the best bit of shade he could find, flapping his great
+ears about, blinking his little pig's eyes, and turning his trunk and
+his tail into two pendulums, swinging them backwards and forwards as
+regular as clockwork, and all the time watching Harry, when Measles says
+all at once: "Here come some lunatics!"
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER THREE.
+
+Now, after what I've told you about Measles 'listing for spite, you will
+easily understand that the fact of his calling any one a lunatic did not
+prove a want of common reason in the person spoken about; but what he
+meant was, that the people coming up were half mad for travelling when
+the sun was so high, and had got so much power.
+
+I looked up and saw, about a mile off, coming over the long straight
+level plain, what seemed to be an elephant, and a man or two on
+horseback; and before I had been looking above a minute, I saw Captain
+Dyer cross over to the colonel's tent, and then point in the direction
+of the coming elephant.  The next minute, he crossed over to where we
+were.  "Seen Lieutenant Leigh?" he says in his quick way.
+
+"No, sir; not since breakfast."
+
+"Send him after me if he comes in sight.  Tell him Miss Ross and party
+are yonder, and I've ridden on to meet them."
+
+The next minute he had gone, taken a horse from a sycee, and in spite of
+the heat, cantered off to meet the party with the elephant, the air
+being that clear that I could see him go right up, turn his horse round,
+and ride gently back by the elephant's side.
+
+I did not see anything of the lieutenant, and, to tell the truth, I
+forgot all about him, as I was thinking about the party coming, for I
+had somehow heard a little about Mrs Maine's sister coming out from the
+old country to stay with her.  If I recollect right, the black nurse
+told Mrs Bantem, and she mentioned it.  This party, then, I supposed,
+contained the lady herself; and it was as I thought.  We had had to
+leave Patna unexpectedly to relieve the regiment ordered home; and the
+lady, according to orders, had followed us, for this was only our second
+day's march.
+
+I suppose it was my pipe made me settle down to watch the coming party,
+and wonder what sort of a body Miss Ross would be, and whether anything
+like her sister.  Then I wondered who would marry her, for, as you know,
+ladies are not very long out in India without picking up a husband.
+"Perhaps," I said to myself, "it will be the lieutenant;" but ten
+minutes after, as the elephant shambled up, I altered my mind, for
+Captain Dyer was ambling along beside the great beast, and his was the
+hand that helped the lady down--a tall, handsome, self-possessed girl,
+who seemed quite to take the lead, and kiss and soothe the sister, when
+she ran out of the tent to throw her arms round the new-comer's neck.
+
+"At last, then, Elsie," Mrs Colonel said out aloud.  "You've had a long
+dreary ride."
+
+"Not during the last ten minutes," Miss Ross said, laughing in a bright,
+merry, free-hearted way.  "Lieutenant Leigh has been welcoming me most
+cordially."
+
+"Who?" exclaimed Mrs Colonel, staring from one to the other.
+
+"Lieutenant Leigh," said Miss Ross.
+
+"I'm afraid I am to blame for not announcing myself," said Captain Dyer,
+lifting his muslin-covered cap.  "Your sister, Miss Ross, asked me to
+ride to meet you, in Lieutenant Leigh's absence."
+
+"You, then--"
+
+"I am only Lawrence Dyer, his friend," said the captain smiling.
+
+It's a singular thing that just then, as I saw the young lady blush
+deeply, and Mrs Colonel look annoyed, I muttered to myself, "Something
+will come of this," because, if there's anything I hate, it's for a man
+to set himself up for a prophet.  But it looked to me as if the captain
+had been taking Lieutenant Leigh's place, and that Miss Ross, as was
+really the case, though she had never seen him, had heard him so much
+talked of by her sister, that she had welcomed him, as she thought,
+quite as an old friend, when all the time she had been talking to
+Captain Dyer.
+
+And I was not the only one who thought about it; else why did Mrs
+Colonel look annoyed, and the colonel, who came paddling out, exclaim
+loudly: "Why, Leigh, look alive, man! here's Dyer been stealing a march
+upon you.  Why, where have you been?"
+
+I did not hear what the lieutenant said, for my attention was just then
+taken up by something else, but I saw him go up to Miss Ross, holding
+out his hand, and the meeting was very formal; but, as I told you, my
+attention was taken up by something else, and that something was a
+little dark, bright, eager, earnest face, with a pair of sharp eyes, and
+a little mocking-looking mouth; and as Captain Dyer had helped Miss Ross
+down with the steps from the howdah, so did I help down Lizzy Green, her
+maid; to get, by way of thanks, a half-saucy look, a nod of the head,
+and the sight of a pretty little tripping pair of ankles going over the
+hot sandy dust towards the tent.
+
+But the next minute she was back, to ask about some luggage--a
+bullock-trunk or two--and she was coming up to me, as I eagerly stepped
+forward to meet her, when she seemed, as it were, to take it into her
+head to shy at me, going instead to Harry Lant, who had just come up,
+and who, on hearing what she wanted, placed his hands, with a grave
+swoop, upon his head, and made her a regular eastern salaam, ending by
+telling her that her slave would obey her commands.  All of which seemed
+to grit upon me terribly; I didn't know why, then, but I found out
+afterwards, though not for many days to come.
+
+We had the route given us for Begumbagh, a town that, in the old days,
+had been rather famous for its grandeur; but, from what I had heard, it
+was likely to turn out a very hot, dry, dusty, miserable spot; and I
+used to get reckoning up how long we should be frizzling out there in
+India before we got the orders for home; and put it at the lowest
+calculation, I could not make less of it than five years.  At all
+events, we who were soldiers had made our own beds, and had to lie upon
+them, whether it was at home or abroad; and, as Mrs Bantem used to say
+to us, "Where was the use of grumbling?"  There were troubles in every
+life, even if it was a civilian's--as we soldiers always called those
+who didn't wear the Queen's uniform--and it was very doubtful whether we
+should have been a bit happier, if we had been in any other line.  But
+all the same, Government might have made things a little better for us
+in the way of suitable clothes, and things proper for the climate.
+
+And so on we went: marching mornings and nights; camping all through the
+hot day; and it was not long before we found that, in Miss Ross, we men
+had got something else beside the children to worship.
+
+But I may as well say now, and have it off my mind, that it has always
+struck me that, during those peaceful days, when our greatest worry was
+a hot march, we didn't know when we were well off, and that it wanted
+the troubles to come before we could see what good qualities there were
+in other people.  Little trifling things used to make us sore--things
+such as we didn't notice afterwards, when great sorrows came.  I know I
+was queer, and spiteful, and jealous; and no great wonder that, for I
+always was a man with a nastyish temper, and soon put out; but even Mrs
+Bantem used to show that she wasn't quite perfect, for she quite upset
+me one day, when Measles got talking at dinner about Lizzy Green, Miss
+Ross's maid, and, what was a wonderful thing for him, not finding fault.
+He got saying that she was a nice girl, and would make a soldier as
+wanted one a good wife; when Mrs Bantem fires up as spiteful as could
+be--I think, mind you, there'd been something wrong with the cooking
+that day, which had turned her a little--and she says that Lizzy was
+very well, but looks weren't everything, and that she was raw as raw,
+and would want no end of dressing before she would be good for anything;
+while as to making a soldier's wife, soldiers had no business to have
+wives till they could buy themselves off and turn civilians.  Then,
+again, she seemed to have taken a sudden spite against Mrs Maine,
+saying that she was a poor little stuck-up fine lady, and she could
+never have forgiven her if it had not been for those two beautiful
+children; though what Mrs Bantem had got to forgive the colonel's wife,
+I don't believe she even knew herself.
+
+The old black ayah, too, got very much put out about this time, and all
+on account of the two new comers; for when Miss Ross hadn't the children
+with her, they were along with Lizzy, who, like her mistress, was new to
+the climate, and hadn't got into that doll listless way that comes to
+people who have been some time up the country.  They were all life and
+fun and energy, and the children were never happy when they were away;
+and of a morning, more to please Lizzy, I used to think, than the
+children, Harry Lant used to pick out a shady place, and then drive
+Chunder Chow, who was the mahout of Nabob, the principal elephant, half
+wild, by calling out his beast, and playing with him all sorts of
+antics.
+
+Chunder tried all he could to stop it; but it was of no use, for Harry
+had got such influence over that animal, that when one day he was
+coaxing him out to lead him under some trees, and the mahout tried to
+stop him, Nabob makes no more ado, but lifts his great soft trunk, and
+rolls Mr Chunder Chow over into the grass, where he lay screeching like
+a parrot, and chattering like a monkey, rolling his opal eyeballs, and
+showing his white teeth with fear; for he expected that Nabob was going
+to put his foot on him and crush him to death, as is the nature of those
+great beasts.  But not he; he only lays his trunk gently on Harry's
+shoulder, and follows him across the open like a great flesh-mountain,
+winking his little pig's eyes, whisking his tiny tail, and flapping his
+great ears; while the children clapped their hands as they stood in the
+shade with Miss Ross and Lizzy, and Captain Dyer and Lieutenant Leigh
+close behind.
+
+"There's no call to be afraid, miss," says Harry, saluting as he saw
+Miss Ross shrink back; and seeing how, when he said a few words in
+Hindustani, the great animal minded him, they stopped being afraid, and
+gave Harry fruit and cakes with which to feed the great beast.
+
+You see, out there in that great dull place, people are very glad to
+have any little trifle to amuse them; so you mustn't be surprised to
+hear that there used to be quite a crowd to see Harry Lant's
+performances, as he called them.  But all the same, I didn't like his
+upsetting old Chunder Chow; and it seemed to me, even then, that we'd
+managed to make another black enemy--the black ayah being the first.
+
+However, Harry used to go on making old Nabob kneel down, or shake
+hands, or curl up his trunk, or lift him up, finishing off by going up
+to his head, lifting one great ear, saying they understood one another,
+whispering a few words, and then shutting the ear up again, so as the
+words shouldn't be lost before they got into the elephant's brain, as
+Harry explained, because they'd got a long way to go.  Then Harry would
+lie down, and let the great beast walk backwards and forwards all over
+him, lifting his great feet so carefully, and setting them down close to
+Harry, but never touching him, except one day when, just as the great
+beast was passing his foot over Harry's breast, a voice called out
+something in Hindustani--and I knew who it was, though I didn't see--
+when Nabob puts his foot down on Harry's chest, and Lizzy gave a loud
+scream, and we all thought the poor chap would be crushed; but not he:
+the great beast was took by surprise, but only for an instant; and in
+his slow quiet way he steps aside, and then touches Harry all over with
+his trunk; and there was no more performance that day.
+
+"I've got my knife into Master Chunder for that," says Harry to me; "for
+I'll swear that was his voice."  And I started to find he had known it.
+
+"I wouldn't quarrel with him," I says quietly; "for it strikes me he's
+got his knife into you."
+
+"You've no idea," says Harry, "what a nip it was.  I thought it was all
+over; but all the same, the poor brute didn't mean it, I'd swear."
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+Who could have thought just then that all that nonsense of Harry Lant's
+with the elephant was shaping itself for our good?  But so it was, as
+you shall by and by hear.  The march continued, matters seeming to go on
+very smoothly; but only seeming, mind you; for let alone that we were
+all walking upon a volcano, there was ever so much unpleasantry brewing.
+Let alone my feeling that, somehow or another, Harry Lant was not so
+good a mate to me as he used to be, there was a good deal wrong between
+Captain Dyer and Lieutenant Leigh, and it soon seemed plain that there
+was much more peace and comfort in our camp a week earlier than there
+was at the time of which I am now writing.
+
+I used to have my turns as sentry here and there; and it was when
+standing stock-still with my piece, that I used to see and hear so much;
+for in a camp it seems to be a custom for people to look upon a sentry
+as a something that can neither see nor hear anything but what might
+come in the shape of an enemy.  They know he must not move from his
+post, which is to say that he's tied hand and foot; and perhaps from
+that they think that he's tied as to his senses.  At all events, I got
+to see that when Miss Ross, was seated in the colonel's tent, and
+Captain Dyer was near her, she seemed to grow gentle and quiet, and her
+eyes would light up, and her rich red lips part, as she listened to what
+he was saying; while, when it came to Lieutenant Leigh's turn, and he
+was beside her talking, she would be merry and chatty, and would laugh
+and talk as lively as could be.  Harry Lant said it was because they
+were making up matters, and that some day she would be Mrs Leigh; but I
+didn't look at it in that light, though I said nothing.
+
+I used to like to be sentry at the colonel's tent, on our halting for
+the night, when the canvas would be looped up, to let in the air, and
+they'd got their great globe-lamps lit, with the tops to them, to keep
+out the flies, and the draughts made by the punkahs swinging backwards
+and forwards.  I used to think it quite a pretty sight, with the ladies
+and the three or four officers, perhaps chatting, perhaps having a
+little music, for Miss Ross could sing like--like a nightingale, I was
+going to say; but no nightingale that I ever heard could seem to lay
+hold of your heart, and almost bring tears into your eyes, as she did.
+Then she used to sing duets with Captain Dyer, because the colonel
+wished it, though it was plain to see Mrs Maine didn't like it, any
+more than did Lieutenant Leigh, who more than once, as I've seen, walked
+out, looking fierce and angry, to strike off right away from the camp,
+perhaps not to come back for a couple of hours.
+
+It was one night when we'd been about a fortnight on the way, for during
+the past week the colonel had been letting us go on very easily, I was
+sentry at the tent.  There had been some singing, and Lieutenant Leigh
+had gone off in the middle of a duet.  Then the doctor, the colonel, and
+a couple of subs were busy over a game at whist, and the black nurse had
+beckoned Mrs Maine out, I suppose to see something about the two
+children; when Captain Dyer and Miss Ross walked together just outside
+the tent, she holding by one of the cords, and he standing close beside
+her.
+
+They did not say much, but stood looking up at the bright silver moon
+and the twinkling stars; while he said a word now and then about the
+beauty of the scene, the white tents, the twinkling lights here and
+there, and the soft peaceful aspect of all around; and then his voice
+seemed to grow lower and deeper as he spoke from time to time, though I
+could hardly hear a word, as I stood there like a statue watching Miss
+Ross's beautiful face, with the great clusters of hair knotted back from
+her broad white forehead, the moon shining full on it, and seeming to
+make her eyes flash as they were turned to him.
+
+They must have stood there full half an hour, when she turned as if to
+go back; but he laid his hand upon hers as it held the tent-cord, and
+said something very earnestly, when she turned to him again to look him
+full in the face, and I saw that her hand was not moved.
+
+Then they were silent for a few seconds before he spoke again, loud
+enough for me to hear.
+
+"I must ask you," he said huskily; "my peace depends upon it.  I know
+that it has always been understood that you were to be introduced to
+Lieutenant Leigh.  I can see now plainly enough what are your sister's
+wishes; but hearts are ungovernable, Miss Ross; and I tell you
+earnestly, as a simple truth-speaking man, that you have roused feelings
+that until now slept quietly in my breast.  If I am presumptuous,
+forgive me--love is bold as well as timid--but at least set me at rest:
+tell me, is there any engagement between you and Lieutenant Leigh?"
+
+She did not speak for a few moments, but met his gaze, so it seemed to
+me, without shrinking, before saying a word, so softly, that it was like
+one of the whispers of the breeze crossing the plain; and that word was
+"No!"
+
+"God bless you for that answer, Miss Ross--Elsie!" he said deeply; and
+then his head was bent down for an instant over the hand that rested on
+the cord, before Miss Ross glided away from him into the tent, and went
+and stood resting with her hand upon the colonel's shoulder, when he,
+evidently in high glee, began to show her his cards, laughing and
+pointing to first one, and then another; for he seemed to be having luck
+on his side.
+
+But I had no more eyes then for the inside of the tent; for Captain Dyer
+just seemed to awaken to the fact that I was standing close by him as
+sentry, and he gave quite a start as he looked at me for a few moments
+without speaking.  Then he took a step forward.
+
+"Who is this?  O, thank goodness!"  (he said those few words in an
+undertone, but I happened to hear them).  "Smith," he said, "I forgot
+there was a sentry there.  You saw me talking to that lady?"
+
+"Yes, sir," I said.
+
+"You saw everything?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"And you heard all?"
+
+"No, sir, not all; only what you said last."
+
+Then he was silent again for a few moments, but only to lay his hand
+directly after on my chest.
+
+"Smith," he said, "I would rather you had not seen this; and if it had
+been any other man in my company, I should perhaps have offered him
+money, to ensure that there was no idle chattering at the mess-tables;
+but you I ask, as a man I can trust, to give me your word of honour as a
+soldier to let what you have seen and heard be sacred."
+
+"Thank you, captain," I said, speaking thick, for somehow his words
+seemed to touch me.  "You sha'n't repent trusting me."
+
+"I have no fear, Smith," he said, speaking lightly, and as if he felt
+joyful and proud and happy.  "What a glorious night for a cigar!"  And
+he took one out of his case, when we both started; for, as if he had
+that moment risen out of the ground, Lieutenant Leigh stood there close
+to us; and even to this day I can't make out how he managed it, but all
+the same he must have seen and heard as much as I had.
+
+"And pray, is my word of honour as a soldier to be taken, Captain Dyer?
+or is my silence to be bought with money?--Curse you! come this way,
+will you!" he hissed; for Captain Dyer had half turned, as if to avoid
+him, but he stepped back directly, and I saw them walk off together
+amongst the trees, till they were quite out of sight; and if ever I felt
+what it was to be tied down to one spot, I felt it then, as I walked
+sentry up and down by that tent, watching for those two to return.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+Now, after giving my word of honour to hold all that sacred, some people
+may think I'm breaking faith in telling what I saw; but I made that
+right by asking the colonel's leave--he is a colonel now--and he smiled,
+and said that I ought to change the names, and then it would not matter.
+
+I left off my last chapter saying how I felt being tied down to one
+spot, as I kept guard there; and perhaps everybody don't know that a
+sentry's duty is to stay in the spot where he has been posted, and that
+leaving it lightly might, in time of war, mean death.
+
+I should think I watched quite an hour, wondering whether I ought to
+give any alarm; but I was afraid it might look foolish, for perhaps
+after all it might only mean a bit of a quarrel, and I could not call to
+mind any quarrel between officers ending in a duel.
+
+I was glad, too, that I did not say anything, for at last I saw them
+coming back in the clear moonlight--clear-like as day; and then in the
+distance they stopped, and in a moment one figure seemed to strike the
+other a sharp blow, which sent him staggering back, and I could not then
+see who it was that was hit, till they came nearer, and I made out that
+it was Captain Dyer; while, if I had any doubts at first, I could have
+none as they came nearer and nearer, with Lieutenant Leigh talking in a
+big insolent way at Captain Dyer, who was very quiet, holding his
+handkerchief to his cheek.
+
+So as to be as near as possible to where they were going to pass, I
+walked to the end of my tether, and, as they came up, Lieutenant Leigh
+says, in a nasty spiteful whisper: "I should have thought you would have
+come into the tent to display the wound received in the lady's cause."
+
+"Leigh," said Captain Dyer, taking down his white handkerchief--and in
+the bright moonlight I could see that his cheek was cut, and the
+handkerchief all bloody--"Leigh, that was an unmanly blow.  You called
+me a coward; you struck me; and now you try to poison the wound with
+your bitter words.  I never lift hand against the man who has taken that
+hand in his as my friend, but the day may come when I can prove to you
+that you are a liar."
+
+Lieutenant Leigh turned upon him fiercely, as though he would have
+struck him again; but Captain Dyer paid no heed to him, only walked
+quietly off to his quarters; while, with a sneering, scornful sort of
+laugh, the lieutenant went into the colonel's tent; though, if he
+expected to see Miss Ross, he was disappointed, for so long as I was on
+guard, she did not show that night.
+
+Off again the next morning, and over a hotter and dustier road than
+ever; and I must say that I began to wish we were settled down in
+barracks once more, for everything seemed to grow more and more crooked,
+and people more and more unpleasant.  Why, even Mrs Bantem that morning
+before starting must show her teeth, and snub Bantem, and then begin
+going on about the colonel's wife, and the fine madam, her sister,
+having all sorts of luxuries, while poor hardworking soldiers' wives had
+to bear all the burden and heat of the day.  Then, by way of winding up,
+she goes to Harry Lant and Measles, who were, as usual, squabbling about
+something, and boxes both their ears, as if they had been bad boys.  I
+saw them both colour up fierce; but the next minute Harry Lant burst out
+laughing, and Measles does the same, and then they two did what I should
+think they never did before--they shook hands; but Mrs Bantem had no
+sooner turned away with tears in her eyes, because she felt so cross,
+than the two chaps fell out again about some stupid thing or another,
+and kept on snarling and snapping at each other all along the march.
+
+But there, bless you! that wasn't all: I saw Mrs Maine talking to her
+sister in a quick earnest sort of way, and they both seemed out of
+sorts; and the colonel swore at the tent-men, and bullied the adjutant,
+and he came round and dropped on to us, finding fault with the men's
+belts, and that upset the sergeants.  Then some of the baggage didn't
+start right, and Lieutenant Leigh had to be taken to task by Captain
+Dyer, as in duty bound; while, when at last we were starting, if there
+wasn't a tremendous outcry, and the young colonel--little Cock Robin,
+you know--kicking and screaming, and fighting the old black nurse,
+because he mightn't draw his little sword, and march alongside of Harry
+Lant!
+
+Now, I'm very particular about putting all this down, because I want you
+to see how we all were one with the other, and how right through the
+battalion little things made us out of sorts with one another, and
+hardly friendly enough to speak, so that the difference may strike you,
+and you may see in a stronger light the alteration and the behaviour of
+people when trouble came.
+
+All the same, though, I don't think it's possible for anybody to make a
+long march in India without getting out of temper.  It's my belief that
+the grit does it, for you do have that terribly, and what with the heat,
+the dust, the thirst, the government boots, that always seem as if made
+not to fit anybody, and the grit, I believe even a regiment all
+chaplains would forget their trade.
+
+Tramp, tramp, tramp, day after day, and nearly always over wide, dreary,
+dusty plains.  Now we'd pass a few muddy paddy-fields, or come upon a
+river, but not often; and I many a time used to laugh grimly to myself,
+as I thought what a very different place hot, dusty, dreary India was,
+to the glorious country I used to picture, all beautiful trees and
+flowers, and birds with dazzling plumage.  There are bright places
+there, no doubt, but I never came across one, and my recollections of
+India are none of the most cheery.
+
+But at last came the day when we were crossing a great widespread plain,
+in the middle of which seemed to be a few houses, with something bright
+here and there shining in the sun; and as we marched on, the cluster of
+houses appeared to grow and grow, till we halted at last in a
+market-square of a good-sized town; and that night we were once more in
+barracks.  But, for my part, I was more gritty than ever; for now we did
+not see the colonel's lady or her sister, though I may as well own that
+there was some one with them I wanted to see more than either.
+
+They were all, of course, at the colonel's quarters, a fine old palace
+of a place, with a courtyard, and a tank in the centre, and trees, and a
+flat roof, by the side of the great square; while on one side was
+another great rambling place, separated by a narrowish sort of alley,
+used for stores and hospital purposes; and on the other side, still
+going along by the side of the great market-square, was another
+building, the very fellow to the colonel's quarters, but separated by a
+narrow footway, some ten feet wide, and this place was occupied by the
+officers.
+
+Our barracks took up another side of the square; and on the others were
+mosques and flat-roofed buildings, and a sort of bazaar; while all round
+stretched away, in narrow streets, were the houses of what we men used
+to call the niggers.  Though, speaking for myself, I used to find them,
+when well treated, a nice, clean, gentle sort of people.  I used to look
+upon them as a big sort of children, in their white muslin and calico,
+and their simple ways of playing-like at living; and even now I haven't
+altered my opinion of them in general, for the great burst of frenzied
+passion that ran through so many of them was just like a child's
+uncontrolled rage.
+
+Things were not long in settling down to the regular life: there was a
+little drill of a morning, and then, the rest of the day, the heat to
+fight with, which seemed to take all the moisture out of our bodies, and
+make us long for night.
+
+I did not get put on as sentry once at the colonel's quarters, but I
+heard a little now and then from Mrs Bantem, who used to wash some of
+Mrs Maine's fine things, the black women doing everything else; and
+she'd often have a good grumble about "her fine ladyship," as she called
+her, and she'd pity her children.  She used to pick up a good deal of
+information, though; and, taking a deal of interest as I did in Miss
+Ross, I got to know that it seemed to be quite a settled thing between
+her and Captain Dyer; and Bantem, who got took on now as Lieutenant
+Leigh's servant, used to tell his wife about how black those two seemed
+one towards the other.
+
+And so the time went on in a quiet sleepy way, the men getting lazier
+every day.  There was nothing to stir us, only now and then we'd have a
+good laugh at Measles, who'd get one of his nasty fits on, and swear at
+all the officers round, saying he was as good as any of them, and that
+if he had his rights he would have been made an officer before them.
+Harry Lant, too, used to do his bit to make time pass away a little less
+dull, singing, telling stories, or getting up to some of his pranks with
+old Nabob, the elephant, making Chunder, the mahout, more mad than ever;
+for, no matter what he did or said, only let Harry make a sort of queer
+noise of his, and, just like a great flesh-mountain, that elephant would
+come.  It didn't matter who was in the way: regiment at drill, officer,
+rajah, anybody, old Nabob would come straight away to Harry, holding out
+his trunk for fruit, or putting it in Harry's breast, where he'd find
+some bread or biscuit; and then the great brute would smooth him all
+over with his trunk, in a way that used to make Mrs Bantem say, that
+perhaps, after all, the natives weren't such fools as they looked, and
+that what they said about dead people going into animal's bodies might
+be true; for, if that great overgrown beast hadn't a soul of its own,
+and couldn't think, she didn't know nothing, so now then!
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER SIX.
+
+But it was always the same; and though time was when I could have
+laughed as merrily as did that little Jenny Wren of the colonel's at
+Harry's antics, I couldn't laugh now, because it always seemed as if
+they were made an excuse to get Miss Ross and her maid out with the
+children.
+
+A party of jugglers, or dancing-girls, or a man or two with pipes and
+snakes, were all very well; but I've known clever parties come round,
+and those I've named would hardly come out to look; and my heart, I
+suppose it was, if it wasn't my mind, got very sore about that time, and
+I used to get looking as evil at Harry Lant as Lieutenant Leigh did at
+the captain.
+
+But it was a dreary time that, after all; one from which we were
+awakened in a sudden way, that startled us to a man.
+
+First of all there came a sort of shadowy rumour that something was
+wrong with the men of a native regiment, something to do with their
+caste; and before we had well realised that it was likely to be anything
+serious, sharp and swift came one bit of news after another, that the
+British officers in one native regiment had been shot down--here, there,
+in all directions; and then we understood that what we had taken for the
+flash of a solitary fire, was the firing of a big train, and that there
+was a great mutiny in the land.  And not, mind, the mutiny or riot of a
+mob of roughs, but of men drilled and disciplined by British officers,
+with leaders of their own caste, all well armed and provided with
+ammunition; and the talk round our mess when we heard all this was, How
+will it end?
+
+I don't think there were many who did not realise the fact that
+something awful was coming to pass.  Measles grinned, he did, and said
+that there was going to be an end of British tyranny in India, and that
+the natives were only going to seize their own again; but the next
+minute, although it was quite clean, he takes his piece out of the rack,
+cleans it thoroughly all over again, fixes the bayonet, feels the point,
+and then stands at the "present!"
+
+"I think we can let 'em know what's what, though, my lads, if they come
+here," he says, with a grim smile; when Mrs Bantem, whose breath seemed
+quite taken away before by the way he talked, jumped up quite
+happy-like, laid her great hand upon his left side, and then, turning to
+us, she says:
+
+"It's beating strong."
+
+"What is?" says Bantem, looking puzzled.
+
+"Measles' heart," says Mrs Bantem; "and I always knew it was in the
+right place."
+
+The next minute she gave Measles a slap on the back as echoed through
+the place, sending him staggering forward; but he only laughed and said:
+
+"Praise the saints, I ain't Bantem."
+
+There was a fine deal of excitement, though, now.  The colonel seemed to
+wake up, and with him every officer, for we expected not only news but
+orders every moment.  Discipline, if I may say so, was buckled up tight
+with the tongue in the last hole; provisions and water were got in;
+sentries doubled, and a strange feeling of distrust and fear came upon
+all, for we soon saw that the people of the place hung away from us, and
+though, from such an inoffensive-looking lot as we had about us, there
+didn't seem much to fear, yet there was no knowing what treachery we
+might have to encounter, and as he had to think and act for others
+beside himself, Colonel Maine--God bless him--took every possible
+precaution against danger, then hidden, but which was likely to spring
+into sight at any moment.
+
+There were not many English residents at Begumbagh, but what there were
+came into quarters directly; and the very next morning we learned
+plainly enough that there was danger threatening our place by the
+behaviour of the natives, who packed up their few things and filed out
+of the town as fast as they could, so that at noonday the market-place
+was deserted, and, save the few we had in quarters, there was not a
+black face to be seen.
+
+The next morning came without news; and I was orderly, and standing
+waiting in the outer court close behind the colonel, who was holding a
+sort of council of war with the officers, when a sentry up in the
+broiling sun, on the roof, calls out that a horseman was coming; and
+before very long, covered with sweat and dust, an orderly dragoon dashes
+up, his horse all panting and blown; and then coming jingling and
+clanking in with those spurs and that sabre of his, he hands despatches
+to the colonel.
+
+I hope I may be forgiven for what I thought then; for, as I watched his
+ruddy face, while he read those despatches, and saw it turn all of a
+sickly, greeny white, I gave him the credit of being a coward; and I was
+not the only one who did so.  We all knew that, like us, he had never
+seen a shot fired in anger; and something like an angry feeling of
+vexation came over me, I know, as I thought of what a fellow he would be
+to handle and risk the lives of the four hundred men under his charge
+there at Begumbagh.
+
+"D'yer think I'd look like that?" says a voice close to my ear just
+then.  "D'yer think if I'd been made an officer, I'd ha' showed the
+white feather like that?"--And turning round sharp, I saw it was
+Measles, who was standing sentry by the gateway; and he was so
+disgusted, that he spat about in all directions, for he was a man who
+didn't smoke, like any other Christian, but chewed his tobacco like a
+sailor.
+
+"Dyer," says the colonel, the next moment, and they closed up together,
+but close to where we two stood--"Dyer," he says, "I never felt before
+that it would be hard to do my duty as a soldier; but, God help me, I
+shall have to leave Annie and the children."  There were a couple of
+tears rolling down the poor fellow's cheeks as he spoke, and he took
+Captain Dyer's hand.
+
+"Look at him!  Cuss him!" whispers Measles again; and I kicked out sharp
+behind, and hit him in the shin.  "He's a pretty sort of a--"
+
+He didn't say any more just then, for, like me, he was staggered by the
+change that took place.
+
+I think I've said Colonel Maine was a little, easy-going, pudgy man,
+with a red face; but just then, as he stood holding Captain Dyer's hand,
+a change seemed to come over him; he dropped the hand he had held,
+tightened his sword-belt, and then took a step forward, to stand
+thoughtful, with despatches in his left hand.  It was then that I saw in
+a moment that I had wronged him, and I felt as if I could have gone down
+on the ground for him to have walked over me, for whatever he might have
+been in peace, easy-going, careless, and fond of idleness and
+good-living--come time for action, there he was with the true British
+officer flashing out of his face, his lips pinched, his eyes shining,
+and a stern look upon his countenance that I had never seen before.
+
+"Now then!"  I says in a whisper to Measles.  I didn't say anything
+else, for he knew what I meant.  "Now then--now then!"
+
+"Well," says Measles, then in a whisper, "I s'pose women and children
+will bring the soft out of a man at a time like this; but, cuss him!
+what did he mean by humbugging us like that!"
+
+I should think Colonel Maine stood alone thoughtful and still in that
+courtyard, with the sun beating down upon his muslin-covered forage-cap,
+while you could slowly, and like a pendulum-beat, count thirty.  It was
+a tremendously hot morning, with the sky a bright clear blue, and the
+shadows of a deep purply black cast down and cut as sharp as sharp.  It
+was so still, too, that you could hear the whirring, whizzy noise of the
+cricket things, and now and then the champ, champ of the horse rattling
+his bit as he stood outside the gateway.  It was a strange silence, that
+seemed to make itself felt; and then the colonel woke into life, stuck
+those despatches into his sword-belt, gave an order here, an order
+there, and the next minute--Tantaran--tantaran, _Tantaran--tantaran_,
+Tantaran-tantaran, _Tantaran-tay_--the bugle was ringing out the
+assemblee, men were hurrying here and there, there was the trampling of
+feet, the courtyard was full of busy figures, shadows were passing
+backwards and forwards, and the news was abroad that our regiment was to
+form a flying column with another, and that we were off directly.
+
+Ay, but it was exciting, that getting ready, and the time went like
+magic before we formed a hollow square, and the colonel said a few words
+to us, mounted as he was now, his voice firm as firm, except once, when
+I saw him glance at an upper window, and then it trembled, but only for
+an instant.  His words were not many; and to this day, when I think of
+the scene under that hot blue sky, they come ringing back; for it did
+not seem to us that our old colonel was speaking, but a new man of a
+different mettle, though it was only that the right stuff had been
+sleeping in his breast, ready to be wakened by the bugle.
+
+"My lads," he said, and to a man we all burst out into a ringing cheer,
+when he took off his cap, and waved it round--"My lads, this is a sharp
+call, but I've been expecting it, and it has not found us asleep.  I
+thank you for the smart way in which you have answered it, for it shows
+me that a little easy-going on my part in the piping times of peace has
+not been taken advantage of.  My lads, these are stern times; and this
+despatch tells me of what will bring the honest British blood into every
+face, and make every strong hand take a firm gripe of its piece as he
+longs for the order to charge the mutinous traitors to their Queen, who,
+taking her pay, sworn to serve her, have turned, and in cold blood
+butchered their officers, slain women, and hacked to pieces innocent
+babes.  My lads, we are going against a horde of monsters; but I have
+bad news--you cannot all go--"
+
+There was a murmur here.
+
+"That murmur is not meant," he continued; "and I know it will be
+regretted when I explain myself.  We have women here and children:
+mine--yours--and they must be protected," (it was here that his voice
+shook).  "Captain Dyer's company will garrison the place till our
+return, and to those men many of us leave all that is dear to us on
+earth.  I have spoken.  God save the Queen!"
+
+How that place echoed with the hearty "Hurray!" that rung out; and then
+it was, "Fours right, march!" and only our company held firm, while I
+don't know whether I felt disappointed or pleased, till I happened to
+look up at one of the windows, to see Mrs Maine and Miss Ross, with
+those two poor little innocent children clapping their hands with
+delight at seeing the soldiers march away; one of them, the little girl,
+with her white muslin and scarlet sash over her shoulder, being held up
+by Lizzy Green; and then I did know that I was not disappointed, but
+glad I was to stay.
+
+But to show you how a man's heart changes about when it is blown by the
+hot breath of what you may call love, let me tell you that only half a
+minute later, I was disappointed again at not going; and dared I have
+left the ranks, I'd have run after the departing column, for I caught
+Harry Lant looking up at that window, and I thought a handkerchief was
+waved to him.
+
+Next minute, Captain Dyer calls out, "Form four--deep.  Right face.
+March!" and he led us to the gateway, but only to halt us there, for
+Measles, who was sentry, calls out something to him in a wild excited
+way.
+
+"What do you want, man?" says Captain Dyer.
+
+"O, sir, if you'll only let me exchange.  'Taint too late.  Let me go,
+captain."
+
+"How dare you, sir!" says Captain Dyer sternly, though I could see
+plainly enough it was only for discipline, for he was, I thought,
+pleased at Measles wanting to be in the thick of it.  Then he shouts
+again to Measles: "'Tention--present arms!" and Measles falls into his
+right position for a sentry when troops are marching past.  "March!"
+says the captain again; and we marched into the market-place, and--all
+but those told off for sentries--we were dismissed; and Captain Dyer
+then stood talking earnestly to Lieutenant Leigh, for it had fallen out
+that they two, with a short company of eight-and-thirty rank and file,
+were to have the guarding of the women and children left in quarters at
+Begumbagh.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+It seemed to me that, for the time being, Lieutenant Leigh was too much
+of a soldier to let private matters and personal feelings of enmity
+interfere with duty; and those two stood talking together for a good
+half-hour, when, having apparently made their plans, fatigue-parties
+were ordered out; and what I remember then thinking was a wise move, the
+soldiers' wives and children in quarters were brought into the old
+palace, since it was the only likely spot for putting into something
+like a state of defence.
+
+I have called it a palace, and I suppose that a rajah did once live in
+it, but, mind you, it was neither a very large nor a very grand place,
+being only a square of buildings, facing inward to a little courtyard,
+entered by a gateway, after the fashion of no end of buildings in the
+east.
+
+Water we had in the tank, but provisions were brought in, and what sheep
+there were.  Fortunately, there was a good supply of hay, and that we
+got in; but one thing we did not bargain for, and that was the company
+of the great elephant, Nabob, he having been left behind.  And what does
+he do but come slowly up on those india-rubber cushion feet of his, and
+walk through the gateway, his back actually brushing against the top;
+and then, once in, he goes quietly over to where the hay was stacked,
+and coolly enough begins eating!
+
+The men laughed, and some jokes were made about his taking up a deal of
+room, and I suppose, really, it was through Harry Lant that the great
+beast came in; but no more was said then, we all being so busy, and not
+one of us had the sense to see what a fearful strait that great
+inoffensive animal might bring us to.
+
+I believe we all forgot about the heat that day as we worked on, slaving
+away at things that, in an ordinary way, we should have expected to be
+done by the niggers.  Food, ammunition, wood, particularly planks,
+everything Captain Dyer thought likely to be of use; and soon a
+breastwork was made inside the gateway; such lower windows as looked
+outwards carefully nailed up, and loopholed for a shot at the enemy,
+should any appear; and when night did come at last, peaceful and still,
+the old palace was turned into a regular little fort.
+
+We all knew that all this might be labour in vain, but all the same it
+seemed to be our duty to get the place into as good a state of defence
+as we could, and under orders we did it.  But, after all, we knew well
+enough that if the mutineers should bring up a small field-piece, they
+could knock the place about our ears in no time.  Our hope, though, was
+that, at all events while our regiment was away, we might be unmolested,
+for, if the enemy came in any number, what could eight-and-thirty men
+do, hampered as they were with half-a-dozen children, and twice as many
+women?  Not that all the women were likely to hamper us, for there was
+Mrs Bantem, busy as a bee, working here, comforting there, helping
+women to make themselves snag in different rooms; and once, as she came
+near me, she gave me one of her tremendous slaps on the back, her eyes
+twinkling with pleasure, and the perspiration streaming down her face
+the while.  "Ike Smith," she says, "this is something like, isn't it?
+But ask Captain Dyer to have that breastwork strengthened--there isn't
+half enough of it.  Glad Bantem hasn't gone.  But, I say, only think of
+that poor woman!  I saw her just now crying, fit to break her poor
+heart."
+
+"What poor woman?"  I said, staring hard.
+
+"Why, the colonel's wife.  Poor soul, it's pitiful to see her; it went
+through me like a knife.--What! are you there, my pretties?" she cried,
+flumping down on the stones as the colonel's two little ones came
+running out.  "Bless your pretty hearts, you'll come and say a word to
+old Mother Bantem, won't you?"
+
+"What's everybody tying about?" says the little girl, in her prattling
+way.  "I don't like people to ty.  Has my ma been whipped, and Aunt
+Elsie been naughty?"
+
+"Look, look!" cries the boy excitedly; "dere's old Nabob!"  And toddling
+off, the next minute he was close to the great beast, his little sister
+running after him, to catch hold of his hand; and there the little mites
+stood close to, and staring up at the great elephant, as he kept on
+amusing himself by twisting up a little hay in his trunk, and then
+lightly scattering it over his back, to get rid of the flies--for what
+nature could have been about to give him such a scrap of a tail, I can't
+understand.  He'd work it, and flip it about hard enough; but as to
+getting rid of a fly, it's my belief that if insects can laugh, they
+laughed at it, as they watched him from where they were buzzing about
+the stone walls and windows in the hot sunshine.
+
+The next minute, like a chorus, there came a scream from one of the
+upper windows, one from another, and a sort of howl from Mrs Bantem,
+and we all stood startled and staring, for what does Jenny Wren do, but,
+in a staggering way, lift up her little brother for him to touch the
+elephant's trunk, and then she stood laughing and clapping her hands
+with delight, seeing no fear, bless her! as that long, soft trunk was
+gently curled round the boy's waist, when he was drawn out of his
+sister's arms; and then the great beast stood swinging the child to and
+fro, now up a little way, now down between his legs, and him crowing and
+laughing away all the while, as if it was the best fun that could be.
+
+I believe we were all struck motionless; and it was like taking a hand
+away from my throat to let me breathe once more, when I saw the elephant
+gently drop the little fellow down on a heap of hay, but only for him to
+scramble up, and run forward shouting: "Now 'gain, now 'gain;" and, as
+if Nabob understood his little prattling, half-tied tongue, he takes him
+up again, and swings him, just as there was a regular rush made, and
+Mrs Colonel, Miss Ross, Lizzy, and the captain and lieutenant came up.
+
+"For Heaven's sake, save the child!" cries Mrs Maine.--"Mr Leigh, pray
+do something."
+
+Miss Ross did not speak, but she looked at Captain Dyer; and those two
+young men both went at the elephant directly, to get the child away;
+but, in an instant, Nabob wheeled round, just the same as a stubborn
+donkey would at home with a lot of boys teasing it; and then, as they
+dodged round his great carcass, he trumpeted fiercely, and began to
+shuffle off round the court.
+
+I went up too, and so did Mrs Bantem, brave as a lion; but the great
+beast only kept on making his loud snorting noise, and shuffled along,
+with the boy in his trunk, swinging him backwards and forwards; and it
+was impossible to help thinking of what would be the consequence if the
+elephant should drop the little fellow, and then set on him one of his
+great feet.
+
+It seemed as if nothing could be done, and once the idea--wild enough
+too--rushed into my head that it would be advisable to get a rifle put
+to the great beast's ear, and fire, when Measles shouted out from where
+he was on guard: "Here's Chunder coming!" and, directly after, with his
+opal eyeballs rolling, and his dark, treacherous-looking face seeming to
+me all wicked and pleased at what was going on, came the mahout, and
+said a few words to the elephant, which stopped directly, and went down
+upon its knees.  Chunder then tried to take hold of the child, but
+somehow that seemed to make the great beast furious, and, getting up
+again, he began to grunt and make a noise after the fashion of a great
+pig, going on now faster round the court, and sending those who had come
+to look, and who stood in his way, fleeing in all directions.
+
+Mrs Maine was half fainting, and, catching the little girl to her
+breast, I saw her go down upon her knees and hide her face, expecting,
+no doubt, every moment, that the next one would be her boy's last; and,
+indeed, we were all alarmed now, for the more we tried to get the little
+chap away, the fiercer the elephant grew; the only one who did not seem
+to mind being the boy himself, though his sister now began to cry, and
+in her little artless way I heard her ask her mother if the naughty
+elephant would eat Clivey.
+
+I've often thought since that if we'd been quiet, and left the beast
+alone, he would soon have set the child down; and I've often thought,
+too, that Mr Chunder could have got the boy away if he had liked, only
+he did nothing but tease and irritate the elephant, which was not the
+best of friends with him.  But you will easily understand that there was
+not much time for thought then.
+
+I had been doing my best along with the others, and then stood thinking
+what I could be at next, when I caught Lizzy Green's eye turned to me in
+an appealing, reproachful sort of way, that seemed to say as plainly as
+could be: "Can't you do anything?" when all at once Measles shouts out:
+"'Arry, 'Arry!" and Harry Lant came up at the double, having been busy
+carrying arms out of the guardroom rack.
+
+It was at one and the same moment that Harry Lant saw what was wrong,
+and that a cold dull chill ran through me, for I saw Lizzy clasp her
+hands together in a sort of thankful way, and it seemed to me then, as
+Harry ran up to the elephant, that he was always to be put before me,
+and that I was nobody, and the sooner I was out of the way the better.
+
+All the same, though, I couldn't help admiring the way Harry ran up to
+the great brute, and did what none of us could manage.  I quite hated
+him, I know, but yet I was proud of my mate, as he went up and says
+something to Nabob, and the elephant stands still.  "Put him down," says
+Harry, pointing to the ground; and the great flesh-mountain puts the
+little fellow down.  "Now then," says Harry, to the horror of the
+ladies, "pick him up again;" and in a twinkling the great thing whips
+the boy up once more.  "Now, bring him up to the colonel's lady."  Well,
+if you'll believe me, if the great thing didn't follow Harry like a
+lamb, and carry the child up to where, half fainting, knelt poor Mrs
+Maine.  "Now, put him down," says Harry; and the next moment little
+Clive Maine--Cock Robin, as we called him--was being hugged to his
+mother's breast.  "Now, go down on your knees, and beg the lady's
+pardon," says Harry laughing.  Down goes the elephant, and stops there,
+making a queer chuntering noise the while.  "Says he's very sorry,
+ma'am, and won't do so no more," says Harry, serious as a judge; and in
+a moment, half laughing, half crying, Mrs Maine caught hold of Harry's
+hand, and kissed it, and then held it for a moment to her breast,
+sobbing hysterically as she did so.
+
+"God bless you!  You're a good man," she cried; and then she broke down
+altogether; and Miss Ross, and Mrs Bantem, and Lizzy got round her, and
+helped her in.
+
+I could see that Harry was touched, for one of his lips shook; but he
+tried to keep up the fun of the thing; and turning to the elephant, he
+says out loud: "Now, get up, and go back to the hay; and don't you come
+no more of those games, that's all."
+
+The elephant got up directly, making a grunting noise as he did so.
+
+"Why not?" says Harry, making-believe that that was what the great beast
+said.  "Because, if you do, I'll smash you.  There!"
+
+Officers and men, they all burst out laughing to see little Harry Lant--
+a chap so little that he wouldn't have been in the regiment only that
+men were scarce, and the standard was very low when he listed--to see
+him standing shaking his fist at the great monster, one of whose legs
+was bigger than Harry altogether--stand shaking his fist in its face,
+and then take hold of the soft trunk and lead him away.
+
+Perhaps I did, perhaps I didn't, but I thought I caught sight of a
+glance passing between Lizzy Green, now at one window, and Harry,
+leading off the elephant; but all the same I felt that jealous of him,
+and to hate him so, that I could have quarrelled with him about nothing.
+It seemed as if he was always to come before me in everything.
+
+And I wasn't the only one jealous of Harry, for no sooner was the court
+pretty well empty, than he came slowly up towards me, in spite of my
+sour black looks, which he wouldn't notice: but before he could get to
+me, Chunder Chow, the mahout, goes up to the elephant, muttering and
+spiteful-like, with his hook-spear thing, that mahouts use to drive
+with; and being, I suppose, put out and jealous, and annoyed at his
+authority being taken away, and another man doing what he couldn't, he
+gives the elephant a kick in the leg, and then hits him viciously with
+his iron-hook thing.
+
+Lord bless you! it didn't take an instant, and it seemed to me that the
+elephant only gave that trunk of his a gentle swing against Chunder's
+side, and he was a couple of yards off, rolling over and over in the
+scattered hay.
+
+Up he jumps, wild as wild; and the first thing he catches sight of is
+Harry laughing fit to crack his sides, when Chunder rushes at him like a
+mad bull.
+
+I suppose he expected to see Harry turn tail and ran; but that being one
+of those things not included in drill, and a British soldier having a
+good deal of the machine about him, Harry stands fast, and Chunder pulls
+up short, grinning, rolling his eyes, and twisting his hands about, just
+for all the world like as if he was robbing a hen-roost, and wringing
+all the chickens' necks.
+
+"Didn't hurt much, did it, blacky?" says Harry coolly.  But the mahout
+couldn't speak for rage; but he kept spitting on the ground, and making
+signs, till really his face was anything but pretty to look at.  And
+there he kept on, till, from laughing, Harry turned a bit nasty, for
+there was some one looking out of a window; and from being half-amused
+at what was going on, I once more felt all cold and bitter.  But Harry
+fires up now, and makes towards Mr Chunder, who begins to retreat; and
+says Harry: "Now I tell you what it is, young man; I never did you any
+ill turn; and if I choose to have a bit of fun with the elephant, it's
+government property, and as much mine as yours.  But look ye here--if
+you come cussing, and spitting, and swearing at me again in your nasty
+heathen dialect, why, if I don't--No," he says, stopping short, and
+half-turning to me, "I can't black his eyes, Isaac, for they're black
+enough already; but let him come any more of it, and, jiggermaree, if I
+don't bung 'em."
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+Chunder didn't like the looks of Harry, I suppose, so he walked off,
+turning once to spit and cruse, like that turn-coat chap, Shimei, that
+you read of in the Bible; and we two walked off together towards our
+quarters.
+
+"I ain't going to stand any of his nonsense," says Harry.
+
+"It's bad making enemies now, Harry," I said gruffly.  And just then up
+comes Measles, who had been relieved, for his spell was up, and another
+party were on, else he would have had to be in the guardroom.
+
+"There never was such an unlucky beggar as me," says Measles.  "If a
+chance does turn up for earning a bit of promotion, it's always some one
+else gets it.  Come on, lads, and let's see what Mother Bantem's got in
+the pot."
+
+"You'll perhaps have a chance before long of earning your bit of
+promotion without going out," I says.
+
+"Ike Smith's turned prophet and croaker in ornary," says Harry,
+laughing.  "I believe he expects we're going to have a new siege of
+Seringapatam here, only back'ards way on."
+
+"Only wish some of 'em would come this way," says Measles grimly; and he
+made a sort of offer, and a hit out at some imaginary enemy.
+
+"Here they are," says Joe Bantem, as we walked in.  "Curry for dinner,
+lads--look alive."
+
+"What, my little hero!" says Mrs Bantem, fetching Harry one of her
+slaps on the back.  "My word, you're in fine plume with the colonel's
+lady."
+
+Slap came her hand down again on Harry's back; and as soon as he could
+get wind: "O, I say, don't," he says.  "Thank goodness, I ain't a
+married man.  Is she often as affectionate as this with you, Joe?"
+
+Joe Bantem laughed; and soon after we were all making, in spite of
+threatened trouble and disappointment, an uncommonly hearty dinner, for,
+if there ever was a woman who could make a good curry, it was Mrs
+Bantem; and many's the cold winter's day I've stood at Facet's door
+there in Bond-street, and longed for a plateful.  Pearls stewed in
+sunshine, Harry Lant used to call it; and really to see the beautiful,
+glistening, white rice, every grain tender as tender, and yet dry and
+ready to roll away from the others--none of your mosh-posh rice, if Mrs
+Bantem boiled it--and then the rich golden curry itself: there, I've
+known that woman turn one of the toughest old native cocks into what
+you'd have sworn was a delicate young Dorking chick--that is, so long as
+you didn't get hold of a drumstick, which perhaps would be a bit ropy.
+That woman was a regular blessing to our mess, and we fellows said so,
+many a time.
+
+One, two, three days passed without any news, and we in our quarters
+were quiet as if thousands of miles from the rest of the world.  The
+town kept as deserted as ever, and it seemed almost startling to me when
+I was posted sentry on the roof, after looking out over the wide, sandy,
+dusty plain, over which the sunshine was quivering and dancing, to peer
+down amongst the little ramshackle native huts without a sign of life
+amongst them, and it took but little thought for me to come to the
+conclusion that the natives knew of something terrible about to happen,
+and had made that their reason for going away.  Though, all the same, it
+might have been from dread lest we should seek to visit upon them and
+theirs the horrors that had elsewhere befallen the British.
+
+I used often to think, too, that Captain Dyer had some such feelings as
+mine, for he looked very, very serious and anxious, and he'd spend hours
+on the roof with his glass, Miss Ross often being by his side, while
+Lieutenant Leigh used to watch them in a strange way, when he thought no
+one was observing him.
+
+I've often thought that when people get touched with that queer
+complaint folks call love, they get into a curious half-delirious way,
+that makes them fancy that people are nearly blind, and have their eyes
+shut to what they do or say.  I fancy there was something of this kind
+with Miss Ross, and I'm sure there was with me when I used to go hanging
+about, trying to get a word with Lizzy; and, of course, shut up as we
+all were then, often having the chance, but getting seldom anything but
+a few cold answers, and a sort of show of fear of me whenever I was near
+to her.
+
+But what troubled me as much as anything was the behaviour of the four
+Indians we had shut up with us--Chunder Chow, the old black nurse, and
+two more--for they grew more uppish and bounceable every day, refusing
+to work, until Captain Dyer had one of the men tied up to the triangles
+and flogged, down in a great cellar or vault-place that there was under
+the north end of the palace, so that the ladies and women shouldn't hear
+his cries.  He deserved all he got, as I can answer for, and that made
+the rest a little more civil, but not for long; and, just the day before
+something happened, I took the liberty of saluting Captain Dyer, after
+he had been giving me some orders, and seizing that chance of speaking
+my mind.
+
+"Captain," I says, "I don't think those black folks are to be trusted."
+
+"Neither do I, Smith," he says.  "But what have you to tell me?"
+
+"Nothing at all, captain, only that I have my eye on them; and I've been
+thinking that they must somehow or another have held communication
+outside; and I don't like it, for those people don't get what we call
+`cheeky' without cause."
+
+"Keep both eyes on them then, Smith," says Captain Dyer, smiling; "and,
+no matter what it is--if it is the most trivial thing in any way
+connected with them, report it."
+
+"I will, sir," I says; and the very next day, much against the grain, I
+did have something to report.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER NINE.
+
+That next morning was hotter, I think, than ever, with no prospect
+either of rain or change; and, after doing what little work I had to get
+over, it struck me that I might as well attend to what Captain Dyer
+advised--give two eyes to Chunder and his friends.  So I left Mrs
+Bantem busy over her cooking, and went down into the court.
+
+All below was as still as death--sunshine here, shadow there; but
+through one of the windows, open to catch the least breeze that might be
+on the way, and taking in instead the hot sultry air, came now and then
+the silvery laughter of the children--that pleasant cheery sound that
+makes the most rugged old face grow a trifle smoother.
+
+I looked here, and I looked there, but could only see old Nabob amusing
+himself with the hay, a sentry on the roof to the east, and another on
+the roof to the west, and one in the gateway, broiling almost, all of
+them, with the heat.
+
+The ladies and the children were seldom seen now, for they were in
+trouble; and Mrs Maine was worn almost to skin and bone with anxiety,
+as she sat waiting for tidings of the expedition.
+
+Not knowing what to do with myself, I sauntered along by where there was
+a slip of shade, and entered the south side of the palace--an old
+half-ruinous part; and after going first into one, and then into another
+of the bare empty rooms, I picked out what seemed to be the coolest
+corner I could find, sat down with my back propped against the wall,
+filled and lit my pipe, and then, putting things together in my mind,
+thoroughly enjoyed a good smoke.
+
+There was something wonderfully soothing in that bit of tobacco, and it
+appeared to me cooling, comforting, and to make my bit of a love-affair
+seem not so bad as it was.  So, on the strength of that, I refilled, and
+was about half-way through another pipe, when things began to grow very
+dim round about me, and I was wandering about in my dreams, and nodding
+that head of mine in the most curious and wild way you can think of.
+What I dreamed about most was of getting married to Lizzy Green; and in
+what must have been a very short space, that event was coming off at
+least half-a-dozen times over, only Nabob, the elephant, would come in
+at an awkward time and put a stop to it.  But at last, in my dreamy
+fashion, it seemed to me that matters were smoothed over, and he
+consented to put down the child, and, flapping his ears, promised he'd
+say yes.  But in my stupid, confused muddle, I thought that he'd no
+sooner put down the child with his trunk than he wheeled round and took
+him up with his tail; and so on, backwards and forwards, when, getting
+quite out of patience, I caught Lizzy's hand in mine, saying: "Never
+mind the elephant--let's have it over;" and she gave a sharp scream.
+
+I jumped to my feet, biting off and nearly swallowing a bit of
+pipe-shank as I did so, and then stood drenched with perspiration,
+listening to a scuffling noise in the next room; when, shaking off the
+stupid confused feeling, I ran towards the door just as another scream--
+not a loud, but a faint excited scream--rang in my ears, and the next
+moment Lizzy Green was sobbing and crying in my arms, and that black
+thief Chunder was crawling on his hands and knees to the door, where he
+got up, holding his fist to his mouth, and then he turned upon me such a
+look as I have never forgotten.
+
+I don't wonder at the people of old painting devils with black faces;
+for I don't know anything more devilish-looking than a black's phiz when
+it is drawn with rage, and the eyes are rolling about, now all black
+flash, now all white, while the grinning ivories below seem to be
+grinding and ready to tear you in pieces.
+
+It was after that fashion that Chunder looked at me as he turned at the
+door; but I was then only thinking of the trembling frightened girl I
+held in my arms, trying at the same time to whisper a few gentle words,
+while I had hard work to keep from pressing my lips to her white
+forehead.
+
+But the next minute she disengaged herself from my grasp, and held out
+her little white hand to me, thanking me as sweetly as thanks could be
+given.
+
+"Perhaps you had better not say a word about it," she whispered.  "He's
+come under pretence of seeing the nurse, and been rude to me once or
+twice before.  I came here to sit at that window with my work, and did
+not see him come behind me."
+
+I started as she spoke about that open window, for it looked out upon
+the spot where I sometimes stood sentry; but then, Harry Lant sometimes
+stood just in the same place, and I don't know whether it was a strange
+impression caused by his coming that made me think of him, but just then
+there were footsteps, and, with his pipe in his mouth, and
+fatigue-jacket all unbuttoned, Harry entered the room.
+
+"Beg pardon; didn't know it was engaged," he says lightly, as he stepped
+back; and then he stopped, for Lizzy called to him by his name.
+
+"Please walk back with me to Mrs Maine's quarters," she said softly;
+and once more holding her hand out to me, with her eyes cast down, she
+thanked me; and the question I had been asking myself--Did she love
+Harry Lant better than me?--was to my mind answered, and I gave a groan
+as I saw them walk off together, for it struck me then that they had
+engaged to meet in that room, only Harry Lant was late.
+
+"Never mind," I says to myself; "I've done a comrade a good turn."  And
+then I thought more and more of there being a feeling in the blacks'
+minds that their day was coming, or that ill-looking scoundrel would
+never have dared to insult a white woman in open day.
+
+Ten minutes after, I was on my way to Captain Dyer, for, in spite of
+what Lizzy had said, I felt that, being under orders, it was my duty to
+report all that occurred with the blacks; for we might at any time have
+been under siege, and to have had unknown and treacherous enemies in the
+camp would have been ruin indeed.
+
+"Well, Smith," he said, smiling as I entered and saluted, "what news of
+the enemy?"
+
+"Not much, sir," I said; what I had to tell going, as I have before
+hinted, very much against the grain.  "I was in one of the empty rooms
+on the south side, when I heard a scream, and running up, I found it was
+Miss Ross--"
+
+"What!" he roared, in a voice that would have startled a stronger man
+than I.
+
+"Miss Ross's maid, sir, with that black fellow Chunder, the mahout,
+trying to kiss her."
+
+"Well?" he said, with a black angry look overspreading his face.
+
+"Well, sir," I said, feeling quite red as I spoke, "he kissed my fist
+instead--that's all."
+
+Captain Dyer began to walk up and down, playing with one of the buttons
+on his breast, as was his way when eager and excited.
+
+"Now, Smith," he said at last, stopping short before me, "what does that
+mean?"
+
+"Mean, sir?"  I said, feeling quite as excited as himself.  "Well, sir,
+if you ask me, I say that if it was in time of peace and quiet, it would
+only mean that it was a hit of his damned black--I beg your pardon,
+captain," I says, stopping short, for, you see, it was quite time.
+
+"Go on, Smith," he said quietly.
+
+"His black impudence, sir."
+
+"But, as it is not in time of peace and quiet, Smith?" he said, looking
+me through and through.
+
+"Well, sir," I said, "I don't want to croak, nor for other people to
+believe what I say; but it seems to me that that black fellow's kicking
+out of the ranks means a good deal; and I take it that he is excited
+with the news that he has somehow got hold of--news that is getting into
+his head like so much green 'rack.  I've thought of it some little time
+now, sir; and it strikes me that if, instead of our short company being
+Englishmen, they were all Chunder Chows, before to-morrow morning,
+begging your pardon, Captain Dyer and Lieutenant Leigh would have said
+`Right wheel' for the last time."
+
+"And the women and children!" he muttered softly; but I heard him.
+
+He did not speak then for quite half a minute, when he turned to me with
+a pleasant smile.
+
+"But you see, though, Smith," he said, "our short company is made up of
+different stuff; and therefore there's some hope for us yet; but--Ah,
+Leigh, did you hear what he said?"
+
+"Yes," said the lieutenant, who had been standing at the door for a few
+moments, scowling at as both.
+
+"Well, what do you think?" said Captain Dyer.
+
+"Think?" said Lieutenant Leigh contemptuously, as he turned
+away--"nothing!"
+
+"But," said Captain Dyer quietly, "really I think there is much truth in
+what he, an observant man, says."
+
+There was a challenge from the roof just then; and we all went out to
+find that a mounted man was in sight; and on the captain making use of
+his glass, I heard him tell Lieutenant Leigh that the man was an orderly
+dragoon.
+
+A few minutes after, the new-comer was plain enough to everybody; and
+soon, man and horse dead beat, the orderly with a despatch trotted into
+the court.
+
+It was a sight worth seeing, to look upon Mrs Maine clutching at the
+letter enclosed for her in Captain Dyer's despatch.  Poor woman! it was
+a treasure to her--one that made her pant as she hurriedly snatched it
+from the captain's hand, for all formality was forgotten in those days;
+and then she hurried away to where her sister was waiting to hear the
+news.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TEN.
+
+The orderly took back a despatch from Captain Dyer, starting at daybreak
+the next morning; but before then, we all knew that matters were getting
+to wear a terrible aspect.  At first, I had been disposed to think that
+the orderly was romancing, and giving as a few travellers' tales; but I
+soon found out that he was in earnest; and more than once I felt a
+shiver as he sat with our mess, telling as of how regiment after
+regiment had mutinied and murdered their officers; how station after
+station had been plundered, collectors butchered, and their wives and
+daughters sometimes cut down, sometimes carried off by the wretches, who
+had made a sport of throwing infants from one to the other on their
+bayonets.
+
+"I never had any children," sobbed Mrs Bantem then; "and I never wished
+to have any; for they're not right for soldiers' wives; but only to
+think--the poor sweet, suffering little things.  O, if I'd only been a
+man, and been there!"
+
+We none of us said anything; but I believe all thought as I did, that if
+Mrs Bantem had been there, she'd have done as much--ah, perhaps more--
+than some men would have done.  Bless my soul! as I think of it, and
+recall it from the bygone, there I can see Mother Bantem--though why we
+called her mother, I don't know, unless it was because she was like a
+mother to us--with her great strapping form; and think of the way in
+which she--
+
+Halt!  Retire by fours from the left.
+
+Just in time; for I find handling my pen's like handling a
+commander-in-chief's staff, and that I've got letters which make words,
+which make phrases, which make sentences, which make paragraphs, which
+make chapters, which make up the whole story; and that is for all the
+world like the army with its privates made into companies, and
+battalions, and regiments, and brigades.  Well, there you are: if you
+don't have discipline, and every private in his right place, where are
+you?  Just so with me; my words were coming out in the wrong places, and
+in another minute I should have spoiled my story, by letting you know
+what was coming at the wrong time.
+
+Well, we all felt very deeply the news brought in by that orderly; for
+soldiers are not such harum-scarum roughs as some people seem to
+imagine.  For the most part, they're men with the same feelings as
+civilians; and I don't think many of us slept very sound that night,
+feeling as we did what a charge we had, and that we might be attacked at
+any time; and a good deal of my anxiety was on account of Lizzy Green;
+for even if she wouldn't be my wife, but Harry Lant's, I could not help
+taking a wonderful deal of interest in her.
+
+But all the same it was a terribly awkward time, as you must own, for
+falling in love; and I don't know hardly whom I pitied most, Captain
+Dyer or myself; but think I had more leanings towards number one,
+because Captain Dyer was happy; though, perhaps, I might have been; only
+like lots more hot sighing noodles, I never once thought of asking the
+girl if she'd have me.  As for Lieutenant Leigh, I never even thought of
+giving him a bit of pity, for I did not think he deserved it.
+
+Well, the trooper started off at daybreak, so as to get well on his
+journey in the early morning; and about an hour after he was gone, I had
+a fancy to go into the old ruined room again, where there was the bit of
+a scene I've told you of.  My orders from Captain Dyer were, to watch
+Chunder strictly, both as to seeing that he did not again insult any of
+the women, and also to see if he had any little game of his own that he
+was playing on the sly; for though Lieutenant Leigh, on being told,
+pooh-poohed it all, and advised a flogging, Captain Dyer had his
+suspicions--stronger ones, it seemed, than mine; and hence my orders,
+and my being excused from mounting guard.
+
+It was all very still and cool and quiet as I walked from room to room,
+slowly and thoughtfully, stopping to pick up my broken pipe, which lay
+where I had dropped it; and then going on into the next room, where,
+under the window, lay the bit of cotton cobweb and cat's-cradle work
+Lizzy had been doing, and had left behind.  I gave a bit of a gulp as I
+picked that up; and I was tucking it inside my jacket, when I stopped
+short, for I thought I heard a whisper.
+
+I listened, and there it was again--a low, earnest whispering of first
+one and then another voice in the next room, whose wide broken doorway
+stood open, for there wasn't a bit of woodwork left.
+
+I have heard about people saying, that in some great surprise or fright,
+their hearts stood still; but I don't believe it, because it always
+strikes me that, when a person's heart does stand still, it never goes
+on again.  All the same, though, my heart felt then as if it did stand
+still with the dead, dull, miserable feeling that came upon me.  Only to
+think that this was only the second time I had come through these ruined
+rooms, and they were here again!  It was plain enough Harry Lant and
+Lizzy made this their meeting-place, and only they knew how many times
+they'd met before.
+
+Time back, I could have laughed at the idea of me, a great strapping
+fellow, feeling as I did; but now I felt very wretched; and as I thought
+of Harry Lant kissing those bright red lips, and looking into those deep
+dark eyes, and being let pass his hand over the glossy hair, with the
+prospect of some day calling it all his own, I did not burn all over
+with a mad rage and passion, but it was like a great grief coming upon
+me, so that, if it hadn't been for being a man, I could have sat down
+and cried.
+
+I should think ten minutes passed, and the whispering still went on,
+when I said to myself: "Be a man, Isaac: if she likes him better, hasn't
+she a right to her pick?"  But still I felt very miserable as I turned
+to go away, when a something, said a little louder than the rest,
+stopped me.
+
+"That ain't English," I says to myself.  "What! surely she's not
+listening to that black scoundrel?"
+
+I was red-hot then in a moment; and as to thinking whether this or that
+was straightforward, or whether I was playing the spy, or anything of
+that sort, such an idea never came into my head.  Chunder was evidently
+talking to Lizzy Green in that room; and for a few seconds I felt blind
+with a sort of jealous savage rage--against her, mind, now; and going on
+tip-toe, I looked round the doorway, so as to see as well as hear.
+
+I was back in an instant, with a fresh set of sensations busy in my
+breast.  It was Chunder, but he was alone; there was no Lizzy there; and
+I don't know whether my heart beat then for joy at knowing it, or for
+shame at myself for having thought such a thing of her.
+
+What did it mean, then?
+
+I did not have to ask myself the question twice, for the answer came--
+Treachery!  And stealing to the slit of window in the room I was in, I
+peeped cautiously out in time to see Chunder throwing out what looked
+like a white packet.  I could see his arm move as he threw it down to a
+man in a turban--a dark wiry-looking rascal; and in those few seconds I
+seemed to read that packet word for word, though no doubt the writing
+was in one of the native dialects, and my reading of it was, that it was
+a correct list of the defenders of the place, the women and children,
+and what arms and ammunition there were stored up.
+
+It was all plain enough, and the villain was sending it by a man who
+must have brought him tidings of some kind.
+
+What was I to do?  That man ought to be stopped at all hazards; and what
+I ought to have done was to steal back, give the alarm, and let a party
+go round to try and cut him off.
+
+That's what I ought to have done; but I never did have much judgment.
+
+Now for what I did do.
+
+Slipping back from the window, I went cautiously to the doorway, and
+entered the old room where Chunder was standing at the window; and I
+went in so quietly, and he was so intent, that I had crept close, and
+was in the act of leaping on to him before he turned round and tried to
+avoid me.
+
+He was too late, though, for with a bound I was on him, pinioning his
+hands, and holding him down on the window-sill, with his head half out,
+as, bearing down upon him, I leaned out as far as I could, yelling
+out,--
+
+"Sentry on the west roof, mark man below.  Stop him, or fire!"
+
+The black fellow below drew a long awkward-looking pistol, and aimed at
+me, but only for a moment.  Perhaps he was afraid of killing Chunder,
+for the next instant he had stuck the pistol back in his calico belt,
+and, with head stooped, was running as hard as he could run, when I
+could hardly contain myself for rage, knowing as I did how important it
+was for him to have been stopped.
+
+"Bang!"
+
+A sharp report from the roof, and the fellow made a bound.
+
+Was he hit?
+
+No: he only seemed to ran the faster.
+
+"Bang!"
+
+Another report as the runner came in sight of the second sentry.
+
+But I saw no more, for all my time was taken up with Chunder; for as the
+second shot rang out, he gave a heave, and nearly sent me through the
+open window.
+
+It was by a miracle almost that I saved myself from breaking my neck,
+for it was a good height from the ground; but I held on to him tightly
+with a clutch such as he never had on his arms and neck before; and
+then, with a strength for which I shouldn't have given him credit, he
+tussled with me, now tugging to get away, now to throw me from the
+window, his hot breath beating all the time upon my cheeks, and his
+teeth grinning, and eyes rolling savagely.
+
+It was only a spurt, though, and I soon got the better of him.
+
+I don't want to boast, but I suppose our cold northern bone and muscle
+are tougher and stronger than theirs; and at the end of five minutes,
+puffing and blown, I was sitting on his chest, taking a paper from
+inside his calico.
+
+That laid me open; for, like a flash, I saw then that he had a knife in
+one hand, while before another thought could pass through my mind, it
+was sticking through my jacket and the skin of my ribs, and my fist was
+driven down against his mouth for him to kiss for the second time in his
+life.
+
+Next minute, Captain Dyer and a dozen men were in the room, Chunder was
+handcuffed and marched off, and the captain was eagerly questioning me.
+
+"But is that fellow shot down or taken--the one outside?"  I asked.
+
+"Neither," said Captain Dyer; "and it is too late now: he has got far
+enough away."
+
+Then I told him what I had seen, and he looked at the packet, his brow
+knitting as he tried to make it out.
+
+"I ought to have come round and given the alarm, captain," I said
+bitterly.
+
+"Yes, my good fellow, you ought," he said; "and I ought to have had that
+black scoundrel under lock and key days ago.  But it is too late now to
+talk of what ought to have been done; we must talk of what there is to
+do.--But are you hurt?"
+
+"He sent his knife through my jacket, sir," I said, "but it's only a
+scratch on the skin;" and fortunately that's what it proved to be, for
+we had no room for wounded men, since we should have them soon enough.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER ELEVEN.
+
+An hour of council, and then another--our two leaders not seeming to
+agree as to the extent of the coming danger.  Challenge from the west
+roof:
+
+"Orderly in sight."
+
+Sure enough, a man on horseback riding very slowly, and as if his horse
+was dead beat.
+
+"Surely it isn't that poor fellow come back, because his horse has
+failed?  He ought to have walked on," said Captain Dyer.
+
+"Same man," said Lieutenant Leigh, looking through his glass; and before
+very long, the poor fellow who had gone away at daybreak rode slowly up
+to the gate, was admitted, and then had to be helped from his horse,
+giving a great sobbing groan as it was done.
+
+"In here, quick!"  I said, for I thought I heard the ladies' voices; and
+we carried him in to where Mrs Bantem was getting ready for dinner, and
+there we laid him on a mattress.
+
+"Despatches, captain," he says, holding up the captain's letter to
+Colonel Maine.  "They didn't get that.  They were too many for me.  I
+dropped one, though, with my pistol, and cut my way through the others."
+
+As he spoke, I untwisted his leather sword-knot, which was cutting into
+his wrist, for his hacked and blood-stained sabre was hanging from his
+hand.
+
+"Wouldn't go back into the scabbard," he said faintly; and then with a
+harsh gasp: "Water--water!"
+
+He revived then a hit; and as Captain Dyer and Mrs Bantem between them
+were attending to, and binding up his wounds, he told us how he had been
+set upon some miles off, and had been obliged to fight his way back;
+and, poor chap, he had fought; for there were no less than ten
+lance-wounds in his arms, thighs, and chest, from a slight prick up to a
+horrible gash, deep and long enough, it seemed to me, to let out
+half-a-dozen poor fellows' souls.
+
+Just in the middle of it, I saw Captain Dyer start and look strange, for
+there was a shadow came across where we were kneeling; and the next
+instant he was standing between Miss Ross and the wounded man.
+
+"Pray, go, dear Elsie; this is no place for you," I heard him whisper to
+her.
+
+"Indeed, Lawrence," she said gently, "am I not a soldier's daughter?  I
+ought to say this is no place for you.  Go, and make your arrangements
+for our defence."
+
+I don't think any one but me saw the look of love she gave him as she
+took sponge and lint from his hand, pressing it as she did so, and then
+her pale face lit up with a smile as she met his eyes; the next moment
+she was kneeling by the wounded trooper, and in a quiet firm way helping
+Mrs Bantem, in a manner that made her, poor woman, stare with
+astonishment.
+
+"God bless you, my darling," she whispered to her as soon as they had
+done, and the poor fellow was lying still--a toss-up with him whether it
+should be death or life; and I saw Mrs Bantem take Miss Ross's soft
+white hand between her two great rough hard palms, and kiss it just
+once.
+
+"And I'd always been abusing and running her down for a fine madam, good
+for nothing but to squeal songs, and be looked at," Mrs Bantem said to
+me a little while after.  "Why, Isaac Smith, we shall be having that
+little maid showing next that there's something in her."
+
+"And why not?"  I said gruffly.
+
+"Ah, to be sure," says she, with a comical look out of one eye; "why
+not?  But, Isaac, my lad," she said sadly, and looking at me very
+earnestly, "I'm afraid there's sore times coming, and if so, God in
+heaven help those poor bairns!  O, if I'd been a man, and been there!"
+she cried, as she recollected what the trooper had told us; and she
+shook her fist fiercely in the air.  "It's what I always did say:
+soldiers' wives have no business to have children; and it's rank cruelty
+to the poor little things to bring them into the world."
+
+Mrs Bantem then went off to see to her patient, while I walked into the
+court, wondering what would come next, and whether, in spite of all the
+little bitternesses and grumbling, everybody, now that the stern
+realities of life were coming upon us, would show up the bright side of
+his or her nature; and somehow I got very hopeful about it.
+
+I felt just then that I should have much liked to have a few words with
+Lizzy Green, but I had no chance, for it was a busy time with us.
+Captain Dyer felt strongly enough his responsibility, and not a minute
+did he lose in doing all he could for our defence; so that after an
+anxious day, with nothing more occurring, when I looked round at what
+had been done in barricading and so on, it seemed to me, speaking as a
+soldier, that, as far as I could judge, there was nothing more to be
+done, though still the feeling would come home to me that it was a great
+place for forty men to defend, if attacked by any number.  Captain Dyer
+must have seen that, for he had arranged to have a sort of citadel at
+the north end by the gateway, and this was to be the last refuge, where
+all the ammunition and food and no end of chatties of water were stowed
+down in the great vault-place, which went under this part of the
+building and a good deal of the court.  Then the watch was set, trebled
+this time, on roof and at window, and we waited impatiently for the
+morning.
+
+Yes, we all of us, I believe, waited impatiently for the morning; when I
+think, if we had known all that was to come, we should have knelt down
+and prayed for the darkness to keep on hour after hour, for days, and
+weeks, and months, sooner than the morning should have broke as it did
+upon a rabble of black faces, some over white clothes, some over the
+British uniform that they had disgraced; and as I, who was on the west
+roof, heard the first hum of their coming, and caught the first glimpse
+of the ragged column, I gave the alarm, setting my teeth hard as I did
+so; for, after many years of soldiering, I was now for the first time to
+see a little war in earnest.
+
+Captain Dyer's first act on the alarm being given was to double the
+guard over the three blacks, now secured in the strongest room he could
+find, the black nurse being well looked after by the women.  Then, quick
+almost as thought, every man was at the post already assigned to him;
+the women and children were brought into the corner rooms by the gates,
+and then we waited excitedly for what should follow.  The captain now
+ordered me out of the little party under a sergeant, and made me his
+orderly; and so it happened that always being with or about him, I knew
+how matters were going on, and was always carrying the orders, now to
+Lieutenant Leigh, now to this sergeant or that corporal.  At the first
+offset of the defence of the old place, there was a dispute between
+captain and lieutenant; and I'm afraid it was maintained by the last out
+of obstinacy, and just at a time when there should have been nothing but
+pulling together for the sake of all concerned.  I must say, though,
+that there was right on both sides.
+
+Lieutenant Leigh put it forward as his opinion that, short of men as we
+were, it was folly to keep four enemies under the same roof, who were
+likely at any time to overpower the one or two sentries placed over
+them; while, if there was nothing to fear in that way, there was still
+the shortening of our defensive forces by a couple of valuable men.
+
+"What would you do with them, then?" said Captain Dyer.
+
+"Set them at liberty," said Lieutenant Leigh.
+
+"I grant all you say, in the first place," said the captain; "but our
+retaining them is a sheer necessity."
+
+"Why?" said Lieutenant Leigh with a sneer.  And I must say that at first
+I held with him.
+
+"Because," said the captain sternly, "if we set them at liberty, we
+increase our enemies' power, not merely with three men, but with
+scoundrels who can give them the fullest information of our defences,
+over and above that of which I am afraid they are already possessed.
+The matter will not bear farther discussion.--Lieutenant Leigh, go now
+to your post, and do your duty to the best of your power."
+
+Lieutenant Leigh did not like this, and he frowned; but Captain Dyer was
+his superior officer, and it was his duty to obey; so of course he did.
+
+Now, our position was such, that, say, a hundred men with a field-piece
+could have knocked a wing in, and then carried us by assault with ease;
+but though our enemies were full two hundred and fifty, and many of them
+drilled soldiers--pieces, you may say, of a great machine--fortunately
+for us, there was no one to put that machine together and set it in
+motion.  We soon found that out; for, instead of making the best of
+things, and taking possession of buildings--sheds and huts--here and
+there, from which to annoy us, they came up in a mob to the gate, and
+one fellow on a horse--a native chief, he seemed to be--gave his sword a
+wave, and half-a-dozen sowars round him did the same, and then they
+called to us to surrender.
+
+Captain Dyer's orders were to act entirely on the defensive, and to fire
+no shot till we had orders, leaving them to commence hostilities.
+
+"For," said he, speaking to all the men, "it may be a cowardly policy
+with such a mutinous set in front of us; but we have the women and
+children to think of; therefore, our duty is to hold the foe at bay, and
+when we do fire, to make every shot tell.  Beating them off is, I fear,
+impossible; but we may keep them out till help comes."
+
+"Wouldn't it be advisable, sir, to try and send off another despatch?"
+I said.  "There's the trooper's horse."
+
+"Where?" said Captain Dyer with a smile.  "That has already been thought
+of, Smith; and Sergeant Jones, the only good horseman we have, went off
+at two o'clock, and by this time is, I hope, out of danger.--Good
+heavens! what does that mean?" he said, using his glass.
+
+It was curious that I should have thought of such a thing just then, at
+a time when four sowars led up Sergeant Jones tied by a piece of rope to
+one of their saddle-bows, while the trooper's horse was behind.
+
+Captain Dyer would not show, though, that he was put out by the failure
+of that hope; he only passed the word for the men to stand firm, and
+then sent me with a message to Mrs Colonel Maine, requesting that every
+one might keep right away from the windows, as the enemy might open fire
+at any time.
+
+He was quite right; for just as I knocked at Mrs Maine's door, a
+regular squandering scattering fire began, and you could hear the
+bullets striking the wall with a sharp pat, bringing down showers of
+white lime-dust and powdered stone.
+
+I found Mrs Maine seated on the floor with her children, pale and
+trembling, the little things the while laughing and playing over some
+pictures.  Miss Ross was leaning over her sister, and Lizzy Green was
+waiting to give the children something else when they were tired of the
+pictures.
+
+As the rattle of the musketry began, it was soon plain enough to see who
+had the stoutest hearts; but I seemed to be noticing nothing, though I
+did a great deal, and listened to Mrs Bantem's voice in the next room,
+bullying and scolding a woman for crying out loud and upsetting
+everybody else.
+
+I gave my message; and then Miss Ross asked me if any one was hurt, to
+which I answered as cheerfully as could be that we were all right as
+yet; and then, taking myself off, Lizzy Green came with me to the door,
+and I held out my hand to say good-bye; for I knew it was possible I
+might never see her again.  She gave me her hand, and said "Good bye,"
+in a faltering sort of way, and it seemed to me that she shrank from me.
+The next instant, though, there was the rattling crash of the firing,
+and I knew now that our men were answering.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWELVE.
+
+As I went down into the courtyard, I found the smoke rising in puffs as
+our men fired over the breastwork at the mob coming at the gate; Captain
+Dyer in the thick of it the while, going from man to man, warning them
+to keep themselves out of sight, and to aim low.
+
+"Take care of yourselves, my lads.  I value every one of you at a
+hundred of those black scoundrels.  Tut, tut! whose that down?"
+
+"Corporal Bray," says some one.
+
+"Here, Emson, Smith, both of you lend a hand here.  We'll make Bantem's
+quarters hospital.--Now then, look alive, ambulance party!"
+
+We were about lifting the poor fellow, who had sunk down behind the
+breastwork, all doubled up like, hands and knees, and head hanging; but
+as we touched him, he straightened himself out, and looked up at Captain
+Dyer.
+
+"Don't touch me yet," he says in a whisper.  "My stripes for some one,
+captain.  Do for Isaac Smith there.  Hooray!" he says faintly, and he
+took off his cap with one hand, gave it a bit of a wave, "God save the
+Quee--"
+
+"Bear him carefully to the empty ground-floor, south side," says Captain
+Dyer sternly; "and make haste back, my lads: moments are precious."
+
+"I'll do that with private Manning's wife," says a voice; and, turning
+as we were going to lift our dead comrade, there was big strapping Mrs
+Bantem, and another soldier's wife; and she then said a few words to the
+captain.
+
+"Gone?" says Captain Dyer.
+
+"Quarter of an hour ago, sir," says Mrs Bantem; and then to me: "Poor
+trooper, Isaac!"
+
+"Another man here," says Captain Dyer.--"No, not you, Smith.--Fill up
+here, Bantem."
+
+Joe Bantem waved his hand to his wife, and took the dead corporal's
+place; but not easily, for Measles, who was next man, was stepping into
+it, when Captain Dyer ordered him back.
+
+"But there's such a much better chance of dropping one of them mounted
+chaps, sir," says Measles grumbling.
+
+"Hold your tongue, sir, and go back to your own loophole," says Captain
+Dyer; and the way that Measles kept on loading and firing, ramming down
+his cartridges viciously, and then taking long and careful aim--ah, and
+with good effect, too!--was a sight to see.
+
+All the while we were expecting an assault; but none came; for the
+mutineers fell fast, and did not seem to dare to make a rush while we
+kept up such practice.
+
+Then I had to go round and ask Lieutenant Leigh to send six more men to
+the gate, and to bring news of what was going on round the other sides.
+
+I found the lieutenant standing at the window where I caught Chunder;
+and there was a man each at all the other four little windows which
+looked down at the outside--all the others, as I have said, looking in
+upon the court.
+
+The lieutenant's men had a shot now and then at any one who approached;
+but the mutineers seemed to have determined upon forcing the gate, and,
+so far as I could see, there was very little danger to fear from any
+other quarter.
+
+I knew Lieutenant Leigh was not a coward; but he seemed very
+half-hearted over the defence, doing his duty, but in a sullen sort of
+way; and, of course, that was because he wanted to take the lead now
+held by Captain Dyer; and perhaps it was misjudging him, but I'm afraid
+just at that time he'd have been very glad if a shot had dropped his
+rival, and he could have stepped into his place.
+
+Captain Dyer's plan to keep the rabble at bay till help could come, was,
+of course, quite right; and that night it was an understood thing that
+another attempt should be made to send a messenger to Wallahbad, another
+of our corporals being selected for the dangerous mission.
+
+The fighting was kept on in an on-and-off way till evening, we losing
+several men, but a good many falling on the other side, which made them
+more cautious, and not once did we have a chance of touching a man with
+the bayonet.  Some of our men grumbled a little at this, saying that it
+was very hard to stand there hour after hour to be shot down; and could
+they have done as they liked, they'd have made a sally.
+
+Then came the night, and a short consultation between the captain and
+Lieutenant Leigh.  The mutineers had ceased firing at sundown, and we
+were in hopes that there would be a rest till daylight; but all the same
+the strictest watch was kept, and only half the men lay down at a time.
+
+Half the night, though, had not passed, when a hand was laid upon my
+shoulder; and in an instant I was up, piece in hand, to find that it was
+Captain Dyer.
+
+"Come here," he said quietly; and following him into the room underneath
+where the women were placed, he told me to listen; and I did, to hear a
+low, grating, tearing noise, as of something scraping on stone.  "That's
+been going on," he said, "for a good hour, and I can't make it out,
+Smith."
+
+"Prisoners escaping," I said quietly.
+
+"But they are not so near as that.  They were confined in the next room
+but one," he said in a whisper.
+
+"Broke through, then," I said.
+
+Then we went--Captain Dyer and I--quietly up on to the roof, answered
+the challenge, and then walked to the edge, where, leaning over, we
+could hear the doll grating noise once more; then a stone seemed to fall
+out on to the sandy way by the palace walls.
+
+It was all plain enough: they had broken through from one room to
+another, where there was a window no bigger than a loophole, and they
+were widening this.
+
+"Quick here, sentry," says the captain.
+
+The next minute the sentry hurried up, and we had a man posted as nearly
+over the window as we could guess; and then I had my orders in a minute:
+
+"Take two men and the sentry at their door, rush in, and secure them at
+once.  But if they have got out, join Sergeant Williams, and follow me
+to act as reserve; for I am going to make a sally by the gate to stop
+them from the outside."
+
+I roused Harry Lant and Measles, and they were with me in an instant.
+We passed a couple of sentries, and gave the countersign, and then
+mounted to the long stone passage which led to where the prisoners had
+been placed.
+
+As we three privates neared the door, the sentry there challenged; but
+when we came up to him and listened, there was not a sound to be heard;
+neither had he heard anything, he said.  The next minute the door was
+thrown open, and we found an empty room; but a hole in the wall showed
+us which way the prisoners had gone.
+
+We none of us much liked the idea of going through that hole to be taken
+at a disadvantage; but duty was duty, and, running forward, I made a
+bold thrust through with my piece in two or three directions; then I
+crept through; followed by Harry Lant, and found that room empty too;
+but they had not gone by the doorway which led into the women's part,
+but enlarged the window, and dropped down, leaving a large opening--one
+that, if we had not detected it then, would no doubt have done nicely
+for the entrance of a strong party of enemies.
+
+"Sentry here," I said; and leaving the man at the window, followed by
+Harry Lant and Measles, I ran back, got down to the courtyard, crossed
+to where Sergeant Williams with half a dozen men waited our coming, and
+then we were passed through the gate, and went along at the double to
+where we could hear noise and shouting.
+
+We had the narrow alley to go through--the one I have before mentioned
+as being between the place we had strengthened and the next building;
+and no sooner were we at the end, than we found we were none too soon;
+for there, in the dim starlight, we could see Captain Dyer and four men
+surrounded by a good score, howling and cutting at them like so many
+demons, and plainly to be seen by their white calico things.
+
+"By your left, my lads, shoulder to shoulder--double!" says the
+sergeant.
+
+Then we gave a cheer, and with hearts bounding with excitement, down we
+rushed upon the scoundrels to give them their first taste of the
+bayonet, cutting Captain Dyer and two more men out, just as the other
+two went down.
+
+It was as fierce a fight that, as it was short; for we soon found the
+alarm spread, and enemies running up on all sides.  It was bayonet-drill
+then; and well we showed the practice, till we retired slowly to the
+entrance of the alley; but the pattering of feet and cries told that
+there were more coming to meet us that way; when, following Captain
+Dyer's orders, we retreated in good form in the other direction, so as
+to get round to the gate by the alley, on the south side.
+
+And now for the first time we gave them a volley, checking the advance
+for a few seconds, while we retreated loading, to turn again, and give
+them another volley, which checked them once more; but only for a few
+seconds, when they came down upon us like a swarm of bees, right upon
+our bayonets; and as fast as half-a-dozen fell, half-a-dozen more were
+leaping upon the steel.
+
+We kept our line, though, one and all, retiring in good order to the
+mouth of the second court, which ran down by the south side of the
+palace; when, as if maddened at the idea of losing us, a whole host of
+them came at us with a rush, breaking our line, and driving us anyhow,
+mixed up together, down the alley, which was dark as pitch; but not so
+dark but that we could make out a turban or a calico cloth; and those
+bayonets of ours were used to some purpose.
+
+Half-a-dozen times over I heard the captain's voice cheering us on, and
+shouting, "Gate, gate!"  Then I saw the flash of his sword once, and
+managed to pin a fellow who was making at him, just as we got out at the
+other end with a fierce rush.  Directly after I heard the captain shout
+"Rally!" and saw him wave his sword; and then I don't recollect any
+more; for it was one wild fierce scuffle--stab and thrust in the midst
+of a surging, howling, maddened mob, forcing us towards the gateway.
+
+I thought it was all over with us, when there came a cheer, and the gate
+was thrown open, a dozen men formed, and charged down, driving the
+niggers back like sheep; and then, somehow or another, we were cut out,
+and, under cover of the new-comers, reached the gate.
+
+A ringing volley was then given into the thick of the mutineers as they
+came pouring on again; but the next minute all were safely inside, and
+the gate was thrust to and barred; and, panting and bleeding, we stood,
+six of us, trying to get our breath.
+
+"This wouldn't have happened," says a voice, "if my advice had been
+taken.  I wish the black scoundrels had been shot.  Where's Captain
+Dyer?"
+
+There was no answer, and a dead chill fell on me as I seemed to realise
+that things had come now to a bad pass.
+
+"Where's Sergeant Williams?" said Lieutenant Leigh again; and it seemed
+to me that he spoke in a husky voice.
+
+"Here!" said some one faintly; and turning, there was the sergeant
+seated on the ground, and supporting himself against the breastwork.
+
+"Any one know the other men who went out on this mad sally?" says the
+lieutenant.  "Where's Harry Lant?"  I says.  There was no answer here
+either; and this time it was my turn to speak in a queer husky voice, as
+I said again,--
+
+"Where's Measles?  I mean Sam Bigley."
+
+"He's gone too, poor chap," says some one.  "No, he ain't gone neither,"
+says a voice behind me; and turning, there was Measles tying a
+handkerchief round his head, muttering the while about some black devil.
+"I ain't gone, nor I ain't much hurt," he growled; "and if I don't take
+it out of some on 'em for this chop o' the head, it's a rum 'un; and
+that's all I've got to say."
+
+"Load," says Lieutenant Leigh shortly; and we loaded again, and then
+fired two or three volleys at the niggers as they came up towards the
+gate once more; when some one calls out,--
+
+"Ain't none of us going to make a sally party, and bring in the
+captain?"
+
+"Silence, there, in the ranks!" shouts Lieutenant Leigh; and though it
+had a bad sound coming from him as it did, and situated as he was, no
+one knew better than I did how that it would have been utter madness to
+have gone out again; for even if he were alive, instead of bringing in
+Captain Dyer, now that the whole mob was roused, we should have all been
+cut to pieces.
+
+It was as if in answer to the lieutenant's order that silence seemed to
+fall then, both inside and outside the palace--a silence that was only
+broken now and then by the half-smothered groan of some poor fellow who
+had been hurt in the sortie--though the way in which those men of ours
+did bear wounds, some of them even that were positively awful, was a
+something worth a line in history.
+
+Yes, there was a silence fell upon the place for the rest of that night,
+and I remember thinking of the wounds that had been made in two poor
+hearts by that bad night's work; and I can say now, faithful and true,
+that there was not a selfish thought in my heart as I remembered Lizzy
+Green, any more than there was when Miss Ross came uppermost in my mind;
+for I knew well enough that they must have soon known of the disaster
+that had befallen our little party.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
+
+Whatever those poor women suffered, they took care it should not be seen
+by us men; and, indeed, we had little time to think of them the next
+day.  We had given ourselves the task to protect them, and we were
+fighting hard to do it, and that was all we could do then; for the enemy
+gave us but little peace--not making any savage attack, but harassing us
+in a cruel way, every man acting like for himself, and all the
+discipline the sepoys had learned seeming to be forgotten.
+
+As for Lieutenant Leigh, he looked cold and stern; but there was no
+flinching with him now: he was in command, and he showed it; and though
+I never liked the man, I must say that he showed himself a brave and
+clever officer; and but for his skilful arrangement of the few men under
+his charge, that place would have fallen half-a-dozen times over.
+
+We had taken no prisoners, so that there was no chance of talking of
+exchange; though I believe to a man all thought that the captain and
+files missing from our company were dead.
+
+The women now lent us their help, bringing down spare muskets and
+cartridges, loading too for us; so that when the mutineers made an
+attack, we were able to keep up a much sharper fire than we should have
+done under other circumstances.
+
+It was about the middle of the afternoon when, hot and exhausted, we
+were firing away; for the bullets were coming thick and fast through the
+gateway, flying across the yard, and making a passage in that direction
+nearly certain death, when I felt a strange choking feeling, for Measles
+says to me all at once,--
+
+"Look there, Ike."
+
+I looked, and I could hardly believe it, and rubbed my eyes; for just in
+the thickest of the firing there was the sound of merry laughter, and
+those two children of the colonel's came toddling out, right across the
+line of fire, turned back to look up at some one calling to them from
+the window, and then stood still laughing and clapping their hands.
+
+I don't know how it was; I only know that it wasn't to look brave; but,
+dropping my piece, I rushed to catch them, just at the same moment as
+did Miss Ross and Lizzy Green; while directly after Lieutenant Leigh
+rushed from where he was, caught Miss Ross round the waist, and dragged
+her away, as I did Lizzy and the children.
+
+How it happened that we were none of us hit is strange to me, for all
+the time the bullets were pattering on the wall beyond us.  I only know
+I turned sick and faint as I just said to Lizzy, "Thank God for that!"
+and she led off the children, Miss Ross shrinking from Lieutenant Leigh
+with a strange mistrustful look, as if she were afraid of him; and the
+next minute they were under cover, and we were back at our posts.
+
+"Poor bairns!" says Measles to me; "I ain't often glad of anything, Ike
+Smith; but I am glad they ain't hurt.  Now my soul seemed to run and
+help them myself, but my legs were just as if they couldn't move.  You
+need not believe it without you like," he added in his sour way.
+
+"But I do believe it, old fellow," I said warmly, as I held out my hand.
+"Chaff's chaff; but you never knew me make light of a good act done by
+a true-hearted comrade."
+
+"All right," says Measles gruffly.  "Now see me pot that sowar.  Missed
+him, by Jove!" he exclaimed as soon as he had fired.  "These pieces
+ain't true.  No--hit him--he's down!  That's one bairn-killer the less."
+
+"Sam," I said just then, "what's that coming up between the huts
+yonder?"
+
+"Looks like a wagin," says Measles.  "'Tis a wagin, ain't it?"
+
+"No," I said, feeling that miserable I didn't know what to do; "it isn't
+a wagon, Sam; but--why, there's another--a couple of field-pieces!"
+
+"Nine-pounders, by all that's unlucky!" said Measles, slapping his
+thigh.  "Then I tell you what it is, Ike Smith--it's about time we said
+our prayers."
+
+I didn't answer, for the words would not come but it was what had always
+been my dread, and it seemed now that the end was very near.
+
+Troubles were coming upon us thick; for being relieved a short time
+after, to go and have some tea that Mrs Bantem had got ready, I saw
+something that made me stop short and think of where we should be if the
+water supply was run out; for though we had the chatties down below in
+the vault under the north end, we wanted what there was in the tank,
+while there was Nabob, the great elephant, drawing it up in his trunk,
+and cooling himself by squirting it all over his back.
+
+I went to Lieutenant Leigh, and pointed it out to him; and the great
+beast was led away; when, there being nothing else for it, we opened a
+way through our breastwork, watched an opportunity, threw open the gate,
+and he marched out right straight in amongst the mutineers, who cheered
+loudly, after their fashion, as he came up to them.
+
+There was no more firing in that night; and taking it in turns, we some
+of us had a sleep, I among the rest, all dressed as I was, and with my
+gun in my hand, ready for use at a moment's notice; and I remember
+thinking what a deal depended on the sentries, and how thoroughly our
+lives were in their hands; and then my next thought was of how was it
+possible for it to be morning, for I had only seemed to close my eyes,
+and then open them again on the light of day.
+
+But morning it was; and with a dull dead feeling of misery upon me, I
+got up and gave myself a shake, ran the ramrod down my piece, to see
+that it was charged all right, looked to the cap, and then once more
+prepared for the continuation of the struggle, low-spirited and
+disheartened, but thankful for the bit of refreshing rest I had had.
+
+A couple of hours passed, and there was no movement on the part of the
+enemy; the ladies never stirred, but we could hear the children laughing
+and playing about; and how one did seem to envy the little light-hearted
+thoughtless things!  But my thoughts were soon turned into another
+direction; for Lieutenant Leigh ordered me up into one of the rooms
+commanding the gateway, and looking out on the square where the guns
+were standing, and came up with me himself.
+
+"You'll have a good lookout from here, Smith," he said; "and being a
+good shot--"
+
+He didn't say any more, for he was, like me, taken up with the movement
+in the square--a lot of the mutineers running the two guns forward in
+front of the gate, and then closing round them, so that we could not see
+what was going on; but we knew well enough that they were charging them,
+and there seemed nothing for it but to let them fire, unless by a bold
+sally we could get out and spike them.
+
+Just then Lieutenant Leigh looked at me, and I at him; when, touching my
+cap in salute, I said, "Two good nails, sir, and a tap on each, would do
+it."
+
+"Yes, Smith," he said grimly; "but who is to drive those two nails
+home?"
+
+I didn't answer him for a minute, I should say, for I was thinking over
+matters about life, and about Lizzy; and now that Harry Lant was gone,
+it seemed to me that there might be a chance for me; but still duty was
+duty, and if men could not in such a desperate time as this risk
+something, what was the good of soldiers?
+
+"I'll drive 'em home, sir," I says then quietly, "or they shall drive me
+home!"
+
+He looked at me for an instant, and then nodded.
+
+"I'll get the men ready," he says; "it's our only chance, and with a
+bold dash we may do it.  I'll send to the armourer's chest for hammers
+and spikes.  I'll spike one, Smith, and you the other; but mind, if I
+fail, help me, as I will you if you fail; and God help us!  Keep a sharp
+look-out till I come back."
+
+He left the room, and I heard a little movement below, as of the men
+getting ready for the sally; and all the while I stood watching the
+crowd in front, which now began hurrahing and cheering; and there was a
+motion which showed that the guns were being run in nearer, till they
+stopped about fifty yards from the gate.
+
+"What makes him so long?"  I thought, trembling with excitement;
+"another minute, perhaps, and the gate will be battered down, and that
+mob rushing in."
+
+Then I thought that we ought, all who escaped from the sortie, in case
+of failure, to be ready to take to the rooms adjoining where I was,
+which would be our last hope; and then I almost dropped my piece, my
+mouth grew dry, and I seemed choked; for with a loud howl the crowd
+opened out, and I saw a sight that made my blood run cold: those two
+nine-pounders standing with a man by each breech, smoking linstock in
+hand; while bound with their backs against the muzzles, and their white
+faces towards us, were Captain Dyer and Harry Lant!
+
+One spark--one touch of the linstock on the breech--and those two brave
+fellows would be blown to atoms; and as I expected that every moment
+such would be the case, my knees knocked together; but the next moment I
+was down on those shaking knees, my piece made ready, and a good aim
+taken, so that I could have dropped one of the gunners before he was
+able to fire.
+
+I hesitated for a moment before I made up my mind which to try and save;
+and the thought of Lizzy Green came in my mind, and I said to myself, "I
+love her too well to cause her pain," when, giving up Captain Dyer, I
+aimed at the gunner by poor Harry Lant.
+
+"Don't fire!" said a voice just then; and turning, there was Lieutenant
+Leigh.  "The black-hearted wretches!" he muttered.  "But we are all
+ready; though now, if we start, it will be the signal for the death of
+those two.  But what does this mean?"
+
+What made him say that was a chief, all in shawls, who rode forward and
+shouted out in good English that they gave us one hour to surrender; but
+at the end of that time, if we had not marched out without arms, they
+would blow their prisoners away from the mouth of the guns.
+
+Then, for fear we had not heard it, he spurred his horse up to within
+ten yards of the gate, and shouted it out again, so that every one could
+hear through the place; and though I could have sent a bullet through
+and through him, I could not help admiring the bold daring fellow,
+riding up right to the muzzles of our pieces.
+
+But all the admiration I felt was gone the next moment, as I thought of
+the cruelties practised, and of those bound there to the gun-muzzles.
+
+There was nothing said for a few minutes, for I expected the lieutenant
+to speak; but as he did not, I turned to him and said,--
+
+"If all was ready, sir, I could drop one gunner; and I'd trust Measles--
+Sam Bigley--to drop the other, when a bold dash might do it.  You see,
+they've retired a good thirty yards, and we should only have twenty more
+to run than they; while the surprise would give us that start.  A good
+sharp jack-knife would set the prisoners free, and a covering-party
+would perhaps check the pursuit while we got in."
+
+"We shall have to try it, Smith," he said, his breath coming thick and
+fast with excitement; and then he seemed to turn white, for Miss Ross
+and Lizzy came into the room.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
+
+I should think it must have been the devil tempting Lieutenant Leigh, or
+he would never have done as he did; for, as he looked at Miss Ross, the
+change that came over him was quite startling.  He could read all that
+was passing in her heart; there was no need for her to lay her hand upon
+his arm, and point with the other out of the window, as in a voice that
+I didn't know for hers she said,--
+
+"Will you leave those two brave men there to die, Lieutenant Leigh?"
+
+He didn't answer for a moment, but seemed to be straggling with himself;
+then, speaking as huskily as she did, he said,--
+
+"Send away that girl!"  And before I could go to her--for I should have
+done it then, I know--and whisper a few words of hope, poor Lizzy went
+out, mourning for Harry Lant, wringing her hands; and I stood at my
+post, a sentry by my commander's orders, so that it was no spying on my
+part if I heard what followed.
+
+I believe Lieutenant Leigh fancied he was speaking in an undertone when
+he led Miss Ross away to a corner and spoke to her; but this was perhaps
+the most exciting moment in his life, and his voice rose in spite of
+himself, so that I heard all; while she, poor thing, I believe, forgot
+all about my presence; and, as a sentry--a machine almost--placed there,
+what right had I to speak?
+
+"Will you leave him?" said Miss Ross again.  "Will you not try to save
+him?"
+
+Lieutenant Leigh did not answer for a bit; for he was making his plans;
+and I felt quite staggered as I saw through them.
+
+"You see how he is placed.  What can I do?" said Lieutenant Leigh.  "If
+I go, it is the signal for firing.  You see the gunners waiting.  And
+why should I risk the lives of my men, and my own, to save him?  He is a
+soldier, and it is the fortune of war; he must die."
+
+"Are you a man, or a cur?" said Miss Ross then, angrily.
+
+"No coward," he said fiercely; "but a poor slighted man, whom you have
+wronged, jilted, and ill-used; and now you come to me to save your
+lover's life--to give mine for it.  You have robbed me of all that is
+pleasant between you; and now you ask more.  Is it just?"
+
+"Lieutenant Leigh, you are speaking madly.  How can you be so unjust?"
+she cried, holding tightly by his arm; for he was turning away; while I
+felt mad with him for torturing the poor girl, when it was decided that
+the attempt was to be made.
+
+"I am not unjust," he said.  "The hazard is too great.  And what should
+I gain if I succeeded?  Pshaw!  Why, if he were saved, it would be at
+the expense of my own life."
+
+"I would die to save him!" she said hoarsely.
+
+"I know it, Elsie; but you would not give a loving word to save me.  You
+would send me out to my death without compunction--without a care; and
+yet you know how I have loved you."
+
+"You--you loved me, and yet stand and see my heart torn--see me suffer
+like, this!" cried Miss Ross, and there was something half wild in her
+looks as she spoke.
+
+"Love you!" he cried; "yes, you know how I have loved you."
+
+His voice sank here; but he was talking in her ear excitedly, saying
+words that made her shrink from him up to the wall, and look at him as
+if he were some object of the greatest disgust.
+
+"You can choose," he said bitterly, as he saw her action; and he turned
+away from her.
+
+The next moment she was on her knees before him, holding up her hands as
+if in prayer.
+
+"Promise me," he said, "and I will do it."
+
+"O, some other way--some other way!" she cried piteously, her face all
+drawn the while.
+
+"As you will," he said coldly.
+
+"But think--O, think!  You cannot expect it of me.  Have mercy!  O, what
+am I saying?"
+
+"Saying!" he cried, catching her hands in his, and speaking excitedly
+and fast; "saying things that are sending him to his death.  What do I
+offer you?  Love, devotion, all that man can give.  He would, if asked
+now, give up all for his life; and yet you, who profess to love him so
+dearly, refuse to make that sacrifice for his sake!  You cannot love
+him.  If he could hear now, he would implore you to do it.  Think.  I
+risk all; most likely my life will be given for his; perhaps we shall
+both fall.  But you refuse.  Enough; I must go; I cannot stay.  There
+are many lives here under my charge; they must not be neglected for the
+sake of one.  As I said before, it is the fortune of war; and, poor
+fellow, he has but a quarter of an hour or so to live, unless help
+comes."
+
+"Unless help comes!" groaned Miss Ross frantically, when, as Lieutenant
+Leigh reached the door, watching me over his shoulder the while, Miss
+Ross went down on her knees, stretched out her hands towards where
+Captain Dyer was bound to the gun, and then she rose, cold and hard and
+stern, and turned to Lieutenant Leigh, holding out her hand.  "I
+promise," she said hoarsely.
+
+"On your oath, before God?" he exclaimed joyfully, as he caught her in
+his arms.
+
+"As God is my judge," she faltered with her eyes upturned; and then, as
+he held her to his breast, kissing her passionately, she shivered and
+shuddered, and, as he released her, sank in a heap on the floor.
+
+"Smith," cried Lieutenant Leigh, "right face--forward!"  And as I passed
+Miss Ross, I heard her sob, in a tone I shall never forget, "O,
+Lawrence, Lawrence!" and then a groan tore from her breast, and I heard
+no more.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
+
+"This is contrary to rule.  As commandant, I ought to stay in the fort;
+but I've no one to give the leadership to; so I take it myself," said
+Lieutenant Leigh.  "And now, my lads, make ready--present!  That's well.
+Are all ready?  At the word `Fire!' privates Bigley and Smith fire at
+the two gunners.  If they miss, I cry fire again, and privates Bantem
+and Grainger try their skill; then, at the double, down on the guns.
+Smith and I spike them, while Bantem and Grainger cut the cords.  Mind
+this: those guns must be spiked, and those two prisoners brought in; and
+if the sortie is well managed, it is easy; for they will be taken by
+surprise.  Hush!  Confound it, men, no cheering!"
+
+He only spoke in time; for in the excitement the men were about to
+hurray.
+
+"Now, then, is that gate unbarred?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Is the covering-party ready?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+My hand trembled as he spoke; but the next instant it was of a piece
+with my gunstock.  There was the hot square, with the sun shining on the
+two guns that must have been hot behind the poor prisoners; there, too,
+stood the two gunners in white, with their smoking linstocks, leaning
+against the wheels; for discipline was slack; and there, thirty or forty
+yards behind, were the mutineers, lounging about, and smoking many of
+them.  For all firing had ceased; and judging that we should not risk
+having the prisoners blown away from the guns, the mutineers came boldly
+up within range, as if defying us; and it was pretty safe practice at
+some of them now.
+
+I saw all this at a glance, and while it seemed as if the order would
+never come; but come it did at last.
+
+"Fire!"
+
+Bang! the two rifles going off like one; and the gunner behind Captain
+Dyer leaped into the air; while the one I aimed at seemed to sink down
+suddenly beside the wheel he had leaned upon.  Then the gate flew open,
+and with a rush and a cheer we, ten of us, raced down for the guns.
+
+Double-quick time?  I tell you it was a hard race; and being without my
+gun now--only my bayonet stuck in my trousers waistband--I was there
+first, and had driven my spike into the touch-hole before Lieutenant
+Leigh reached his; but the next moment his was done, the cords were cut,
+and the prisoners loose from the guns.  But now we had to get back.
+
+The first inkling I had of the difficulty of this was seeing Captain
+Dyer and Harry Lant stagger and fall forward; but they were saved by the
+men, and we saw directly that they must be carried.
+
+No sooner thought of than done.
+
+"Hoist Harry on my back," says Grainger; and he took him like a sack;
+Bantem acting the same part by Captain Dyer; and those two ran off,
+while we tried to cover them.
+
+For don't you imagine that the mutineers were idle all this while; not a
+bit of it.  They were completely taken by surprise, though, at first,
+and gave us time nearly to get to the guns before they could understand
+what we meant; but the next moment some shouted and ran at us, and some
+began firing; while by the time the prisoners were cast loose, they were
+down upon us in a hand-to-hand fight.
+
+You see in those fierce struggles there is such excitement, that, for my
+part, I've but a very misty recollection of what took place; but I do
+recollect seeing the prisoners well on the way back, hearing a cheer
+from our men, and then, hammer in one hand, bayonet in the other,
+fighting my way backward along with my comrades.  Then all at once a
+glittering flash came in the air, and I felt a dull cut on the face,
+followed directly after by another strange numbing blow, which made me
+drop my bayonet, as my arm fell uselessly to my side; and then with a
+lurch and a stagger I fell, and was trampled upon twice, when, as I
+rallied once, a black savage-looking sepoy raised his clubbed musket to
+knock out my brains; but a voice I well knew cried, "Not this time, my
+fine fellow.  That's number three, that is, and well home;" and I saw
+Measles drive his bayonet with a crash through the fellow's breast-bone,
+so that he fell across my legs.
+
+"Now, old chap, come along," he shouts, and an arm was passed under me.
+
+"Run, Measles, run!"  I said as well as I could.  "It's all over with
+me."
+
+"No, 'taint," he said; "and don't be a fool.  Let me do as I like, for
+once in a way."
+
+I don't know how he did it, nor how, feeling sick and faint as I did, I
+managed to get on my legs; but old Measles stuck to me like a true
+comrade, and brought me in.  For one moment I was struggling to my feet;
+and the next, after what seemed a deal of firing going over my head, I
+was inside the breastwork, listening to our men cheering and firing
+away, as the mutineers came howling and raging up almost to the very
+gates.
+
+"All in?"  I heard Lieutenant Leigh ask.
+
+"To a man, sir," says some one; "but private Bantem is hurt."
+
+"Hold your tongue, will you!" says Joe Bantem.  "I ain't killed, nor yet
+half.  How would you like your wife frightened if you had one?"
+
+"How's private Lant?"
+
+"Cut to pieces, sir," says some one softly.
+
+"I'm thankful that you are not wounded, Captain, Dyer," then says
+Lieutenant Leigh.
+
+"God bless you, Leigh!" says the captain faintly.  "It was a brave act.
+I've only a scratch or two when I can get over the numbness of my
+limbs."
+
+I heard all this in a dim sort of fashion, just as if it was a dream in
+the early morning; for I was leaning up against the wall, with my face
+laid open and bleeding, and my left arm smashed by a bullet; and nobody
+just then took any notice of me, because they were carrying in Captain
+Dyer and Harry Lant; while the next minute the fire was going on hard
+and fast; for the mutineers were furious; and I suppose they danced
+round the guns in a way that showed how mad they were about the spiking.
+
+As for me, I did not seem to be in a great deal of pain; but I got
+turning over in my mind how well we had done it that morning; and I felt
+proud of it all, and glad that Captain Dyer and Harry Lant were brought
+in; but all the same, what I had heard lay like a load upon me; and
+knowing, as I did, that poor Miss Ross had, as it were, sold herself to
+save the captain's life, and that she had, in a way of speaking, been
+cheated into doing so, I felt that, when the opportunity came, I must
+tell the captain all I knew.  When I had got so far as that with my
+thoughts, the dull numbness began to leave me, and everything else was
+driven out of my mind by the thought of my wound; and I got asking
+myself whether it was going to be very bad; for I fancied it was; so
+getting up a little, I began to crawl along in the shade towards the
+ruined south end of the palace, nobody seeming to notice me.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
+
+I dare say you who read this don't know what the sensation is of having
+one arm-bone shivered, and the dead limb swinging helplessly about in
+your sleeve, whilst a great miserable sensation comes over you that you
+are of no more use--that you are only a broken pitcher, fit to hold
+water no more, but only to be smashed up to mend the road with.  There
+were all those women and children wanting my help, and the help of
+hundreds more such as me; and instead of being of use, I knew that I
+must be a miserable burden to everybody, and only in the way.
+
+Now, whether man--as some of the great philosophers say--did gradually
+get developed from the beast of the field, I'm not going to pretend to
+know; but what I do know is this--that leave him in his natural state,
+and when he, for some reason or an other, forgets all that has been
+taught him, he seems very much like an animal, and acts as such.
+
+It was something after this fashion with me then: for feeling like a
+poor brute out of a herd that has been shot by the hunters, I did just
+the same as it would--crawled away to find a place where I might hide
+myself, and lie down and die.
+
+You'll laugh, I daresay, when I tell you my sensations just then; and
+I'm ready to laugh at them now myself; for, in the midst of my pain and
+suffering, it came to me that I felt precisely as I did when I was a
+young shaver of ten years old.  One Sunday afternoon, when everybody but
+mother and me had gone to church, and she had fallen asleep, I got
+father's big clay-pipe, rammed it full of tobacco out of his great lead
+box, and then took it into the back kitchen, feeling as grand as a
+churchwarden, and set to and smoked it till I turned giddy and faint,
+and the place seemed swimming about me.
+
+Now, that was just how I felt when I crawled about in that place, trying
+not to meet anybody, lest the women should see me all covered with
+blood; and at last I got, as I thought, into a room where I should be
+all alone.
+
+I say I crawled; and that's what I did do, on one hand and my knees, the
+fingers of my broken arm trailing over the white marble floor, with each
+finger making a horrible red mark, when all at once I stopped, drew
+myself up stiffly, and leaned trembling and dizzy against the wall,
+trying hard not to faint; for I found that I wasn't alone, and that in
+place of getting away--crawling into some hole to lie down and die, I
+was that low-spirited and weak--I had come to a place where one of the
+women was, for there, upon her knees, was Lizzy Green, sobbing and
+crying, and tossing her hands about in the agony of her poor heart.
+
+I was misty and faint and confused, you know; but perhaps it was
+something like instinct made me crawl to Lizzie's favourite place; for
+it was not intended.  She did not see me, for her back was my way; and I
+did not mean her to know I was there; for in spite of my giddiness, I
+seemed to feel that she had learned all the news about our attempt, and
+that she was crying about poor Harry Lant.
+
+"And he deserves to be cried for, poor chap," I said to myself, for I
+forgot all about my own pains then; but all the same something very dark
+and bitter came over me, as I wished that she had been crying instead
+for poor me.
+
+"But then he was always so bright, and merry, and clever," I thought,
+"and just the man who would make his way with a woman; while I--Please
+God, let me die now!"  I whispered very softly directly after, "for I'm
+only a poor, broken, helpless object, in everybody's way!"
+
+It seemed just then as if the hot weak tears that came running out of my
+eyes made me clearer, and better able to hear all that the sobbing girl
+said, as I leaned closer and closer to the wall; while, as to the sharp
+pain every word she said gave me, the doll dead aching of my broken arm
+was nothing.
+
+"Why--why did they let him go?" the poor girl sobbed; "as if there were
+not enough to be killed without him; and him so brave, and stout, and
+handsome, and true.  My poor heart's broken!  What shall I do?"
+
+Then she sobbed again; and I remember thinking that unless some help
+came, if poor Harry Lant died of his wounds, she would soon go to join
+him in that land where there is to be no more suffering and pain.
+
+Then I listened, for she was speaking again.
+
+"If I could only have died for him, or been with, or--O, what have I
+done, that I should be made to suffer so?"
+
+I remember wondering whether she was suffering more then than I was;
+for, in spite of my jealous despairing feeling, there was something of
+sorrow mixed up with it for her.
+
+For she had always seemed to like poor Harry's merry ways, when I never
+could get a smile from her; and she'd go and sit with Mrs Bantem for
+long enough when Harry was there, while if by chance I went, it seemed
+like the signal for her to get up, and say her young lady wanted her,
+when most likely Harry would walk back with her; and I went and told it
+all to my pipe.
+
+"If he'd only known how I'd loved him," she sobbed again, "he'd have
+said one kind word to me before he went, have kissed me, perhaps, once;
+but no, not a look nor a sign!  Oh!  Isaac, Isaac!  I shall never see
+you more!"
+
+What--what?  What was it choking me?  What was it that sent what blood I
+had left gushing up in a dizzy cloud over my eyes, so that I could only
+gasp out once the one word "Lizzy!" as I started to my feet, and stood
+staring at her in a helpless, half-blind fashion; for it seemed as
+though I had been mistaken, and that it was possible after all that she
+had been crying for me, believing me to be dead; but the next moment I
+was shrinking away from her, hiding my wounded face with my hand for
+fear she should see it, for leaping up, hot and flush-cheeked, and with
+those eyes of hers flashing at me, she was at my side with a bound.
+
+"You cowardly, cruel, bad fellow!" she half-shrieked; "how dare you
+stand in that mean deceitful way, listening to my words?  O, that I
+should be such a weak fool, with a stupid, blabbing, chattering tongue,
+to keep on kneeling and crying there, telling lies, every one of them,
+and--Get away with you!"
+
+I think it was a smile that was on my face then, as she gave me a fierce
+thrust on the wounded arm, when I staggered towards her.  I know the
+pain was as if a red-hot hand had grasped me; but I smiled all the same,
+and then, as I fell, I heard her cry out two words, in a wild agonised
+way, that went right to my heart, making it leap before all was blank;
+for I knew that those words meant that, in spite of all my doubts, I was
+loved.
+
+"O Isaac!" she cried, in a wild frightened way, and then, as I said, all
+was blank and dark for I don't know how long; but I seemed to wake up to
+what was to me then like heaven, for my head was resting on Lizzy's
+breast, and, half mad with fear and grief, she was kissing my pale face
+again and again.
+
+"Try--try to forgive me for being so cruel, so unfeeling," she sobbed;
+and then for a moment, as she saw me smile, she was about to fly out
+again, fierce-like, at having betrayed herself, and let me know how she
+loved me.  Even in those few minutes I could read it all: how her
+passionate little heart was fighting against discipline, and how angry
+she was with herself; but I saw it all pass away directly, as she looked
+down at my bleeding face, and eagerly asked me if I was very much hurt.
+
+I tried to answer, but I could not; for the same deathly feeling of
+sickness came on again, and I saw nothing.
+
+I suppose, though, it only lasted a few minutes, for I woke like again
+to hear a panting hard breathing, as of some one using great exertion,
+and then I felt that I was being moved; but, for the life of me, for a
+few moments I could not make it out, till I heard the faint buzz of
+voices, when I found that Lizzy, the little fierce girl, who seemed to
+be as nothing beside me, was actually, in her excitement, carrying me to
+where she could get help, struggling along, panting, a few feet at a
+time, beneath my weight, and me too helpless and weak to say a word.
+
+"Good heavens! look!"  I heard some one say the next moment, and I think
+it was Miss Ross; but it was some hours before I came to myself again
+enough to find that I was lying with a rolled-up cloak under my head,
+and Lizzy bathing my lips from time to time, with what I afterwards
+learned was her share of the water.
+
+But what struck me most now was the way in which she was altered; her
+sharp, angry way was gone, and she seemed to be changed into a soft
+gentle woman, without a single flirty way or thought, but always ready
+to flinch and shrink away until she saw how it troubled me, when she'd
+creep back to kneel down by my side, and put her little hand in mine;
+when, to make the same comparison again that I made before, I tell you
+that there, in that besieged and ruined place, half starred, choked with
+thirst, and surrounded by a set of demons thirsting for our blood--I
+tell you that it seemed to me like being in heaven.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
+
+I don't know how time passed then; but the next thing I remember is
+listening to the firing for a while, and then, leaning on Lizzy, being
+helped to the women's quarters, where, in spite of all they could do,
+those children would keep escaping from their mother to get to Harry
+Lant, who lay close to me, poor fellow, smiling and looking happy
+whenever they came near him; and I smiled, too, and felt as happy, when
+Lizzy, after tending me with Mrs Bantem as long as was necessary, got
+bathing Harry's forehead with water and moistening his lips.
+
+"Poor fellow," I thought, "it will do him good;" and I lay watching
+Lizzy moving about afterwards, and then I think I must have gone to
+sleep, or have fallen into a dull numb state, from which I was wakened
+by a voice I knew; and opening my eyes, I saw that Miss Ross, pale and
+scared-looking, was on her knees by the side of Harry Lant, and that
+Captain Dyer was there.
+
+"Not one word of welcome," he said, with a strange drawn look on his
+face, which deepened, as Miss Ross rose and went close to him.
+
+"Yes," she said; "thank God you have returned safe.--No, no; don't touch
+me," she cried hoarsely.  "Here, take me away--lead me out of this!" she
+said, for at that moment Lieutenant Leigh came quietly in, and she put
+her hands in his.  "Take me out," she said again hoarsely; and then,
+like some one muttering in a dream: "Take me away--take me away."
+
+I said that drawn strange look on Captain Dyer's face seemed to deepen
+as he stood watching whilst those two went out together; then he passed
+his hand over his eyes, as if to ask himself whether it was a dream; and
+then, with a groan, he leaned one hand against the wall, feeling his way
+out from the room, and something seemed to hinder me from calling out to
+him, and telling him what I knew.  For I was reasoning with myself, what
+ought I to do? and then, sick and faint, I seemed to sleep again.
+
+But this time I was waked up by a loud shrieking, and a rush of feet,
+and, confused as I was, I knew what it meant: the hole where the blacks
+escaped--Chunder and his party--had not been properly guarded, and the
+mutineers had climbed up and made an entrance.
+
+The alarm spread fast enough, but not quick enough to save life; for,
+with a howl, half-a-dozen sepoys, with their scarlet and white coatees
+open, dashed in with fixed bayonets, and two women were borne to the
+ground in an instant, while a couple of wretches made a dash at those
+two children--Little Cock Robin and Jenny Wren, as we called them--
+standing there, wondering like, by Harry Lant's bed on the floor, whilst
+the golden light of the setting sun filled the room, and lit up their
+little angels' faces.
+
+But with a howl, such as I never heard woman give, Mrs Bantem rushed
+between them and the children, caught a bayonet in each hand, and held
+them together, letting them pass under one arm, then with a spring
+forward she threw those great arms of hers round the black fellows'
+necks as they hung together, and held them in such a hug as they never
+suffered from before.
+
+The next moment they were all rolling together on the floor; but that
+incident saved the lives of those poor children, for there came a cheer
+now, and Measles and a dozen more were led in by Lieutenant Leigh, and--
+
+There, I am telling you too many horrors.  They beat them back step by
+step, at the point of the bayonet; and a fierce struggle it was--a long
+fight kept up from room to room, for our men were mad now as the
+mutineers, and it was a genuine death-struggle; for the broken window
+being guarded, not a man of about a dozen mutineers who gained entrance
+lived to go back and relate their want of success.
+
+And can you wonder, when two of those who fought had found their wives
+bayoneted: Grainger was one of them; and when the fight was over, during
+which, raging like a demon, he had killed four men, the poor fellow sat
+down by his dead wife, took her head first in his lap, then to his
+breast, and rocked himself to and fro, crying like a child, till there
+was a bugle-call in the courtyard, when he laid her gently in a corner,
+carrying her like as if she had been a child, kneeled down, and said
+"Our Father" right through by her side, kissed her lips two or three
+times, and then covered her face with a bit of an old red handkerchief;
+and him all the while covered with blood and dust and black of powder.
+Then, poor fellow, he got up and took his gun, and went out on the tips
+of his toes, lest he should wake her who would ope her eyes no more in
+this world.
+
+Perhaps it was weakness, I don't know, but my eyes were very wet just
+then, for a soft little hand was laid on my breast, and Lizzy's head
+leant over me, and her tears, too, fell very fast on my hot and fevered
+face.
+
+I felt that I should die, not then, perhaps, but before very long, for I
+knew that my arm was so shattered that it ought to be amputated just
+below the elbow, while for want of surgical assistance it would mortify;
+but somehow I felt very happy, and my state did not give me much pain,
+only that I wanted to have been up and doing; and at last, Lizzy helping
+me, I got up, my arm being bandaged and in a sling, to find that I could
+walk about a little.  So I made my way down into the courtyard, where I
+got near to Captain Dyer, who, better now, and able to limp about, was
+talking with Lieutenant Leigh, both officers now, and forgetful
+apparently of all but the present crisis.
+
+"What wounded are there?" said Captain Dyer, as I walked slowly up.
+
+"Nearly every man to some extent," said Lieutenant Leigh; "but this man
+and Lant are the worst."
+
+"The place ought to be evacuated," said Captain Dyer; "it is impossible
+to hold it another day."
+
+"We might hold out another day," said Lieutenant Leigh, "but not longer.
+Why not retreat under cover of the night?"
+
+"It seems the only thing left," said Captain Dyer.  "We might perhaps
+get to some hiding-place or other before our absence was discovered; but
+the gate and that back window will be watched of coarse: how are we to
+get away with two severely wounded men, the women and children?"
+
+"That must be planned," said Lieutenant Leigh; and then the watch was
+set for the night, as far as could be done, and another time of darkness
+set in.
+
+It was that which puzzled me, why a good bold attack was not made by
+night.  Why, the place must have been carried again and again; but no,
+we were left each night entirely at rest, and the attacks by day were
+clumsy and bad.  There was no support; every man fought for himself, and
+after his own fashion, and I suppose that every man did look upon
+himself as an officer, and resented all discipline.  At all events, it
+was our salvation, though at this time it seemed to me that the end must
+be coming on the next day, and I remember thinking, that if it did come
+to the end, I should like to keep one cartridge left in my pouch.
+
+Then my mind went off wandering in a misty way upon a plan to get away
+by night, and I tried to make one, taking into consideration, that the
+quarters on the north side of us now, and only separated by ten feet of
+alley, were in the hands of the mutineers, who camped in them, the same
+being the case in the quarters on the south side, separated again by the
+ten feet of alley through which we returned when Captain Dyer and Harry
+Lant were taken.  On the east was the market plain or square, and on the
+west a wilderness of open country with hats and sheds.  I felt, do you
+know, that a good plan of escape at this time was just what I ought to
+make, every one else being busy with duty, and me not able to either
+fight or stand sentry, so I worked on hard at it that night, trying to
+be useful in some way; and after a fashion, I at last worked one out.
+
+But I have not told you what I meant to do with that last cartridge in
+my pouch; I meant that to be pressed to my lips once before I contrived
+with one hand to load my rifle, and then if the worst came to the very
+worst, and when I had waited to the last to see if help would come,
+then, when it seemed that there was no hope, I meant to do what I told
+myself it would be my duty, as a man and a soldier, to do, if I loved
+Lizzy Green--do what more than one man did, during the mutiny, by the
+woman for whom he had been shedding his heart's best blood; and in the
+dead of that night I did load that gun, after kissing the bullet; and a
+deal of pain that gave me, mental as well as bodily, but I don't think
+that I need to tell you what that last cartridge was for.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
+
+I think by this time you pretty well understand the situation of our
+palace, and how our stronghold was on the north side, close to which was
+the gate, so hardly fought for: if you don't, I'm afraid it is my fault,
+and not yours.
+
+At all events, being at liberty, I went over it here and there, and from
+floor to roof, as I tried to make out which would be the best way for
+trying to escape; but somehow I couldn't see it perfect.  To go out from
+the gate was impossible; and the same related to the broken-out window,
+as both places were thoroughly watched.
+
+As for the other windows about the place, they were such slips, that
+without they were widened, any escaping by them was impossible.  To have
+let ourselves down, one by one, from the flat roof by a rope, might have
+done, but it was a clumsy unsuitable way, with all those children and
+women, so I gave that up, and then sat down as I was by a little window
+looking out on to the north alley.
+
+Wearied out at last, I suppose that a sort of stupor came over me, from
+which I did not wake till morning, to find myself suffering a dull numb
+pain; but when I opened my eyes I forgot that, because of her who was
+kneeling beside me, driving away the flies that were buzzing about, as
+if they knew that I was soon to be for them to rest on, without a hand
+to sweep them away.
+
+At last, though, as I lay there wondering what could be done to save us,
+the thought came all at once, and struggling to my feet, I held Lizzy to
+my heart a minute, and then went off to find Captain Dyer.
+
+It quite took me aback to see his poor haggard face, and the way in
+which he took the trouble, for it was plain enough to see how he was cut
+to the heart by Miss Ross's treatment of him.  But for all that, he was
+the officer and the gentleman; he had his duty to do, and he was doing
+it; so that, if even now, after losing so many men, and with so many
+more half disabled, the enemy had made a bold assault, they would have
+won the place dearly, though win it they must.
+
+That did not seem their way, though they wanted the place for the sake
+of the great store of arms and ammunition it contained.  They wanted to
+buy it cheap.
+
+I found Captain Dyer ready enough to listen to my plan, though he shook
+his head, and said it was desperate.  But after a little thought, he
+said:
+
+"There are some hours now between this and night--help may come before
+then; if not, Smith, we must try it.  My hands are full, so I leave the
+preparations with you: let every one carry food and a bottle of water--
+nothing more--all we want now is to save life."
+
+I promised I'd see to it; and I went and spoke cheerfully to the women,
+but Mrs Maine seemed quite hysterical.  Miss Ross listened to what I
+had to say in a hard strange way; and really, if it had not been for
+Mrs Bantem putting a shoulder first to one wheel and then the other,
+nothing would have been done.
+
+The next person I went to was Measles, who, during a cessation of the
+firing, was sitting, black and blood-smeared, with his head tied up,
+wiping out his gun with pieces he tore spitefully off the sleeves of his
+shirt.
+
+"Well, Ikey, mate," he says, "not dead yet, you see.  If we get out of
+this, I mean to have my promotion; but I don't see how we're going to
+manage it.  What bothers me most is, letting these black devils get all
+this powder and stuff we have here.  Blow my rags if we shall ever use
+it all!  I've been firing away till my old Bess has been so hot that
+I've been afraid to charge her; and I'll swear I've used twice as many
+cartridges as any other man.  But I say, Ikey, old man, do you think
+it's wrong to pot these niggers?"
+
+"No," I said; "not in a case like this."
+
+"Glad of it," he says earnestly; "because, do you know, old man, I've
+polished off such a thundering lot, that I've got to be quite nervous
+about getting killed myself.  Only think, having forty or fifty
+black-looking beggars rising up against you in kingdom come, and
+pointing at you and saying: `That's the chap as shot me!'"
+
+"I don't think any soldier, acting under orders, who does his duty in
+defence of women and children, need fear to lie down and die," I said.
+
+I never saw Measles look soft but that once, as, laying down his ramrod,
+he took my hand in his, and looked in my face for a bit; then he shook
+my hand softly, and nodded his head several times.
+
+"How's Harry Lant?" he says at last.
+
+"Very bad," I said.
+
+"Poor old chap.  But tell him I've paid some of the beggars out for it.
+Mind you tell him; it'll make him feel comfortable like, and ease his
+mind."
+
+I nodded, and then told him about the plan.
+
+"Well," he said, as he slowly and thoughtfully polished his gun-barrel,
+"it might do, and it mightn't.  Seems a rum dodge; but, anyhow, we might
+try."
+
+"I shall want you to help make the bridge," I says.
+
+"All right, matey; but I don't, somehow, like leaving the beggars all
+that ammunition."
+
+And then he loaded his rifle very thoughtfully, but only to rouse up
+directly after, for the mutineers began firing again; and Captain Dyer
+giving the order, our men replied swift and fast at every black face
+that showed itself for an instant.
+
+That was a day: hot, so that everything you went near seemed burning.
+The walls even sent forth a heat of their own; and if it hadn't been for
+the chatties down below, we should have had to give up, for the tank was
+now completely dried, and the flies buzzing about its mud-caked bottom.
+But the women went round from man to man with water and biscuit, so that
+no one left his post; and every time the black scoundrels tried to make
+a lodgment near the gate, half were shot down, and the rest glad enough
+to get back into shelter.
+
+Towards that weary slow-coming evening, though, after we had beaten them
+back--or, rather, after my brave comrades had beaten them back half a
+score of times--I saw that something was up; and as soon as I saw what
+that something was, I knew that it was all over, for our men were too
+much cut up and disheartened for any more gallant sorties.
+
+I've not said any more about the guns, only that we spiked them, and
+left them standing in the market plain, about fifty yards from the
+gates.  I may tell you now, though, that the next morning they were
+gone, and we forgot all about them till the night I'm talking about,
+when they were dragged out again, with a lot of noise and shouting, from
+a building in the far corner of the square.
+
+We didn't want telling what that meant.
+
+It was plain enough to all of us that the scoundrels had drilled out the
+touch-holes again, and that during the night they would be planted, and
+the first discharge would drive down all our defences, and leave us open
+to a rush.
+
+"We must try your plan, Smith," says Captain Dyer, with a quiet stern
+look.  "It is time now to evacuate the place."
+
+Then he knelt down and took a look at the guns with his glass, and I
+knew he must have been thinking of how he stood tied to the muzzle of
+one of them, for he gave a sort of shudder as he closed his glass with a
+snap.
+
+Just then, Miss Ross came round with Lizzy and Mrs Bantem, carrying
+wine and water, and I saw a sort of quiet triumph in Lieutenant Leigh's
+face, as, avoiding Captain Dyer, Miss Ross went up to him, when he
+half-beckoned to her, and stood by him like a slave, giving him bottle
+and glass, and then standing by his side with her eyes fixed and
+strange-looking; while, though he fought against it bravely, and tried
+to be unmoved, Captain Dyer could not bear it, but walked away.
+
+I was just then drinking some water given me by Lizzy, whose pale
+troubled little face looked up so lovingly in mine that I felt
+half-ashamed for me, a poor private, to be so happy--for I forgot my
+wounds then--while my captain was in pain and suffering.  And then it
+was that it struck me that Captain Dyer was just in that state in which
+men feel despairing, and go and do desperate things.  For of course he
+felt that as soon as he was out of the way, Miss Ross and the lieutenant
+had made up matters.  I felt that I ought before now to have told him
+all about what I had heard, but I was in hopes that things would right
+themselves, and always came to the conclusion that it was Miss Ross's
+duty to have given the captain some explanation of her treatment;
+anyhow, it did not seem to be mine; but when I saw the poor smitten
+fellow go off like he did, I followed him softly till I came up with
+him, my heart beating with fear.
+
+There was nothing to fear, though: he had only gone up to the roof, and
+when I came up with him he was evidently calculating about our escape,
+for he finished off by pulling out his telescope, and looking right
+across the plain, towards where there was a tank and a small station.
+
+"I think that ought to be our way, Smith," he said.  "We could stay
+there for half an hour's rest, and then on again towards Wallahbad,
+sending a couple of the stoutest men on for help.  By the way, we'll try
+and start a man off to-night, as soon as it's dark.  But who will you
+have to help you?"
+
+"I should like to have Bigley, sir," I said.
+
+"Will one be sufficient?"
+
+"Quite, sir," I said; for I thought Measles and I could manage it
+between us.
+
+Half an hour after, Measles was busy at work, fetching up muskets, with
+bayonets fixed, from down in the vault, and laying them in order on the
+flat roof, taking care the while to keep out of sight; and I went to the
+room where the women were, under Mrs Bantem's management, getting ready
+for what was to come, for they had been told that we might leave the
+place all at once.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER NINETEEN.
+
+I suppose it was my wound made me do things in a sluggish dreamy way,
+and made me feel ready to stop and look at any little thing which took
+my attention.  Anyhow, that's the way I acted; and going inside that
+room, I stopped short just within the place, for there were those two
+little children of the colonel's sitting on the floor, with a whole heap
+of those numbers of the Bible--those that people take in shilling
+parts--and with two or three large pictures in each.  Some one had given
+them the parts to amuse themselves with; and, as grand and old-fashioned
+as could be, they were showing these pictures to the soldiers' children.
+
+As I went in, they'd got a picture open of Jacob lying asleep, with his
+dream spread before you, of the great flight of steps leading up into
+heaven, and the angels going up and down.
+
+"There," says little Jenny Wren to a boy half as old again as herself;
+"those are angels, and they're coming down from heaven, and they've got
+beautiful wings like birds."
+
+"O," says little Cock Robin thoughtfully, and he leaned over the
+picture.  Then he says quite seriously: "If they've dot wings, why don't
+they fly down?"
+
+That was a poser; but Jenny Wren was ready with her answer,
+old-fashioned as could be, and she says:
+
+"I should think it's toz they were moulting."
+
+I remember wishing that the poor little innocents had wings of their
+own, for it seemed to me that they would be a sad trouble to us to get
+away that night, just at the time when a child's most likely to be cross
+and fretful.
+
+Night at last, dark as dark, save only a light twinkling here and there,
+in different parts where the enemy had made their quarters.  There was a
+buzzing in the camp where the guns were, and as we looked over, once
+there came the grinding noise of a wheel, but only once.
+
+We made sure that the gate and the broken window opening were well
+watched, for there was the white calico of the sentries to be seen; but
+soon the darkness hid them, and we should not have known that they were
+there but for the faint spark now and then which showed that they were
+smoking, and once I heard, quite plain in the dead stillness, the sound
+made by a "hubble-bubble" pipe.
+
+We waited one hour, and then, with six of as on the roof, the plan I
+made began to be put into operation.
+
+My idea was that if we could manage to cross the north alley, which as I
+told you was about ten feet wide, we might then go over the roof of the
+quarters where the mutineers were; then on to the next roof, which was a
+few feet lower; and from there get down on to some sheds, from which it
+would be easy to reach the ground, when the way would be open to us to
+escape, with perhaps some hours before we were missed.
+
+The plan was, I know, desperate, but it seemed our only chance, and, as
+you well know, desperate ventures will sometimes succeed when the most
+carefully arranged plots fail.  At all events, Captain Dyer took it up,
+and then, under my directions, a couple of muskets were taken at a time,
+and putting them muzzle to muzzle, the bayonet of each was thrust down
+the other's barrel, which saved lashing them together, and gave us a
+sort of spar about ten feet long, and this was done with about fifty.
+
+I told you that there was a tree grew up in the centre of the alley,--a
+stunty, short-boughed tree, and to this Measles laid one of the double
+muskets, feeling for a bough to rest it on in the darkness, after
+listening whether there was any one below; then he laid more and more,
+till, with a mattress laid upon them, he formed a bridge, over which he
+boldly crept to the tree, where, with the lashings he had taken, he
+bound a couple more muskets horizontal, and then shifted the others.  He
+arranged them all so that the butts of one end rested on the roof of the
+palace; the butts at the other end were across those he had bound pretty
+level in the tree.  Then more and more were laid across, and a couple of
+thin straw mattresses on them; and though it took a tremendously long
+time through Measles fumbling in the dark, it was surprising what a firm
+bridge that made as far as the tree.
+
+The other half was made in just the same fashion, and much more easily.
+Mattresses were laid on it; and there, thirty feet above the ground, we
+had a tolerably firm bridge, one that, though very irregular, a man
+could cross with ease, creeping on his hands and knees; but then there
+were the women, children, and poor Harry Lant.
+
+Captain Dyer thought it would be better to say nothing to them about it,
+but to bring them all quietly up at the last minute, so as to give them
+no time for thought and fear; and then, the last preparation being made,
+and a rough short ladder, eight feet long, Measles and I had contrived,
+being carried over and planted at the end of the other quarters,
+reaching well down to the next roof, we prepared for a start.
+
+Measles and Captain Dyer went over with the ladder, and reported no
+sentries visible, the bridge pretty firm, and nothing apparently to
+fear, when it was decided that Harry Lant should be taken over first--
+Measles volunteering to take him on his back and crawl over--then the
+women and children were to be got over, and we were to follow.
+
+I know it was hard work for him, but Harry Lant never gave a groan, but
+let them lash his hands together with a handkerchief, so that Measles
+put his head through the poor fellow's arms, for there was no trusting
+to Harry's feeble hold.
+
+"Now then, in silence," says Captain Dyer; "and you, Lieutenant Leigh,
+get up the women and children.  But each child is to be taken by a man,
+who is to be ready to gag the little thing if it utters a sound.
+Recollect, the lives of all depend on silence.  Now, Bigley, forward!"
+
+"Wait till I spit in my hands, captain," says Measles, though what he
+wanted to spit in his hands for, I don't know, without it was from use,
+being such a spitting man.
+
+But spit in his hands he did, and then, with Harry on his back, he was
+down on his hands and knees, crawling on to the mattress very slowly,
+and you could hear the bayonets creaking and gritting, as they played in
+and out of the musket-barrels; but they held firm, and the next minute
+Measles was as far as the tree, but only to get his load hitched somehow
+in a ragged branch, when there was a loud crack as of dead wood
+snapping, a struggle, and Measles growled out an oath--he would swear,
+that fellow would, in spite of all Mrs Bantem said, so you mustn't be
+surprised at his doing it then.
+
+We all stopped and crouched there, with our hearts beating horribly; for
+it seemed that the next moment we should hear a dull, heavy crash; but
+instead, there came the sharp fall of a dead branch, and at the same
+moment there were voices at the end of the alley.
+
+If Captain Dyer dared to have spoken, he would have called "Halt!" but
+he was silent; but Measles must have heard the voices, for he never
+moved, while we listened minute after minute, our necks just over the
+edge of the roof, till what appeared to be three of the enemy crept
+cautiously along through the alley, till one tripped and fell over the
+dead bough that must have been lying right in their way.
+
+Then there was a horrible silence, during which we felt that it was all
+over with the plan--that the enemy must look up and see the bridge, and
+bring down those who would attack us with renewed fury.
+
+But the next minute there came a soft whisper or two, a light rustling,
+and, directly after, we knew that the alley was empty.
+
+It seemed useless to go on now; but after five minutes' interval,
+Captain Dyer determined to pursue the plan, just as Measles came back
+panting to announce Harry Lant as lying on the roof beyond the officers'
+quarters.
+
+"And you've no idea what a weight the little chap is," says Measles to
+me.  "Now, who's next?"
+
+No one answered; and Lieutenant Leigh stepped forward leading Miss Ross.
+He was about to carry her over; but she thrust him back, and after
+scanning the bridge for a few moments, she asked for one of the
+children, and so as to have no time lost, the little boy, fast asleep,
+bless him! was put in her arms, when brave as brave, if she did not step
+boldly on to the trembling way, and walk slowly across.
+
+Then Joe Bantem was sent--though he hung back for his wife, till she
+ordered him on--to go over with a soldier's child on his back; and he
+was followed by a couple more.
+
+Next came Mrs Bantem, with Mrs Colonel Maine, and the stout-hearted
+woman stood as if hesitating for a minute as to how to go, when catching
+up the colonel's wife, as if she had been a child, she stepped on to the
+bridge, and two or three men held the butts of the muskets, for it
+seemed as if they could not bear the strain.
+
+But though my heart seemed in my mouth, and the creaking was terrible,
+she passed safely over, and it was wonderful what an effect that had on
+the rest.
+
+"If it'll bear that, it'll bear anything," says some one close to me;
+and they went on, one after the other, for the most part crawling, till
+it came to me and Lizzy Green.
+
+"You'll go now," I said; but she would not leave me, and we crept on
+together, till a bough of the tree hindered us, when I made her go
+first, and a minute after we were hand-in-hand upon the roof of the
+officers' quarters.
+
+The others followed, Captain Dyer coming last, when, seeing me, he
+whispered: "Where's Bigley?" of course meaning Measles.
+
+I looked round, but it was too dark to distinguish one face from
+another.  I had not seen him for the last quarter of an hour--not since
+he had asked me if I had any matches, and I had passed him half-a-dozen
+from my tobacco-pouch.
+
+I asked first one, and then another, but nobody had seen Measles; and
+under the impression that he must have joined Harry Lant, we cautiously
+walked along the roof, right over the heads of our enemies; for from
+time to time we could hear beneath our feet the low buzzing sound of
+voices, and more than once came a terrible catching of the breath, as
+one of the children whispered or spoke.
+
+It seemed impossible, even now, that we could escape, and I was for
+proposing to Captain Dyer to risk the noise, and have the bridge taken
+down, so as to hold the top of the building we were on as a last
+retreat; but I was stopped from that by Measles coming up to me, when I
+told him Captain Dyer wanted him, and he crept away once more.
+
+We got down the short ladder in safety, and then crossed a low building,
+to pass down the ladder on to another, which fortunately for us was
+empty; and then, with a little contriving and climbing, we dropped into
+a deserted street of the place, and all stood huddled together, while
+Captain Dyer and Lieutenant Leigh arranged the order of march.
+
+And that was no light matter; but a litter was made of the short ladder,
+and Harry Lant laid upon it; the women and children placed in the
+middle; the men were divided; and the order was given in a low tone to
+march, and we began to walk right away into the darkness, down the
+straggling street; but only for the advance guard to come back directly,
+and announce that they had stumbled upon an elephant picketed with a
+couple of camels.
+
+"Any one with them?" said Captain Dyer.
+
+"Could not see a soul, sir," said Joe Bantem, for he was one of the men.
+
+"Grenadiers, half-left," said Captain Dyer; "forward!" and once more we
+were in motion, tramp, tramp, tramp, but quite softly; Lieutenant Leigh
+at the rear of the first party, so as to be with Miss Ross, and Captain
+Dyer in the rear of all, hiding, poor fellow, all he must have felt, and
+seeming to give up every thought to the escape, and that only.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY.
+
+I could just make out the great looming figure of an elephant, as we
+marched slowly on, when I was startled by a low sort of wimmering noise,
+followed directly after by a granting on my right.
+
+"What's that?" says Captain Dyer.  Then in an instant: "Threes right!"
+he cried to the men, and they faced round, so as to cover the women and
+children.
+
+There was no farther alarm, though, and all seemed as silent as could
+be; so once more under orders, the march was continued till we were out
+from amidst the houses, and travelling over the sandy dusty plain; when
+there was another alarm--we were followed--so said the men in the rear;
+and sure enough, looming up against the darkness--a mass of darkness
+itself--we could see an elephant.
+
+The men were faced round, and a score of pieces were directed at the
+great brute; but when within three or four yards, it was plain enough
+that it was alone, and Measles says aloud: "Blest if it isn't old
+Nabob!"
+
+The old elephant it was; and passing through, he went up to where Harry
+Lant was calling him softly, knelt down to order; and then, climbing and
+clinging on as well as they could, the great brute's back was covered
+with women and children--the broad shallow howdah pretty well taking the
+lot--while the great beast seemed as pleased as possible to get back
+amongst his old friends, rubbing his trunk first on this one and then on
+that; and thankful we were for the help he gave us, for how else we
+should have got over that desert plain I can't say.
+
+I should think we had gone a good eight miles, when Measles ranges up
+close aside me as I walked by the elephant, looking up at the
+riding-party from time to time, and trying to make out which was Lizzy,
+and pitying them too, for the children were fretful, and it was a sad
+time they had of it.
+
+"They'll have it hot there sometime to-morrow morning, Ike," says
+Measles to me.
+
+"Where?"  I said faintly, for I was nearly done for, and I did not take
+much interest in anything.
+
+"Begumbagh," he says.  And when I asked him what he meant, he said: "How
+much powder do you think there was down in that vault?"
+
+"A good five hundredweight," I said.
+
+"All that," says Measles.  "They'll have it hot, some of 'em."
+
+"What do you mean?"  I said, getting interested.
+
+"O, nothing pertickler, mate; only been arranging for promotion for some
+of 'em, since I can't get it myself.  I took the head out of one keg,
+and emptied it by the others, and made a train to where I've set a
+candle burning; and when that candle's burnt out, it will set light to
+another; and that will have to burn out, when some wooden chips will
+catch fire, and they'll blaze a good deal, and one way and another
+there'll be enough to burn to last till, say, eight o'clock this
+morning, by which time the beauties will have got into the place; and
+then let 'em look out for promotion, for there's enough powder there to
+startle two or three of 'em."
+
+"That's what you wanted the matches for, then?"  I said.
+
+"That's it, matey; and what do you think of it, eh?"
+
+"You've done wrong, my lad, I'm afraid, and,"--I didn't finish; for just
+then, behind us, there was a bright flashing light, followed by a dull
+thud; and looking back, we could see what looked like a little firework;
+and though plenty was said just then, no one but Measles and I knew what
+that flash meant.
+
+"That's a dead failure," growled Measles to me as we went on.  "I
+believe I am the unluckiest beggar that ever breathed.  That oughtn't to
+have gone off for hours yet, and now it'll let 'em know we're gone, and
+that's all."
+
+I did not say anything, for I was too weak and troubled, and how I kept
+up as I did, I don't know to this day.
+
+The morning broke at last with the knowledge that we were three miles to
+the right of the tank Captain Dyer had meant to reach.  For a few
+minutes, in a quiet stern way, he consulted with Lieutenant Leigh as to
+what should be done--whether to turn off to the tank, or to press on.
+The help received from old Nabob made them determine to press on; and
+after a short rest, and a better arrangement for those who were to ride
+on the elephant, we went on in the direction of Wallahbad, I, for my
+part, never expecting to reach it alive.  Many a look back did I give to
+see if we were followed, but it was not until we were within sight of a
+temple by the roadside, that there was the news spread that there were
+enemies behind; and though I was ready enough to lay the blame upon
+Measles, all the same they must have soon found out our flight, and
+pursued us.
+
+The sun could never have been hotter, nor the ground more parched and
+dusty than it was now.  We were struggling on to reach that temple,
+which we might perhaps be able to hold till help came; for two men had
+been sent on to get assistance; though of all those sent, one and all
+were waylaid and cut down, long before they could reach our friends.
+But we did not know that then; and in the full hope that before long we
+should have help, we crawled on to the temple, but only to find it so
+wide and exposed, that in our weak condition it was little better than
+being in the open.  There was a building, though, about a hundred yards
+farther on, and towards that we made, every one rousing himself for what
+was really the last struggle, for not a quarter of a mile off, there was
+a yelling crowd of blood-hounds in eager pursuit.
+
+It was with a panting rush that we reached the place, to find it must
+have been the house of the collector of the district; but it was all one
+rack and ruin--glass, tables, and chairs smashed; hangings and carpets
+burnt or ragged to pieces, and in one or two places, blood-stains on the
+white floor told a terrible tale of what had taken place not many days
+before.
+
+The elephant stopped and knelt, and the women and children were passed
+in as quickly as possible; but before all could be got in, about a dozen
+of the foremost mutineers were down upon us with a savage rush--I say
+_us_, but I was helpless, and only looking on from inside--two of our
+fellows were cut down in an instant, and the others borne back by the
+fierce charge.  Then followed a desperate struggle, ending in the black
+fellows dragging off Miss Ross and one of the children that she held.
+
+They had not gone many yards, though, before Captain Dyer and Lieutenant
+Leigh seemed to see the peril together, and shouting to our men, sword
+in hand they went at the black fiends, well supported by half a dozen of
+our poor wounded chaps.
+
+There was a rush, and a cloud of dust; then there was the noise of yells
+and cheers, and Captain Dyer shouting to the men to come on; and it all
+acted like something intoxicating on me, for, catching up a musket, I
+was making for the door, when I felt an arm holding me back, and I did
+what I must have done as soon as I got outside--reeled and fainted dead
+away.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
+
+It was a couple of hours after when I came to, and became sufficiently
+sensible to know that I was lying with my head in Lizzy's lap, and Harry
+Lant close beside me.  It was very dim, and the heat seemed stifling, so
+that I asked Lizzy where we were, and she told me in the cellar of the
+house--a large wide vault, where the women, children, and wounded had
+been placed for safety, while the noise and firing above told of what
+was going on.
+
+I was going to ask about Miss Ross, but just then I caught sight of her
+trying to support her sister, and to keep the children quiet.
+
+As I got more used to the gloom, I made out that there was a small iron
+grating on one side, through which came what little light and air we
+got; on the other, a flight of stone steps leading up to where the
+struggle was in full swing.  There was a strong wooden door at the top
+of this, and twice that door was opened for a wounded man to be brought
+down; when, coolly as if she were in barracks, there was that noble
+woman, Mrs Bantem, tying up and binding sword-cuts and bayonet-thrusts
+as she talked cheerily to the men.
+
+The struggle was very fierce still, the men who brought down the wounded
+hurrying away, for there was no sign of flinching; but soon they were
+back with another poor fellow, who was now whimpering, now muttering
+fiercely:
+
+"If I'd only have had--curse them!--if I'd only had another cartridge or
+two, I wouldn't have cared," he said as they laid him down close by me;
+"but I always was the unluckiest beggar on the face of the earth.
+They've most done for me, Ike, and no wonder, for it's all fifty to one
+up there, and I don't believe a man of ours has a shot left."
+
+Again the door closed on the two men who had brought down poor Measles,
+hacked almost to pieces; and again it was opened, to bring down another
+wounded man, and this one was Lieutenant Leigh.  They laid him down, and
+were off back up the steps, when there was a yelling, like as if all the
+devils in hell had broken loose, and as the door was opened, Captain
+Dyer and half a dozen more were beaten back, and I thought they would
+have been followed down--but no; they stood fast in that doorway,
+Captain Dyer and the six with him, while the two fellows who had been
+down leaped up the stairs to support them, so that, in that narrow
+opening, there were eight sharp British bayonets and the captain's
+sword, making such a steel hedge as the mutineers could not pass.
+
+They could not contrive either to fire at our party, on account of the
+wall in front, and every attempt at an entrance was thwarted; but we all
+knew that it was only a question of time, for it was impossible for man
+to do more.
+
+There seemed now to be a lull, and only a buzzing of voices above us,
+mingled with a groan and a dying cry now and then, when I quite forget
+my pain once more on hearing poor Harry Lant, who had for some time been
+quite off his head, and raving, commence talking in a quiet sort of way.
+
+"Where's Ike Smith?" he said.  "It's all dark here; and I want to say
+good-bye to him."
+
+I was kneeling by his side the next minute, holding his hand.
+
+"God bless you, Ike," he said; "and God bless her.  I'm going, old mate;
+kiss her for me, and tell her that if she hadn't been made for you, I
+could have loved her very dearly."
+
+What could I do or say, when the next minute Lizzy was kneeling on his
+other side, holding his hand?
+
+"God bless you both," he whispered.  "You'll get out of the trouble
+after all; and don't forget me."
+
+We promised him we would not, as well as we could, for we were both
+choked with sorrow; and then he said, talking quickly:
+
+"Give poor old Sam Measles my 'bacco-box, Ike, the brass one, and shake
+hands with him for me; and now I want Mother Bantem."
+
+She was by his side directly, to lift him gently in her arms, calling
+him her poor gallant boy, her brave lad, and no end of fond expressions.
+
+"I never had a bairn, Harry," she sobbed; "but if I could have had one,
+I'd have liked him to be like you, my own gallant, light-hearted,
+soldier boy; and you were always to me as a son."
+
+"Was I?" says Harry softly.  "I'm glad of it, for I never knew what it
+was to have a mother."
+
+He seemed to fall off to sleep after that, when, no one noticing them,
+those two children came up, and the first I heard of it was little Clive
+crying:
+
+"Ally Lant, Ally Lant, open eyes, and come and play wis elfant."
+
+I started, and looked up to see one of those little innocents, his face
+smeared, and his little hands all dabbled with blood, trying to open
+poor Harry Lant's eyes with his tiny fingers.
+
+"Why don't Ally Lant come and play with us?" says the other; and just
+then he opened his eyes, and looked at them with a smile, when in a
+moment I saw what was happening, for that poor fellow's last act was to
+get those two children's hands in his, as if he felt that he should like
+to let his last grasp in this world be upon something innocent; and then
+there was a deepening of that smile into a stern look, his lips moved,
+and all was over; while I was too far off to hear his last words.
+
+But there was one there who did hear them, and she told me afterwards,
+sobbing as though her heart would break.
+
+"Poor Harry, poor light-hearted Harry," Mother Bantem said.  "And did
+you see the happy smile upon his face as he passed away, clasping those
+two poor children's hands--so peaceful, so quiet, after all his
+suffering; forgetting all then, but what seemed like two angels' faces
+by his dying pillow, for he said, Ike, he said--"
+
+Poor Mother Bantem broke down here, and I thought about what Harry's
+dying pillow had been--her faithful, old, motherly breast.  But she
+forced back her sobs, and wiped the tears from her rough, plain face, as
+she said in low, reverent tones: "Poor Harry!  His last words: `Of such
+is the kingdom of heaven.'"
+
+Death was very busy amongst our poor company, and one--two--three more
+passed away there, for they were riddled with wounds; and then I saw
+that, in spite of all that could be done, Lieutenant Leigh would be the
+next.  He had received his death wound, and he knew it too; and now he
+lay very still, holding tightly by Miss Ross's hand, while she knelt
+beside him.
+
+Captain Dyer, with his eight men, all left, were still keeping the door;
+but of late they had not been interfered with, and the poor fellows were
+able to do one another a good turn in binding up wounds.  But what all
+were now suffering for want of was water; and beyond a few drops in one
+or two of the bottles carried by the women, there was none to be had.
+
+As for me, I could only lie there helpless, and in a half-dreamy way see
+and listen to all that was going on.  The spirit in me was good to help;
+but think of my state--going for days with that cut on the face, and a
+broken arm, and in that climate.  I was puzzling myself about this time
+as to what was going to happen next, for I could not understand why the
+rebels were so quiet; but the next minute I was watching Lieutenant
+Leigh, and thinking about the morning when we saw Captain Dyer bound to
+the muzzle of the nine-pounder.
+
+Could he have been thinking about the same thing?  I say _yes_, for all
+at once he sat right up, looking wild and excited.  He had hold of Miss
+Ross's hand; but he threw it from him, as he called out, "Now, my lads,
+a bold race, and a short one.  We must bring them in.  Spike the guns,
+out the cords!  Now, then--Elsie or death!  Are you ready there?
+Forward!"
+
+That last word rang through the vault we were in, and Captain Dyer ran
+down the steps, his hacked sword hanging from his wrist by the knot.
+But he was too late to take his messmate's hand in his, and say
+_farewell_, if that had been his intention, for Lieutenant Leigh had
+fallen back; and that senseless figure by his side was to all appearance
+as dead, when, with a quivering lip, Captain Dyer gently lifted her, and
+bore her to where, half stupefied, Mrs Colonel Maine was sitting.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
+
+I got rather confused, and am to this day, about how the time went;
+things that only took a few minutes seeming to be hours in happening,
+and what really did take a long time gliding away as if by magic.  I
+think I was very often in a half-delirious state; but I can well
+remember what was the cause at the silence above.
+
+Captain Dyer was the first to see, and taking a rifle in his hand, he
+whispered an order or two; and then he, with two more, rushed into the
+passage, and got the door drawn towards us, for it opened outwards; but
+in so doing, he slipped on the floor, and fell with a bayonet-thrust
+through his shoulder, when, with a yell of rage--it was no cheer this
+time--our men dashed forward, and dragged him in; the door was pulled
+to, and held close; and then those poor wounded fellows--heroes I call
+'em--stood muttering angrily.
+
+I think I got more excited over that scene than over any part of the
+straggle, and all because I was lying there helpless; but it was of no
+use to fret, though I lay there with the weak tears running down my
+cheeks, as that brave man was brought down and laid near the grating,
+with Mother Bantem at work directly to tear off his coat, and begin to
+bandage, as if she had been brought up in a hospital.
+
+The door was forsaken, for there was a new guard there, that no one
+would try to pass, and the silence was explained to us all: first, there
+was a loud yelling and shrieking outside; and then there was a little
+thin blue wreath of smoke beginning to curl under the door, crawling
+along the top step, and collecting like so much blue water, to spread
+very slowly; for the fiends had been carrying out their wounded and
+dead, and were now going to burn us where we lay.
+
+I can recollect all that; for now a maddening sense of horror seemed to
+come upon me, to think that those few poor souls left were to be slain
+in such a barbarous way, after all the gallant struggle for life; but
+what surprised me was the calm, quiet manner in which all seemed to take
+it.
+
+Once, indeed, the men had a talk together, and asked the women to join
+them in a rush through the passage; but they gave up the thought
+directly, for they knew that if they could get by the flames, there were
+more cruel foes outside, waiting to thrust them back.
+
+So they all sat down in a quiet, resigned fashion, listening to the
+crackle outside the door, watching the thin smoke filter through the
+crevices, and form in clouds, or pools, according to where it came
+through.
+
+And you'd have wondered to see those poor fellows, how they acted: why,
+Joe Bantem rubbed his face with his handkerchief, smoothed his hair and
+whiskers, and then got his belts square, as if off out on parade, before
+going and sitting quietly down by his wife.
+
+Measles lay very still, gently humming over the old child's hymn, "O!
+that'll be joyful," but only to burst out again into a fit of grumbling.
+
+Another went and knelt down in a corner, where he stayed; the rest shook
+hands all round, and then, seeing Captain Dyer sitting up, and sensible,
+they went and saluted, and asked leave to shake hands with him, quite
+upsetting him, poor fellow, as he called them, in a faint voice, his
+"brave lads," and asked their pardon, if he'd ever been too harsh with
+them.
+
+"God bless you! no, sir," says Joe Bantem, jumping up, and shaking the
+hand himself, "which _that_ you've never been, but always a good officer
+as your company loved.  Keep a brave heart, my boys, it'll soon be over.
+We've stood in front of death too many times now to show the white
+feather.  Hurray for Captain Dyer, and may he be a colonel in the tother
+land, and we be some of his men!"
+
+Joe Bantem gave a bit of a reel as he said this, and then he'd have
+fallen if it hadn't been for his wife; and though his was rather strong
+language, you see it must be excused, for, leave alone his wounds, and
+the mad feeling they'd bring on, there was a wild excitement on the men
+then, brought about by the fighting, which made them, as you may say,
+half-drunk.
+
+We must all have been choked over and over again, but for that grating;
+for the hotter the fire grew above, the finer current of air swept in.
+The mutineers could not have known of it, or one of their first acts
+must have been to seal it up.  But it was half-covered by some creeping
+flower, which made it invisible to them, and so we were able to breathe.
+
+And now it may seem a curious thing, but I'm going to say a little more
+about love.  A strange time, you'll perhaps say, when those poor people
+were crouching together in that horrible vault, expecting their death
+moment by moment.  But that's why it was, and not from any want of
+retiring modesty.  I believe that those poor souls wished to show those
+they loved how true was that feeling; and therefore it was that wife
+crept to husband's side, and Lizzy Green, forgetting all else now,
+placed her arms round my neck, and her lips to mine, and kissed me again
+and again.
+
+It was no time for scruples; and thus it was that, being close to them,
+I heard Miss Ross, kneeling by the side of Captain Dyer, ask him--
+sobbing bitterly the while--ask him to forgive her, while he looked
+almost cold and strange at her, till she whispered to him long and
+earnestly, when I knew that she must be telling him all about the events
+of that morning.  It must have been, for with a cry of joy I saw him
+bend towards her, when she threw her arms round him, and clasped his
+poor bleeding form to her breast.
+
+They were so when I last looked upon them, and every one seemed lost in
+his or her own suffering, all save those two children, one of whom was
+asleep on Mrs Maine's lap, and the other playing with the gold knot of
+Captain Dyer's sword.
+
+Then came a time of misty smoke and heat, and the crackling of woodwork;
+but all the while there was a stream of hot pure air rushing in at that
+grating to give us life.
+
+We could hear the black fiends running round and round the burning
+building, yelling, and no doubt ready to thrust back any one who tried
+to get out.  But there seemed then to come another misty time, from
+which I was roused by Lizzy whispering to me, "Is it very near now?"
+
+"What?"  I said faintly.
+
+"Death," she whispered, with her lips close to my ear.  "If it is, pray
+God that He will never let us part again in the land where all is
+peace!"
+
+I tried to answer her, but I could not, for the hot, stifling, blinding
+smoke was now in my throat.  Just then the yelling outside seemed to
+increase.  There was a swift rushing sound; the trampling of horses; the
+jingling of cavalry sabres; a loud English hurray; and a crash; and I
+knew that there was a charge of horse sweeping by.  Then came the
+hurried beating of feet, the ring of platoon after platoon of musketry,
+a rapid, squandering, skirmishing fire; more yelling, and more English
+cheers; the rush, again, of galloping horses; and, by slow degrees, the
+sound of a fierce skirmish, growing more and more distant, till there
+came another rapid beating of hoofs, a sudden halt, the jingle and
+rattle of harness, and a moment after, bim--bom--bom--bom! at regular
+intervals; and I waved my hand, and gave a faint cheer, for I could
+mentally see it all: a troop of light-horse had charged twice; the
+infantry had come up at the double; and now here were the
+horse-artillery, with their light six-pounders, playing upon the
+retreating rebels where the cavalry were not cutting them up.
+
+That faint cheer of mine brought out some more; and then there was a
+terrible silence, for the relief seemed to have come too late; but a
+couple of our men crawled to the grating, where the air reviving them,
+they gave another "Hurray!" which was answered directly.
+
+And then there was a loud shout, the excited buzz of voices, the
+crashing of a pioneer's axe against the framework of the grating; and
+after a hard fight, from which our friends were beaten back again and
+again, we poor wretches, nearly all insensible, were dragged out about a
+quarter of an hour before the burning house fell with a crash.  Then
+there was a raging whirlwind of flame, and smoke, and sparks, and the
+cellar was choked up with the burning ruin.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
+
+How well I remember coming to myself as I lay there on the grass, with
+our old surgeon, Mr Hughes, kneeling by my side; for it was our own men
+that formed the infantry of the column, with a troop of lancers, and one
+of horse-artillery.  There was Colonel Maine kneeling by his wife, who,
+poor soul, was recovering fast, and him turning from her to the
+children, and back again; while it was hard work to keep our men from
+following up the pursuit, now kept up by the lancers and
+horse-artillery, so mad and excited were they to find only eight wounded
+men out of the company they had left.
+
+But, one way and another, the mutineers paid dear for what suffering
+they caused us.  I can undertake to say that, for every life they took,
+half-a-dozen of their own side fell--the explosion swept away, I
+suppose, quite fifty, just as they had attempted a surprise, and came
+over from the south side in a night-attack; while the way in which they
+were cut up in the engagement was something awful.
+
+For, anxious beyond measure at not hearing news of the party left in
+Begumbagh, Colonel Maine had at length obtained permission to go round
+by that station, reinforce the troops, and then join the general by
+another route.
+
+They were making forced marches, when they caught sight of the rebels
+yelling round the burning building, fully a couple of hundred being
+outside; when, not knowing of the sore strait of those within, they had
+charged down, driving the murderous black scoundrels before them like so
+much chaff.
+
+But you, must not think that our pains were at an end.  Is it not told
+in the pages of history how for long enough it was a hard fight for a
+standing in India, and how our troops were in many places sore put to
+it; while home after home was made desolate by the most cruel outrages?
+It was many a long week before we could be said to be in safety; but I
+don't know that I suffered much beyond the pains of that arm, or rather
+that stump, for our surgeon, Mr Hughes, when I grumbled a little at his
+taking it off, told me I might be very thankful that I had escaped with
+life, for he had never known of such a case before.  But it was rather
+hard lying alone there in the temporary hospital, missing the tender
+hands that one loved.
+
+And yet I have no right to say quite alone, for poor old Measles was on
+one side, and Joe Bantem on the other, with Mrs Bantem doing all she
+could for us three, as well as five more of our poor fellows.
+
+More than once I heard Mr Hughes talk about the men's wounds, and say
+it was wonderful how they could live through them; but to live they all
+seemed disposed, except poor Measles, who was terrible bad and
+delirious, till one day, when he could hardly speak above a whisper, he
+says to me--being quite in his right mind:
+
+"I daresay some of you chaps think that I'm going to take my discharge;
+but all the same, you're wrong, for I mean to go in now for promotion!"
+
+He said "now;" but what he did then was to go in for sleep--and sleep he
+did for a good four-and-twenty hours, when he woke up grumbling, and
+calling himself the most unlucky beggar that ever breathed.
+
+Time went on; and one by one we poor fellows got out of hospital cured;
+but I was the last; and it was many months after, that, at his wish, I
+called upon Captain--then Major--Dyer, at his house in London.  For,
+during those many months, the mutiny had been suppressed, and our
+regiment had been ordered home.
+
+I was very weak and pale, and I hadn't got used to this empty sleeve,
+and things looked very gloomy ahead; but, somehow, that day when I
+called at Major Dyer's seemed the turning-point; for to a poor soldier
+there was something very soothing for your old officer to jump up, with
+both hands outstretched to catch yours, and to greet you as warmly as
+did his handsome, bonny wife.
+
+They seemed as if they could hardly make enough of me; but the sight of
+their happiness made me feel low-spirited; and I felt no better when
+Mrs Dyer--God bless her!--took my hand in hers, and led me to the next
+room, where she said there was an old friend wanted to see me.
+
+I felt that soft jewelled hand holding mine, and I heard the door close
+as Mrs Dyer went out again, and then I stood seeing nothing--hearing
+nothing--feeling nothing, but a pair of clinging arms round my neck, and
+a tear-wet face pressed to mine.
+
+And did that make me feel happy?
+
+No!  I can say it with truth.  For as the mist cleared away from my
+eyes, and I looked down on, to me, the brightest, truest face the sun
+ever shone on, there was a great sorrow in my heart, as I told myself
+that it was a sin and a wrong for me, a poor invalided soldier, to think
+of taking advantage of that fine handsome girl, and tying her down to
+one who was maimed for life.
+
+And at last, with the weak tears running down my cheeks, I told her of
+how it could not be; that I should be wronging her, and that she must
+think no more of me, only as a dear friend; when there is that amount of
+folly in this world, that my heart swelled, and a great ball seemed
+rising in my throat, and I choked again and again, as those arms clung
+tighter and tighter round my neck, and Lizzy called me her hero, and her
+brave lad who had saved her life again and again; and asked me to take
+her to my heart, and keep her there, for her to try and be to me a
+worthy loving wife--one that would never say a bitter word to me as long
+as she lived.
+
+I said that there was so much folly in this world, so how can you wonder
+at me catching it of her, when she was so close that I could feel her
+breath upon my cheeks, my hair, my eyes, as once more, forgetting all in
+her love, she kissed me again and again.  How, then, could I help, but
+with that one hand press her to my heart, and go the way that weak heart
+of mine wished.
+
+I know it was wrong; but how can one always fight against weakness?
+And, to tell you the truth, I had fought long enough--so long that I
+wished for peace.  And I must say this, too, you must not be hard on
+Lizzy, and think that it would have been better for her to have let me
+do a little more of the courting: there are exceptional cases, and this
+was one.
+
+I had a true friend in Major Dyer, and to him I owe my present
+position--not a very grand one; but speaking honestly as a man, I don't
+believe, if I had been a general, some one at home could think more of
+me; while, as to this empty sleeve, she's proud of it, and says that all
+the country is the same.
+
+Wandering about as a regiment is, one does not often have a chance to
+see one's old messmates; but Sergeant and Mrs Bantem and Sergeant
+Measles did have tea and supper with us one night here in London, Mrs
+Bantem saying that Measles was as proud of his promotion as a dog with
+two tails, though Measles did say he was an unlucky beggar, or he'd have
+been a captain.  And, my! what a night we did have of that, without one
+drawback, only Measles would spit on my wife's Brussels carpet; and so
+we did have a night last year when the old regiment was stationed at
+Edinburgh, and the wife and me had a holiday, and went down and saw
+Colonel and Mrs Maine, and those children grown up a'most into a man
+and woman.  But Colonel Dyer had exchanged into another regiment, and
+they say he is going to retire on half-pay, on account of his wound
+troubling him.
+
+We fought our old battles over again on those nights; and we did not
+forget the past and gone; for Mrs Bantem stood up after supper, with
+her stiff glass of grog in her hand--a glass into which I saw a couple
+of tears fall, as she spoke of the dead--the brave men who fell in
+defence of the defenceless and innocent, hoping that the earth lay
+lightly on the grave of Lieutenant Leigh, while she proposed the memory
+of brave Harry Lant.
+
+We drank that toast in silence; and more than one eye was wet as the old
+scenes came back--scenes such as I hope may never fall to the lot of men
+again to witness; for if there is ever a fervent prayer sent up to the
+Maker of All by me, an old soldier, who has much to answer for, it is
+contained in those words, so familiar to you all:
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+"Peace on Earth!"  _Amen_.
+
+
+STORY TWO: ABOARD THE SEA-MEW.
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER ONE.
+
+I shipped aboard the Sea-mew, full-rigged, trading from the port of
+London to New Zealand.  Two more old shipmates of mine entered along
+with me; and we were just beginning to feel the breeze that would send
+us down Channel in less than no time.  The skipper came aboard at
+Gravesend, and the rest of the passengers, and among 'em we had one poor
+chap who had to be whipped up in a chair, looking the while like as if
+he'd come aboard to find a hammock and a sailor's funeral.  There was
+some petticoats, too, about him, and they had to be whipped up too, but
+I didn't take much notice, being hurried about here and ordered there,
+and the passengers all seeming to have an idea, that now they'd come
+aboard, all there was to do was to get in everybody's way, and stand
+wiping their eyes.  They would get in your way and aggravate, and when
+they moved, go and stand somewhere wuss, till it was enough to make a
+saint swear; and I'm blest if I don't think that, being a man used to
+the sea, and a quick-tempered sort of a fellow, Peter hisself would have
+gone on 'most as bad as I did.  What does a great fat fellow of
+two-and-forty want to go walloping down where the mate had told you to
+coil forty fathom o' rope, and then begin blubbering like a great gal?
+And what do people as have done nothing but grumble and cuss at the old
+country, go waving their handkerchiefs at it for, and then fall into one
+another's arms a-kissing and a-hugging, and just, too, when the deck's
+in such a litter that the skipper and the mate are 'most raving mad?
+
+It's a nice place, deck of a ship just before sailing, what with the
+lumber, and the crew being all raw, and half of 'em three parts, or
+quite drunk.  We'd a nice lot, we had, aboard the Sea-mew; for it seemed
+to me, as soon as I saw them together, that the skipper had been having
+the pick of the docks, and choosing all them as nobody else wouldn't
+take aboard a ship.  But it was in this way: there'd been a sort of an
+upset about pay, and half the merchant-sailors were on strike; and as
+the owners of the Sea-mew had advertised her to sail at a certain time,
+and it was ten days past that time, the skipper had been obliged to sign
+articles with any one he could get.  They were all fresh ones to us;
+six-and-twenty of 'em, but mostly seemed to know one another, and how to
+handle a rope.
+
+We'd a mixed freight--live-stock mostly, going out emigrating, and more
+live-stock to feed 'em with, and a young doctor to see as they was all
+well, and had their salts-and-senny reg'lar; and a great big chap as
+couldn't stand up down below, but was always chipping his head, and
+taking the shape out of his hat against what he called the ceiling.
+They said he was a nat'ralist, though he was about the longest,
+okkardest, corner-shaped, unnat'ral fellow I ever did see; and he'd got
+more live-stock in no end of great cages--cock-sparrows and tom-tits,
+and blackbirds and starnels, and all sorts o' little twittering things
+to introduce amongst the New Zealanders.  Then there was Brummagem and
+Manchester and Sheffield goods, and plants and seeds in cases; and the
+deck that full, that, as I said before, it was enough to make any one
+swear, let alone a sailor.
+
+'Tain't a nice time, the first week at sea; for, to begin with, it takes
+all that time to get the longshore goings-on shook out of the men, and
+them fit to work well together; then, if it happens to blow a bit, as it
+mostly does in the Channel, there's all the passengers badly, cabin and
+steerage, and their heads chock-full of shipwrecks; and when they ain't
+frightened of going to the bottom, calling the doctor a brute for not
+attending to 'em.  Sea-sickness is bad enough, while it lasts, but folks
+needn't be so disagreeable about it, and every one think his case ten
+hundred times worse than anybody else's; but they will do it; and as for
+the fat chap as cried so about going away, he quite upset the young
+doctor, as they called Mr Ward; and if I'd been him, and been bothered
+as he was, I'd have give Mr Fatsides such a dose o' Daffy as would have
+sent him to sleep for a week.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER TWO.
+
+"You've put your foot in it, Sam Brown," I says to my old shipmet when
+things was about knocked together, and we were bowling along well out of
+sight of land.  We'd been putting that and that together, and found out
+that for some months to come, let alone wind and weather, we'd got our
+work cut out, the skipper being one of your reg'lar slave-drivers, that
+nothing can't satisfy, and the mate a sneak, as would do anything to
+please the captain.  So "You've put your foot in it, Sam Brown," I says;
+but he only grunted.  Bill Spragg, though--my other mate--turns a bit
+rusty, and says it was me as got them to sign the articles, and it was
+all my fault; for he was a bit sore, owing to a row he'd been in that
+day.
+
+But it was no use to growl, and say the ship was a bad one; we were in
+the ship, and bad captain, bad mate, bad crew, and bad victualling,
+there it all was, and there was no getting away from it.
+
+"Never mind, lads; 'tain't bad pay," I says.
+
+"Pay!" says Bill Spragg.  "I'd forfeit to-morrow to be out of it, and--
+Look ye there, Tom."
+
+I turned to look; and it was the passenger I've spoken of before, him
+that was whipped up on deck, and now he was out for the first time for a
+walk, being a bright sunshiny time; while the petticoat as came on board
+with him was leading him about the deck.
+
+"Looks bad," I says.
+
+"Yes," says Bill.  "But I meant the lass.  Just look at her."
+
+"What for?"  I says.
+
+"Fine lines," growls Sam Brown, squinting at her, for he was a chap that
+could squint awful, and when he looked partic'lar at anything his eyes
+used to get close together, and he had to turn his head first on one
+side and then on the other.  He was such a quiet chap, and spoke so
+little, that I used to think his eyes tried to turn round and look
+inside his head, to see what he was thinking about.  "Fine lines," he
+says, and then he shuts one eye up, and holds it close, while he has
+another look.
+
+"Beautiful! ain't she?" says Bill.
+
+"Gammon," I says.  "Wax-doll.  She'd better not get wet, or she'd melt.
+I wish they wouldn't have no women aboard."
+
+"Why?" says some one close behind me.  And looking round, there was the
+young doctor and Tomtit, as we called him--the long chap as had all the
+birds.
+
+"Why?"  I says gruffly; "because they're in the way, and ain't no good,
+and consooms the ship's stores.  Would my deck be littered here with
+hens and cocks singing out eight bells when 'tain't nothing of the kind;
+and a couple of cows as is always lowing to be milked, and then giving
+some thin stuff like scupper-washings; and a goat and sheep till the
+place only wants an old turkey-cock and jackass or two to be a reg'lar
+farmyard, 'stead o' a ship's deck--would there be all these things there
+if it warn't for the women?  Bother the women!  I wish there wasn't a
+woman on the face of the earth."
+
+"He was crossed in love when he was a young un, sir," says Bill Spragg
+with a grin.
+
+"Women's right enough ashore," says Sam Brown, and he squinted towards
+where the sick patient was along with the petticoat, till both his eyes
+went out of sight behind his nose, which was rather long in the bridge,
+and then he sighed, and we sprinkled the sea with a little baccy-juice
+before coming back to the job we were at--scraping the chain-cable.
+
+"One of our protectors wants to pay his regards to you, Miss Bell," says
+Mr Ward, the young doctor, you know, for just then she was passing
+close with the poor thin sick chap, who was her husband, and I saw her
+just bend her head as the doctor and Tomtit took off their hats to her.
+
+"Sarvant, miss," I says gruffly, getting my legs straight too, for there
+was something about her that seemed to compel one to be civil like,
+being such a bright-eyed girl, with red and white in her face and a set
+o' teeth as couldn't have known what it was to want to be pulled out in
+their lives.  "Sarvant, Miss," I says, making a scrape, and not a bit
+took aback.  "I was only a-saying as worn--ladies ain't no business
+aboard ships."
+
+"And why not?" she said quietly.
+
+"'Cause all's rough and ready, and folk's tongues gets running too free
+afore them," I says.  And then to myself: "That's one for you, Mr
+Jalap;" and then I turned towards the sick young man, whose sunken eyes
+looked brighter, and angry, and jealous like, as he held tight by his
+sister's arm, and he says: "Come, lady, let's go below.  The sailor is
+right.  Drink my health, my man;" and he threw me a shilling.
+
+"That I will, sir," I says, as he turned away, though I thought to
+myself it would want drinking a many times before I could do him any
+good.
+
+The doctor looked rather black at me; but I wouldn't see it, and got
+down cross-legged at my work, while Tomtit and he lit their cigars, and
+began walking up and down the deck.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER THREE.
+
+What a wonderful deal a sailor can get to know if he only keeps his eyes
+and ears open!  Of course, I mean aboard ship, where everything is, as
+you may say, close to your hand.  Now, acting after this way, and being
+a rough, blunt sort of an old fellow--for I always looked old from the
+time I was forty--people would come and make friends with me, in a
+fashion, so that I got to know a deal.  The doctor would have his chat
+on things in general, and give me cigars, and by degrees work round to
+the sick passenger and his case; and I soon could see that though he
+didn't care a damp about the sick passenger, he took a deal of interest
+in his case, and I could guess pretty well why.  Then Tomtit would come
+and fold his back, so that he could lean his elbers on the bulwarks, and
+he'd chatter about his birds, all the while smoothing his hair, and
+arranging his tie and collar, and brushing specks off his coat, as he
+kept looking towards the cabin-stairs, to see if some one was coming up;
+and when--being a thoroughly good-hearted, weak, soft-Tommy sort of a
+chap--he'd heave a great sigh, I used to shake my head at him, and say
+as I could see what was the matter with he, it was wonderful how
+friendly he'd get.
+
+"I wouldn't care if I had a few canaries on board," he'd say.  "They are
+such nice birds if you want to make a present to a lady."
+
+"Why not try a couple o' doves?"  I says.
+
+He looked at me as if he meant to do it through and through, but I don't
+think he got far below the outside rind--mine being rather a thick skin,
+and I didn't let a single wrinkle squeeze up to look like a smile; so he
+says, after a minute's thought: "You're right, Roberts," he says; and
+that night, hang me, if he didn't send me to the cabin with a note, and
+a cage with a couple of turtle-doves in.  He gave me half-a-crown for
+taking it, and he'd been busy all the afternoon touching up the cage
+with a bit of ship's paint, that wasn't half dry when I took it; but I
+brought it back again with me, with Mr and Miss Bell's compliments and
+thanks, but Mr Bell's health would not bear the noise of the birds.
+
+The poor chap--Butterwell, his name was--looked awfully down when he saw
+me come back, but he wouldn't show it more than he could help; he only
+said something about wishing he'd had canaries, and turning his back to
+me, began to whistle, and feed his other birds, of which he'd got quite
+five hundred in a place fitted up on purpose, though there was nearly
+always one or two dead of a morning, specially if the night had been
+rough.
+
+Well, somehow, I got to see that Miss Bell was not without her admirers;
+while her brother, poor chap, clinging to her as the only being he had
+to love on earth, seemed to hate for a soul to speak to her, and
+whenever I saw him, he used to watch her every look.  Not that he had
+any need, for she seemed almost to worship him; leading him about;
+reading to him for hours, till I've heard her husky and hoarse, and have
+gone and fetched a glass of lime-juice and water from the steward, to
+get a pleasant smile from her, and a nod from the sick man for what I
+had done.
+
+"You're a lucky man, Roberts," Mr Ward says to me one day when he had
+seen me fetch it, and the pay I got for my trouble.
+
+"What for?"  I says gruffly, for it wasn't no business of his.  "P'raps
+you'd like to change places, sir, eh?"  But he only laughed, and the
+more rough I was, the better friends we kept.
+
+There were many more passengers, of course, but I never saw that they
+were any different to other cargoes of emigrants as I had helped to take
+over: there was two or three of those young chaps that always go out to
+make fortunes, packed off by their friends because they don't know what
+to do with them at home; some young farmers, and labourers, and
+mechanics--some with wife and children, some without; children there was
+plenty of--always is where there's women; and one way and another there
+was enough to make the ship uncomfortable, without a skipper who was a
+brute, and a mate a cowardly sneak.  The crew were as bad a lot as ever
+ran round a capstan, but that was no reason why they were to be treated
+like dogs.  If they'd been as good men as ever stepped, it would have
+been the same, for Bill Smith and Sam were A1 foremast-men; and while
+there was a sheet to haul taut, a sail to furl, or a bit of deck to
+holy-stone, I was ready to take my turn; but it was all the same, and
+I've seen the men bullied till they've gone scowling down below, and
+more than once I've said to Sam: "There'll be foul weather yet, my lad,
+afore we get this voyage to an end."
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+Now, as to ordinary weather, that was all as a sailor could wish for--
+bright skies, fine starn winds, and the ship bowling along her nine or
+ten knots an hour.  We got into the warm belts, shoved up the awnings,
+and had our bits of fishing as chances come up; but for all that, I
+wasn't easy in my mind.  I'd been so long at sea, and knocked about
+amongst so many sorts of people, and in such different weather, that
+appearances that would not have been noticed by some folks made a bit of
+an impression on me, and not without reason, as you'll say by and by.
+For instance, it didn't look well, so I thought, for a chap to out knife
+and threaten the captain for hitting him on the head with a
+speaking-trumpet, though it might be only in a bit of a passion, still
+it didn't seem right; nor yet for the skipper to be always harassing the
+men when there was no need--piping all hands up to make or shorten sail,
+when the watch could have done it very well themselves, and then making
+the men do it again and again, because it wasn't what he called smart
+enough.  You see, men don't take much notice of that sort of thing once,
+nor yet twice, but if it's kept up, they grumble, 'specially when they
+know they've been doing their best.  Then the provisions were horrible,
+and enough to make any man discontented; water wasn't served out in
+sufficient quantity, and things got so bad at last that the men had
+meetings, right forward of a night, about the way they were served.
+
+I knew a good deal and heard a good deal, but it didn't seem to be my
+place to go and tell tales, and besides, I never thought there'd be much
+the matter, more than a row, and perhaps a man or two put in irons, to
+be kept there till we got into port.  I said so, in fact, to my mates
+Bill and Sam, "and what's more," I says, "irons won't do for me, my
+lads, so let's make the best of things, and get a better ship as soon as
+we can."  Sam grunts, and Bill Smith said it was all right; so we went
+on with what was set us to do, and made as little trouble of it as we
+could.
+
+But there was one chap aboard as the captain seemed quite to hate, and
+used to put upon him shameful.  He was a thin wiry fellow, as yellow as
+a guinea, and looked as if he'd black blood in his veins; but he always
+swore as he had not.  He'd got a Dutch sort of name, Van Haigh, but
+hailed somewhere out of one of the West Indy Islands, and had knocked
+about almost everywhere.  Curious-looking chap he was, looked as if he'd
+always got his parlour window-blinds half pulled down, and he'd peep at
+you sideways from underneath them in a queer catlike sort of way.  He
+was quite a swell fellow in his way, only dirty as dirty, and that
+didn't do nothing towards setting off the big silver rings he had in his
+ears, and was uncommon proud of.  We mostly used to call him "Van" for
+short; and against this chap the skipper always seemed to have a spite,
+bullying him about more than all the rest put together, till you might
+have thought his life would have been miserable--but not it; he always
+showed his white teeth and grinned, pocketing all that the skipper and
+the mate gave him, till them pockets of his must have been full and nigh
+unto bursting.  Once the captain knocked him down with a marlinespike,
+but he never drew no knives, not even when the mate kicked him, and told
+him to get up.  He only grinned, but it was a queer sort of grin, and I
+didn't like the look of it.
+
+These sort of rows used generally to take place when the passengers had
+gone down of a night, or before they came on deck of a morning.  While
+before the cabin lot, Captain Harness was quite the gentleman, and it
+seemed to me that he had a sort of hankering after Miss Bell, like some
+more of them, or else he wouldn't have been so wonderfully civil about
+having Mr Bell's chair moved here and there, and wanting him to take
+wine, and things that Mr Ward said he was better without.
+
+As to the fore-cabin passengers, they went on just about the same as
+fore-passengers mostly do: asked every day whether we were nearly there,
+played ship's billiards, and a bit or two of music; smoked a deal, and
+slept a deal more, and only did just so much work as they was obliged
+to.  No doubt there was their little bits of squabbling, and courting,
+and so on, going on; but my eyes were turned in another direction; and,
+soon after we'd crossed the line, I couldn't help thinking how very
+sixy-and-seveny matters had growed.  Instead of being friendly, there
+was quite an unpleasantness between Mr Ward and the Bells, for the sick
+man was as jealous as could be, and it was plain enough that he
+downright hated the doctor.  As for Miss Bell, as far as I could see,
+she never even bowed to him, and he and Tomtit used to walk up and down
+the deck together, as if they were the fastest of friends.  "And why
+don't they bow to one another as they used?"  I says to myself, as I lay
+in my hammock.  "Why don't you mind your own business and go to sleep?"
+says Common-sense; and as I was too tired to argufy, I made no answer,
+but went off sound.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+Now, if what I'm going to tell you had happened a week sooner, I should
+have been on the look-out for it, or if it had come off a week later;
+but, like many more such things, it came when it wasn't expected, and my
+sails were took aback as much as anybody's.
+
+Things had been going on more peaceably than usual--weather having been
+hot, with light steady wind, which just took us easily through the water
+with stunsails set alow and aloft.  The heat had made the captain
+sleepy, and he showed precious little on deck, while the mate, who
+always took his tone from the skipper, used just to give an order or
+two, and then make himself as comfortable as he could.
+
+It was my watch one night with Sam Brown, Bill Smith, and a couple more.
+Hot! it was one of the hottest nights I ever knew, and we were lolling
+about over the sides, looking at the golden green water as it gently
+washed by the bows as we just parted it, making only way enough for the
+ship to answer her helm.  Bill Smith had gone to take his trick at the
+wheel, and, looking along the deck, you could just make out his face by
+the binnacle-light shining up and around him.  There was a faint glow,
+too, up from the cabin skylights, and from where the ship's lanterns
+flashed on the water, else it was a thick darkness everywhere, and us
+sailing through it, and seeming to get nearer and nearer to some great
+black heat, that made the perspiration stream out of you at every pore.
+
+"'Nuff to bake 'em down below, Sam," I says, after we'd been quiet for a
+good hour.  "I fancy if I was there, I should be for coming up and lying
+on the deck, where it's cooler."
+
+"Cooler!" says one of them with us, "why, the planks are hot yet."
+
+"But you can breathe," I says.
+
+"Well, yes," says the other; "you _can_ get your breath."
+
+Then we were quite still again for a piece, when Sam gives me a shove,
+to call my attention to something.
+
+"Well, what now?"  I says.
+
+"They're a-coming on deck," says Sam.
+
+"They're in the right of it," I says; "and if--"
+
+I got no more out, for there was a hand clapped over my mouth, and the
+next moment I was at it in an up-and-down struggle with some one, but
+not so hard but that I heard Sam Brown go down like a bullock upon the
+deck; and then I shook myself free, ran to the mizen-shrouds, and sprang
+up them like a cat; and, as soon as I was out of reach, leaned down and
+listened.
+
+There was no mistake about it: the ship had been taken with hardly so
+much as a scuffle, and though I could not see more than a figure trot
+quickly by one of the skylights, I could hear that the hatches were
+being secured, and men posted there; and for a minute I felt sure that
+we had been boarded in the darkness, and that I, one of the principal
+men in the watch, had kept a bad lookout.  Directly after, though, there
+came a bit more scuffling and an oath or two, and I heard a voice that I
+knew for Bill Smith's, and another that I could tell was Van's; and
+then, like a light, it all came upon me that while we had been watching
+out-board, there was an enemy in the ship, and the men had risen.
+
+I wouldn't have it for a bit, feeling sure that I must have known of it;
+but I was obliged to give in, for I heard next in the darkness a
+hammering at the cabin doors, and the skipper's voice shouting to be let
+out; and then came the mate's backing him up; then a pistol-shot or two,
+and the shivering of glass, like as if the cabin skylight had been
+broken; and then came Van's shrill voice, giving orders, and
+threatening; and from the way the man spoke, I knew in a minute that
+there had been a chained devil amongst us, and that he had broken loose.
+
+As soon as I could pull myself together a bit, and get to think, I got
+out my box, opens it and my knife, cuts a fresh bit of baccy, and then,
+taking a good hold of the stay I was on, began to wonder what I'd better
+do next.  Staying where I was did very well for the present; but it
+would not be such a great while before daybreak, and then I knew they
+would see me, and, if I didn't come down, shoot me like a dog.  I felt
+sure that they had done for my two poor mates, for I could not hear a
+sound of them; and seeing that joining the enemy below was out of the
+question, what I had to do was to get to them in the cabin.  But how?
+
+There I was, perched up close to the top, with the yard swinging gently
+to and fro; and between me and those I wanted to join, there was the
+enemy.  I felt puzzled; and in the midst of my thought, listening the
+while as I was to the muttering of voices I heard below, I snapped-to
+the lid of the steel box I had in my hand, and in the still night it
+sounded quite sharp and clear.
+
+"What a fool!"  I said to myself, and crept in closer to the mast, for
+the voices below ceased, and two pistol-bullets came whistling through
+the rigging.  Then there was a sharp whispering, and a couple more shots
+were fired; but I did not move, for it would have been like directing
+them where to aim.  Then came Van's voice, as he shouted: "Fetch him
+down!"  And I knew from the way in which the rigging trembled, that some
+of the enemy were coming up the shrouds to leeward and windward too.
+
+"Hunt him overboard, if he won't give in," shouted Van, and I set my
+teeth as I heard him; but there was no time to spare, and feeling about
+for a sheet, I got hold of it, meaning to swing myself out clear, and
+hang quite still, while they passed aloft, and then try for some
+hiding-place where I could gain the deck.  I held on tight for a moment,
+and listened; and then in the darkness I could hear some one coming
+nearer and nearer, when, letting go with my feet, I swung gently off,
+and the next instant brushed up against something, when my heart gave a
+great bound, for I had found the way to get down to them in the cabin.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER SIX.
+
+"It may come to a fight though, after all, and a prick will keep some of
+them at a distance," I says to myself, and getting my legs well round
+the sheet, I got hold of my knife, and opened it with my teeth, before
+making use of the chance that had shown itself.
+
+Perhaps it isn't every one who knows what a wind-sail is, so I'll tell
+you; it's a contrivance like a great canvas stocking, six or seven feet
+round, and twenty or thirty long and by letting one end of this hang
+down through the cabin-hatch or skylight, and having the other bowsed up
+in the rigging, you have like a great open pipe bringing you down a
+reg'lar stream of cool air in the hot weather.
+
+Now it was just against the top end of this that I had brushed; and as
+it seemed to me all I had to do was to slip in, check myself all I
+could, and then go down with a run amongst friends, where, if not safe,
+I should certainly share their fate, whatever it might be, besides,
+perhaps, being of some use.
+
+Fortunately, I had the rope, and hauling myself up a bit, after two or
+three tries, I got my legs in, lowered away quickly, and came down
+pretty smartly, not, as I meant, in the chief cabin, but upon the deck,
+where I was now struggling to get loose, like a monkey in a biscuit-bag,
+for they had done what I had not reckoned upon, dragged up the end of
+the wind-sail, and shut down the cabin skylight, most likely when I
+heard the shots and breaking glass.
+
+It was lucky for me that it was dark, for though the noise I made
+brought them round me, I had time first to slit the canvas and slip out,
+panting, and not knowing which way to turn.  I knew they dare not fire,
+for fear of hitting one another, and starting off, I ran them once right
+round the deck, keeping as much as I could under the bulwarks.  The
+second time round I came right against one fellow, and sent him down
+head over heels; but I knew it couldn't last, and that in spite of
+doubling they must have me.  I could hear panting and voices all round,
+and on leaving off running, and creeping cautiously about, more than
+once I felt some one pass close by me--regularly felt them, they were so
+close.  Once I thought of getting into the chains, but I knew if I did
+they would see me as soon as it was daybreak.  Then I thought I might
+just as well jump overboard, and make an end of it, as be pitched over;
+directly after, I fancied I could crawl under the spare sail that
+covered the long-boat, and lie there.  Last of all, I made for the poop,
+meaning to try and climb down to one of the cabin windows, but I stopped
+half-way, on account of the binnacle-light, and crept back towards the
+fore-part, to see if I could get down to the fore-cabin passengers.  But
+it was of no use, and the only wonder was that I did not run right into
+some one's arms; but the chances, perhaps, were not, after all, so very
+much against me, and I kept clear till they grew savage, and I could
+hear that they were cutting about at me with either knives or cutlasses;
+and in spite of my trouble then, I could not help wondering how they had
+come by their arms, for, of course, I could not know then how Van had
+stolen them from the cabin while the skipper was asleep.
+
+"I may as well knock under," I said to myself, and I was about to give
+up, meaning first to give 'em one more round, when I stumbled.  Twice
+over I had felt my bare feet, slip upon the deck, in what seemed blood,
+and had shuddered as I thought of how I should leave my footmarks all
+over the clean white boards; but this time I stumbled over what seemed
+to be a body, and should have fallen, if I had not gathered up my
+strength for a jump, and thrown myself forward, when, as if in one and
+the same moment, there was a crash as of breaking glass, a heavy fall,
+and then a foot was upon my throat, and a pistol held to my head.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+I was that shaken and confused by my fall, that for a moment I could not
+speak, and when I could say a few words, I did not know who I was
+speaking to, expecting that it was Van, till a voice I seemed to know
+whispered: "If you attempt to move, I fire."
+
+"I ain't going to move, Mr Ward," I says at last: "it's been too hard
+work to get here; but if you'll pynt your pistol up at the skylight,
+it'll be better, or some one else will be tumbling down after me.  Only
+wish Sam Brown would."
+
+"Pitched me down more'n half a hour ago," growled a voice I knew.
+
+"What's come of Bill Smith?"  I says.
+
+"Lyin' on the deck with his head split," says Sam, "if they ain't
+pitched him overboard."
+
+Then I heard a whispering consultation going on, which seemed to be
+about whether I was to be trusted, when Mr Ward seemed to be taking my
+part, and then the skipper whispers to me: "If you'll be faithful to us,
+Roberts, you shall be well rewarded; but if you play fast and loose,
+mind, we are well armed, and there will be no mercy for you."
+
+"Who's playing fast and loose?"  I says gruffly as old Sam.  "Ain't I
+been cut at, and shot at, and then pitched neck and crop through the
+cabin skylight!  If that's your fast and loose, give me slow and tight
+for a game," I says; "but mind you, it's my opinion that there's
+something else to do but play, for them beggars mean mischief."
+
+"I'll be answerable for him, Captain Harness," says Mr Ward; and though
+all this went on in whispers, there wasn't a face to be seen, every
+light having been put out.  "You may trust him, he's no spy."
+
+"Spy be hanged," I says.  "Who's going to play spy down here, in a place
+as is dark as an empty pitch-kettle in a ship's hold!  Don't I tell you
+I've had to cut and run for my life, and what more do you want?"
+
+"Nothing, my man," says Mr Ward; "only your help as a good and true
+British sailor, for here are women and children for us to protect."
+
+"However shall I get to my birds?" some one says from out of the
+darkness.
+
+"Birds!"  I says: "you won't want no more birds, sir, for it's my
+impression as we're going to be kept caged up ourselves now."
+
+Just then I seemed to catch just a faint glimpse of a face from out of
+the darkness, then it was gone again, and half a minute after I got
+another glimpse, and then another, when it was plain enough that the day
+was breaking; and then quickly the pale light stole down through the
+skylight, till the anxious faces of all the passengers, with the two
+officers and Sam Brown, was plain enough to see; and strange, and
+haggard, and queer they looked; but for all that, there was an air of
+determination amongst them, that showed they meant mischief; and I soon
+gathered from Mr Ward's words that he was spurring the captain on to
+try and retake the ship.
+
+"I'm afraid it would only be a sacrifice of life, if I did," said the
+skipper.
+
+"It would be a sacrifice of duty, if you did not, sir," says Mr Ward
+warmly.
+
+"Perhaps you'd better retake her yourself, sir," says the skipper
+sulkily.
+
+"I certainly shall try, sir, if you do not do your duty, to protect
+these helpless women.  But we have a right to demand your assistance,
+and we do; while I have the word of every man present that he will fight
+to the last gasp for those who need our protection."
+
+"I cannot fight, but I can load for you," said a voice from behind; and
+looking round, as many of us did, there stood Mr Bell, pale as a ghost,
+but quite calm, and leaning upon his sister's arm; while, if I could
+have seen anything in a woman to admire, I should have said she looked
+beautiful just then--being quite pale and calm--like the sea of a still
+morning before the sun rises.
+
+"There's something to fight for there," says Sam in my ear.
+
+"Why didn't they all stop at home?"  I says.  "Just look what a mess
+they've got themselves in through being aboard ship, which is the last
+place as they should be in."
+
+What Mr Ward had said seemed to have warmed the captain up; for sooner
+than see another take his place, he set to, and began to hunt out what
+arms he could find, after placing Mr Ward to guard the broken skylight,
+which he did with a revolver and a thin skewer of a thing out of a
+walking-stick, and it put me in mind of what I have read about some one
+being put in the fore-front of the battle; but the young man never said
+a word; and then, after a bit of a rummage, the captain came back to
+serve out what arms he could get told of, but that wasn't many, for the
+enemy had pretty well emptied the locker where they were kept.  A
+precious poor lot there was left for us to defend ourselves and a whole
+tribe of women and children; my share being an empty pistol, which
+didn't seem to be so much use as a fellow's fist, that being a handy
+sort of weapon in a tussle.
+
+Everything was done quiet as could be, so as not to let them on deck
+know what we were doing; but as soon as the arming part was finished,
+and I looked round, I could see that the game was up, for two more
+pistols, two cutlashes, and a couple of guns--sporting-guns, that two of
+the passengers had used to shoot sea-birds with--was all we could
+muster.
+
+As is always the case when it's wanted, neither of these passengers had
+any more powder; and when Mr Ward's little pistol-flask had been passed
+round once, there was not another charge left; but the captain had gone
+to get more, and we were expecting him back, piling up hammocks and
+bedding the while, to keep the mutineers off, and to have something to
+fight from behind.  I was doing all I could, after shoving a good charge
+of powder and a whole handful of small-shot into my pistol, when Mr
+Ward beckons to me and whispers: "Go and see why he don't come back;
+it's time to be on the alert, for they are moving on deck."
+
+I stepped lightly off--my feet being bare, making no noise on the
+planks--when coming upon the captain quickly, I saw him just putting
+down a water-can, and he turned round to me, looking pale as a sheet, as
+he says: "It's no use, my lad; resistance would be vain, for they've
+contrived to wet what powder we had.  Look at it."
+
+He pointed to the little keg and a small case of cartridges, and sure
+enough they were all dripping wet, while it seemed rather surprising
+that the wetting looked so fresh.  But I did not say so, only that Mr
+Ward hoped he'd make haste.
+
+"Curse Mr Ward!" he muttered; and then he went on first, and I followed
+with my cheeks blown out, as if I was going to whistle, but I didn't
+make a sound for all that.
+
+"I fear that we must give up, Mr Ward," says the skipper, "for the
+powder is all wet."
+
+There was a regular groan of dismay at the news, and one woman gave a
+sort of sob, else they were still as mice, and the children too behaving
+wonderful.
+
+"Who talks of giving up?" says Mr Bell, his pale face flushing up as he
+spoke, and him holding one hand to his side.  "Do you call yourselves
+men to hint at such a thing?  I am no man now, only a broken, wasted
+shadow of a man, or, by the God who made me, Captain Harness, I'd strike
+you down!  Look at these women, men! think of their fate if those
+scoundrels get the upper hand--completely--Mr Ward--you--as a
+gentleman--my sister--God help--"
+
+The poor young fellow staggered, and would have fallen, for the blood
+was trickling down upon his shirt-front--gushing from his lips; but Mr
+Ward saved him, springing forward as a cry burst from Miss Bell; and he
+was laid upon a mattress in one of the cabins fainting--dying, it seemed
+to me.
+
+Then there was a murmur among the passengers, of such a nature that
+Captain Harness found he must make some show of a fight, or it would be
+done without him; and accordingly he took hold of a very blunt cutlash,
+looking precious pale, but making-believe to tuck up the wristband of
+his shirt, to have free play for killing six or seven of the mutineers.
+
+As for the passengers, all mustered, there was about eighteen of them;
+and had they been well armed, numbers being about equal, I don't think
+we should have had much the worst of it; but ever so many of them had no
+arms at all, and I began to turn over in my mind what was to be done.  I
+had a pretty good jack-knife; and not having much faith in the pistol, I
+was about to trust to the bit of steel, same as Sam Brown, who had one
+with a spring-back and a good seven-inch blade, so I says to Tomtit:
+"P'r'aps you'd like the pistol, sir;" and he took it quietly and
+earnestly, tapping the back, to make sure the powder was up the nipple,
+and I thought to myself, that's in the right hands, anyhow.
+
+"Are you ready?" says the skipper; for they were evidently collecting up
+above, and some one fired a pistol down the skylight, but none of us was
+hit.
+
+"Not quite, sir," I says.  "Steward, suppose you hand out some of them
+knives o' yours; and I'll trouble you for the big beef-carver, as I
+spoke first."
+
+Mr Ward turned round and smiled at me; and I gave him a nod, turned up
+my sleeve too, and then laid hold of the big carver, which did not make
+such a bad weapon, being new, sharp-pointed, and stiff; while my idea
+had put a knife into a dozen hands that before had nothing to show.
+
+"Pile more mattresses and hammocks up," said Mr Ward; for it was plain
+that neither the skipper nor Mr Wallace meant to do much towards what
+was going to take place; and then I saw the doctor give one look towards
+where Mr Bell was lying, and run across, as if to see how he was; but
+he hurriedly caught hold of Miss Bell's hand, and I could see that he
+spoke, while, as she drew her hand hastily away, she gave a strange
+frightened sort of look at him.  Next moment he was back at my side,
+just as the cabin-hatch was flung open, and the shuffling of feet told
+that the mutineers meant to make their rush.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+It was a rush, and no mistake; for they had been priming themselves up
+with rum, I should think, for the last hour or two, till they were
+nearly mad; and with Van at their head, they came on, yelling like so
+many devils, more than Englishmen, though certainly half of them were
+from all parts of the world.  There was no time then for thinking, and
+before you knew where you were, it was give and take.
+
+We fired as they came on; but I did not see that much harm was done,
+only one chap falling; while, as they returned it, Mr Wallace gave a
+cry, and clapped his hand to his shoulder, dropping at the same time his
+cutlash, which Tomtit laid hold of, for he had just shied his pistol,
+after firing it, right at Van's head, only missing him by half an inch
+or so.
+
+Van dashed right at the skipper like a cat, and with one cut sent him
+down, when he turned upon me, to serve me the same; but I was too quick
+for him, and as I jumped aside, his cutlash hit the bulkhead and snapped
+in two.  I believe it would have gone hard with him then, for that
+carver was sharp, and my old blood was up, but in the struggle I was
+driven back; and the next thing I saw was Mr Ward drive that skewer of
+his right through one fellow's shoulder, and then starting back, he
+fired three shots from his revolver, but with what effect I never saw,
+for two of the piratical rascals were at me, and it was all I could do
+to keep them at a distance.  I fetched one a chop across the back of the
+hand at last, though, and sent him off howling and cursing; and then
+managing to avoid a cut, and sending my arm out, I caught the other
+right in the chest, and down he went like a stone; when, to my surprise,
+I found it was only the buckhorn handle I had hit him with, the blade
+having flown out, and gone goodness knows where.
+
+There was no time to choose who should be your next enemy, for two or
+three were at you directly, and there I was at last, fighting best way I
+could with my fists, driven here and there, with the planks slippery
+with blood, and men, some wounded, some only stunned, lying about for
+you to fall over.
+
+I kept casting an eye at Mr Ward, and could see that he was fighting
+like a hero; but all at once I made a jump to get at him, for I saw Van
+creep up behind, while he was defending himself from a big fellow with a
+cutlash, and though I shouted to him, it was of no use, for the poor
+young fellow was cut down just as I turned dizzy from being fetched to
+the deck with a crack from a marlinespike.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER NINE.
+
+When I came to again, my head was aching awfully, and I found myself
+lying upon the deck, with old Sam Brown dabbing my forehead with a wet
+swab.  Close beside me was Bill Smith, and the sight of him alive did me
+so much good that I jumped up into a sitting position, and gave his hand
+a good shake.  But, there, it was for all the world like having boiling
+lead poured from one side to the other of your head, and I was glad to
+lean against the bulkhead again.
+
+There were half-a-dozen of the crew keeping watch over us, while Sam
+whispered to me that six bodies had been shoved out of the port--three
+being passengers; as to the rest on our side, Mr Ward's seemed the
+worst wound, but he, poor fellow, was sitting up pale and anxious, with
+his handkerchief tied round his head, and evidently, like me, wondering
+what was to happen next.
+
+I could not help noticing soon after how well the women bore it all;
+hushing and chattering to the children to keep them quiet, and doing all
+they could to keep them from noticing our wild and wounded faces.  They
+were all huddled together in the big cabin, while, with the exception of
+the men on guard, the mutineers were on deck.  From the slight rolling
+of the ship, it seemed that they had altered her course; but my head was
+too much worried and confused for me to notice much, and that day
+slipped by, and the night came--such a night as, I pray God, I may never
+again pass; for the cabin-hatches were closed upon us, and none of the
+men stayed down, but after serving round some biscuit and water, and
+some rank bad butter at the bottom of one of the little tubs, they went
+on deck, though we soon found that a couple of them kept watch.
+
+It was a sad night and a bitter, for as soon as darkness came down upon
+us, the poor women, who had held up so well all day, broke down, and you
+could hear the smothered sobbing and wailing, till it went through you
+like a knife.  I believe they tried all they could to keep it in, poor
+things; but then 'tain't in 'em, you know, to keep up long; and then
+when the children broke out too, and wanted all sorts of things that
+they couldn't have, why, it was awful.  We had no lights, for they
+wouldn't give us any, so we all had to set to, to try and make the best
+of everything; but we couldn't, you see, not even second best, try how
+we would.
+
+"Only a bit of a cut, sir," I says to Mr Ward, who was going round and
+doing what he could in the dark for we chaps as had got knocked about.
+"I sha'n't hurt.  See to Bill Smith here.  Tell you what it is though,
+sir--you won't catch me at sea again in such a Noah's Ark as this here."
+
+"Hush, my man," he says, "and try all you can to help."  "In course I
+will, sir," I says; and then, hearing a growl on my right, I says: "That
+ain't Bill, sir, that's Sam.  He's all right: nobody can't hurt him, his
+blessed head's too thick."  Directly after the doctor felt his way to
+Bill Smith, and tied up his head a bit, while I was wondering what to do
+for the best, listening all the time to women wailing, and little ones
+letting go, as if with the full belief that they'd got the whole of the
+trouble in the ship on their precious little heads.  What seemed the
+best thing to do was to quiet some of them; and if it had been daylight,
+a sight or two of my phiz would have frightened 'em into peace; but how
+to do it now, I didn't know.  "Howsoever, here goes for a try," I says;
+and I groped my way along as well as I could, expecting every moment to
+be deafened, when I turned half mad with rage, for some one yells down
+the skylight: "Stop that noise!" and at the same moment there was a
+pistol fired right into the wailing crowd; then there was a sharp clear
+shriek, and directly after a stillness that was awful.
+
+"It was a cruel cowardly act," I heard some one say then close to me;
+"but, Miss Bell,"--And then directly came the young lady's voice saying:
+"It is almost as cowardly, sir, to speak to me in this way, when I am so
+unprotected."
+
+"By your leave," I says gruffly, and I felt a little hand laid on my
+arm.
+
+"Is that you, Mr Roberts?" says Miss Bell, and I could feel her soft
+breath on my cheek.
+
+"It's old Tom Roberts, without the Mister, ma'am," I says, "and at your
+sarvice.  What shall I do?"
+
+What could I do?  Rum question, wasn't it?  When, if she didn't put a
+little toddling thing into my arms--a bit of a two-year-older, as was
+just beginning to cry again, after the fright of the pistol; but I
+turned myself into a sort of cradle, got rocking about, and if the soft
+round little thing didn't go off fast asleep, and breathe as reg'lar as
+so much clockwork!
+
+"Well done you, Tom Roberts," I says, after listening to it for about
+half an hour; and do you know, I did feel a bit proud of what I'd done,
+being the first time, you see, that I'd ever tried to do such a thing;
+and so through the night I sat there with my back to the bulkhead, and
+with my head all worried like, for now it was me groaning, and now it
+seemed that I was crying like a child, and then people were telling me
+to be quiet, only I wouldn't, for I had mutinied, and was going to kill
+Mr Ward, and marry Miss Bell, and things were all mixed together, and
+strange and misty, and then thicker still, and at last all was blank,
+and I must have gone off to sleep, in spite of my trouble, for when I
+opened my eyes, it was broad daylight again, and then the first thing
+they lit on was a little chubby, curly-headed thing in my lap, watching
+me as serious as could be, and twisting its little hand in my beard.
+
+I hadn't eyes for anything else for a little while, but as soon as I did
+take a look round, all the troubles seemed to come back with a jump, for
+most of the party were asleep; there they all were, first-class
+passengers and steerage passengers, all huddled together, no
+distinctions now.  Old Sam was snoring away close alongside of the
+skipper and Mr Wallace, and strange and bad they looked, poor fellows;
+while up at the far end sat Miss Bell, bending over her brother, who lay
+on a locker; but whether she was asleep or not, I couldn't tell.
+
+But there was something else took my attention, and that was, that
+though all the other berths seemed empty, one had some one lying in it,
+and that berth I could not keep my eyes off, for it got to be somehow
+mixed up with the firing of that pistol down the skylight and the sharp
+cry I had heard; and so from thinking about it all, I got it put
+together in a shape which Mr Ward afterwards told me was quite right,
+for a little lad of nine years old was killed by that cowardly bullet,
+and it was him as I saw lying there so still.
+
+By degrees, first one and then another of our miserable party roused up
+with a sigh, and then sat staring about in a most hopeless way; all but
+Mr Ward, who went round to those who had been wounded, saying a
+cheering word or two, as well as seeing to their bandages; but it was
+quite by force that he had to do the skipper's, for his wound had made
+him light-headed, and he took it into his poor cloudy brain that Mr
+Ward was Van, and wanted to make an end of him.
+
+People soon got whispering together and wondering what was to be done
+next, for they seemed to be busy on deck, and of course we were all very
+anxious to know; but when Sam Brown got a tub on one of the tables, and
+then hauled himself up, to have a look through the skylight, he came
+down again rubbing his knuckles and swearing, for one of the watch had
+given him a tap with a marlinespike; and after that, of course no one
+tried to look out.
+
+I, for one, expected that they would have taken advantage of having
+their own way to have a reg'lar turn at the spirits; but no: they
+certainly got some up, but Van seemed to be driving them all with a
+tightish hand, so that they were going on very quietly and reg'larly, as
+we found, for by and by they serves out biscuit and butter and fresh
+water again; and not very long after, Van sung out down the hatchway for
+me to come up; and knowing that if I didn't go he'd send and fetch me, I
+went up, and sat down on the deck, where he pointed to with a pistol.
+Then he ordered up Sam and Bill, and four sailors who were on our side
+(lads only), and the skipper and Mr Wallace, one at a time, till we
+were all set in a row, with them guarding us; when, with his teeth
+glistening, Van walks up to the skipper, and hits him on the head with
+the butt-end of his pistol, so that the poor fellow fell back on the
+deck.
+
+"Set him up again," says Van savagely; and a couple of the mutineers did
+so, but only for Van to knock him down once more; and he did that four
+times over, till, when they set the poor captain up again the last time,
+he fell back upon the deck of himself, being stunned like.  It was
+enough to make any fellow burst with rage; but what can you do when
+there's half a score standing over you with loaded pistols? and,
+besides, trouble makes people very selfish, while we all knew how Van
+was having his bit of revenge, cowardly as it was, for the way the
+captain had treated him.
+
+Last of all, Van goes and puts his foot on the skipper's neck, and I
+made as though to get up, for I thought he was going to blow his brains
+out; and bad and cowardly as the captain had been, I couldn't a-bear to
+see him hit when he was down without trying to help him; but it was of
+no use, for I was pulled back directly, and all I could do was to sit
+and look on.
+
+All at once, Van turns a breaker on its end, jumps on it, and, sticking
+his arms a-kimbo like a fishwoman, he begins to spout at us; and fine
+and fierce no doubt he thought he looked in his red nightcap, and belt
+stuck full of pistols.  "Now, my lads," he says, "we're going to have
+some of the good old times over again: take possession of one of the
+beautiful isles in the Pacific, and sail where we like under the black
+flag, free as the day, with none of your cursed tyrants to make men
+sweat blood and work like dogs, but all free and equal.  We've done the
+work, and captured the ship, and you've acted like thieves and curs, and
+sided with them as will be ready to kick you for your pains.  As for
+you, Wallace, curse you! you have always been a cur and a tool; but we
+shall want help, and you can come if you like; while, you others, we'll
+look over what's gone by, for you did fight like men.  So, what do you
+say?--will you join us, or take your chance to reach land in one of the
+boats with the lot below?"
+
+The young lads all looked at me, to see what I'd say, for no one took
+much notice of Mr Wallace.  Bill Smith, too, who was much better, he
+looks at me; and I s'pose old Sam meant to do the same, but when I
+turned to him, all I could make out was the whites of his eyes, till he
+turned his head on one side, and I got a sight of one eye, when he
+turned his head t'other way, and then I see t'other.
+
+It was very plain that they meant me to be spokesman; and seeing that
+was to be the case, and that, after a fashion, they left me to decide, I
+just turns it over in my own mind for a hit, and seeing as I should be
+wanted in the boats to help make the land somewhere, as they was to be
+loaded with a set of the helplessest beings as ever breathed--why, I
+says: "T'others can do as they like; as for me, you never asked me at
+first; and as you've done without me so far, why, you can do without me
+now--till you gets to the gallows," I added, but so as they couldn't
+hear me.  And, though I hardly expected it from the lads, they said
+they'd do as I did; while, as for Bill and Sam, they always was a pair
+of the helplessest babbies as ever breathed, and left me to think for
+'em ever since we first sailed together--indeed, I don't fancy as Sam
+ever had any thinking machinery at all.  Howsoever, they said as they'd
+stick by me; and Van gave a curse and a swear, and a blow or two at us;
+and then, after a bit of 'scussion, in which women was named two or
+three times, and Van and another party was quite at loggerheads for a
+time, he gave his orders, big and bounceable like, and telling us to
+lend a hand, he made ready to lower down one of the boats.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER TEN.
+
+Two boats were lowered down, and my two mates and me and the four
+sailors was to man 'em.  They let down Captain Harness, wounded and half
+mad as he was, into one boat, and Mr Wallace the mate into the other;
+and then a couple of compasses, and some breakers of water, a bag or two
+of biscuit, and a tub of butter were shoved in.  Then came the job of
+getting the passengers over the side.  The men were ordered up first,
+and, some wounded, some savage, some weak and disheartened, they were
+made to take their places, six of the mutineers keeping guard with
+cocked pistols and drawn cutlashes.  I believe, though, in spite of
+their weapons, that a little English pluck was all that was needed to
+save the ship; but no attempt was made, and, trembling and frightened,
+the women and children were ordered up, and then the boats were loaded.
+
+"Now, then, down with you, and shove off," says Van Haigh, showing his
+cursed white teeth, and pricking at poor Sam Brown with his cutlash,
+just out of malice like.  And you should have seen Sam's eyes that time!
+He never spoke, but it's my opinion if he'd had the chance, he'd have
+shaken Van's precious body until the silver rings he was so proud of had
+dropped out of his yellow ears.  But, as I said before, Sam didn't
+speak; he only lays hold of the side rope, and lowers himself into the
+boat, already too full; Bill Smith dropping into the other, in spite of
+his wound.
+
+"Now you!" roars Van to me, for I was standing hesitating, and I don't
+mind saying that a cold chill ran all through me, for just then I heard
+the click of his pistol cock, and I knew he was taking aim at my head.
+But I mastered myself, and wouldn't turn round; for it was an important
+time, and there was much to think about.  There was poor Mr Ward, with
+his head bound up, held by two of the mutineers; and poor Tomtit, with
+his knees to his chin as he sat upon the deck; and of course they
+weren't going, for the boats wouldn't hold any more.  And there was the
+fat passenger, as cried when we left home; and last of all, Miss Bell
+and her brother below.
+
+It didn't take me long to make up my mind, for it seemed to me as it
+would never do for me and my mates to go and leave them in their
+trouble, for maybe they'd be sent afloat in a little boat next, and
+wouldn't know how to work her; so, half-expecting every moment to drop
+with a bullet through me, I says: "I'm blest, my lads, if I ain't had
+about enough of it.  While the old skipper was aboard, I did my duty by
+him and them as was under him; but now there's a new skipper, I don't
+see what call there is for me to go afloat with a set o' lubbers in a
+crazy boat.  You, Bill Smith, and you, squinty Brown, can do as you
+like.  Captain Van," I says, turning to him, "if you'll shove that
+pistol away, I'll stop aboard."
+
+"Hooray!" shouts half a dozen of the fellows; and I could see Van
+looking me through and through with them dark eyes of his; but I don't
+think he got much below the skin either, and besides, he was a bit
+tickled by me calling him "captain;" so he puts the pistol in his belt,
+and the next minute Bill and Sam was aboard again, looking half-puzzled
+like.  Then the mutineers gave a bit of a cheer, and the passengers
+groaned at us; and, to make matters right with them on board, I jumps on
+the taffrail and groans again, and calls the poor beggars "swabs"--God
+forgive me!--for shoving off in so lubberly a way, with their oars
+dipping anyhow, nohow, one after the other in the water, and the boats
+not trimmed.  It was a cruel trick, but I meant it all for the best;
+while, what to do about old Sam, I didn't know, for he was growling and
+swearing to himself like some old tiger-cat, and I was afraid he'd show
+his teeth and claws every moment; but he kept quiet.  As for poor Bill,
+he seemed misty and dazed, never speaking, but sitting down on the deck
+to lean his head against the side.  Then Van seemed more at rest, for,
+giving his orders, the men uncocked their pistols, after making-believe
+to blow the fat passenger's brains out, and making the perspiration run
+down his face, mixed up with tears, for he began to pipe his eye
+terribly.
+
+"Lower 'em below," says Van; and the fat passenger saved 'em the
+trouble; while, when they were letting down Tomtit, whose hands were
+tied, and they were going to let go, they found his legs was already at
+the bottom, and then his head disappeared, but only to pop up again the
+next moment like a Jack-in-the-box, to see what was going to be done to
+the doctor.
+
+"Ain't he a rum beggar?"  I says to one of the blood-thirsty devils at
+my side, all to make friends, you see; and he laughed, and so did two or
+three more, for another of 'em made a cut at the poor chap's head with
+his cutlash, to make him bob down the hatchway again, which he did,
+though only to come up again, till, finding it wasn't safe, he kept
+down, and we didn't see him no more just then.  The poor doctor was the
+next to take their attention; and, seeing how cut up the poor fellow
+was, I'd have given something to have gone and shaken hands with him,
+and told him what I felt, and at first I hardly dare look him in the
+face.
+
+They lashed Mr Ward's hands behind him, and I saw his lips quiver as he
+kept on casting an eye at the cabin-stairs.  I knew well enough what he
+was thinking about, only I daren't look at him much, for there were
+plenty watching me suspiciously enough, and, let alone not wanting to be
+knocked on the head, I felt that to do any good for the passengers, I
+must throw them as had the upper hand off the scent.
+
+I was leaning against the bulwarks, making-believe to look on, cool as
+could be, and screwing my old mahogany phizog into what I meant to be a
+grin of delight at our freedom, but I know it must have been about the
+sort of screw that a fellow would give when lashed to a gun for a round
+dozen.
+
+Mr Ward saw me grinning, and sent such a look at me as made my face
+grow as long as a spoon; but that wouldn't do, and I daren't give him
+any signal, so I laughed it off, and, pulling out my box and opening my
+knife, I goes up to him, and I says in a free-and-easy way, "Have a
+chaw, mate?" and made-believe to cut him one.
+
+"You infernal traitorous scoundrel!" he shouted, and in spite of his
+lashings he made at me; while, making-believe to have my monkey up, I up
+with my knife and made a stroke at him, sending it through his
+pilot-coat and into one of the side-pockets, dragging at it, to get it
+out again, and keeping it hitched the while, till some of them laid hold
+of me by the arm, when, struggling and swearing, I hit out with my left
+hand, and caught Mr Ward upon the chest, sending him down upon the
+deck, when I tried again to get at him, but they held me fast.
+
+"I'll let him know," I spluttered out; and then Brassey, Van's
+right-hand man, gives the order, and three of his mates drags Mr Ward
+down the hatchway; when I pretended to be better, and only kept on
+muttering and scowling about like a dog that's lost his bone, till ten
+minutes after, when I got a pannikin of grog, and sat looking at what
+was going on.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER ELEVEN.
+
+I don't think I'd any plans made; my only idea was, that when they sent
+the three or four others off, me and my mates might seize another boat,
+and row after them, the same night, for they wouldn't get very far, as I
+knew, unless a fresh breeze sprung up, and took us away.  Certainly the
+two boats that had gone were loaded deep, but they were not making a
+mile an hour; and it seemed plain enough to me that unless they could
+answer for its being calm till the poor wretches were picked up, if they
+ever were, the brutes on board had murdered 'em one and all, men, women,
+and children, by a slow kind of torture.
+
+"Not very smart crews, matey," I says, pointing with my knife over my
+shoulder to where the boats were slowly rising and falling, and then I
+fished out a piece of chicken from a tin case of the skipper's, and went
+on eating away as if I hadn't a care on my mind.  "Peg away, my lads," I
+says to Bill and Sam; but Bill couldn't touch a snap.  Sam made up for
+it, though; and after plenty of hard work and fighting, and two days on
+biscuit and water, and that rank yellow grease sailors get for butter,
+one's teeth do get rather sharp.  "Now, if you'll just sarve another tot
+o' grog round, cap'n," I says to Van, as I wiped my knife on the leg of
+my trousers, "I shall be about done and ready for work."
+
+Some of the fellows laughed, and Van said something about my not being
+such a bad sort after all; but I could see as he did not trust me,
+which, I must say, was quite right, and the only right thing as I ever
+saw in the blackguard's character.
+
+I soon found that though they'd all doubled the Cape a good many times,
+there wasn't a man with navigation enough in him to tell where we were,
+or how to carry the ship on her course; while, though I don't believe I
+could have worked a reckoning right, yet, somehow or other, I fancy I
+could have shoved that old ship's nose into the harbour for which we
+were bound.  Their plan seemed to be to crack on due south till we'd got
+high enough, and then to steer west, and get into the Pacific best way
+we could.  I give them my bit of advice when it was asked, for I thought
+that the more we were in the track of ships, the more likely we were to
+be overhauled; but they would not have it my way; and Van giving his
+orders, a lot of us sprung up to make sail.  When lying out on the
+main-royal yard, I run my eye round and quite jumped again, for, bearing
+down towards where the boats were crawling along, there was a bark with
+every stitch of canvas set.
+
+Sam saw it too, for he grunted; but I give him a kick, and down we came,
+our vessel feeling the breeze now, and careening over as the water began
+to rattle under her bows.
+
+I felt more comfortable after that, for though I did not for a moment
+think that the ship I had seen would overhaul us, still I felt pretty
+sure that she'd pick up those poor creatures in the boats, and save them
+from a horrible death.  There was no doubt about having seen the bark,
+but from the deck never a glimpse was got of it; and we went bowling
+along in capital style, just, in fact, as if we had been a honest ship
+on a good cruise.
+
+Having nothing particular to do, I went below, and the first place I
+came to was the cabin that had been fitted up for Mr Butterwell's
+birds; and on getting to 'em, there they were, poor little things,
+fluttering and chirping about with their feathers all rough, for they'd
+got no water and seed.  Quite a score of 'em were lying dead in the
+bottom amongst the sand; and after giving the pretty little things
+water, and seed, and paste, I fished out the dead ones in a quiet,
+methodical sort of way, turning over something in my mind that I
+couldn't get to fit, when I feels a hand on my shoulder.
+
+"Going to wring their necks?" says Van, for it was him come down to
+watch me.
+
+"Not I," I says.  "They'll do first-rate to turn out on the island we
+stops at.  Sing like fun."
+
+"Look ye here, Roberts," he says, "we're playing a dangerous game, and
+you've joined us in it.  Don't play any tricks, or--" He didn't say any
+more, but looked hard at me.
+
+"Tricks!"  I grumbled out; "I'm not for playing anything.  I'm for real
+earnest, and no favour to nobody."
+
+"I only said don't," says Van; and he went up again.
+
+"A suspicious hound," I says to myself; and then I began to turn over in
+my own mind what I had been thinking of before; and then having, as I
+thought, hit upon a bright idea, I hugged it up, and began to rub it a
+little more shiny.
+
+You see what I wanted to do was to get a word with Mr Ward, and how to
+do it was the question.  I knew well enough that I should be watched
+pretty closely, and any attempt at speaking would be put an end to most
+likely with a bullet.
+
+I rubbed that thought about no end, and next morning I goes to one
+particular cage where there was a linnet that I had seen Mr Butterwell
+play all sorts of tricks with; and instead of feeding it, I quietly took
+out the panting little thing, carried it on deck, got up in a corner
+under the bulwarks, and waited my time, watching the while to see if any
+one had an eye on me.  Then I let the bird go; and it flitted here and
+flitted there with a tiny bit of paper fastened under its wing, till, as
+I had hoped, there came from out of the cabin skylight a particular sort
+of chirrup, when the bird settled on the glass for a moment, and then
+dropped through the opening where it had been broken.
+
+Now, on that bit of paper I had printed what I knew wouldn't hurt me if
+the bird was seen by the mutineers, for I was afraid to say much the
+first time; and as I had written on it, "Let him go again," so sure
+enough up he came ten minutes after, and watching my chance, I followed
+him about till I caught him, and took him back to his cage, and gave him
+plenty of seed.
+
+Van had taken possession of the cabin next to where his prisoners were,
+and the skylight being partly over his place, a word with Mr Ward was
+out of the question; while such a little messenger as I had found would
+go to his master when called, perhaps without calling, specially after
+him being fortunate enough to catch sight of the bird the first time I
+tried.
+
+All that day matters went on as usual, a strict watch being kept over
+the prisoners, and more than one as I fancied having an eye to me.  On
+and on we sailed due south, and the weather kept wonderful all the time;
+but there seemed no sign of starting the rest of the passengers off in a
+boat, and I began to feel worried and troubled about their fate, and
+more anxious to get on with the plans I was contriving.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER TWELVE.
+
+Now, not being a scholar, I had a deal of trouble over the note I got
+ready for the next morning, for, you see, I wanted to say very much in a
+very little room, and in a way that shouldn't betray me if it was to
+fall into the wrong hands.  It was meant for Mr Ward, but I knew Tomtit
+would get it; but that didn't matter, as they were fellow-prisoners, and
+what I wanted was to put the doctor on his guard, and also to let him
+know that all I'd done was so as to be alongside of him and Miss Bell.
+So I says in the note:
+
+"Honoured Sir,--Keep a bright look-out ahead, and haul every sheet taut.
+Them as you thought was sharks a showing their teeth warn't only shams.
+Take all you gets, and clap 'em under hatches, and, whatever you do,
+don't be deceived by false colours, nor hail ships as seems enemies."
+
+"There," I says to myself, when I'd got that printed out careful, "if he
+can't make that out, he can't understand nothing;" for, I put it to you,
+what could I have said clearer, and yet made so as no one else could
+understand?  It seemed to me that I'd just hit the mark, and the next
+thing was to get it to him.
+
+Who'd ever have thought, I says, that that long doubling-up chap, as we
+all made such fun of with his little birds, would have turned in so
+useful; and then I got what you big people call moralising about
+everybody having their use on earth, without it was mutineers, whose
+only use seemed to me to be finding work for the hangman.
+
+I got no chance to send my note that day, through people being about;
+next day, too, nothing came of it; but early the next morning, soon
+after daybreak, I got my little messenger out, tied the paper to his
+wing with a bit of worsted out of my kit, and then going on deck, I let
+him fly, but so as not to take the attention of the chap at the wheel, I
+started him from up in the main-top, where I made-believe to have gone
+to have a smoke.
+
+There was a watch of three forward, but they were all half asleep; while
+as for him taking his trick at the wheel, he kept on nodding over his
+job, and letting the ship yaw about till she went anyhow.
+
+Bless the pretty little thing!  When I first opened my hand, it only sat
+there looking at me with its bright beady eyes, and then it was so tame,
+it hopped upon my shoulder, to stay a few seconds, before flitting from
+rope to sheet and shroud, lower and lower, till it perched upon the
+cabin skylight, and rattled out a few clear crisp notes, like a
+challenge to its master, who, I felt sure, would be asleep.  My only
+hope was that the little thing would flit through the big hole I made,
+and stay in the cabin till Tomtit was up.
+
+But I was wrong, for the bird had no sooner sung its sweet note, putting
+one in mind of old boyish days when we used to go bird-nesting, than I
+saw a hand thrust up through the broken light, and after a little
+fluttering, the bird let itself be caught, when, knowing that my job was
+done, I came slowly down, and walking aft, stood and talked to the chap
+at the wheel.
+
+"Hollo!"  I says, all at once, "there's one o' my birds got loose;" and
+running forward, and making a good deal of fuss, I captured the little
+linnet, for it never flew far at a time, having been tamed and petted by
+Mr Butterwell till it was almost like a little Christian.
+
+That day I watched my chance, and got hold of what powder I could,
+making a little packet of it in my silk neckercher; and when it was
+dark, I managed to drop that through the skylight as I went whistling
+along the deck.  Next thing to be done was to get some weepuns, for it
+seemed strange to me if we six true men couldn't somehow make one chance
+and turn the tables on the rascals who had taken the ship.  Counting
+them up, I found there was about seventeen--long odds enough, unless we
+could trap half of 'em, and fight 'em a part at a time.  Then I thought
+the odds would be fair, for fighting with right on our side, I
+considered that we were quite as strong as eight of the others.
+
+But the job was to get hold of weepuns, for they never let neither me,
+nor Sam, nor Bill Smith have neither cutlash nor pistol, only take our
+turn at the wheel, or trim sails, otherwise we were treated right
+enough.  Some of the chaps grumbled, saying, that now Van had made
+hisself captain, times were as hard as they were before; but that wasn't
+the case, though now he'd got the ship, he didn't mean to lose her again
+if he could help it, and seemed to me to be always on the watch for
+everything.  As to trusting either of we three to go down below to the
+prisoners with rations, that was out of the question, either he or
+Brassey attending to that, and more than once I heard high words, and
+Mr Bell talking in a threatening way when Van was below.
+
+Now, if it had been at any other time, we should not have sailed a
+hundred miles without being boarded by some one; while, if a Queen's
+ship would only have overhauled us now, it would have been salvation for
+us: but no; day after day slipped by, and not a sail came near.  All I
+had managed to drop more into the cabin was only a couple of
+table-knives; when one dark evening, as I lay under the bulwark, hid by
+a bit of sail, I saw Van come out of his cabin, go and talk to the chap
+at the wheel, see to the course of the ship, and then go forward.  I
+heard him talk to the watch for a minute, and then he went below
+forward, when, running upon all-fours, I was at the cabin-hatch and down
+below in a jiffy.
+
+As I expected, there were plenty of pistols and cutlashes there, where
+he had had them put for safety; and if I could have opened the big cabin
+door, I might have pitched half a score in before any one could have
+said "Jack Robinson;" but there was something to stop me, for I had
+crossed the cabin and had my hand on a cutlash before I knew that
+Brassey was in the cabin with his head down upon the table, and
+seemingly fast asleep.
+
+I should think I stood there with my hand stretched out for a full
+minute, not daring to move, expecting every moment that Van would come
+back, or else that Brassey would wake up.
+
+That minute seemed to be stretched out into quite an hour; and then,
+feeling that it was now or never, I shoved one after the other six
+pistols inside my shirt, when taking another step to reach where some
+cutlashes stood together in a corner, I knocked one down, when I threw
+myself on my hands and knees, so that, if Brassey started up, he would
+not see me at first.  Then as I stooped there trembling with anxiety, I
+heard him yawn, push the lamp a little farther on the table, and a
+minute after, he was snoring loud.
+
+I waited as long as I dared, and then rising lightly, I got hold of one
+cutlash, and then of five more, out of a good twenty as stood there;
+staffed as many cartridges out of the arm-chest into my pockets as they
+would hold; and then, after doing all this by fits and starts, expecting
+every moment that Brassey would hear me, I turned to go.
+
+I'd crept across the cabin, and reached the door, when I heard a step on
+the deck, and drew back; but the next moment it had gone, and after
+waiting for a minute, with the cutlashes tightly held under my arm, I
+made another start, when my heart seemed to sink, for I heard a sort of
+husky cough I well knew, and Van had his foot upon the stairs.
+
+There was only one way for safety, and that I snatched at, for in
+another few seconds Van would have had me by the throat, and all would
+have been over; but, darting back, I laid hold of the lamp, dashed it
+down upon the sleeping man's head, and then leaped aside.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
+
+That trap took just as I expected.  Brassey leaped up like a wounded
+tiger; and, cutlash in hand, Van bounded down the stairs, when the two
+men were locked in a sharp tussle in an instant, leaving the way clear
+for me to slip up, gain the mizzen shrouds, and make my way up into the
+top, where I laid my treasures; went hand over hand by the stay, and got
+down to the deck again in the dark by the main shrouds, without being
+seen, and joined the party that was being collected by the noise and
+shouting in the cabin.
+
+"Curse you! bring a lantern.  Help here, or he'll end me!" roared Van in
+a smothered voice; but not a man dared go down till I offered; and,
+making-believe to be afraid to venture without a cutlash, one of the
+chaps handed me one; and with the lantern in my other hand, I went
+cautiously down, chuckling to myself to find that Van and Brassey had
+been mauling one another awfully; and if it had not been for my coming,
+there'd no doubt have been an end of one of the scoundrels; for, woke up
+wild and savage from a drunken sleep, Brassey had attacked Van fiercely,
+and when I got to them, had him down and half-throttled.
+
+There wasn't a man that didn't grin as Van cursed and raged at Brassey
+for a drunken fool, starting up and knocking the lamp over; while
+Brassey swore that Van struck him first, showing his bleeding head as a
+witness; but after such an up-and-down fight as they had had in the
+dark, no one took much notice of what he said, every one, themselves
+included, taking it for a false alarm; and we all separated, leaving Van
+and Brassey sore and savage as could be.
+
+Knowing how frightened some of the prisoners would be, I says out loud
+to one of the chaps as we passed the broken panes:
+
+"Don't s'pose the captain thought there was so much muscle in old
+Brass."
+
+"Hold your tongue," says the other; "he'll hear you."
+
+And then we both laughed and walked forward, me wishing the while that
+those below could have known of my luck, but satisfied that they would
+feel that there was nothing particular the matter.
+
+Feeling pretty sure that Van would not be on deck again that night, I
+waited about three hours all in a tremble, as I lay in my hammock, for
+fear I should go to sleep, and forget to fetch the weapons; and even
+then, spite of all my pains, lying there and trying to keep awake, if I
+did not drop off, and dream that they were missed from the cabin, and
+that Van was going to shoot Mr Ward for stealing them.  Then I awoke
+with a start; and it seemed to me that I had been asleep for hours and
+hours; and I slipped out of my hammock to find, from the men talking on
+deck, that I couldn't have been more than five minutes.  So I crept down
+again and into my hammock; and once more I dropped off, do all I would
+to stop it; and this time I dreamed that the wind had changed, and all
+hands had been piped to shorten sail, when they came across the arms in
+the top.  Then I awoke again with a start, to find that I could hear the
+buzzing of voices still upon the deck.  But I wouldn't risk it any more,
+though I feel sure I shouldn't have slept above half an hour at a
+stretch; and sitting down by my hammock-head, I took a bit of baccy, and
+sat listening to old Sam snoring, till it seemed as if it would never
+grow late enough to go.  At last, I felt that if I meant to act, it must
+be at once, or there would perhaps be a change in the watch, and I might
+lose my chance; so I crept up on deck, taking with me a handful of
+lashing; and as soon as I felt the breeze, I knew that I was not a
+minute too soon; for with a good mate or captain, orders would have been
+given directly to shorten sail.
+
+The watch were well forward, and, as usual, the one at the wheel was
+half asleep, or, being now much lighter, he must have seen me going up
+or coming down from the mizzen-top where I had left the arms; but no; I
+got them safe down; and then, crawling like a cat along the deck, I
+threaded the lanyard I had through the trigger-guards of the pistols,
+and lowered them one at a time, all six, and was just drawing the
+lanyard back after loosing one end, when I felt a warm hand from below
+grasp mine, and on drawing it away I was able to pass the cartridge and
+six cutlashes down one after the other, to have them taken from my hand.
+
+I'd hardly done before I heard a step on the deck behind me, and,
+dropping flat down, I gave a half-roll over, so that I lay close under
+the combing, but not daring to move, for it was the watch coming to the
+man at the wheel.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
+
+Every morning reg'lar Van used to take two of the chaps down below to
+Mr Ward, and he used to doctor their wounds for them, as I used to
+hear; for, seeing that they never felt disposed to trust me near the
+prisoners, I used to hang away, and never attempt to go near; but I kept
+on sending a line now and then by the little bird, telling them that I
+was making my plans, and that they were to wait a bit.  I used to tell
+them too to feed the linnet; and it got to be so at last, that if I
+wanted it to take a message, all I had to do was to take away its seed
+and water over-night, and let it loose at daybreak, and it would go as
+straight as possible to the broken skylight, flit down, and come back in
+about ten minutes.
+
+I know it must have been a disappointment often to them below; but then
+I daren't often be sending notes, for fear of being noticed.  Then, too,
+I was puzzled a deal about things: I wanted to know what Van meant by
+keeping his five prisoners, and what I ought to do for the best.  Try
+and seize a boat, and get them aboard, or to get the upper hand when
+there was only the watch on deck.
+
+This last seemed the most likely way; for going afloat in an open boat,
+with the chance of being picked up, is queer work, and the sort of thing
+that, when a man has tried once, he is well satisfied not to try again.
+So being, as it were, head man, I settled that we'd seize the ship; and
+after talking it over, the first chance I had, with Sam and Bill Smith,
+they quite agreed, thinking about salvage, you see; and then I began to
+reckon up the stuff I'd got to work with.
+
+To begin with, there was Mr Ward, who was as good as two; so I put him
+down in my own mind two.
+
+Then, going on with my best men, there was Sam, who was also good for
+two, if he was only put in the right way.
+
+Then Bill Smith, who hadn't quite got his strength again; so I put him
+at one and a half.
+
+Next came Tomtit, who was right enough, no doubt, in his way; only being
+so long and wankle, [(Lincolnshire dialect), weak, sickly] I couldn't
+help thinking he'd be like a knife I used to have--out and out bit of
+stuff, but weak in the spring; and just when you were going to use it
+for something particular, it would shut up, or else double backwards.
+That's just what I expected Tomtit would do--double up somewhere; so I
+dursn't only put him down at half a one.
+
+Then there was the fat passenger who cried.  He showed fight a bit in
+the scrimmage; but I hadn't much faith in him; there was too much water
+in him for strength; so I dursn't put him down neither for more than
+half.  While as for Mr Bell, poor chap, and his sister, they were worse
+than noughts, being like in one's way.  So you see that altogether I had
+to depend on two and two was four, and one and a half was five and a
+half, and a half made six; and another half, which I put to balance the
+two noughts to the bad, making, all told, what I reckoned as six, and
+myself thrown into the bargain.
+
+And now came the question: How was we good men and true to get the
+better of seventeen of they?  I turned it over all sorts of ways.  Once
+I thought I'd get the doctor to poison the lot, only it seemed so
+un-English like, even if the others were mutineers and pirates, while
+most likely they wouldn't have taken the poison if we'd wanted them to.
+Poison 'em with rum, so that they couldn't move, might be managed,
+perhaps, with some of 'em, if the stuff was laid in their way; and that
+might answer, if a better plan couldn't be thought of.  To go right at
+them without a stratagem would have been, of course, madness, though Sam
+Brown was for that when I talked to him, saying, thinking wasn't no use,
+and all we had to do was to get first fire at 'em twice, and shoot
+twelve, when we could polish off the other five easy.  Now, that sounded
+all very nice; but I was afraid it wouldn't work; so I gave it up, and
+asked Bill Smith his opinion; but he said he hadn't none.
+
+I'd have given something to have had a long palaver with Mr Ward; for I
+think we might have knocked up something between us that would have kep'
+out water; but a talk with him being out of the question, I had to think
+it out myself; and all I could come at was, that the best thing would be
+to leave a bottle or two of rum where the watch could find it; and then,
+if we could shut down the hatches on the others, we might do some good.
+That seemed the simplest dodge I could get hold of; for it looked to me
+as if the more one tried to work out something fresh, the more one
+couldn't.
+
+I watched my chance, and wrote out all my plan, and started it to Mr
+Ward; and this time, I contrived, when no one was looking, to drop my
+letter down the skylight, telling him that he was to send me an answer
+by the bird, writ big, so as I shouldn't make no mistakes in the reading
+of it.  Next morning, as soon as I was on deck, I found that I was too
+late; for Van and a couple of the chaps were hunting the linnet about;
+while, as it flitted from side to side of the deck, you could see a bit
+of white paper tied under its wing, and it must have been that as set
+them on after it.
+
+I knew well enough that if the bird was caught, it would be all over
+with my scheme, and p'r'aps with me; so I went at it with the others,
+trying to catch the little thing, contriving, though, to frighten it all
+I could, so that it flew up into the rigging; and being nearest at the
+time, I followed it out on to the main-yard.
+
+"Be careful, Roberts," says Van, as I went cautiously out till I was
+right over the water, the linnet going right off to the end; but I got
+my feet in the stirrups and followed on, expecting to see it flit off to
+another part of the rigging.  I'd made up my mind what to do if I could
+get at it; for, though I liked the pretty little thing, there was a
+wonderful deal depending on whether it was caught or not; while all the
+time I was abusing myself for not being on deck sooner.  I'd let the
+bird's cage be open the night before, ready for it to get out; and now
+it was plain that it had been down to the cabin, and Mr Ward had sent
+me an answer.
+
+But it was no use to grumble; there was the bird before me, and if it
+would only keep still for another half-minute, I thought I saw my way
+clear.  Plenty were now watching me from below; and, fortunately for me,
+instead of flitting off, the little bird crouched down upon the yardarm;
+so that, creeping nearer and nearer, I got quite within reach, when,
+making a dash as it were to catch it, I knocked the poor little thing
+stunned into the sea, making a sham slip at the same time, and hanging
+by my hands.
+
+"Yah-h-h! you clumsy lubber!" roared Van; and then to one or two about
+him: "Lower the dinghy, and pick up that bird."
+
+"Lost, after all," I growled to myself; but we were going pretty fast
+through the water; and by the time we had heaved-to, and let down the
+boat, the little thing was out of sight, and I felt that for this time
+we were safe.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
+
+Our every-day life on board the Sea-mew had not much in it to talk
+about.  Of course the ship was badly handled, and there was a deal of
+drunkenness aboard, though hardly ever before night.  In the daytime
+they just did what little making or shortening sail there was, and then
+smoked and ate and drank just as they liked.  After the first few days,
+they had the fat passenger up, and made him cook; and hang me if one day
+I didn't see him crying into the soup he was making!  But I always kept
+at a distance, never speaking to him, only kept watching my chance.
+From what the others said, I learned that Mr Bell was only just alive;
+while some of them used to talk about his poor sister in a way that made
+me set to work more than ever to get my plans right.
+
+I got to think at last, that if I waited much longer, I should never do
+anything; so one day, when I had a chance, I pitched a bullet down into
+the cabin, wrapped in a piece of paper, and on that piece of paper was
+written "To-night!"
+
+"Now, if he's the man I take him for, all them pistols will be loaded,
+and the cutlashes ready for action," I says to myself; and leaving that
+to Mr Ward for his part, I warned Sam and Bill, and then set to do
+mine.
+
+I'd been saving up on purpose; and as soon as it was dark that night,
+and just before they set the watch, I put two good big bottles of rum
+where I thought they would find them, and then waited to see.
+
+All things turned out just as I could have wished; for going by an hour
+after, I could tell from the chatter going on that the three chaps were
+at the rum, which they supposed to have been left by mistake by those
+who had the watch the night before.  Some of the chaps were carousing in
+the fore-cuddy, where they could easily be boxed up; and the others were
+with Van and Brassey, all card-playing in the skipper's cabin.
+
+It seemed almost a hopeless case, now it was come to the point; but I
+felt that making up one's mind was half the battle, and I was up now,
+and meant to do or die.
+
+Bill and Sam were on deck, and knew their parts well enough: Bill to
+manage the chap at the wheel; Sam to shut up the party in the
+fore-cuddy; I meaning to secure the cabin-hatch; and then I thought if
+that was done, we should have time to settle and lash the watch, who
+ought to be half-drunk, leaving our hands free to keep those quiet who
+would be trying to get out of the cabin.
+
+You see my plan was to get Mr Ward up through the hole I made in my
+fall, if I could get the fellow away who was stationed there; and now it
+was that I trusted to the rum; for before now Van had been content to
+have a chap at the cabin door, leaving the watch to make sure the
+prisoners did not get on deck.
+
+I was about right; for we three had not been squatting long under the
+bulwarks before one of the watch calls out "Harry!" and the sentry
+fellow goes to where they were busy with the rum.  The next moment I was
+at the broken skylight, and whispered down the one word "Tools;" for I
+was afraid them playing in the other cabin might hear.
+
+Mr Ward was ready; and the next minute I was under the bulwark again
+with the arms the doctor had passed up; and we three had each a pistol
+in our belts and a cutlash in our hands before the sentry chap came
+back.
+
+The night was not so dark as I could have wished; but it was dark enough
+for us, and, as I expected, the sentry couldn't resist the smell of that
+rum, and in a very few minutes he was along with the others again, and
+did not seem disposed to come back.  So now seeming to be my time, I
+said the word.  Sam crept off one way, Bill the other, with their orders
+that there was to be no bloodshed, only as a last resource; then I went
+to the skylight, keeping the side nearest to the cabin-hatch, when I
+turned cold all over; for I heard Van's cough, and he came up the stairs
+as if to look out.
+
+There was nothing else for it: I knew that if he missed the sentry, he
+would most likely spoil my plan; so, at the risk of being seen by the
+watch, I stood boldly up in the sentry's place, took a step this way and
+that way, and then began to whistle softly to myself like.
+
+It was a bold trick, but Van was taken in; he could see some one was on
+guard; he could hear the watch; and the face of the man at the wheel was
+plain enough by the binnacle-light, so that all seemed well.
+
+"If Bill only makes his attempt now we're undone," I thought.  But all
+kept still aft, and then I shuddered like for fear Van should speak to
+me, but he did not say a word, only turned to go down again, and my
+breath came freer, as I felt for the lashings I had got ready for the
+prisoners I hoped to make; while I'm afraid if Van had come up to me
+then I should have been his death, and then have secured the
+cabin-hatch.
+
+As I said before, I breathed freer, and turned my attention to where the
+four men were at the rum; but the next moment I was taken all aback
+again, for Van came up once more, stood still as if listening, and then
+saying to me: "Keep a sharp lookout," he turned once more to go.
+
+"Right," I mumbles out, as if my mouth was full of baccy, and the next
+minute I could hear his voice quite plain through the other half of the
+skylight.
+
+"Now or never," I says to myself, in dread lest that watchful cur should
+spoil my chance; and, going down on hands and knees, I leaned through
+the hole.
+
+"With a will!  Mr Ward," I says, and grasping my arms, next moment he
+was through and lying on the deck aside me, just as we could hear the
+scrooping noise of Sam closing the hatch of the fore-cuddy.
+
+"Quick, Mr Butterwell," I says, and Tomtit had hold of my arms, but
+just as I expected, he shut up when he was wanted, for there was a
+slight scuffle by the wheel as I gave a heave, the watch stopped their
+chatter to listen, and as I rose up like to hoist Mr Butterwell out, he
+went back into the cabin with a crash, falling against the bulkhead
+which separated it from the cabin where Van was, and if I had not darted
+to the hatch, he would have been up with the three hell-hounds at his
+back.  But he was too late; I had the hatch over, and then turned to
+help Sam, who, like a brick as he was, had gone at the watch.
+
+I need hardly tell you that Mr Ward was already in the thick of it; and
+Bill coming up, having silenced his man with a tap on the head, it was
+even odds, four against four; but the fellows fought savagely, and it
+was not until the sentry was cut down, and another had a bullet through
+him, that the other two were lashed fast neck and heels together.
+
+Now all this time they had been thundering and battering away at both
+hatches, but I was in hopes that they would hold fast till our hands
+were at liberty, when a crash told us that something had given way, and
+running aft, we heard two pistol-shots fired quickly, one after the
+other, and could see the flashes and a figure standing by the hatch.
+
+My hand was raised to fire, but I dropped the pistol, for I remembered
+that it was empty; and sword in hand, with my blood up, I dashed at
+whoever it might be, but only to miss my aim, for he darted aside and
+caught my cutlash with his in an instant.
+
+It was cleanly done, that guard; and I shouldn't have thought he had it
+in him, for it was no other than Tomtit, who had climbed out well armed,
+and sent a couple of shots through the hole Van and his party had
+battered through the hatch.  He was a friend in need, and a friend in
+deed that time, for if he hadn't come up as he had, it would perhaps
+have gone precious hard with us.
+
+But there was no time to be lost, for I expected every moment that they
+would find their way up on deck from one of the cabin windows; and now,
+in place of wishing for darkness, we prayed for light, so as to be able
+to see our enemies, and from which side we should next be attacked.
+
+I wanted Mr Ward to take the lead, but he would not--only asked to be
+set his work, so I set him at the cabin-hatch; Bill I planted on the
+poop, to cut down the first man who should try to climb on deck; Mr
+Tomtit over the two bound men of the watch, and the wounded; and Sam
+over the hatch of the forksel, for, though we'd got the upper hand,
+there was no knowing for how long it would be, and besides, we all knew
+well that if once the savages below got us under, there would be no
+mercy for us now.
+
+What a night that was, and how long the day seemed coming!  I was going
+about from place to place to see if I could make out danger anywhere,
+when Mr Ward called to me, and made a communication, whose end was
+that, with Mr Tomtit's help, we drew the two prisoners to the
+cabin-hatch, and left him to guard them and the cabin, while Mr Ward
+and I dropped through the skylight quick as thought.  But they heard us
+through the bulkhead, and directly after we heard a hand on the door,
+and the key move, to which I answered with a shot, crashing through the
+panel, and whoever it was dropped, while for reply another bullet was
+sent back.
+
+Mr Ward had darted to the inner cabin, while I kept guard, and now
+appeared with Mr Bell and his sister, she holding him up on one side,
+Mr Ward on the other.
+
+"Quick as you can, sir," I whispered, "for there's some devilment 'most
+ready;" when mounting the table himself, Mr Ward put a chair ready, and
+helped Mr Bell and his sister up beside him.  He then drew up the
+chair, planted it firmly, and was through the skylight in an instant.
+He then asked Miss Bell to mount, but she would not until after her
+brother; and with the doctor's help, the poor feeble young fellow was
+dragged up.  Then I heard a sound as startled me, and running to the
+table, I caught Miss Bell in my arms, and dragged her down and to one
+side, just before three or four pistol-shots came tearing through the
+bulkhead, making the splinters fly in all directions.
+
+"Now, up, quick," I said; and leaping on to the table, I dragged her on,
+lifted her in my arms to Mr Ward, and the next minute she was in
+safety, when, expecting another firing, I jumped down again, and went on
+my hands and knees.
+
+Just as I expected, they fired again; but being dark, their shots did
+not tell; and before they could reload, I had jumped upon the table and
+climbed out to the rest.
+
+"It's a wonder almost that they did not try to make them safe before," I
+said, panting; and then, having made Mr Bell and his sister comfortable
+under the bulwarks, we began to take steps for making ourselves a little
+surer.  For instance, we laid a tarpaulin on the cabin skylight, and a
+spare sail over, that, and then again on the sail we coiled all the rope
+and cable we could.  The cabin and forksel hatches we served in the same
+fashion, so that it was quite impossible for any one to get up that way;
+while just about daybreak, when a head appeared over the rail close to
+the wheel, the chop Bill Smith gave it sent it back again in a moment,
+so that there did not seem much to fear at present.
+
+Daylight, and then glorious sunrise--a big word that for a common
+sailor, but sailors, as a rule, think a deal of the bright sunshine and
+the dancing waters.  And a bright morning that was, cheering us up all,
+so that with a grin I went up to Mr Ward and axed his pardon for
+hitting him; axing too, at the same time, how he found himself after the
+stab I put in his pocket.  But there, instead of laughing, if he didn't
+turn almost like the fat passenger, for his lip went all of a tremble,
+and his voice turned husky as he shook me by both hands and says: "God
+bless you, Roberts, and forgive me for ever doubting so true a man."
+
+"Don't you be in a hurry, sir, with your thanks.  Maybe we ain't
+half-done yet.  We've divided the ship, and got the deck and a breaker
+of water, and there's what rum them four didn't finish; but they've got
+the below-decks and all the prog, unless we can find some anywhere else.
+We've got the upper hand, but now the question is, can we keep it?"
+
+"No, you can't," shouts one of the fellows lying tied on the deck;
+"so--"
+
+He didn't say any more, for Mr Tomtit fetched him a slap on the face
+with the flat of his cutlash, and then the fellow lay and muttered most
+savagely.
+
+We had a bit of a refresher in the shape of some cold water, with a dash
+of rum in it; when Mr Ward said that there were some provisions in
+their cabin below, and volunteered to get them if I stood at the
+skylight opening with two loaded pistols, to command the door that Van
+had kept on the outside.
+
+I did not much like running any more risks than we could help; but food
+I knew we should be obliged to have, and if we could get it without
+attacking Van and his party, so much the better; for though I knew that
+it must come to that, I wanted to put it off as long as I could, and I
+was just making ready to go to the skylight with Mr Ward, when there
+was a shout from Mr Tomtit, and at the same moment a bullet struck the
+bulwark close to where Miss Bell was sitting.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
+
+Mr Ward sprang like a tiger towards the cabin skylight, where, through
+a slit in the sailcloth and tarpaulin, you could see a hand holding a
+pistol twisting about to get back again; but, though it had most likely
+come through easy enough, the edges of the stiff tarpaulin now closed
+round the wrist, and though the owner seemed to struggle hard, and
+having a peephole somewhere, shrieked out as Mr Ward came on, there was
+no saving the hand, upon which the young doctor's cutlash came down like
+a streak of lightning, cutting it to the bone, when it was at last
+dragged through, leaving the pistol upon the deck.
+
+Now, this came from the side of the skylight over the mutineers' cabin,
+for so far they did not seem to have got into the one where Mr Ward and
+his friends had been; and seeing this, Mr Ward again volunteered to go
+down, after we had moved Mr Bell and his sister for safety under the
+port bulwarks, thrown another sail or two over the skylight, and then
+bowsed up a bit of an awning, for the sun came out, and beat heavily
+upon the poor sick man.
+
+But having been made a big man of now, and being consulted on all
+points, I give in against anybody going down, for, says I: "You're too
+vallable a man to be spared, Mr Ward, sir, and one can only go down
+after that there prog when we're reg'lar dead beat.  Let's hoist a
+signal of distress, in case we're seen by any other ship, keeping on
+ourselves steady like, watching well, and taking things coolly as we
+can."
+
+My advice was taken, though if it hadn't been, I don't know as I should
+have gone and hanged myself; and there we sat, listening to the
+movements of the mutineers below, and wondering what devilry they were
+planning, till all was still as still, the wind falling calm, and the
+sea turning like glass; while the only sound we could hear was the
+twitter, twitter of Mr Tomtit's birds down below, which, by good luck,
+had got plenty of water and seeds, for, knowing as the little things had
+sense enough only to eat just as much as is good for them, I had well
+filled their boxes the day before.
+
+"D'ye hear the birds, Roberts?" says Mr Tomtit to me, just as if there
+was nothing else in the world but birds, and I do believe as he thought
+they was the most important things living, save only for a bit when he
+was thinking of Miss Bell, and perhaps, after all, he thought her only a
+kind of sweet song-bird as he would like to have along with the others.
+However, "D'ye hear the birds, Roberts?" he says.
+
+"Yes, sir, I do," I says.  "I was just a-thinking about 'em when you
+spoke."
+
+"Were you?" he says, brightening up, and laying down his pistol.
+
+"Yes, I was," I says, "but don't you lay down that there bullet-iron,
+for you never know how soon you may want it, sir.  While we're like
+this, sir, you'll have to sleep with both eyes open, and you a-nussin' a
+pistol; while as to what you gets to eat, you must pick that up on the
+point of your cutlash."
+
+"But about the birds," he says eagerly.  "How many are there left?"
+
+"Well, sir," I says, "I can't rightly say; but I was a-thinking that if
+we could get 'em up on deck by shoving a hole through the wires with a
+boat-oar, there'd be enough of 'em, with 'conomy, to last us all for
+eight days."
+
+"What?" he says, staring.
+
+"Why," I says, "'lowancing ourselves to one big bird apiece, or two
+little uns, we could keep ourselves alive for a bit."
+
+He didn't say a word, but looked just for all the world as if he thought
+it would ha' been a deal more like the right thing to do to cut one of
+us up small to feed his little cock-sparrows and things, if they ran
+short of food.  So, just out of a bit of spite like, I says to him
+dryly: "You might try Miss Bell with them two doves now, sir," I says.
+
+"Hold your tongue!" he says quite fierce, and looking to see if Mr Ward
+had heard.
+
+"Wouldn't make a bad roast, sir, and this here sun's hot enough to cook
+bullock."
+
+"Will you be quiet?" he says.
+
+"And she'd pick them bones, and thoroughly enjoy--"
+
+"Roberts," says Mr Ward, just then in a whisper, "what's that?"
+
+I'd heard the sound at the same moment as he did, and for a moment it
+didn't strike me as to what it might be; but the next instant I was at
+the side with a cocked pistol in my hand, an example followed by all the
+others, for, through our bad watching, two men out of the fore-cabin had
+dropped softly overboard, and were making for the poop, when I hailed
+them to stop, covering one with a pistol the while.
+
+He saw that it was of no use, so he asked for a rope directly, and
+heaving him one, we had him aboard lashed and lying down upon the deck
+beside his mates in less than no time; but the other one swam on and on,
+diving down every moment so that I shouldn't hit him.  But I could have
+done it, if I'd liked, though I did not want to shed more blood, so we
+let him swim on till he began to paddle behind and shout to Van for a
+rope, when we could hear the cabin windows opening.
+
+"Here, this won't do, sir," I says; and "Hi! here, you, Sam," I shouts,
+"don't you leave that fore-hatch," for he was coming away and leaving it
+unprotected.  So he went back; and getting hold of a line, I makes a
+running noose, and going right aft, I tries to drop it over the fellow's
+head; but he kept dodging and ducking under, till at last I made a
+feint, and the water being clear as glass, just as he was coming up
+again I dropped the noose over his head and one arm, drawing it tight in
+a moment, and there he was struggling like a harpooned porpoise.
+
+I thought I'd lost him once, for a stroke was made at the line with a
+cutlash out of one of the cabin lights, but I soon towed him out of
+reach, when Bill Smith threw him the end of a rope, and we had him
+aboard too.
+
+Now, what with two wounded men and four prisoners, we had our hands more
+than full, so after a short bit of consideration, it was decided to risk
+the opening of the fore-cabin-hatch, and make the four men go down one
+at a time; we, for humanity's sake, keeping the prisoners who were
+wounded.
+
+So we took the four with their hands lashed, and then, with Mr Tomtit
+only on guard, we four stood ready; and Mr Ward giving the signal, Sam
+raised the hatch, when one fellow leaped up savage, but I had a
+capstan-bar ready, and down he went again quicker than he came up.  Then
+another tried, but I served him the same, when they stopped that game,
+and began to fire up the hatch, till I sang out that we were going to
+send down their mates.
+
+But sending down was one thing, and making them go was another; for the
+first fellow turned rusty and wouldn't stir; till, seeing that half
+measures were no good, I nodded to Mr Ward, and he put a pistol to the
+fellow's ear, and at the same time I gave him just a tap on the head
+with a marlinespike, when he went down sharp, and the others followed.
+
+Sam clapped the hatch down so quickly that the last chap's head must
+have felt it; but that put a stop to their firing up at us; and this
+being done, we felt safer, though none the less compelled to keep a
+strict watch.
+
+And so the day wore away--not a long day at all--for rather dreading the
+night as I did, it seemed to come on quickly, and this was the time I
+felt sure the mutineers would make their attack, perhaps to get the
+better of us.
+
+At one time I was for taking to the biggest of the two boats left, and
+leaving them to it; but without provisions, it was like running to meet
+death, and I was obliged to give up that idea, for, after all, it would
+only have been to get away till such time as they could overtake us and
+run us down.
+
+The night turned out bright and starlight; and after making the best
+arrangements we could for the watch, we patiently waited for any new
+dangers that might befall us.  Even Mr Bell, sick as he was, insisted
+upon taking his turn at watching, and having now plenty of arms, he sat
+with his sister by him to guard the fore-hatch, Miss Bell going from
+time to time to the side, and keeping an eye to the cabin window.  Two
+or three times, too, she came to me, and talked about our position, in
+whispers; and somehow or another she seemed to grow upon one, until I
+swore to myself that I'd die sooner than the poor lass should be left to
+the tender mercies of the scoundrels who had seized the ship.
+
+We had two or three false alarms during the night, but that was all; and
+the next day broke, finding us all half-famished; and now it seemed that
+either we must attack Van's party in the after-cabin, or one of us must
+go down and try for some provisions.
+
+Mr Ward said he would go, and he turned towards Miss Bell, as if
+expecting her to say something, but she never looked his way at all; so
+after making our arrangements, we lifted the tarpaulin, Mr Ward dropped
+through, and in a short time handed up to me several tins of preserved
+meat, some biscuit, and a couple of bottles of wine.
+
+He made four journeys before I heard even a movement in the next cabin,
+and then there came a muttering as of some one waking from a drunken
+sleep, and we all made up our minds that, having plenty of rum below,
+the cabin party had had a drinking night of it.
+
+I never expected to see him up on deck without a few shots being
+exchanged; but there he was safe; and after dropping the tarpaulin, the
+provisions in moderation were served out, and no meal was ever more
+welcome.  As for the fellows in the fore-cabin, they were evidently well
+provided, for we heard nothing of them all that day.
+
+Though we swept the horizon again and again, not a sail appeared in
+sight, so that I was not much surprised to see Miss Bell having a good
+cry all to herself, when she thought no one could see her; but I did,
+though I would not let her know that I was looking.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
+
+Now you might have thought that, under all circumstances, these four
+passengers would have been as thick as possible together; but no; Mr
+Bell seemed to have an idea of what Mr Ward's feelings were, and though
+polite and pleasant, that was all; and though Miss Bell never showed a
+sign of giving him a friendly look, I couldn't help thinking that she
+did not quite dislike the young doctor.
+
+That evening we had an ambassador from the fore-cabin in the shape of
+the fat passenger, who brought a message to say that they wanted water
+below.  We let him come up after they had knocked at the hatch for some
+time, but all we could do was to pass him on with the message to Van,
+who swore out something, but would give no farther answer; while as to
+going back, the messenger would not think of that.  And our force was
+strengthened, so Mr Ward said, but I only thought of the meat tins and
+biscuit.
+
+Night again, and we set our watch, wondering whether we should get
+through it alive, for it was like living over one of those volcanoes, I
+thought.  There might be an explosion at any time; and though I didn't
+make any show of my trouble, I was a good deal worried; and as for them
+as had been wounded, they seemed suffering as much as me.
+
+Mr Ward had the first watch, with Bill Smith and Mr Tomtit; and when
+he woke me up, it was from a pleasant dream of home.  But he reported
+all right; and with Sam Brown and Mr Bell for my mates, we began the
+second watch.
+
+I said Mr Bell, but really it was his sister, for the poor chap seemed
+to me to be sinking, though, with the bravest of hearts, he fought
+against all of it, and held up to the last.
+
+I'd been talking cheerfully to Miss Bell about there being safe to be a
+vessel cross our course next day, when suddenly she seized my hand, held
+it tightly, and pointed to something rising slowly up from the cabin
+skylight.  Sam Brown must have seen it at the same moment, for he left
+the wheel, and the vessel fell off before the wind.
+
+"What's that?" whispered Miss Bell; and do you think I could speak?  Not
+a word; for there, slowly making itself known, was an enemy which I had
+never counted upon seeing, and I couldn't help giving a groan, as I felt
+that now we should be beaten indeed.
+
+Accident, or done on purpose, I could not tell, but the ship was on
+fire, and the smoke in a steady column rolling slowly up, while I had
+hardly roused up the sleeping men, before, with a shout, Van, closely
+followed by Brassey and the other two, came over the poop on to the
+deck.
+
+Fighting seemed no good, after what was taking place before us;--our
+enmity seeming quite small now before this trouble,--and besides, what
+was the use of having a struggle for what would probably be burned to
+the water's edge in the course of an hour or two; so giving way, we
+slowly backed up under the bulwarks, leaving the mutineers free to act
+as they pleased.
+
+It was a bad plan, for the first thing they did was to loosen the men in
+the forksel, when out they came yelling and savage, but only to stand
+and stare for a few moments at the smoke rolling up through the
+tarpaulin, which now began to blaze.
+
+That it was an accident, was now plain enough, for, taking no notice of
+us, they began, in a hurried sort of way, to draw buckets of water and
+throw over it; then two men got to one of the pumps, but what they did
+seemed a mere nothing.  Then a panic seemed to seize them, and throwing
+down the buckets, they began busily to get one of the boats ready,
+throwing in a compass and anything they could lay hands on, some
+fetching rum and biscuit up out of the cabin, and all in a hurried
+frightened way, as if not a moment was to be lost, and they might expect
+the ship to blow up any minute.
+
+All at once Mr Ward darts forward, shouting, "Lend a hand here, and we
+shall save her yet!" and for the next quarter of an hour no one would
+have thought there had been a mutiny, for we were all working away side
+by side against what was an enemy to both parties; and bucket after
+bucket was poured into the burning hole, but with no more effect than if
+the buckets had been thimbles.
+
+The fire and smoke came rolling up, and rising higher and higher, while,
+as if to fan the flames, a sharp wind blew seemingly from all four
+quarters at once, making the flames roar again; and first one and then
+another threw his bucket into the fire, and began running below for
+provisions to put in the two boats.
+
+I think Mr Ward was the last man to drop his bucket; and that was when
+the flames had risen and risen in a column of fire to lick the rigging,
+and then began leaping from rope to rope, and sail to sail, till the
+mizen was one blaze of light, brightening the sea far and wide, till it
+looked like so much golden oil, without a ripple upon it anywhere.
+
+They soon had one boat lowered, and were busy over the other, getting in
+everything that they thought would be useful, we all helping; and it was
+in this boat that Van seemed to intend going; for, letting Brassey take
+charge of the other, and telling him to push off and lay-to, he kept
+back four of his party, and helped with a will.
+
+All at once I missed Mr Tomtit; but he appeared directly after; and I
+knew what he had been doing--letting loose his birds; and there were the
+poor little things fluttering about, and uttering strange cries, as they
+circled round and round the flames, some only to scorch themselves and
+fall in; but, as he said, it was better to set them free, than leave
+them there in their cages to be burned.
+
+At last the boat seemed to contain all that could be put in, and Van's
+four men were waiting, when the fat passenger, who was all in a tremble,
+stepped forward to get down; but Van shoved him back, saying, "Ladies
+first;" and, crossing to where Miss Bell was kneeling beside her
+brother, he caught her roughly round the waist, lifted her, and made
+towards the side, when she shrieked out to me to save her.
+
+"Best go in the boat, miss," I had half said, when, like as I supposed
+she did, I seemed to see through Van's designs, and stepping forward,
+there was a short scuffle, and I had the panting bird tight in my arms;
+while, before any one could take a step to stay him, Van slipped over
+the side into the boat, and stood up in her, shaking his fist at us, and
+laughing, like a demon as he was, as he told us to "burn and be damned."
+
+It was hard to realise it at first; but there were both boats rowing
+slowly away, plainly to be seen in the golden light shed by the flames;
+and we eight souls, one a fair delicate woman, left to burn upon that
+roaring furnace of a ship.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
+
+I don't care who the man may be, but it is a hard struggle for any one
+to see two roads open to him, the first leading to life, and the second
+to a horrible death, and for him to force himself to take the last one.
+I'm not going to blame Sam, nor I ain't a-going to blame Bill Smith.  It
+was only natur's first law, when Sam says to me just one word, and give
+his head a nod seaward.  "Hot!" says he; and he took a header off the
+ship's side, and strikes out towards the last boat.  Then, "Come along,
+matey," says Bill; and he takes his header, and swims arter the boat--
+and that was two gone.  As for Mr Tomtit, he was so taken up with his
+poor birds, that he didn't seem to care a bit about hisself, till I goes
+up to him and says:
+
+"Hadn't you better try and make the last boat, sir?"
+
+"Make the boat, my man?" he says in a puzzled sort of way.  "No; I don't
+think I could make a boat."
+
+"Swim arter it, then," I says.
+
+"No," he says mournfully; "I can't swim a stroke."
+
+"More shame for you," I says.  And then I felt so savage, that I goes up
+to the fat passenger as was sitting crying on the deck of course, and I
+says, says I, giving him a sharp kick:
+
+"Get up," I says, "will you!  You're always a-crying."
+
+"O, Mr Roberts," he says, blubbering like a calf--"O, Mr Roberts, to
+come to this!"
+
+"Go overboard, then," I says savagely; "for now you've pumped all that
+hot water out of your hold, you can't sink."
+
+Now all this time the fire was roaring away, and sending a glow in all
+directions for far enough round, while the sparks kept on dropping like
+a shower.  It was a beautiful sight in spite of the horror; and I
+couldn't help looking at it a minute, till I turned round and saw Mr
+Ward standing quite still, looking down upon Miss Bell, who was on her
+knees by her brother's side.  But as I was looking, she got up pale and
+quiet, and looked first at me, and then at Mr Ward, and then she says
+quickly:
+
+"Why do you both waste time?  Why do you not swim after the boat?"
+
+"And you?" said Mr Ward in a slow husky way.
+
+She did not answer, only turned for a moment towards where her brother
+lay with his head on a cushion, and pointed to him with a sad smile, and
+then, holding out her hand to me as she sank upon her knees again by her
+brother's side, she said:
+
+"God bless you, Mr Roberts!  Good-bye."
+
+I took her pretty little white hand, and kissed it, and then stood back;
+for she held out her hand to Mr Ward; and he took it and kissed it, and
+then sank on his knees by her side, holding her hand tightly; and when
+she said once more, "Go!" he only smiled and kissed her hand again.
+
+It was so still, in spite of the fluttering roar of the flames, that I
+could hear every word he said, as he almost whispered to her: "Eady,
+darling, I'll never leave you."
+
+The next moment her face was down in her other hand, and I could see
+that she was sobbing, so, feeling all wet-eyed myself, I turned away,
+when if there wasn't that fat passenger blubbering away more than ever!
+
+"Get up, will you," I says; "I never did see such a thundering swab in
+my life as you are."  But all he says was: "O, Mr Roberts!"
+
+All at once I heard Miss Bell give a great cry; and, turning round, I
+saw that Mr Bell had started up, and she was clinging to him: then he
+held out his hand to Mr Ward; but before he could take it, the poor
+fellow fell back.  He was free of his trouble.
+
+Now you know I wouldn't have cared if that there fat passenger would
+only have kept out of my way; but there, the more trouble one was in,
+and the more he was wanted out of the way, the more he piped his eye,
+and got just where you didn't want him.  He always was a nuisance from
+the day he first came on board, and to make it more aggravating, he
+would look just as if he was made on purpose to kick.
+
+"Why won't you get out of the way?"  I says; for all this time I'd been
+turning over in my own mind a way to get out of the burning, if we
+could, and there was that great fat chap a-sitting on a hencoop that I
+wanted.
+
+"O, Mr Roberts!" he whines again.  And he cries: "O, look there!"
+
+And I did look, when, if there wasn't my two poor mates just coming up
+to the last boat--we could see it plainly; and if one brute didn't fire
+at 'em, and another stand up with the boat-hook in his hand, ready to
+shore the first one under.
+
+"God help 'em," I says, "for I can't;" and then, Mr Ward helping me, we
+got a couple of loose spars overboard, and some rope to lash with, and a
+couple of hencoops; and as fast as Mr Ward, and Tomtit, and the fat
+passenger, who seemed to have been warmed into life by the fire--as fast
+as they lowered the stuff down, I, who was over the side, lashed it
+together, to make something like a raft.
+
+I couldn't do much; there wasn't time, for the fire gained upon us; and
+now there was no one at the helm, the ship had swung round so that the
+smoke and flame all came our way.  I felt, too, that it was only to make
+life last another day or two, for there was no getting at any prog, as
+there wasn't a scrap of anything in the forksel; for I went down to see
+when I first thought of the raft.  However, I shouted to them to lower
+down the water-breaker by the foremast, and they did, and then Mr
+Tomtit came over the side, and the fat passenger rolled down somehow,
+and I shook my head, for the raft went low on his side.  And now there
+was only Mr Ward and Miss Bell to come, and partly by coaxing, partly
+by dragging, he had got the poor girl to the side, when she turned her
+head to take another look, as I thought, of the poor fellow lying dead
+there; and as Mr Ward stood there holding her, the pair showing out
+well in the bright light of the burning ship, I could not help thinking
+what a noble-looking couple they made, and then I shouts: "Lower away,
+sir;" when, as if startled by my words, Miss Bell darted away from Mr
+Ward, when in a moment there came a roar as of thunder, the raft heaved
+and cracked under us, and beat against the side of the ship, while
+something seemed to strike me down, so that I lay half-stunned upon the
+grinding coops and spars.
+
+But I contrived to get on my knees, struggling from under some heavy
+weight, and then, every moment getting clearer, I understood that the
+ship had blown up, and that Mr Ward must have been dashed from the
+gangway, and fallen on to me.
+
+And Miss Bell?
+
+I dursn't ask myself the question again, but shoved the raft away, and
+began to paddle with a piece of board, so as not to be drawn down when
+the vessel sank.  In place of being all bright light, it was now pitch
+darkness, except just here and there, where pieces of burning wood
+floated on the water, and then hissed and went out.  From being so near,
+I suppose it was, we escaped anything falling upon us; and feeling
+pretty safe at last from being drawn down, I was trying to make out the
+lines of the ship by the smouldering hull beginning again to show a
+flame here and there, when a husky voice close by shouts out: "Help!
+help!"
+
+"Here," I cries, hailing; and the next moment we were lower still in the
+water, with Bill Smith aboard, and he says, says he: "Tom, I was about
+done."
+
+"It's only put off another hour or two, Billee," I says.  "And where's
+old Squintums?"
+
+"On your weather-bow," says a gruff voice, and then we went down another
+two inches with Sam aboard.
+
+Well, there was some comfort in doing one's best to the last; and I
+began to feel Mr Ward about a bit; but he was coming to fast, and the
+first thing he wanted to do was to paddle back to the ship; and,
+thinking that we might pick up some pieces to lash to our raft, I gave
+way, dangerous as it was, though a very small sight worse than our
+present position.  So we paddled up to the smoking mass, that I expected
+would settle down every moment, and then, getting hold of the side rope,
+Mr Ward and I got on deck.
+
+It was not dark, for there was a little flame here and there, and in
+some places there was the glow of a lot of sparks, but we hadn't come to
+look for that; and, as we stood there forward amongst the smoke, I felt
+my heart heave, as, with a groan that seemed to tear out of his chest,
+Mr Ward threw himself down by the figure he was looking for.
+
+She seemed to have ran back to throw herself upon her brother's body,
+and there she was, with her arms round him, and though pieces of burning
+wood lay all about, she did not seem to have been touched.
+
+It was a sad sight, and in spite of all our troubles, I had a little
+corner left for the young fellow, who had clasped her in his arms, when
+he started up with a cry of joy.
+
+"Here--water, Roberts, quick!" he cried; and almost as he spoke, Miss
+Bell gave a great sigh, and we gently lowered her on to the raft, when,
+getting hold of a bit of burning bulwark floating near, I squenched it
+out, and managed to lash it to us, so as to ease one side.  Then we
+paddled slowly away, and lay by waiting for the morning, to get together
+more fragments, and make a better raft.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER NINETEEN.
+
+Morning came bright as ever, and I gave a bit of a laugh as I saw Mr
+Ward and Miss Bell sitting tight hold of hands; for, in place of seeming
+to fear him, she was now looking up to him as if for protection.  Sam
+and Bill, poor chaps, were in a queer state, for when they had reached
+the boat, Van had struck at them with the boat-hook, till they had
+turned and swum back; and now they lay on the raft with their poor heads
+seeming to ask Mr Ward to come and help them; and, with Miss Bell to
+assist him, he did all he could for them.
+
+The boats were nowhere in sight; but just about a quarter of a mile from
+us lay the ship, smoking and burning just a little, her poop and
+midships a deal shattered, main and mizzen gone, and lying alongside,
+but foremast standing with nearly all the rigging.  As to the fore-part,
+it did not seem much damaged; and, as she hadn't sunk so far, it struck
+me as she wouldn't sink at all while it kept calm; so, Mr Ward being of
+my opinion, we paddled our raft back once more.  We two got aboard with
+Mr Tomtit; and what with one of the pumps left rigged, and a bucket or
+two, we found we got out pretty well every spark and bit of flame we
+could find; made our examination amongst the black steaming ruin, and
+found that the powder on board, or whatever it was, must have taken an
+upward direction, and blown a good half of the deck off.  Still, so far
+as we could see, there was no fear of her sinking; so, clearing a spot
+forward, we began to think of getting the others aboard.
+
+But, first of all, we got a bit of sailcloth, and laid it over the poor
+gentleman as lay there stiff and stark, so as not to distress his
+sister.
+
+Now the fat passenger had offered to help us, and no doubt would have
+done his best; but hang me if he could any more mount the side of the
+Sea-mew than fly.  He panted and puffed for a bit, but that was all, and
+then he sat down again on the raft, puffing and talking to Miss Bell
+when he could get her to speak, which wasn't often.  As for Bill and
+Sam, poor chaps, they couldn't hold a head up; and I was very glad when
+we'd got a bit of an awning rigged up, and Miss Bell on board and
+underneath it.
+
+Next thing to be done was to find some biscuit and water, Mr Ward said,
+for they'd finished what was in the breaker, the two poor chaps being
+that thirsty they kept asking for it, and Miss Bell not having the heart
+to refuse.  So Mr Ward said water; but, speaking for myself, I said
+rum.  After a long hunt, we found, just where we should never have
+thought to see it, a tin of preserved meat, and had a hard fight to open
+it, but we managed that; and then I was in luck soon after, and turned
+up a bag of biscuits, half burned and smoked, half sound; while a little
+hard work laid bare a water-cask, and I filled the breaker.
+
+It was quite warm, that water was, but in our state every drop was so
+much bottled joy, and after a good hearty draught, I was ready for any
+amount more work.
+
+So, after forgetting them for some time, I goes up the foremast, and had
+a good look out for the two boats; but not a sight of them could I see,
+after a good half-hour's watch; when I came down, and helped Mr Ward
+and Mr Tomtit to get all the burned wood overboard.
+
+Now, done up as we were, it wasn't reasonable to expect a vast deal of
+work done; but we kept steadily on till it was dark, when we finished
+the tin of meat, had a biscuit and some water apiece, settled that I was
+to keep the first watch; and then, without a mutineer within reach, the
+others lay down to rest, for we had settled, Mr Ward and me, that Mr
+Bell should be buried at daybreak.
+
+Well, I took my place, and helped myself to a quid, leaned over the
+bulwark, and watched the clear bright stars, now in the sky, now as I
+saw them shining in the water, and then I got asking myself questions
+about how it was all to end, when I thought I should be more comfortable
+sitting down.  So, picking out a spot, I began to reckon up how long it
+would be before I must call Mr Ward to relieve me; and then I thought
+that he'd feel as bad as I did, and want Mr Tomtit to relieve him, and
+then he'd watch till daybreak, when he'd relieve the birds, and Mr Ward
+would put a piece of fresh bandage round the turtle-dove's head, and if
+the fire broke out again, the fat passenger would cry upon it till Miss
+Bell boxed his ears, when he'd relieve me, and I should--no, I
+shouldn't--yes, I should--
+
+I started, saying to myself "I was nearly asleep," when I took a fresh
+turn at my quid, and Mr Ward asked me if I'd marry him and Miss Bell,
+and the fat passenger could give them away, and then go and sit on the
+raft with me, and sink it down, and down, and down, and always going
+down, and lower and lower; and instead of its getting darker and darker,
+it got lighter and lighter, and there seemed a warm glow as from the
+sun, only it was the water so far down seemed to choke; and I told Mr
+Ward I didn't think it quite proper, but I'd marry them if the fat
+passenger would not give them away, but get out of the way--and--avast,
+then--avast, then--yes, what?--all right--
+
+"The fire has burst out again!" cried Miss Bell.
+
+And that just while I closed my eyes for half a minute.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER TWENTY.
+
+You see there's that in a fire, that it never knows when it is beaten:
+you drive it down in one place, and it comes up in another, just where
+you least expect it; while, after such a shock as we had had, there was
+nothing surprising in our feeling as most people do when there's a fire
+in a ship with a mixed cargo--afraid of an explosion.  There were the
+flames towering up again quite fiercely and always in the most savage
+way, just out of our reach.
+
+But if the flames could be savage, I felt that I could too, for, you
+see, I looked upon it as my fault, for sleeping at my post, when I ought
+to have seen the first flash out.  So I got down amongst the smoke and
+steam, and as they handed me buckets of water, I placed them well, and
+by degrees we got the fire under again.  It was just about daybreak as
+we turned all the glow and flame into blackness, half hidden by steam;
+but even then we daren't leave off, for another such outbreak would have
+made an end of us.  Even now, most of the cargo seemed destroyed, and it
+was cruel work, for everything fought against us except the weather,
+which certainly did keep clear and calm, or we must have gone to the
+bottom.  But, as I said, it did seem such cruel work to have things,
+that we were ready to die for the want of, destroyed before our eyes.
+
+We were all worn out; but sooner than run any more risks, we kept on
+pouring water here and there, till it seemed quite impossible for fire
+to break out again; and there we were at last with the ship our own,
+what there was of it; but though there was a good-sized piece of the
+fore-deck left, and a little round the wheel, the only way to get from
+stem to starn was by climbing down amongst the burned rubbish, and then
+making your way through it till you reached the poop.
+
+By means of a little hunting about, though, we managed to get at some
+provisions, and among other things a cask of pork, with the top part
+regularly cooked.  We got at water, too, and some rum; and then it
+didn't seem to matter, danger or no danger, fire breaking out or
+mutineers coming back, sleep would have its way, and one after the other
+we dropped off, the fat passenger in a corner, and Mr Tomtit with his
+legs dangling down over the burned hold.
+
+I talked to Miss Bell and Mr Ward afterwards about my having neglected
+my duty, but they would hardly hear a word about it; and now I found
+that though we had all slept, Miss Bell had been awake and watching; but
+now she went into the sort of tent we had rigged her up; and Mr Ward
+having the same thing in his head as I had, we went and had a talk
+together, and an hour afterwards we had poor Mr Bell neatly wrapped in
+a piece of sailcloth, with some iron stanchions and bolts at the feet,
+and lying decently waiting for Miss Bell to wake again.
+
+She came out of her tent at sundown, looking pale and haggard; and as
+soon as she saw what we had been about, the tears began to roll down her
+cheeks, and she came and knelt down by her brother's head and joined her
+hands.
+
+I did not want the sign Mr Ward made me to do as him and Mr Tomtit
+did, and there we knelt for some time on that calm, solemn sort of
+evening, with the ship just gently rolling on what seemed a sea of
+orange.  There wasn't a breath of wind stirring, but all was quiet and
+peaceful, with only Miss Bell's sobs and the twittering of birds to
+break the stillness.
+
+I don't think I said so before, but there were a many of the birds
+escaped the fire, and perched about on the deck and the rigging of the
+foremast; and when Mr Ward and I had gently lifted the body of the poor
+gentleman on to a hatch by the side, we drew back, and knelt down again,
+thinking Miss Bell might like to say a prayer aloud before we gave the
+body a sailor's funeral, when one of Mr Butterwell's robin-redbreasts
+hopped down upon the deck, and then giving a flit, perched right upon
+the dead man's breast, and burst out into its little sad mournful song,
+making even my poor old battered heart swell and swell, till I was 'most
+as bad as the fat passenger, whose complaint I must have caught.  I
+can't tell you how much there seemed in that little bird's sad song, but
+it was as if it took you back into the far past, and then again into the
+future; and weak as the little thing was, it had a strange power over
+all of us there present.
+
+As if that robin had started them, the sparrows began to twitter just as
+though at home in the eaves; a thrush, far up on the fore-to'gallant
+yard, piped out a few notes; and a lark flew up and out over the
+glorious sea, and fluttered and rose a little way, singing as it went,
+just as if it were joining with the others in a sort of evening hymn.
+And now it was that Mr Ward made a sign to me, just as he'd told me he
+would; and I got up and went softly to raise the head of the hatch, to
+let the burden it had on it slowly slip into the golden water.  But with
+a faint cry, Miss Bell started forward, seeing what I meant, and half
+throwing herself upon the long uncouth canvas-wrapping, she sobbed and
+cried fit to break her heart.
+
+It was a sad sight, and there was not a man there who did not feel for
+the poor girl.  I felt it so much myself that I was glad to turn away;
+and there we all waited till the sun dipped down below the waves, lower
+and lower, till he was gone, and a deep rich purple darkness began to
+steal over the sea.  From golden orange the sky too turned from red to a
+deep blue, with almost every colour of the rainbow staying where the sun
+had gone down.  Then it grew darker and darker, with star after star
+peeping down at us, and the smooth sea here and there rippled by a soft
+breeze that came sighing by.
+
+And now it was that Miss Bell's sobs seemed to have stopped, and,
+leaning over her, I saw that she had gently slipped away, so that only
+her poor white arm lay across the body, and when Mr Ward gently lifted
+it, her head sank lower and lower, and we knew that her grief had been
+too strong for her, and she had swooned away.
+
+I've been at more than one sailor's funeral, which has a certain sadness
+about it that seems greater than what, you know ashore, but this seemed
+to me the worst I had ever had to do with.  Trouble seemed to have been
+heaped upon trouble, and though in the heat and excitement of a storm or
+a fight you often go very near death, yet you don't seem to fear it as
+you do at a time like this was, when, as I stood over that bit of
+canvas, it seemed to me that I was nearer to my end than I had ever felt
+in all the dangers I had been through before.
+
+It was growing darker and darker; the birds had all stopped their
+twittering, and I was thinking and thinking, when in a slow sad way Mr
+Tomtit got up, and came and stood over the corpse, and tried to speak,
+but his voice seemed choked.  He went on after a minute or two, though,
+and said, in a quiet deep voice, a short and earnest prayer, one that I
+had never seen in a book, nor heard before or since; and in it he prayed
+the great God of all people, who had seen the sufferings of this our
+poor brother, to take him to Himself, even as we committed his poor
+decaying body to the great deep--the Almighty's great ocean, upon which
+we poor helpless ones now floated--thanking Him for His preservation of
+us so far, and praying that His protection might be with us evermore.
+And he prayed too that as it had pleased God to bereave the sorrowing
+sister, might it please Him to put it into the heart of every man
+present to be a new brother and protector to the weeping one, even, were
+it necessary, unto death.
+
+And then there was a great silence fell upon us all; then came a slow
+grating sound, a soft rustle as I raised the hatch, and a heavy splash
+in the water, which broke up into little waves and flashes of light, to
+die away again into darkness.
+
+There was more than one deep sob heard there that night from out of the
+darkness; and though dark, it was not so black but we could see Miss
+Bell at Mr Tomtit's feet, holding his hand as he bent over her, and she
+seeming to be kissing and crying over it.
+
+No one seemed to care to move for a long, long time, but at last Miss
+Bell's dress rustled softly as she glided away to her tent, and then Mr
+Tomtit went and leaned over the side.  And mind, I do not call him by
+that name from any disrespect, for, though we had all been ready to
+laugh at him for his looks and ways, there was not a man there but would
+have gone and gladly shaken the hand which Miss Bell had kissed; and I
+felt vexed myself for not feeling before how good a heart the man must
+have who had so great a love for all of God's creatures, that he would
+risk his life even for his birds.
+
+That was a sad, sad night, though the ship seemed lighter now that there
+was no longer death on board; and I was in such a low miserable state,
+that I did what seemed to me to be the only thing I could do that
+night,--I went and sat down beside the fat passenger.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
+
+We had no time for sadness and sorrow; there was too much to be done.  I
+would not fly a signal at the mast-head, for fear of its bringing back
+the mutineers; for, though it did not seem likely that it would, I did
+not wish to run any risk.  But with the help of Mr Ward and the others,
+I set to, and we made a good strong raft, and provisioned it, in case of
+a change of weather, for, though keeping us up well now, I felt sure
+that a fresh wind must send the ship to the bottom.  All I thought would
+be of use to us I got on the raft; and I spent a many days lashing on a
+cask here and a spar there, and even rigged up a little mast with a
+lug-sail, and had an oar or two for steering.  I couldn't get myself
+away from that raft, feeling to want to make it perfect, which it wasn't
+at all.  But there it was, and the best I could make; and day after day
+we rolled about in the long gentle swell of the great ocean, looking for
+something to heave in sight.
+
+There was very little to occupy us beyond looking out, for sailing the
+ship was out of the question, since, if she had careened over, the water
+would have come pouring in at one of the rents in her side; so we waited
+on day after day, during which time it seemed to me that a sort of
+jealous feeling was springing up between Mr Ward and Mr Tomtit, for
+Miss Bell used to keep away all she could from the young doctor, and sit
+and talk hour after hour with Mr Tomtit about his birds.  But Mr
+Tomtit, though he used to look pleased, only looked so in a quiet, sad
+sort of way, and I used to think that he felt it did not mean anything
+for him; and he'd go and feed his birds afterwards, and sigh as he did
+it, and always try to be good friends, as far as he could, with Mr
+Ward.
+
+It was a fine thing for us that we had a doctor on board, for I believe
+he saved both Bill Smith's and Sam's lives, poor chaps, for they had
+been sadly mauled about by the mutineers, and for days and days all they
+could do was to lie still and talk wildly about things.  Sam in
+particular would rouse us all of a night, by shouting out that Van was
+striking him.  But they both got better by degrees.
+
+Last of all, what I was afraid of happened--the wind changed, and it
+came on to blow a little.  It was nothing more than a pleasant fresh
+breeze, but enough to make the sea dance a bit, and the old Sea-mew to
+roll and pitch, so that I was obliged to have a man at the wheel, and a
+bit of sail set, to keep her out of the trough; but handle her how I
+would, I couldn't keep the water out, and the question got to be, how
+long could we wait without taking to the raft?  And another question
+was, too, how long could we keep to the raft without being washed off?
+Thinking of this made me rig lines round it, and give an extra lashing
+here and there just where I could.
+
+The next day, there was not a doubt about what our duty was; and getting
+the raft round to the lee quarter, we lowered Miss Bell down, and then
+made ready to join her; when, more from use than anything, I ran up the
+rigging to take a sweep round, when--I could hardly believe my eyes--
+there was a brig bearing down under easy canvas, and not three miles
+off!  We were so busy, or we must have seen her before.  Howsoever, my
+first act now was to hoist a signal; and then, there being no time to
+lose, I got aboard the raft, being last man to leave the vessel; and we
+hoisted a bit of sail, and made towards the brig.
+
+We had not left the Mew a minute too soon, for just as we had got about
+two hundred yards away, a squall took her, and she bent right over,
+righted, careened again, and then settled rapidly down, and was gone.
+
+We were all so taken up with the sight, that, for a moment, we forgot
+the brig, and when we turned to her again, she was bearing away.  I
+thought that she had seen our ship, when we hoisted the signal; but,
+from her acts, this could not have been the case, and now every second
+she was increasing her distance.  We shouted, we yelled, and hoisted a
+handkercher, on the end of a boat-hook; but she did not see us; and
+gradually we saw sail after sail dip down out of sight, and we were once
+more all alone on the great ocean.
+
+If we had seen no ship, I should not have cared; but this seemed such
+tantalising, despairing work, and but for Miss Bell, I should have been
+about ready to give up.
+
+That night I was sitting steering our lubberly craft, when Miss Bell
+came and sat beside me, and, after being silent for some time, she
+points out seaward, and asks me if what she saw was a star.
+
+I looked at it for a few minutes, for I hardly dared to answer at first;
+but I felt sure directly after, as I told her it was, and a bright one
+for us, being a ship's lantern.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
+
+Soon after sunrise next morning, we were laughing, crying, and acting as
+bad as that there fat passenger, for we were aboard a large ship, whose
+light had shone out like a star of hope for us; and when they picked us
+up, I found that the vessel was bound for Sydney.
+
+But our pleasure did not last long, for what with the exposure and
+excitement, Miss Bell broke down, and next day she was so far from being
+in safety that she was in a raging fever.
+
+Perhaps I may be right, perhaps wrong; but measuring things as I saw
+them, it has always struck me that, true-hearted man as he was, Mr Ward
+would never have won his wife after all, if it had not been for that
+fever; but it must have been a fine thing for him, being the only doctor
+within reach, to have to tend on her, and most likely save her life.
+
+It was in after-years that I saw them happily settled in Wellington; and
+as they had me seated there between them, they seemed to treat me quite
+as an old friend, as we went over together the old days, and Mr Ward
+told me laughingly how hard a fight he had had to win his wife.
+
+We talked long over our old troubles; and I had news for them of some of
+the mutineers--of how I had learned that one boat had been picked up,
+with the crew's story written on their faces, for they had suffered
+horribly before they were saved from certain death.  As for the other
+boat, it was never heard of more.
+
+I had news for them, too, of Mr Tomtit, whom I had seen in the street
+just before I left England on that cruise.  He had shaken me heartily by
+the hand, just as if I was his equal, and taken me home to show me the
+collection of birds he was about to ship, with a lot of what he called
+baby-salmon, for Sydney.  He was still a bachelor, and pressed me hard
+to go and see him again, and wanted me to stay dinner then; but my time
+was short, and I had to say good-bye, though not till I had asked if he
+had seen any more of the fat passenger.  Mr Tomtit then told me that he
+had been to England, and called to see him, and shed tears when he said
+good-bye.  I said it myself now; but he made me stop for a glass of
+grog, and a half-hour's chat about our perils aboard the Sea-mew.
+
+
+STORY THREE: UNDER THE TREE-FERNS.
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER ONE.
+
+PORT CAROLINE.
+
+A few notes of preparation, a few words of command, and, grouped
+together in the fore-part of a large barque, bearing the unromantic
+title of the Sarah Ann, the sailors stood ready to let go the emblem of
+Hope--the anchor that had held them fast in many a stormy night of
+peril.  The sails flapped and fluttered in that gentle gale; the tall
+masts swayed here and there as the graceful vessel rose with the grand
+swell of the Southern Ocean; and then there was a loud rattle as the
+chain-cable rushed out, while the great anchor plunged down fathoms deep
+in the bright blue waters; then, down lower and lower, to where
+bright-scaled fish of rainbow-tinted armour darted over the golden sands
+of the sunny South.  Not the sunny South sung by poets; but the far-off
+land, where it is midday at our midnight, and the settlers--with many a
+thought, though, of the old home--shear their sheep, and gather in their
+harvest, while we sit round the cheery winter's fire.
+
+After a long and tedious voyage, the vessel had arrived in safety at her
+destination.  There was the bright land, the beautiful bay dotted with
+vessels at anchor, and the brilliant sun.  Ah, who need have felt the
+heartache at leaving England on a dark and misty morning, when so bright
+a country was ready to receive him?  But it was not _home_.
+
+There was bustle and excitement amongst the passengers to get ashore; so
+that it was hard work for Edward Murray, first mate, to have all made
+snug and shipshape, after the fashion taught in the navy, which he had
+left to enter the merchant-service.  But, by degrees, the hurry gave
+place to comparative calm, and men leisurely coiled down ropes, and
+reduced the deck to something like order.
+
+The captain had been rowed ashore almost before they dropped anchor; and
+at last there was nothing left for the mate to do but patiently await
+his return, before making arrangements for having the vessel towed
+closer up into the harbour of Port Caroline.
+
+He leaned over the bulwarks--a handsome ruddy young Englishman of
+eight-and-twenty; and as he quietly puffed at his cigar, he watched the
+boats going and coming; noticed the pleasant villas of the merchants,
+dotted about the high ground behind the bay; gave an eye to the trim
+sloop-of-war on his right, and then to the blank-looking buildings of
+the convict station, from whose stony-looking wharves a large cutter was
+just being rowed out towards the sloop.  There was the flash of a
+bayonet now and then in the stern-sheets, and the white belts and red
+coats of more than one soldier was plainly observable to the mate, as he
+gazed on the boat with some display of interest.
+
+As he still leaned over the bulwarks, the boat was seen to reach the
+sloop-of-war, to stay alongside awhile, and then to return, heavily
+laden, towards the shore.
+
+"Nice freight that, Ned," said the second mate.  "Old England ought to
+grow clean in time, sending out such cargoes as she does.  I wonder how
+many they have here.  Can't say I should like to have them for
+neighbours."
+
+"Not pleasant, certainly," said the other; "but here's the skipper
+back."
+
+"I shall not go ashore again till to-morrow morning," said the captain,
+coming on deck; "and if either of you want a few hours, settle it
+between yourselves who's to go; and the other can see the rest of the
+passengers' traps ashore.  I shall sail to-morrow evening.  We can do
+the rest of our business when we come back from the bay."
+
+The captain then went below; and after a short consultation, Edward
+Murray undertook two or three commissions, stepped into the boat, and
+was rowed ashore.
+
+Any place looks pleasant after months on shipboard; but in reality,
+though charming enough from the deck of a ship, there was little to be
+seen fifty years ago at Port Caroline beyond the houses of a straggling
+little town, built without regard to regularity, but according to the
+fancy of the owner of each plot of land.  It was busy enough, so far as
+it went; but there was a grim cold look about the place, made worse by
+the principal buildings--those connected with the Government convict
+works; and after making a few purchases, Edward Murray strolled out
+along the shore to where the white breakers came foaming in to dash upon
+the sands.
+
+The sloop had apparently discharged her convict freight; and the young
+man stood and looked at her for a while in deep thought.
+
+He was thinking he should like to command a vessel like that.  "But
+then," he sighed to himself, "how about Katie?"  And he walked on,
+musing in no unhappy way.
+
+"Now, boys--heel and toe!" shouted a rough voice.
+
+"Hooroar! heel and toe!" was sounded in chorus; and from a turn in the
+cliff came slowly into sight about five-and-twenty of as ill-looking
+ruffians as ever walked the face of the earth.  They were marching
+slowly, in a single line, and at the veriest snail's pace.
+
+There was every description of crime-marked aspect--sullen despair, with
+boisterous and singing men; but as the slow march continued, one struck
+up a kind of chant, in which all joined, greatly to the annoyance of a
+sergeant of foot, who, with four privates, with fixed bayonets, formed
+the escort.
+
+"It's all right, sojer!" shouted one.  "Heel and toe!"
+
+"Hullo, sailor!" shouted another.  "Here, mates; here's a chap out of
+that barque.  How's mother country, old 'un?"
+
+"Come; get on, men," said the sergeant, keeping a sharp look-out for
+evaders.
+
+The mate did not answer the fellow, but coolly stopped to watch the
+strange procession pass; for he rightly judged it to be a gang of
+convicts returning from work.
+
+"I'd give two days and a half for that half cigar you're smoking,
+guv'ner," said one of the convicts to the young sailor.
+
+And then, as the gang moved on, a dark sun-browned fellow came abreast,
+and observed quietly, as one gentleman might to another:
+
+"Have you another cigar about you, sir?"
+
+Edward Murray started, and then turned on his heel, and walked beside
+the speaker.
+
+"I really have not another," he said hastily; "but here's some tobacco;"
+and he thrust a large packet he had but an hour before bought into the
+man's hand.
+
+"Thanks--thanks!" said the convict.  "You can't think what a treat it
+will be.  I may be able to do you a good turn for it some day, Ned
+Murray."
+
+The young man started, and would have spoken to the convict; but the
+sergeant laid his hand upon his arm.
+
+"Won't do, sir; I should get into trouble.  We wink at a good deal; but
+we must draw the line somewhere.  Now, men, forward!"
+
+Edward Murray drew back, and nodded his acquiescence in the sergeant's
+remarks as the gang slowly passed on along the beach; then trying in
+vain to call to mind who could be the speaker who so well knew his name,
+he turned to go on board.
+
+"I'll give it up," said the young man at last; "it's beyond me.  I've a
+friend more, though, in the world than I thought for.  Friend?  Hum!
+Not much cause to be proud of him.  Well, it's better than for a
+black-looking rascal to say he'll owe you a grudge.  Well," he
+continued, as he mounted the side, "I'll give it up; but I shall most
+likely know some day."
+
+And like many another unconscious thinker, Edward Murray was, for the
+time being, amongst the prophets.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER TWO.
+
+NIGHT AT A CONVICT STATION.
+
+"Hullo!  What's wrong?" exclaimed Edward Murray, leaping out of his cot;
+for he had been awakened by a heavy sound like thunder; and directly
+after he heard the second mate's voice calling to him.
+
+"Here, come on deck; there's a row ashore.  Convicts broke loose, or
+something."
+
+The young man hastened on deck, as did the captain and the rest of the
+crew, to find that the night was intensely dark, but that there was a
+bright display of lights on shore, conspicuous amongst which was a dull
+heavy glimmer, which, however, soon increased to a glow, and then flames
+mounted higher and higher, and it became evident that some good-sized
+building was on fire.
+
+At this moment there was a sudden flash, and the heavy thud of a gun
+from the sloop, followed by loud cries and shoutings on the beach.
+
+"Hadn't we better man a boat and go ashore?" said Edward Murray eagerly.
+"There's a bad fire, and we might be of some use."
+
+"Better stay aboard," said the captain.  "That's part of the prison on
+fire.  Those fiends of convicts have fired the place, and they're
+escaping, safe.  There, I told you so.  That's not the sort of thing
+used for putting out fires."
+
+As he spoke, there came the loud sharp rattle of musketry, and, from the
+lights on board the sloop, it was evident that the men had been beat to
+quarters, ready for any emergency.  The ports were open, showing the
+lights within; and a faint glimpse was obtained of a boat being lowered;
+but soon the noise and shouting ceased, the musketry was heard no more,
+and only a dull murmuring sound as from a busy crowd came floating
+across the bay.
+
+But the light of the burning building still shone out strong and lurid,
+and by means of a night-glass it could be seen that men were busily
+endeavouring to extinguish the flames.  When they shone in a ruddy path
+across the bay, a boat, too, could now and then be seen for a moment or
+two, as if some eager party were rowing ashore.  Then an hour passed
+with the lurid flare settling slowly into a bright golden glow, the
+satiated flames sinking lower and lower, till, the excitement having
+worn away, first one and then another of the crew slipped down to his
+hammock, and Edward Murray was about to follow, when a faint sound off
+the port quarter arrested his steps.
+
+Save where there was still the bright glow from the burning embers, all
+around was now intensely dark.
+
+"Wasn't that the rattle of a thole-pin?" said Murray to his companion.
+
+"Didn't hear it, for my part," was the brusque reply.
+
+"Then what's that?  Did you hear it then?"
+
+"Yes, I heard that," was the answer.
+
+And then the two young men crossed the deck and leaned over the side,
+peering out into the darkness; but seeing nothing for all that, though
+there was the faint sound of oars dipping slowly, and it was evident
+that some boat was nearing them.
+
+"Do they mean to board us?" said Murray.  "Depend upon it, the
+man-of-war has boats on the lookout, and they're rowing with muffled
+oars, ready to overhaul the escaping party; that is, if any of them have
+got loose."
+
+"That's it, depend upon it," said the mate.  "They'll hail us directly.
+They must see our lights."
+
+There was silence then for a few moments, during which two or three of
+the crew, attracted also by the noise they had heard, came over to their
+side.  Then came the plash of an oar; and, starting into activity, as if
+moved by some sudden impulse, Murray shouted:
+
+"Boat ahoy!"
+
+"Ahoy, there!" was the answer.
+
+And then the rowing was heard plainly, as if those who handled the oars
+had thrown off the secrecy of their movements.
+
+"It's the man-of-war's boat," said the second mate.
+
+"What ship's that?" was now asked from the darkness, but in anything but
+the loud hearty hail of a sailor.
+
+"Sarah Ann, port of London," answered the mate.  "Are you from the
+sloop?"
+
+"Ay, ay," was the reply.
+
+"Bring a lantern here, and swing over the side," said Murray uneasily;
+and one of the anchor-lights was brought, and sent a feeble ray, cutting
+as it were the dense curtain that hung around.  Then the bows of a boat
+were seen swiftly advancing, and for a moment Murray gazed at its
+occupants with a mixture of astonishment and terror; but the next
+instant he had seized one of the capstan-bars, and stood ready.
+
+"Here, Smith, Norris, Jackson, be smart!" he shouted, "or we shall lose
+the ship.  Convicts!"
+
+That last word seemed to electrify the men into action; and as the boat
+grated against the side of the heavily-laden vessel, just beneath the
+fore-chains, man after man armed himself with the capstan-bars, and
+stood ready by the first mate.
+
+The lantern was dashed out directly; and it was evident that men were
+climbing up the side by means of boat-hooks hitched into the
+fore-chains.  Now followed a struggle--short, sharp, but decisive; for
+first one and then another convict was knocked back into the boat as he
+tried to gain a foothold.  There was a little shouting, a few oaths; and
+then, apparently satisfied that the reception was too warm, and that
+they were fighting against odds, the occupants of the boat shoved off,
+just as the ship's crew was reinforced by the captain and men who had
+gone below.
+
+"That was a narrow escape," said the captain.  "Mr Murray, I sha'n't
+forget to mention this to the owners."
+
+"Suppose we keep a sharp look-out for the rest of the night?  They may
+come back, unless they find some other vessel less on the alert."
+
+"Oars again," whispered one of the men.
+
+They listened attentively, and once more could plainly make out the soft
+smothered dip of oars floating across the water.
+
+Ten minutes passed, and then, as the crew stood with beating hearts
+waiting for the next assault, there came another hail out of the
+darkness.
+
+"What ship's that?"
+
+"Never you mind!" answered the captain roughly.  "What boat's that?"
+
+"First cutter--his Majesty's ship Theseus," was the reply.  "Heard or
+seen anything of a boat, or boats, this way?"
+
+"Nearly boarded by one, only we beat them off," said the captain.
+"Convicts, weren't they?"
+
+"Hold hard a minute, and I'll come on board," was the answer.  "Bows
+there--in oars, men!" and the boat was heard to thump against the
+vessel's counter.
+
+"Keep down there," shouted the captain, cocking a pistol, "or I fire!"
+
+"Confound you! don't I tell you we're friends?" said the same voice.
+
+"Yes, you tell me," muttered the captain.  "Bring a lantern here."
+
+A light was brought, and swung down, to show the blue shirts of the
+crew, and the red uniforms of half-a-dozen marines in the stern-sheets;
+when, apparently satisfied, the captain grumbled an apology.
+
+"All right, my man!" was the laughing response; and a young lieutenant
+sprang up the side.  "And so they nearly took you, did they?  Lucky for
+you that you had so good a look-out.  Can't tell me where they steered
+for, I suppose?  But of course not--too dark.  Confound the rascals!
+They say there's about half a hundred of them got away--killed a couple
+of warders, and done the deuce knows what mischief.  Good-night!" and he
+sprang down the side.  "If you see any more of them, just burn a blue
+light, and you shall have a boat's crew aboard in no time.  Give way, my
+men."
+
+The oars fell plashing into the sea; and then, save the low regular dip,
+all was once more silent.  The crew, as they kept a sharp look-out,
+fancied they once heard a loud splash and a faint cry; but there was no
+repetition of the sounds, though the men listened attentively.  The glow
+by the town faded slowly away, a breeze sprung up, and the stars came
+peering out, one after another, till, as the sky brightened, the spars
+and rigging of the sloop-of-war could be dimly seen, her lights just
+beginning to swing to and fro as the breeze ruffled the waters.  But no
+farther alarm disturbed the Sarah Ann, though one and all the crew kept
+on deck, in case of another attack.
+
+"Wasn't there a small schooner off there, about a quarter of a mile?"
+said the captain suddenly, as he lowered the night-glass, with which he
+had been carefully searching for enemies.
+
+"To be sure!" said Murray.  "Isn't it there now?"
+
+"Try for yourself," was the reply.
+
+And the young man carefully swept the offing.
+
+"I can't make her out," he said; "but we may see her as day breaks.
+Perhaps she moved in more under the land."
+
+"More like those fellows boarded her, and that noise was the captain
+sent overboard.  Well, all I can say, Murray, is, that if they'd got
+possession here, the best thing they could have done would have been to
+throw me over; for I could never have faced the owners again."
+
+Morning broke, but there was no schooner in sight; whereupon the sloop
+immediately weighed in chase, for the convicts had seized her, cut the
+cable, and made sail, running none knew whither.
+
+Towards afternoon the captain of the Sarah Ann came on board, after
+concluding his business with the agents.
+
+"Good luck to you, Murray; make sail, and let's be off, for I sha'n't
+feel as if the old Sally is safe till we've left this beautiful spot a
+hundred knots astern.  The poor skipper of that schooner's ashore there,
+and he's half mad, and no wonder."
+
+The captain made his way below, the anchor was weighed, sail after sail
+dropped down, and then, with a pleasant breeze astern, the old barque
+slowly began to force her way through the bright and transparent waters,
+making the sunlit windows of Port Caroline grow more and more distant,
+while Edward Murray's heart gladdened within him, as he thought of the
+prolonged stay for discharging and loading that would be made in Kaitaka
+Bay, New Zealand.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER THREE.
+
+GOLDEN GAP.
+
+"`And I said, if there's peace in this world to be found'--Go on, Joey,
+will you?--`The--he heart that is humble might welcome it here,'" sang
+and said a sturdy-looking, hard-faced man, with cleanly-shaven chin and
+upper lip, and a pair of well-trimmed grizzly whiskers.  He was somewhat
+sun-browned, but wore a broad-brimmed straw hat, and in addition, as he
+strode a very weedy, meditative-looking pony, he carried up a large
+gingham umbrella.
+
+"Well, Joey!" he continued, apostrophising the pony, which had come to a
+full stop; "you're a sensible beast, and it _is_ a beautiful spot, and
+`the heart that is humble' might truly `welcome it here.'  What a
+paradise!  They may well call it Golden Gap!  Golden, indeed!  A
+heavenly gilding--no dross here!  No more like Battersea Fields than I'm
+like an archangel.  Well, Joey, suppose we meditate, then, for half an
+hour.  You shall chew your herb, and I'll smoke mine, even if it be not
+canonical.  I don't like good things to be wasted, as my old mother used
+to say.  Savages smoke, so why should not a parson?"
+
+Slowly dismounting, he closed his umbrella, unbuckled the pony's bridle,
+that he might graze, and then, seating himself beneath a huge tree-fern,
+he filled and lit his pipe, and began to enjoy its fragrance.
+
+For he was seated far up on the side of a mountain, whose exact
+similitude was on the other side of the valley, so that it seemed as if,
+in some wild convulsion, Nature had divided one vast eminence, and then
+clothed the jagged and rugged sides from the point where the glittering,
+snow-tipped summits peered forth, down to the lovely stream in the
+valley, with the riches of her wondrous arboretum.  The fattest of
+pastures by the little river, and deepest of arable rich soil; and then,
+as step by step the mountain rose, everywhere shone forth the glory of
+the New Zealand foliage, with its fern and palm-like fronds, parasite
+and creeper, of the most golden greens, and here and there blushing with
+blossom; while in scores of places tiny silver threads could be seen
+dashing, plashing, and flashing in the sun-rays, as they descended from
+the never-exhausted storehouses of ice and snow far above, which glowed
+in turn, like some wondrous collection of gold and gems.
+
+Some three miles away there shone the sparkling waters of a tiny bay,
+whose shores, at that distance, could be seen framed in emerald green,
+as the forest trees grew right down to where the sea could almost lave
+their roots, and goodly ships have made fast cable or hawser to their
+trunks.  And yet, in all the length and breadth of the glorious vale,
+stood but one house, sheltered in another tiny valley, running off at
+right angles; while right up and up, higher and higher, tree, crag, and
+mossy bank were piled with a profuseness of grandeur that displayed
+novel beauties at every glance.
+
+"`And I said, if there's peace,'--I don't believe any place could be
+more lovely, even in this land of beauty," muttered the traveller,
+tapping the ashes out of his smoked pipe on to a mossy boulder, and then
+blowing them carefully away.  "Here am I, too, defiling Nature's
+beauties with my vile nicotine.  But beauty is beauty, Joey; and it only
+satisfies the eye; and man has a stomach, and bones that ache if they
+don't have a bed; so, my gallant steed, we'll finish our journey to the
+Moa's Nest, and see what friend Lee will say to us, and whether he will
+bestow on thy master, damper, tea, and bacon, and on thee some corn."
+
+The gallant steed did not even sniff at the prospect of the feed of
+corn, but submitted, like the well-broken animal he was, to the
+replacing of his bit; when, arranging his bridle, his master mounted,
+put up his umbrella again, and then, leaving the pony to pick his way,
+slowly descended the zigzag track which led to old Martin Lee's station,
+known far and wide, from an old Maori tradition, as the Moa's Nest.
+
+The distance seemed nothing from where he had been seated; but the track
+wound and doubled so much, from the steepness of the descent, that it
+was getting towards sundown before the traveller rode up to the long,
+straggling, wooden building, that had evidently been erected at various
+times, as the prosperity of its occupant had called for farther
+increase; when, slowly dismounting, he closed the great umbrella, hung
+his bridle upon a hook, and stalked in to where the family were at tea,
+if the substantial meal spread out could be so called.
+
+"God bless all here!" he said heartily, as he brought down the umbrella
+with a thump; "How's friend Lee?"
+
+"Right well am I, parson, thank you!" exclaimed a bluff, sturdy-looking
+farmer.  "Won't you draw up to the log fire?"
+
+There was a merry laugh at these words; for it was midsummer, and the
+Gap was famed for its hot days and nights.
+
+"And how is the good wife, and my little queen, too?" continued the
+new-comer, shaking hands with Mrs Lee, a sharp, eager little woman; and
+then taking their daughter's blooming face between his hands, to kiss
+her lovingly, as if she had been his own child.  "All well?  That's
+right!  Yours obediently, sir," he continued, to a tall, dark man of
+about thirty, who had risen from the table with the others.
+
+"A neighbour of ours, Mr Meadows," said Mrs Lee; "Mr Anthony Bray."
+
+"Your servant, sir," said the new-comer stiffly.  "A neighbour, eh?
+Lives close by--six or eight miles off, I suppose?"  And then he
+muttered to himself, "I know what's your business."
+
+"Well, I think you've made a pretty good guess at the distance," said
+the other; "it _is_ seven miles."
+
+"Great blessing sometimes, but it makes one's parish too extended to be
+pleasant.  I find it a long journey to visit all my people in the nooks
+and corners--"
+
+"And Moas' Nests."
+
+"Ay, and Moas' Nests, they get into.  Well, I've come to ask a bed and a
+meal, if you'll give them to me, friend Lee."
+
+"Always welcome, parson, so long as you don't come begging," said the
+head of the family.
+
+"But I have come begging," he said, standing with one hand upon his
+umbrella, and the other stuck under his grey frock coat.  "I want a
+subscription towards our new church; so, if we are not welcome, Joey and
+I will have to--There, bless me, child, don't take away my umbrella!" he
+exclaimed, to the pretty daughter of the household, who, in true
+patriarchal fashion, was divesting him of his sunshade and hat, and
+placing him in a chair.
+
+"There, sit down, do!" exclaimed the settler, laughing; "it's quite a
+treat to see a fresh face--and I daresay I can buy you off with a
+crooked sixpence or so.  Fall to, man; you look hot and worn."
+
+"Little overdone, perhaps," said the visitor.  "Phew! bother the flies!
+How they always seem to settle on you, when a little out of sorts!
+Scent sickness, I suppose.  Thank you, my child; nothing like a cup of
+tea for refreshment.  Why, our Katie looks more blooming than ever, Mrs
+Lee."
+
+"Ay, she grows," said the father; "and we begin to want to see her
+married and settled, eh, Mr Bray?"
+
+Kate Lee's face crimsoned, and she darted an appealing look to her
+mother, one not misinterpreted by the other visitor, who assumed not to
+have heard his host's remark.
+
+But farther remark was checked by a boisterous "Hillo!" a horse cantered
+up to the door, and Edward Murray, flushed and heated, sprang to the
+ground, to fold Kate Lee in his arms in an instant, and then heartily
+salute the rest of the family.
+
+"Couldn't overtake you, Mr Meadows," said the young sailor, "though I
+saw your old umbrella bobbing down the valley like a travelling
+mushroom."
+
+"There, parson, there's no best bed for you to-night," said the settler.
+"The woman-kind worship this fellow, and you'll only come off second
+best."
+
+"I can be happy anywhere," said Mr Meadows.  "Don't incommode
+yourselves for me."
+
+Meanwhile it needed no interpreter to tell of the intimacy between
+Edward Murray and Kate Lee.  A love the growth of years--the love that
+had induced him to quit the navy; for he had felt unable to settle when
+old Lee had left his native town, driven by misfortunes to settle in one
+of the colonies, New Zealand being his choice, where now, after some
+years' hard fight with difficulties, he was living a wealthy,
+patriarchal life in this pleasant valley.
+
+So Edward Murray had found no difficulty in getting appointed to a
+trader, which, however little in accordance with his tastes, took him at
+least once a year to where he could visit the Lees in their new home.
+
+At first, old Lee did not evince much pleasure at the sight of the young
+man, for he had seen Anthony Bray's dark visage grow more dark as he
+tugged at his handkerchief, and then, after a vain attempt at showing
+his nonchalance, he rose hastily and quitted the place, followed by the
+eyes of Mr Meadows, who generally contrived to see all, and to
+interpret things pretty correctly.
+
+And he made few mistakes in the conclusions he had that evening arrived
+at; for, but that very afternoon, Anthony Bray had, after months of
+unsuccessful wooing, asked the maiden to be his wife, but only to meet
+with an unconditional refusal; for Katie Lee possessed a faith not
+shared by both her parents, and it was with a triumphant joy in her
+bright eyes that she took her place quietly by Edward Murray's side, as
+he told of his long and stormy travels since he met them a year ago.
+
+"And when did you get into the bay?" inquired old Lee.
+
+"Only last night," said the young man.
+
+"Then you have lost little time," said Mr Meadows.
+
+"Well, no," said the other simply.  "I wanted to get here, and see what
+I've been thinking about for the last twelve months;" and he turned to
+Katie, whose eyes met his for an instant, and then fell as her colour
+heightened.
+
+"Ah! it's all plain enough what it means, Mr Meadows," said Mrs Lee.
+"Martin, there, used to tell me, years ago, that now I was a wife, I
+must stay at home, and cry `clack, clack,' to the chickens; and now it
+seems that I'm going to cry `clack, clack' in vain; for one's chick is
+going to ran away, when she might be happily settled down here close by,
+where we could see her."
+
+Katie's wandering and troubled look fell upon Mr Meadows, who smiled
+grimly, as he said, "I'm afraid, ma'am, that your poor mother would have
+to cry `cluck, cluck' very loudly before you would hear her all these
+thousand miles away.  It's nature, ma'am, nature.  As the old birds
+mated in the pleasant spring of life, so will the young ones; and God
+bless them, say I, and may they be happy!"
+
+"Amen!" said old Martin; "there's no getting over that, wife.  All I
+want is to see some one happy; and I'm afraid it's rather a mistake when
+old folks try to manufacture the youngsters' future.  That's about the
+best sermon I ever heard from you, Parson Meadows; it was short, and to
+the point.  I've been wrong, I know; but then she talked me into it."
+And he nodded towards his wife, who rose and left the room, while Kate
+crept to her father's side, Edward following Mrs Lee out into the
+garden, where the long, conversation that ensued must have terminated
+favourably; for when Kate, who had been anxiously watching for their
+return, at length followed them out into the bright moonlit space in
+front of the house, she was encountered by her mother, who whispered two
+or three words, and then hurried in, having owned herself defeated.
+
+"And where are the young folks?" said old Lee, as she entered.
+
+Mrs Lee made a motion with her hand, and then bustled away to
+superintend the arrangements for the night, besides receiving
+deputations of shepherds and stockmen, and acting as her husband's prime
+minister, so that he might be left at liberty to entertain his visitors.
+
+"It's hard to manage matters, parson, when two children want the same
+apple," he said.
+
+"Yes, yes," said the minister; "all you have to do is to give it to the
+most deserving.  There's a simple straightforwardness about the young
+sailor I like, though he did compare me to a mushroom."
+
+"Yes, I like him," said old Lee; "but then the wife was set on this
+Bray, because he's close at hand here.  But I think she's come round,
+though I know she did hope that time and the long journeys would tire
+out the other; but he's true as--"
+
+"The needle to the pole, as he'd say," laughed the other; "and if he's
+that, what more would you have?"
+
+"Who?  I?  Nothing, nothing.  I only want to see the little lass happy.
+I'm sorry for Bray, though.  I suppose he could not bear to see it, for
+he has gone."
+
+"Yes, he went long enough ago, scowling furiously.  I hope, friend Lee,
+there will be no unpleasantry between them."
+
+"O, nonsense!" ejaculated the old settler; and farther converse was
+stopped by the entrance of the young people.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+ANTHONY'S HOME.
+
+Martin Lee was right; for, half-choked with rage, his neighbour, Anthony
+Bray, had hurried out into the open, glad to get away from a scene of
+happiness that tortured and cut him to the heart.  What was this
+sailor--this mate of a ship--that he should be preferred?  Kate Lee had
+never looked on him like that, in spite of all his pleading; her face
+had never worn those kind smiles, nor been suffused with those rosy
+blushes at his approach; and it was cruel work for him to have all his
+hopes dashed to the ground in an instant; now hopeful--the next moment,
+by the entry of one stranger, plunged into misery and despair.
+
+He hurried away to get his horse, and ride homeward; but after reaching
+the shed, he felt that it would look strange and unneighbourly to hurry
+away; so he determined to walk on a little until he grew calmer, then to
+return and stay till his customary hour, and go, as if nothing unusual
+were the matter.
+
+"Fine evening, sir," said a shepherd, returning with his charge.
+
+But Bray heard him not, for the passion he sought to calm down grew
+hotter as he proceeded; and when at length he turned to retrace his
+steps, he knew that it would be madness on his part to go back to the
+house, unless he wished to provoke a quarrel.
+
+The moon was high as he made his way back to where all was peace; the
+sunset rays still gilding the snowy tops of the mountains right and
+left; and, save for the occasional tinkle of a sheep-bell, or low of
+some beast, all was still.
+
+Turning, by preference, from the moonlit turf, he threaded his way
+slowly amidst the tree-ferns and undergrowth by the pasture-side, till
+he once more approached the house in time to see Mrs Lee leave Katie
+and Edward together, when he stood, with burning cheek and knit brow,
+watching them, and torturing himself for a full hour, when they slowly
+strolled towards where he stood; and then, with a net-work of rays over
+them, he gazed upon a picture which seemed to madden him, till, from
+being cast down, Katie's face was lifted, so that the moonbeams bathed
+it for a moment ere Edward Murray's was bent down, slowly, tenderly, to
+press a long, loving kiss upon lips that did not shrink from the caress.
+
+He could bear no more; but flinching backwards, as if, like some wild
+animal, he were preparing himself for a spring, he placed more and more
+distance between them; and then, forgetting his horse, he turned and
+fled furiously down the Gap to the little bay, where lay a small
+schooner.  But Bray scarcely heeded the strange visitor, but turning the
+bend, made his way along the sands for about a mile, where another
+valley opened, along which he tore, panting and fierce, mile after mile,
+heedless of the intricacies of the path, till he reached his own
+dwelling.  He took, mechanically, his accustomed round to see that all
+was safe; listened to the remarks of his men in a dumb, listless
+fashion; and then, throwing himself into a chair, sat, hour after hour,
+thinking: now, determining to be revenged--now to act with manly
+forbearance and fortitude, trying to crush down the misery in his
+heart--but all in vain, he could only recall, again and again, that
+moonlit scene; and as the memory of the embrace came upon him, he
+writhed in his chair, the veins upon his forehead growing knotted and
+hard, and his face black with passion.
+
+His men had long before retired to their quarters; so that when, late in
+the night, there was an unusual disturbance amongst the dogs, it should
+have fallen to his lot to quiet them had he heard them baying; but he
+heard nothing, saw nothing, till a broad palm was laid upon his mouth,
+and his chair was dragged fiercely round, so that he was face to face
+with half a score of fierce, ruffianly-looking fellows, one of whom
+struck him back as he tried to rise to his feet.
+
+"Keep where you are!" cried the ruffian, with an oath; "and tell us
+where you keep your powder and things?"
+
+Bray, half-stunned and confused, did not reply to the demand.
+
+"Speak, will you?" cried the fellow, blaspheming furiously as he seized
+the young man by the throat.
+
+"I have hardly any," gasped Bray, who was half-suffocated; and then,
+trembling for his life, he pointed out the few guns and rifles belonging
+to himself and men, noticing, as he did so, that some of his assailants
+were well armed, and some provided merely with a knife or axe.
+
+They seized the weapons with almost a savage joy, and took possession of
+every scrap of lead and powder they could find, using the most horrible
+threats against Bray and his trembling men, whom they had bound, and
+dragged into the central room of the hut, if they dared to keep back any
+portion of their store.  Then, after ransacking the place, they took
+every little thing that possessed value in their eyes, before consulting
+as to what should be done with their prisoners.
+
+Bray's heart sank, as he listened to their conference, and he could not
+for a moment doubt their readiness to perform any deed of blood.  He
+felt that his last hour must be come, for all chance of escape seemed
+cut off; and, sinking into a sullen, despairing state, he was listening
+to the muttered appeals of his men, when a thought flashed across him
+which sent a gleam of ferocious joy into his eyes.  The ruffians had
+come up this valley first, evidently from the schooner he had seen in
+the bay; their next foray would be up Golden Gap, when the Moa's Nest
+must fall into their hands, and he would be revenged for the treatment
+he had received.
+
+And Katie?  He shuddered as his heart asked him that question, and he
+battled with himself, trying to harden, to steel his feelings against
+pity.  He would be murdered, no doubt; and in his present state of mind
+he hardly wished to live--but Katie?  Heavens! what a fate!  He must
+warn them--put them on their defence.  He could have slain Edward
+Murray--crushed his heel down upon his open English face; but Katie?--
+the woman?  Was he a savage, that he had harboured such thoughts?
+
+He bit his lips fiercely, and his eyes wandered eagerly round the
+rough-walled room in search of some means of escape; but there were
+none.  And now, one by one, he saw his four men dragged out, the first
+two to go quietly, but the next moment uttering hoarse cries, shrieks
+for pity, for help, as if in despair at the fate awaiting them.  Then,
+as a party of the ruffians seized the remaining two, they had taken the
+alarm, and begun to plead for mercy, promising anything--to show the
+convicts where there were richer stations--to join them--anything, if
+their lives were spared; for the strange silence that now prevailed
+outside the house, told that something dread had been enacted.
+
+"Say a word for as, master; try and get us off!  We've been good men to
+you, master--Not yet! give us a minute!" cried one poor wretch; and he
+struggled so fiercely, that the two men who were holding Bray hurriedly
+crossed the room, to kick, and help drag the unfortunate man towards the
+door.
+
+It was for life; it was a moment not to be lost, and, with one bound,
+Bray reached the door leading into another room; dashed at it, so that
+it fell from its slight hinges; and then, as the report of a gun rang
+out, he leaped through the casement, shivering glass and leadwork to
+atoms, and falling heavily on the other side; but he was up in an
+instant, gave one glance round to see two of his men swinging in the
+moonlight from one of the trees, and then, followed by another shot, he
+rushed into the wood in front, and threaded his way rapidly through the
+trees, closely followed by his pursuers.
+
+He knew that his only chance of safety was in concealment; for if he
+trusted to the open, they would run him down, or shoot him like a dog;
+or he might have made his way round by the shore, and then up Golden
+Gap, to warn them of the coming danger at the Moa's Nest.  He could only
+hide himself till the danger was over, and then--He shuddered; for once
+more he thought of Katie, as he hurried panting along, tripping over
+roots and creepers, climbing blocks of stone, till the shouts behind
+ceased, and he paused to take breath, resting upon a fragment of rock,
+and drawing heavily his laboured breath as the perspiration streamed
+down his face.
+
+What could he do?  How could he warn them?  He felt that he must try,
+even if he did not succeed; though his heart told him that he would be
+too late, while the moon would show him as an easy mark for his
+pursuers.  He must go, he felt, even if he laid down his life; and he
+turned to retrace his steps towards the track down the valley, when he
+stopped short.
+
+Why could he not climb the mountain, and descend into the valley on the
+other side?  It would be a long and arduous task; but then it would be
+free from enemies.  He had never heard of such a feat being done; for it
+was the custom always to follow the track to the shore, skirt the end of
+the spur, and then ascend the Gap; but why could not this be possible?
+He would try, if he died in the attempt; and then, with panting breath,
+he began slowly to climb the face of the thickly-wooded mountain,
+finding it grow more steep and difficult as he passed every twenty
+yards, but fighting his way on--now finding a level spot, now a descent
+into a little stream-sheltering rift, which glistened in the moonbeams;
+but ever rising higher, till, having reached a crag by means of a long
+pendulous vine, he paused to breathe and listen; for a wild shriek, as
+from some dying despairing soul, had risen to his ear.  He shuddered as
+it was repeated; and then shrank back into the black shade cast by a
+mass of lava which overhung his head, and listened again; but all was
+still.
+
+He could not see his homestead from where he rested; for the view was
+shut out by the trees below him; but he started, for a vivid flash
+suddenly shot up, and then sank; but only to burst out again.  And he
+ground his teeth, as he knew that they had fired the place, most
+probably just before leaving it; and in his mind's eye he could see the
+wretches filing off, booty-laden, to make their way down the valley to
+the little bay at the end of the Gap.
+
+There was no time to lose.  His was not a fourth of the distance to
+travel; but the road was fearful, and a cold chilling feeling of despair
+fell upon him as, in making a spring upwards, he trod upon some loose
+stones, lost his footing, and fell heavily, rolling down some twenty
+feet into a rift, where, as he slowly gathered himself together and
+began to climb once more, the sobs of anguish forced themselves from his
+breast, and tears of weak misery coursed down his cheeks.
+
+And now, grown more cautious--and knowing that, would he reach the
+summit, it could only be by husbanding his strength--he climbed on and
+on, every minute finding the way more arduous, and tangled with the
+majestic luxuriant growth of the country.  Far up to the left he could
+see the moonbeams glittering on the snowy peaks, while to his right
+again towered a high mass.  Could he but keep to the path that should
+lead him to the rift between, he might be in time--might warn them; but
+despair whispered "No" the next moment, as difficulty after difficulty
+met him at every step.
+
+Rock, loose stone, thorny undergrowth, which tore his clothes and flesh;
+huge ferns, whose old frond stumps tripped him up again and again;
+creepers with snake-like branches: all had to be encountered; but the
+moon gave him a friendly light, and he was enabled to win his way, now
+faster, now slower, till, leaning again to rest upon a moonlit crag,
+whence he could look down upon his burning home, he started and shrank
+back into the darkness; for a faint noise below struck his ear, was
+repeated again and again, and he knew that he was followed.
+
+His breath came thickly, as he felt how unavailing had been his efforts:
+but a moment before he had thought that he should win his way to the
+top, even if he should only be in time to witness a similar destruction
+to that going on at his feet; but now he felt that he was to be shot
+down, perhaps dashed into some rift, and stones hurled upon him; and
+maddened with despair, he sought for a weapon of defence.
+
+Crash! there was the sound of a piece of rock loosened; and then again
+the rustling sound, plainly borne on the night air, as some one forced
+his way higher and higher.
+
+What should he do?  Wait and close with his adversary unarmed, trying to
+take him at some disadvantage, or should he toil on and try to outstrip
+him?  The last he felt would be folly; for sooner or later, while
+passing over some moonlit spot, he would only become a plainer mark for
+his foe.  He would stay and meet him there, beat him back with one of
+the masses of lava at his feet, if he were seen, or else let him pass
+on, and then seek out some other way.
+
+The rustling came higher and higher, completely in his track--not
+loudly, but gently, as if the one who followed were light and active;
+but there was a sadden flash as from the barrel of a gun; and kneeling
+down at the edge of a crag, below which the pursuer must come, Bray
+waited with a couple of large masses ready at his hand, prepared to hurl
+them down when the opportunity should offer; for after deciding to
+proceed, he had given up the attempt as vain, and crouched there waiting
+for his foe.
+
+He knelt in the shade; but the moonbeams lit up all around, and gave a
+distinctness to every object that was almost equal to that of day.
+
+Nearer and nearer came the sounds; the great fronds were being parted
+here and there; a long fine stem that had lent him its aid shook and
+rattled as it was clasped from beneath.  In another instant his foe
+would be within reach; and he raised one of the heavy fragments, poised
+it, and, as he saw a figure dart beneath, he hurled it down; but only
+for it to go crashing below, wakening the echoes in the rifts and
+chasms.  The next instant he was dashed back, and a strong hand was upon
+his throat, a knee upon his chest, and a weapon raised to slay him;
+when, with a wild cry of despair, Bray forced his feet energetically
+against the rock, and thrust himself away, so that he held his foe half
+suspended over the edge of the yawning precipice.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+AT THE FARM.
+
+Mrs Lee was a very unimportant-looking little woman; yet she ruled at
+home even as Martin Lee ruled abroad; and after the supper that night,
+when Katie had occasion to attend to sundry maternal orders, there was
+plenty of free open discussion, in which Parson Meadows was invited to
+join.
+
+"I've no objection to you at all, Edward," said Mrs Lee, "only that you
+will go away for a twelvemonth at a time; and if we let you have Katie,
+you will either carry her off, or else be making her a widow till you
+return again; and that's why I have set my face against it."
+
+"Why can't you settle down here, my lad?" said old Lee, puffing
+leisurely at his pipe.
+
+"Ay, and plough the land instead of the ocean," put in Mr Meadows.
+
+"You are all hard upon me," said Edward, laughing.  "Didn't I give up
+the navy?"
+
+"Let him alone," said old Lee; "he'll come round in time."
+
+"To be sure," said Mr Meadows.  "And, after all, my young friend, it's
+a pleasant patriarchal life you would lead here--at peace with the
+world, nature smiling upon you, a glorious climate, and sickness a thing
+hardly known.  Truly, yours would be a pleasant prospect.  No need here
+to lock or bar your doors to keep out the thieves who break through and
+steal.  Indeed, I should envy you if I were a young man--young as he who
+went out."
+
+"Ah, poor Bray!  I'm afraid he'll be rather nettled about your coming,
+Ned.  I know Katie gave him no encouragement; but the old lady there
+took a fancy to him; and now she has turned her coat.  Fickle ever!"
+
+Just then Katie returned to take her place in the circle, seating
+herself by Edward Murray, with the innocent air of one who sought
+protection at the side of the stronger.
+
+The night was wearing on, and early hours were the rule at the Moa's
+Nest; so old Lee slowly rose, pipe in hand, and made his customary
+round, stopping here and there for a few whiffs, till he was satisfied
+that sheep and cattle were well folded, horses bedded down, dogs loose
+and watchful; though no enemies were ever dreaded there--the old settler
+being on the best of terms with neighbour and native.
+
+On returning, he encountered Mr Meadows a few yards from the door.
+
+"The young folks seemed as though they could well spare me, friend Lee,"
+he said; "so I strolled out to finish my pipe with you.  Youth lasts but
+a while: let them enjoy the happy season.  We are getting older than
+when we first met, ten years ago, friend Lee; and things have prospered
+with you."
+
+"Ay," said the settler; "thank Providence, they have; for it's a sore
+job to work early and late, and see the toil all wasted.  I've prospered
+well here, parson; and if things go on so, I shall die a rich man.  I
+wish they prospered as well with you."
+
+"They prosper well enough, Martin Lee.  I've my own little home, and the
+people in my district are kind and hospitable when I visit them; and,
+somehow, this half-civilised sort of existence suits me better than the
+life at the old home.  I have never regretted my large town curacy, and
+I hope I never shall."
+
+They stood silent for a few moments.
+
+"Your bonnie English bud is breaking into a fair and sweet-scented rose,
+Martin Lee," said Mr Meadows at last.
+
+"What--Katie?  Yes, yes, God bless her!  But it gets to be a worrying
+time, parson, when the lads come wooing; and, though I took no heed to
+it, that young fellow Bray went out looking as if he'd like to make an
+end of us all."
+
+"Be charitable, friend Lee--be charitable.  The young man was hot and
+bitter and disappointed; and no wonder.  A night's rest will do him much
+good, poor lad.  Let's pity, and not condemn."
+
+"Very well," said old Lee, smiling; "and now let's go in."
+
+They re-entered the house just as Edward Murray exclaimed:
+
+"There, I have it!  Been trying to call to mind who he was for days
+past; but I have it now."
+
+"And pray, who was he?" said Mr Meadows dryly.
+
+"The head-clerk at Elderby's; don't you remember, Mr Lee?  He was
+transported for life for forging a will--John Grant."
+
+"And what about him?" asked the settler.
+
+"Why, I met him at Port Caroline a few days ago, in a gang of men
+returning from work, I suppose; and he spoke to me by name.  Strange we
+should meet again."
+
+"Well, a little, perhaps," said Mr Meadows.  "I remember his case now
+you name it.  But the world is not big enough to hide yourself anywhere.
+You are sure to encounter some one who knows you, or your relatives.
+Good-night, and heaven protect you all!"
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER SIX.
+
+THE ALARM.
+
+We must now return to the struggle on the brink of the precipice.  With
+the energy of despair, Anthony Bray sought to grapple with his enemy,
+when the threatening weapon was withdrawn, and a harsh voice, with
+surprise in its tones, gave utterance to his name.
+
+"What, Wahika!" exclaimed Bray joyfully; and he gazed with wonder in the
+blue-tinted tattooed face of one of the natives, who had often been upon
+his premises.
+
+"Thought killed.  Men come from sea kill all, and come kill him again
+for kill you."
+
+"You thought I was one of the men?"
+
+The New Zealander nodded.
+
+"Where go to now?  Come back pah?"
+
+"No, no!" exclaimed Bray, as a bright thought struck him.  "I want to go
+over the hill to the Moa's Nest.  You can show me the best way."
+
+"Much hard work; but Wahika show;" and, without another word, he plunged
+down again, with Bray following for a little distance; but, under the
+impression that the native had misunderstood him in his imperfect
+knowledge of the tongue, he called to him to stop, and pointed upwards.
+
+The savage smiled at his eagerness, and shook his head, and pointed
+downward, then drew an imaginary line to the right, and then another,
+which led in the direction of the hill-top.
+
+Bray nodded, and followed without another word; when, after a few turns
+and doublings, the guide hit upon the bed of a good-sized stream, and,
+first on one side, then on the other, led his companion up and up, at a
+rate which inspired him with the hope that he might even yet be in time.
+Higher and higher they climbed now, passing in among the trees at the
+side, and anon climbing over some huge block which arrested their
+progress, when the guide would stretch out a helping hand, or in some
+other way assist his less active and panting companion.
+
+The journey was performed in absolute silence, till suddenly the native
+stopped short, and, facing round, he exclaimed, as if he had at length
+found out the object in view:
+
+"You go tell at Moa's Nest men come?"
+
+Bray nodded.
+
+"You think they come Moa's Nest?" queried the savage.
+
+Bray nodded again.
+
+"Wahika fetch tribe--go to pah;" and he made a movement as if to return.
+
+But Bray pointed forward; and, in obedience, the man led on.
+
+Twice over Bray stopped, panting, thinking that they had reached the
+summit of the ridge; but there were still higher crags to climb; and on
+they slowly made their way, often along the edges of dangerous chasms--
+places where in calmer moments he dare not have set his foot; but, with
+thoughts concentrated upon his object, he pressed on.
+
+If he could but save Katie, he would be content; and then thought after
+thought crowded through his brain--thoughts that at another time he
+would have shuddered at; but now, in this time of temptation, they found
+a home.
+
+"Hah!" ejaculated the guide suddenly, as he helped his companion to the
+top of a huge mass of vine-clad rock.
+
+And, looking in the direction pointed out by the savage, he could see,
+far below them, the home of Martin Lee bathed in the peaceful moonlight,
+and with nothing to indicate impending danger.
+
+"In time, so far," exclaimed Bray; and, pointing to the long low
+buildings that glistened beneath them, the native nodded, and they began
+rapidly to descend.
+
+What Bray wanted in agility, he tried to supply by daring, and he boldly
+followed his guide, now leaping, now swinging down by hanging rope-like
+creeper, and more than once falling heavily; but he was up and on again
+directly.
+
+And there was need of haste; for slowly and cautiously a band of some
+thirty men were making their way up towards the peaceful home.  Their
+progress was necessarily slow, from their ignorance of the locality; and
+they more than once lost ground by searching for a settlement up some
+pleasant-looking ravine, or it would have been impossible for the
+warning to have arrived in time to prevent a surprise.
+
+The Moa's Nest at last, though; and half-a-dozen fierce dogs ran out,
+raging round Anthony Bray, and hardly kept at bay by Wahika's club; so
+that it needed no summons to rouse Martin Lee from his bed, and to bring
+him to the window.
+
+"What!" he exclaimed, as Anthony Bray told his tale; "a piratical party
+hanging, burning?  Nonsense, man; you have been dreaming!"
+
+"As you will," cried Bray fiercely; and, stepping back a few steps, he
+picked up a stone and flung it through Katie's window.
+
+"Here, Kate!--Miss Lee! wake up!  Quick! there's danger!" he exclaimed.
+
+"He's mad!" cried old Lee.  "Here, stop him!  What are you doing?  But
+who's that?  Wahika?"
+
+"Yes; Wahika," answered the savage.  "White men come ship--kill and
+burn.  Open door--here directly!"
+
+"Here, stop, Bray!  I beg pardon!" exclaimed the old man excitedly; and
+in another minute he had opened the door and admitted the new-comers.
+
+Men were aroused, and the dogs called in; and then a hasty council of
+war was held.
+
+"Sure they are not natives?" said Murray to Bray.
+
+But the latter stood knitting his brow without giving any reply.
+
+"Did you not say, friend Murray, that there were convicts escaped from
+Port Caroline, and that a schooner had been seized?" said the calm voice
+of Mr Meadows.
+
+"Yes; but surely they cannot have sailed all round here," exclaimed
+Murray.
+
+"Why not, if your vessel could anchor two days since in Kaitaka Bay?  I
+see no impossibility.  There could be no other marauding party here, my
+friend.  I don't like bloodshed; so you must make a show of being
+prepared with such arms as you have, and then we will parley with them.
+I will be the ambassador of peace.  Perhaps a little tea and tobacco
+will make them take their departure."
+
+"They'll take their departure when they have slain all here, and turned
+your home into a heap of ashes, as they have mine!" exclaimed Bray
+fiercely.  "If you have any respect for your women and your own lives,
+you will at once try to put the place in a state of defence."
+
+Meanwhile Wahika had glided out of the door, and getting into the shadow
+cast by the trees, made his way quickly down the valley; but not for
+far.  In a short time he returned to announce the coming of the enemy.
+
+Murray had proposed flight as the safest plan; but this had been
+objected to by old Lee, who vowed that as long as he could lift hand no
+convict should cross his threshold, or lay finger upon the property he
+had so hardly earned.
+
+"What should we run to the woods for, Ned Murray?  I should have thought
+a young fellow like you would have been no coward."
+
+Murray knit his brows; for just then he caught sight of a sneer upon the
+countenance of Bray.
+
+"I've not fought much with men, sir," he said coolly; "but I have had
+more than one battle with storms.  Perhaps I can play my part here; at
+least, I shall try."
+
+"Fighting!  No; we must have no fighting, friend Lee," said Mr Meadows.
+"I will go out and reason with these beasts of Ephesus, and see what
+can be done.  But I should be prepared; I should be prepared."
+
+"I mean to be," said the old man sternly; and he hurriedly took down
+rifle and fowling-piece from the slings upon the wall, there being
+sufficient to arm only about half the party; but, fortunately, there was
+plenty of ammunition; and this was hastily distributed, the one light
+extinguished, and a heavy chest or two planted against the door.
+
+The party within the building now consisted of twelve; namely, eight men
+and four women--four of the men being the settler's shepherds, and two
+of the trembling women their wives.  To make the most of the place, the
+two doors at the rear were hastily barricaded, the women shut in an
+inner chamber, and the mattresses and beds dragged out to put in front
+of the windows.
+
+"Are they well armed, Mr Bray?" said Murray.
+
+But there was no answer until Mr Meadows repeated the question.
+
+"They took what arms there were in my place; several guns and rifles.
+What they had before, I did not notice.  You are surely not going out to
+them, sir?"
+
+"Indeed I should be much wanting in duty if I refrained at such a time
+of need," said Mr Meadows.  "I hope my words will have some effect upon
+them; but at least I will try.  Friend Lee, draw back those chests, and
+let me go."
+
+"And get knocked on the head," grumbled the old man grimly, as he forced
+a bullet down upon the powder in his rifle.  "No, parson, stop here; and
+I think, if what friend Bray tells us be true, you had better take to
+war this time instead of peace."
+
+"Take away those chests," said Mr Meadows peremptorily, to one of the
+shepherds; and the man drew them away, when stepping out into the
+moonlight, he walked hastily forward to the advancing party, and was
+seen, by the friends who were anxiously watching him, to enter the
+little cluster and disappear.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+BESIEGED.
+
+A quarter of an hour elapsed, during which no time was lost, but
+everything possible done to make the place a little less insecure; and
+then, impatient at Mr Meadow's non-return, Murray proposed that they
+should fetch him in.
+
+"How, young man?" said old Lee sternly.
+
+"Try fair means first; and if not so, by force."
+
+Bray laughed, and Murray turned upon him angrily; but their attention
+was suddenly taken up by a loud shouting in the direction of the enemy,
+and they could distinctly see that a struggle was taking place.
+Directly after, Mr Meadows was seen running towards them.
+
+"Throw open the door!" exclaimed the settler; and it was done just as a
+shot rang out, and its report went echoing up the sides of the valley,
+while Mr Meadows was seen to fall.
+
+Without an instant's pause, Murray bounded out, gun in hand, closely
+followed by Wahika, who had now returned, just as, with a shout, the
+convicts came running towards them.  But as they reached Mr Meadows, he
+had risen to his knees, and begun to limp towards the house.
+
+"Not much hurt; but never mind me; get back."
+
+As he spoke, a couple of shots were fired at the little group, but
+without effect; and, by being supported on either side, Mr Meadows was
+enabled to reach the house; the door was rapidly closed, and barricaded;
+and then he sank into a chair; while, this being different from a
+surprise, the convicts were seen to pause, and to consult as to the plan
+of their operations.
+
+"Are you much hurt, parson?" said old Lee gravely.
+
+"No, not much, friend Lee," was the reply.  "I don't believe the bullet
+struck me, only some stones driven up when it hit the ground; but it
+lamed me for the time.  There!" he said, as he finished binding his
+handkerchief round his leg; "I'm ready now, and we must try the strong
+hand with them.  They made me prisoner, but I knocked down my keepers,
+and escaped.  Thanks, friend Murray!" he continued, taking the gun and
+its appurtenances offered by the young man.  "I'm rather out of
+practice, but I think I can leg and wing a few of the rascals."
+
+"I think you had better body them!" said old Lee fiercely.
+
+"I don't," said Mr Meadows, priming his piece.  "But don't let me
+interfere with you.  Suppose you open the windows on either side the
+door, my men?"  And this being done, he placed a featherbed upon a
+table, so that it half filled the window, when, resting his piece upon
+it, he stood ready, his example being followed by the others.
+
+The next instant he took rapid aim, and fired, when a convict, who had
+been reconnoitring, was seen to drop, and then try to drag himself back
+to his comrades, who sent a volley at the house in reply.
+
+"There!" said Mr Meadows, coolly reloading; "that was as good as a
+body-shot, friend Lee.  Think I'd aim low, if I were you."
+
+The old man nodded doubtfully, and smiled; when Murray, observing that
+the men were dividing into two parties, made towards the back of the
+house, so as to be on the look-out for an attack in that quarter; and it
+was well he did so, for six men were creeping up under the shade of the
+trees.
+
+He fired, and one dropped, leaped up, but fell again, to lie motionless;
+and the young man felt a cold chill run through him as he knew that he
+had, for the first time, taken a human life.
+
+On turning to reload, he found himself face to face with Kate; and dark
+as it was, he could make out the agitation depicted in her countenance.
+
+"Go back," he said; "go back, darling!"  And, for a moment, he pressed
+her in his arms, when, yielding to his entreaties, she returned to the
+inner room, just as half a dozen more shots came whistling through door
+and window.
+
+"Keep watch here," Murray whispered to one of the shepherds.  And the
+man took his place, while he went to the front, to find that several
+shots had been exchanged, and that one of the shepherds was bleeding
+upon the floor.
+
+Just then a tall, burly ruffian rushed forward recklessly, and, shouting
+to the occupants of the house to give up, if they wished to save their
+lives, fired another shot, and then turned to join his companions.
+
+"I believe that's the rascal who wounded our poor friend here,"
+exclaimed Mr Meadows, firing as he spoke.  "No; I've missed him!  Legs
+_are_ hard to hit as they run.  Fire low, my friends."
+
+Several of the convicts had fallen, for the besieged kept up a
+well-sustained fire; and this made the assailants cautious, for they
+took shelter behind trees and sheds, firing almost at random, but not
+without effect; for another shepherd was badly hit, and a groan from the
+inner room told that mischief was done there.  And it was so; for, after
+a few minutes, Mrs Lee, Katie, and one woman came calmly out, Mrs Lee
+whispering something to her husband; and then, in answer to entreaties
+that they would go back, they replied that they were as safe in the
+front room as elsewhere; and, tearing up some linen, proceeded to
+bandage the wounds of those who were hurt.
+
+Suddenly, a cry made Murray dart to the back, to find the shepherd
+struggling with a convict, who had forced his way in, thus giving time
+for a couple more to enter, when a fierce struggle ensued, ending in two
+of the men being struck down, and the other beating a retreat; but this
+episode had been fatal, the besieged having been drawn off just as a
+daring assault was made upon the front.
+
+It was in vain that Mr Meadows fired, and then knocked down two who
+were rushing in over the broken door.  The struggle was short, but very
+fierce, and one after the other the defenders were beaten down, or back
+from room to room, till, turning for a moment, on hearing a loud cry for
+help, Murray saw Bray in the act of passing through a door, and bounding
+after him, he was in time to see him drag Katie through the window, and
+disappear.
+
+The next instant he had followed, but receiving a tremendous blow upon
+the head, he fell heavily to the ground.
+
+That blow was given by what should have been a friend's hand, but it had
+an effect that Anthony Bray had not intended.  The minute before he had
+been dragging a timid, yielding girl after him.  But now, as in the dim
+light she saw the dastardly act, a feeling of rage filled Katie's soul;
+and, tearing herself away, she flung herself upon her knees, lifting the
+head of Murray gently, and with her handkerchief binding up a severe
+wound the young man had received.
+
+The place they were in was a sort of outhouse, which had been added to
+the side of the building, but without the window being filled up; and as
+Murray climbed out, the casement had swung to again; and it was well for
+the moment, for having beaten down the little remaining resistance, the
+convicts spread through the place, seizing the arms and ransacking
+cupboard and drawer; while old Lee, beaten down, wounded, looked on with
+agonised countenance; but not alone, for his wife clung to him, turning
+a defiant face upon the destroyers of her home.
+
+Two men rushed into the chamber, through which Bray had dragged Katie,
+and concluding that those of whom they were in search had passed through
+a door on the other side, they hurried through that, and disappeared,
+but only to make their way back into the central room.
+
+Meanwhile, overcoming his surprise at the fierce way in which Katie
+resisted him, Bray caught her in his arms, and drew her towards the
+outhouse door.
+
+"Foolish girl! it's for life and liberty!  There, I'm stronger than
+you," he cried, "and if I must use force, I will.  Come quietly, Katie--
+come.  We can reach the horses--mine is there yet--and fly to safety,
+away from this scene!"
+
+But she struggled fiercely, although the weaker, while he forced her
+step by step towards the door.
+
+"Little fool!" he hoarsely said.  "Would you have us both killed?"
+
+"Yes, yes, coward," she cried.  "Loose me, or I'll call for help!
+Edward!  Ned! help me!" she cried loudly; and as he lay just beneath the
+chamber window, he half raised himself, but only to sink back again with
+exhaustion.
+
+"You'll have the ruffians upon us, Kate," hissed Bray; and mad with
+rage, he tried to lift her from the ground, when she again called out,
+"Ned!  Ned! help me!  O, help!"
+
+Startled by this sudden outburst, Bray relaxed his hold sufficiently for
+Katie to tear herself away, and throw herself upon Murray's prostrate
+body, to which she clung.
+
+But Bray was at her side in an instant, trying again to drag her away,
+but in vain; when, seizing his rival by the throat, he fiercely
+whispered in the poor girl's ear, "Come on, or it will be his death!"
+
+"You have killed him now, coward!" cried the girl, vainly tearing at the
+hand so ruthlessly grasping her lover; when again seizing the
+opportunity Bray lifted her once more from the floor, and bore her
+towards the door, but only for there to be a repetition of the fierce
+struggle; the light, active girl writhing herself free again, calling
+upon Ned for the help he was powerless to give, he, poor fellow,
+responding with a groan, as in the shadowy place he could mistily make
+out what was going on.
+
+Tearing herself away, Katie was again by the side of Murray, when the
+casement above her head was suddenly thrown open, a couple of streams of
+flame flashed across the place, and, with a loud cry, Bray sprang
+through the door at the other end.  The moonbeams shone in for an
+instant, showing the wreaths of smoke curling slowly upward, and all was
+once more darkness, while Katie knelt, hardly daring to breathe; her
+hand, too, pressed upon Murray's lips, lest he should moan, and so
+betray their whereabouts.
+
+But the next moment her breath was drawn with a sob, for the window
+swung-to again, and from the rapid beat of footsteps, it was evident
+that the men who fired had gone round in pursuit of Bray; but apparently
+in vain, for they soon returned, stopped before the outhouse door, and
+looked in; but coming from the outer brightness, they saw nothing but
+the wreathing smoke; and, closing the door violently, hurried on towards
+the front of the house, where loud talking, and more than once a weak
+cry for help, fell upon the ears of the poor girl.
+
+Murray had attempted to speak, and then seemed to become inanimate.  In
+her grief, Katie clung to him, calling upon him, in whispers, to speak
+to her, if but a word, for she felt that he must be dying; and then,
+forgetful of all but her love, she clasped him fondly, bathing his face
+with her tears, and kissing him again and again.  Then suddenly she
+started up with affright, for, just above her head, she heard the
+grating of the casement, as it slowly opened.  Then there was a dread
+pause, broken by the loud talking and quarrelling of the convicts, but a
+few yards away.
+
+Involuntarily she turned her face towards the open window, trying to
+pierce the darkness--for the moon had sunk behind the shoulder of the
+mountain, and in the last few minutes all had become black as night.
+But she could see nothing, only hear the sound of hard breathing, as
+some one leaned out into the place where she crouched, cold and
+paralysed, but with her mind in a state of fearful activity.
+
+But was it fancy?  Had her over-wrought imagination conjured up this new
+terror?  No; it was no fancy, for the window was thrust farther back,
+and the dread seemed greater than she could bear, as just above her she
+could feel, as it were, that there was a face stretched out towards her.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+TRIED BY FIRE.
+
+It might have been but for a few seconds, but the suspense was
+agonising.  Katie felt no fear for herself then: her fear was lest he
+should be discovered who had been ready to die in her defence--who had
+been so cruelly smitten down--he to whom, but a few hours before, she
+had plighted herself, owning to her love, and, for the first time,
+daring to respond to his kisses.  But was it a few hours ago?  Was it
+not years since, or at some time far back in the past, that those happy
+moments were?  Or was this some wild dream--that he, the young, the
+bright, the true, who had treasured her love for years, and come these
+thousands of miles to see her--to claim her--was dying in her arms?
+
+The stillness around them was awful; the darkness more and more intense.
+Cold as marble, gazing upwards ever at this invisible terror that she
+knew was there, would it not be better almost to cry out, she thought,
+and bring down others, so as to end the harrowing suspense that seemed
+to madden her?
+
+But poor Ned--poor, helpless Ned!  If he were not already dead--if he
+had not even now escaped from the arms that held him so tightly, they
+would slay him without mercy.  No; she must remain silent.  Would he
+move, or even mutter?  Her heart gave a bound, for at that moment there
+was a slight motion in the form she clasped, and this made her turn her
+head from its strained, unnatural position, so that her cheek fell
+gently upon Murray's, and then she clung to him cold and motionless, but
+with strained ears, as she felt that the time for discovery had come.
+The casement shook a little; there was a rustling noise, as of some one
+slowly climbing out; a heavy foot was placed upon her soft, yielding
+arm, then another, and the pain was sharp, but almost welcome, for it
+seemed to numb her mental agony.  Yet no sigh escaped her lips; she only
+felt that the time to die had come, and a simple old prayer was being
+mentally repeated for pardon for those who, if not already cruelly
+slain, were in deadly peril--for herself and for him she so dearly
+loved.
+
+Then the pressure was removed, there was a staggering step, such as
+might be that of a wounded man.  With closed eyes, and a heavily
+throbbing heart, she heard a hand run along the wall, the wooden click,
+the door open and softly close, and then all was silent in the shed.
+
+Silence there, but noise and confusion in the house: shouting, and more
+than one attempt apparently to obtain order, but all heard in a confused
+way, for a strange, deathly feeling of sickness had come upon the poor
+girl, her senses were reeling, there was a loud singing noise at her
+ears, and, though her name seemed to be uttered again and again, yet she
+could not respond, and soon all was blank.
+
+How long that time of utter nothingness lasted, she could not tell; but
+she woke again to a strange feeling of oppression and misery; her breath
+came thick and short, and she could not recall where she was.  It was as
+if her intellect had received some fearful stroke which had robbed her
+of her reflective powers.  But thought came suddenly, and she knew all.
+
+A bitter sob rose to her lips, and she could have cried for help, but in
+dread she checked that cry, and her heart beat triumphantly, for a
+voice, whose breath touched her cheek, whispered her name, and she knew
+that he lived.
+
+"Katie, darling, Katie," was whispered again--"water!"
+
+Water!  How could she get it?  The spring was on the other side of the
+house, and the men were in the front; she could hear them still talking
+loudly over their plunder.  If she went, they would seize her.  If she
+appealed to them for help, they would rob _him_ of what little life
+remained.  What could she do?  She could do nothing, she told herself
+despairingly--nothing but wait, and perhaps the wretches would go.
+
+But it was not dark now.  A dull light seemed to play through the window
+above their heads, as turning, she knew that it was smoke that she could
+see; and, starting to her feet, she found that, at the height of her
+lips, it was so dense that she could not breathe.
+
+Was there to be no end to the perils of that fearful night?  Was death
+to come in another and more terrible form?  After escaping massacre at
+the hand of their ruthless enemies, were they to meet death by the
+lingering torture of fire?
+
+The dread of this new alternative roused Katie into action.  This was a
+peril that could be battled with, and they could escape if the men in
+front would but go.  She whispered a few words to Murray, and he
+answered calmly and sensibly.  She told him not to fear.
+
+"Only for you," he murmured; and for a brief moment all was still.
+
+Then, starting once more into action, Katie asked him if he could rise,
+and he tried to do so, but only to fall back despairingly, when,
+creeping to the door, she softly lifted the latch, and pushed it a
+little open, so as to breathe once more the pure night air.  She dared
+not open it far, for the voices were loud, and close at hand; but though
+she could not see the speakers, she could make out the reflection of
+their work in the bright glow lighting up the palm-like foliage around.
+And now a fierce, low, crackling noise fell upon her ears, and she crept
+back hastily to where Murray lay, seized him in her arms, and tried to
+drag him towards the door, but in vain.  She could only move him a few
+inches at a time, so perfectly helpless was he.
+
+"It is of no use, darling," he whispered.  "Go, glide out of the door,
+and make for the woods; you may escape.  I cannot move; pray go; for my
+sake--for my sake, love!"
+
+"Go--go--where?" murmured the trembling girl, as she still tried to move
+him.
+
+"To the woods--hide somewhere--the place is on fire!" he gasped; "and
+God in heaven give me strength, for I cannot help her!"
+
+"Hush, Ned, hush!" she whispered; "we shall be heard.  Now try--try once
+more;" and she dragged at him with all her strength, so that he lay in
+the middle of the shed.
+
+"No, no; I shall only draw you back to destruction," he faintly said.
+"Never mind me.  Escape, darling.  You know the paths, and can hide, or
+make your way to where you can get help.  Don't stay.  Look, look!" he
+whispered.
+
+"I see," she murmured.
+
+And as she spoke, a bright tongue of flame began to lick the shingles of
+the roof, gilding them with its fierce fiery slaver, till first one and
+then another began to glow; and sparks and flakes fell from them,
+illumining the interior of the shed; while soon an opening appeared,
+through which the flames rushed careering out, the heat the while
+becoming insupportable.
+
+"Katie, dear," sighed the wounded man, "would you add torture to my
+death?"
+
+"No, no," she sobbed, as she dragged him nearer the door.  "Are we not
+one?"  And she sank exhausted by his side, to lay her face upon his arm.
+"Ned, my own Ned! pray--pray to heaven that our death may come quickly,
+and that we may wake soon where there is peace.  I can do no more."
+
+As her simple words fell upon his ear, a loud demoniac drunken shout
+rose from outside, apparently close by the door; and from the trampling,
+mingled with the roar of the flames, it was evident that the ruffians
+were taking their departure.
+
+Nerving himself for a last effort, Murray half lifted himself into a
+sitting position, fell back, struggled up again; and Katie rose to her
+knees.
+
+"Try again--again," he gasped; for he felt that she would not leave him;
+and together they struggled almost to the door, when, half-suffocated,
+the young man fell back once more.  "Now go; leave me.  You can escape
+yet, Katie," he gasped.  "O, if I had strength!"
+
+But for answer he felt the two soft clinging arms round his neck, and a
+choking voice breathed two words in his ear:
+
+"Forever!"
+
+But the dread of the impending death seemed to give strength--the
+strength he had prayed for; and straggling a few inches at a time, with
+the red-hot embers gathering where they had lain but a few minutes
+before, and the flames crawling and dancing round the side of the house,
+Murray, now hardly aided by the fainting girl, contrived to reach the
+door, with one hand to thrust it back, so that a rush of air darted in,
+driving from them the smoke, as he uttered a loud cry for help.
+
+The cry was heard; and they were seen for an instant ere the cloud of
+smoke wrapped them again in its folds.  Two men darted forward to seize
+the prize, one of them, however, being daunted by the threatening roof,
+which, ruddy and golden, seemed ready to fall; while the other seized
+Katie's dress in his hands to drag her out; but so tightly did she cling
+to Murray, that he was drawn forward and half raised before sinking back
+into the cloud of falling sparks and smoke.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER NINE.
+
+CUTTING OFF THE RETREAT.
+
+Old Martin Lee saw with anxious solicitude Edward Murray rush after
+Bray; then the closing door hid them from his sight; and with renewed
+energy he clutched his gun, and struck fiercely at the first assailant
+that presented himself, shivering the stock to pieces, and laying the
+man motionless at his feet.  But the barrel made no insignificant
+weapon; and he fought, as did Mr Meadows, fiercely, though in vain; the
+odds were too great, even though they were ably seconded by the
+shepherds.  Through the beaten-down door the convicts rushed; and in a
+few moments the defenders were trampled under foot, and lay on the now
+deeply-crimsoned floor, the women being dragged out of the house into
+the front.
+
+Then followed the scene of ruin and confusion previously enacted in the
+next valley.  Food was obtained, the shepherd's weeping wife being
+compelled to provide it, and then it was devoured by the red-handed
+crew.  Wine, spirits, all were seized, and a mad debauch ensued; the
+ruffians, for the most part, having been deprived of such indulgences
+for years.  But, soon satiated, the eager search for arms and ammunition
+was continued; men loading themselves, too, with much more plunder than
+they could bear away.
+
+As for the dead, they lay unnoticed, the wounded receiving but little
+better treatment, till at last the moon slowly dipped behind the western
+ridge of hills, causing a deep shadow to creep along the Gap, and up the
+opposite slope, when, with an oath at the coming darkness, one ruffian
+thrust a light against some curtains, which caught fire in an instant.
+The flame ran up to the dry, boarded ceiling, and in a few minutes it
+became plain that the settler's pleasant home must become a heap of
+ruins.
+
+"What are you doing of?" shouted one convict to another, who, regardless
+of the flames, dragged out two bodies, in which there seemed to be some
+trace of life.  But the man did not answer, and when the other attempted
+to hinder him, struck the ruffian to the ground in an instant.
+
+But the next moment he was on his feet, knife in hand, and sprang at his
+assailant; but only to go down again, as if the fist that struck the
+blow had been so much lead.
+
+He lay for a few moments, half-stunned, and then rose, slowly muttering,
+and shaking his head, while the other, in answer, apparently, to the
+mute appeals of the women, half-dragged, half-carried the wounded men
+out of reach of the rapidly increasing flames.
+
+The man did it, though, in a coarse, rough, brutal way, as if afraid
+that he might lose caste in the eyes of his companions; and then, after
+bestowing a contemptuous kick on each, he rejoined his party, loaded
+himself with such booty as he had secured, and the motley group began to
+make preparations for returning down the valley.
+
+"Here, carry this!" exclaimed a fellow, seizing one of the women by the
+arm; but she broke from him to dart to one of the prostrate forms, and
+lift its head into her lap.  The ruffian was at her side the next
+instant, though, trying to drag her away; but as she resisted, he struck
+her to the ground, and hurried to join the others.
+
+Poor Mrs Lee sank to the earth, with a wail of misery, and remained
+motionless; but the other woman, the shepherd's wife, took the load
+pointed out to her, and followed her captors, trembling, and apparently
+half beside herself.
+
+The flames had by this time wrapped the greater part of the house; and
+the convicts were passing the lean-to, shingle-roofed outbuilding at the
+end, when there rang forth a wild, despairing cry; and, dropping his
+load, as his companions were arrested, the same man who had dragged out
+the wounded, sprang forward and caught Katie in his arms, and bore her
+senseless from the flames, just as, with a fierce rush, the wind came
+careering up the valley, and dark clouds began to gather over head, as
+if betokening a storm.
+
+"Now, then; we've more than we can carry now!" shouted the one who
+seemed to be the leader; and then, burdened as they were with plunder
+and three wounded men who could not walk without assistance, they slowly
+made their way to the bright little bay where they had left the schooner
+moored, to find her struggling, as it were, with the wind; and as they
+came well in sight they saw her break away, and in spite of the efforts
+of those left on board she ran on the bar at the mouth of the little
+harbour, where, it being now low water, a tremendous surf was running,
+the huge waves leaping over her and sweeping the decks in an instant.
+Twice she seemed lifted as if to be borne clear of the sands, but only
+to be dashed down again, the masts going at the second shock; and then,
+as if lightened, she lifted again, seemed to shake herself, and plunged,
+stern forward, farther on to the sand-bars, to lie rolling and wallowing
+in the midst of the fierce waters--a hopeless wreck.
+
+Ten minutes had been sufficient time to effect the ruin; when seeing
+their retreat cut off so suddenly, the convicts stood upon the shore,
+with their ill-gotten booty, staring at one another, and apparently
+bewildered, till the one who had assumed the leadership promptly gave
+his orders, which the men sullenly obeyed, and followed him back towards
+the Moa's Nest.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER TEN.
+
+AMID THE ASHES.
+
+Edward Murray sank back exhausted, as Katie was snatched from his arms;
+but the desire for life was yet strong in him, and he tried to force his
+way along, just as the fierce wind sweeping up the valley drove back the
+flame and smoke from the doorway, giving him again the breath of life,
+as he was on the point of suffocation.  But he was now scorching; and
+the little sense left told him that his last moments were at hand, when
+he felt his extended arms seized, and he was forced from the flaming
+building, to lie almost insensible for a while, till his eyes unclosed
+upon the tattooed face of Wahika, the savage lying beside him, until the
+convicts had turned a ridge of the gap.  Then, lifting him in his arms,
+the native bore the young man a hundred yards into the shade of the
+trees behind the desolated farm, and scooping water in a broad leaf,
+poured the cold grateful fluid over his scorched face, and gave him some
+to drink.
+
+Then he disappeared, but to return after a short time with the body of
+the poor old settler--Mrs Lee helping him with his burden--which they
+laid reverently down; when Wahika again took his departure, to help in
+one of the shepherds who was much injured, but able to lend some aid.
+
+The savage was apparently unhurt, and he busied himself in the dark
+shadowy dell, where they lay concealed watching the reflection of the
+fire, by applying cooling leaves to wound and bruise, and bandaging them
+after the rude surgical fashion of his tribe.  He did all, too, in a
+quiet fashion, with hands as soft and gentle as a woman's, while the
+sufferers lay in a stunned, helpless state, hardly seeming to realise
+the horrors of the past night.  For the dawn was fast approaching, and
+as the glow from the burning building slowly sank, far above their heads
+upon the icy summit of the mountain appeared the first gilding of the
+rising sun, making the snowy pinnacles to flash and sparkle in the
+glorious light of another day.
+
+The savage can live where the European would starve; and Wahika soon
+contrived some food for the three who were in his charge; but when,
+feeling somewhat revived, Murray would have sought the ruins, Wahika
+restrained him, laying his hand upon his arm, and listening with bent
+head and distended nostrils, before gliding silently away to return
+before many minutes had elapsed, to whisper in his broken English the
+words, "Come back."
+
+At the same time he pointed down the valley, before helping the wounded
+shepherd farther back into the little ravine in which they lay, to where
+the concealment was better; then going forward, once more he crept from
+tree to tree, till he could peer down from behind a crag, and see the
+ruffianly crew, trooping back from the bay to the farm, stand in
+consultation for a few minutes, when one of their number pointing higher
+up the valley, they resumed their irregular march.
+
+But there was a stoppage directly, and some confusion, and the
+sharp-eyed savage saw that one of the women, whom he soon made out to be
+Katie, had fallen, and that some arrangements were being made to carry
+her, when a fresh start was made, the poor girl having sunk down, partly
+from exhaustion, partly overcome by emotion at the sight which greeted
+her.
+
+Wahika started then, for a few yards below him he heard an agonising
+exclamation, and he leaped down just in time to throw himself upon
+Murray, as he was rising to hurry to what must have been instant death.
+
+"No good--no good!  Stop; and Wahika get tribe to come and--"
+
+He stopped; but there was a strange look in his eye as he brandished his
+club, and then held the young man back amongst the leaves, for his
+strength was but feeble as compared with that of the savage.
+
+"Wahika friend--tribe friends," he said after awhile, during which they
+had watched the convicts till they disappeared; and they were then about
+to return to the little ravine, when a low cry, as of some one in
+distress, smote upon their ears, apparently from the direction of the
+smouldering house, for they could not see it from where they stood.
+
+There being apparently now no reason for concealment, the convicts being
+far up in a bend of the Gap, Murray slowly followed the savage down till
+they could peer through the leaves, when the former uttered a hearty
+"Thank heaven!" for, kneeling amongst the ashes, his face buried in his
+hands, and his whole frame shaken by the sobs which burst from his
+breast, was Mr Meadows, weeping like a child, and uttering disjointed
+words, as he mourned for the destruction that had come upon this
+peaceful home.
+
+He did not hear their approach, for he was praying so fervently for
+those whom he had every reason to suppose dead, that Murray had stiffly
+knelt by his side and touched him ere he started to his feet; but only
+to kneel again and embrace his wounded companion as though he had been a
+son.
+
+"Thank heaven! thank heaven!" he exclaimed fervently; "I thought you
+were there,"--and he pointed to the smouldering heap close by.  "Has any
+one else escaped?  Two of the women are there,"--and he pointed up the
+valley.
+
+"And one is poor;"--Murray was too weak to overcome his emotion; he
+could not utter the name.
+
+"I feared so--I feared so," sighed Mr Meadows.  "And her mother?  Safe?
+Thank Providence! but let us get away from here; they may come back,
+and then there will be no mercy.  Heaven bless you, my son!" he
+exclaimed fervently and gratefully to Wahika; for, seeing a gaping wound
+still bleeding upon the old man's forehead, he had soaked a piece of
+native mat in the spring hard by, and begun tenderly to bind it up.
+"And you are a savage!" muttered Mr Meadows half to himself.  "How can
+I preach to such as you, to leave your simple faith, when your white
+brethren do such deeds as these?  No, no!" he cried; "not brethren, but
+the outcasts of our civilisation, let loose to raven and destroy.
+Thanks, thanks, my son; heaven bless you!  Let us go now, friend Murray,
+and see those who are saved."
+
+The distance was but short; but, in pain from their injuries, they
+proceeded but slowly, Wahika stopping and looking back from time to time
+till they came up to him.
+
+They had to pass the body of poor old Martin Lee; and here Mr Meadows
+paused, knelt down, took one stiffened hand, kissed it, and then softly
+replaced it by the old man's side.
+
+"Cut down like the wheat, and gathered into the heavenly garner.  A
+true, blunt, honest Englishman, and a dear friend, Edward Murray."
+
+A tear or two fell upon the face of the inanimate form, as the old
+minister bent his head over him for a few moments, and then he rose.
+
+"He looks at peace, friend Edward.  Would that we could have saved him!
+I am weak now," he said, wiping his eyes in a simple undisguised
+fashion; "but I do not see why I should feel ashamed.  Let us go on."
+
+It was a sad meeting between the widow and the clergyman; but there
+seemed no time for tears.  Katie was in the hands of the convicts, and
+how was she to be saved?
+
+There was little said that the savage could not comprehend, though he
+was not so ready at expressing himself; but he said simply, and with an
+earnestness which bespoke his feeling.
+
+"Wahika go fetch bright flower back; but Wahika only one--men kill, and
+bright flower of Moa's Nest not saved."
+
+"Yes," said Mr Meadows, "it would be madness to go alone; we must have
+help and strength.  You, Edward Murray, must seek friends in one
+direction; and, with heaven's help, I will see poor Lee's wife into
+safety, and bring friends from elsewhere to fall upon the rear of these
+Philistines.  Perhaps, too, our dark friend can bring up some aid.
+Which way will you go, Murray?"
+
+The young man gazed almost reproachfully in his face for a few moments;
+and then pointed up the valley, in the direction taken by the convicts.
+
+Mr Meadows then turned to Wahika.
+
+"And which way go you, friend?"
+
+"Wahika go with white friend here," was the reply.
+
+"Almost too daring to be of any avail," mused Mr Meadows.  "Then it is
+to me alone falls the task of bringing up help."
+
+They stayed that day in the little ravine, trying to recruit their
+strength.  There was but little difficulty in securing some provisions,
+for the convicts had been prodigal in the midst of plenty, and there
+were tokens of their waste in all directions.  There were the lowing
+unmilked kine too, asking to be relieved of their abundance, and eggs in
+plenty.  A little search also placed weapons in the hands of Murray; but
+Mr Meadows declined to accept the gun offered him by Wahika.
+
+"No," he said; "I dropped mine when I climbed through the window, and
+escaped through the outhouse, and I trust I may never have to take one
+again in hand.  I shall not need it--at least, at present, for my duty
+is to retreat and summon aid."
+
+That night a grave, hastily scooped out by Wahika, received the body of
+poor old Martin Lee; and an hour afterwards Mrs Lee was mounted upon
+Joey, who came from the field where he was grazing at his master's call,
+and accompanied by the savage and Edward Murray, Mr Meadows took hold
+of the bridle and led the way.
+
+At the end of a few hundred yards, the track began to ascend the side of
+the valley, and Murray stopped.
+
+"Send help as soon as you can, sir," he said; "and heaven speed you!"
+
+"Heaven speed you too!" said the old man fervently.  "It is a desperate
+hazard you go upon; but I dare not say stay.  Break a branch once and
+again to show your track, and remember that you can do no more now than
+watch the enemy.  You are weak and unable to cope with one, even; so
+bear in mind that your best way of helping her we love is by stratagem."
+
+Murray took the cold hand of Mrs Lee, and tried in choking tones to say
+a word or two of comfort; but she rested the other hand upon his
+shoulder, and whispered the one word, "Katie!"
+
+"Or death!" muttered Murray in an undertone, and they parted.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER ELEVEN.
+
+IN PURSUIT.
+
+Edward Murray knew well enough the truth of the old clergyman's remarks
+as he slowly followed Wahika back to the ruined farm, where the savage
+filled his pouch with such necessaries as he had collected together,
+intimating his wish that Murray should do the same; and then, once more,
+they started.
+
+Wahika led, always smoothing the way for his companion; and he pounced
+from time to time, with every demonstration of satisfaction, upon some
+object of utility or provision that had been cast aside by the convicts
+on their march.  Such as he could, he carried; the unnecessary things he
+concealed by the side of the track, taking every step forward with
+caution, lest too great a display of precipitancy should bring them
+suddenly upon the halting-place of their enemy.
+
+At last Murray stumbled, and then fell heavily, for exhausted nature
+could do no more.
+
+Wahika assisted him to a place that he had selected as secure; and then,
+in spite of Katie's peril, Nature would have her way, and for some
+hours, Edward Murray slept, to wake stiff and sore, but refreshed.  The
+wound on his head, too, was not so painful; and he lay for a while in
+the darkness wondering how he should proceed.  The only thing he could
+decide upon was that they should endeavour to find out the convicts'
+plan, and then try, by stratagem, to deliver their prisoners.
+
+He touched the savage upon the shoulder, and he was upon his feet in a
+moment, bringing food from his pouch, and milk from a bottle; and then,
+feeling stronger and more fit to encounter the dangers before him, the
+young man examined, and, for the first time, loaded his gun, the savage
+nodding approval.
+
+He would then have proceeded, but for the more wary guide, who lifted
+his finger towards the dark tops of the mountains, above which the stars
+still glistened, and in his broken English pointed out the advisability
+of waiting for day.
+
+And it was well that they waited; for within a mile of them, high up in
+an almost inaccessible rift in the mountain side, the convicts had made
+their camp, two of their number being left below to act as sentinels;
+and had Murray proceeded, the chances were that he must have fallen in
+with them, and perhaps have been taken by surprise.
+
+But as day broke, the native led the way cautiously, till from certain
+signs he felt convinced that the enemy was near; and motioning Murray to
+wait, he glided on silently, returning in a short time to conduct the
+young man with the utmost caution to the side of a rift, when he
+started, for within fifty yards of him, coolly smoking and talking, sat
+a couple of the convicts.
+
+His start did not pass unheard, and the men glanced in their direction;
+but Wahika had chosen a well-sheltered spot, and after a few minutes'
+anxious peering about, they were apparently satisfied, and resumed their
+seats upon a block of stone.
+
+A motion of the savage's hand made Murray draw back behind a dense mass
+of foliage; and then, from his knowledge of the country, intuitively
+guessing where the party would be, he led his companion for some
+distance back, and began climbing slowly up and up a way that seemed
+almost impracticable; the savage uttering more than one half-suppressed
+exclamation of surprise on finding that the vines and rope-like creepers
+were, in more than one place, broken away, as though some one had lately
+passed in that direction; for he did not recall that, a few hours
+before, he had given an invaluable lesson to another in the art of
+scaling these natural fortresses.  The marks though were unnoticed by
+Murray, who climbed on and on, till compelled to rest; and then once
+more on till they reached a point where they could creep to the edge of
+a precipice; and peering between the fern-leaves, gazed down into a
+cuplike chasm, where, to the number of twenty or so, the convicts were
+gathered, some eating, some smoking and drinking, and so near that their
+voices could be plainly heard.
+
+The savage laughed his satisfaction at the success of his quest; and
+then, clutching his companion by the shoulder, drew him back behind a
+screen of foliage; for his quick ear had caught the sound of rustling
+branches, then a slip as of some one descending from above; a stone fell
+too, struck the shelf where they had stood but a moment before,
+rebounded, and plunged down into the leafy sea far beneath.
+
+The savage grasped his club, and his eyes glistened, while the
+click-click of Murray's gunlock told that he too was prepared; but club
+and gun were lowered when, the next moment, the pale and scared face of
+Anthony Bray cautiously appeared from amidst the leaves, which he parted
+with the barrel of the gun he carried; and then, apparently knowing of
+the proximity of the convicts, he crawled to the edge of the precipice,
+and lay there watching them, till he uttered a cry of terror as Wahika
+glided to his side, and laid his hand upon his arm.
+
+The next instant he had caught sight of Murray, and as the young men's
+eyes met, Bray read in the stern glance that his treachery was known.
+Their greeting was sullen.  There was no brotherly grasp of the hand, as
+between two men meeting after being engaged in the same cause, and
+escaping from a fearful death.  But they knew that this was no time for
+personal enmity, and Murray was the first to speak.
+
+"We are bound on the same mission, Mr Bray, and cannot afford to slight
+each other's aid; but, by heaven, if I see the slightest offer of
+treachery again, I will shoot you as I would a dog.  Your purpose here
+makes me forget the past; but look well to the future."
+
+Bray muttered a few words, and then Murray crept once more to the edge
+of the precipice, and looked down.  He was so near that he could have
+thrown a stone amongst the party; and his heart beat tumultuously as he
+saw Katie sitting, clinging tightly to a woman by her side, and
+apparently weeping bitterly.  He was so near that it seemed quite
+possible, as a last resource, that they might lie there in concealment,
+and with careful aim shoot down the wretches one by one; but his better
+feelings revolted against such a plan.  No, they must use stratagem, and
+that too as soon as the night fell; for it seemed that it would be
+practicable to elude the convicts' vigilance, and to take the prisoners
+from amongst them.
+
+He crept back to Bray and Wahika, and told them his conclusions; when
+the former seemed almost to resent the proposal, as if it would afford
+him no pleasure should success attend their efforts; but Wahika muttered
+"Good," and beckoning to them to follow, led them by a steep and rugged
+path amongst the ferns, over the next shoulder of the hill, and round to
+where they could look down into the chasm from the other side.
+
+So dense was the undergrowth, and so precipitous were the rocks, that
+the convicts appeared to consider themselves in complete safety; for
+save at the foot of the ravine, no watch was kept, and the young men
+followed the savage carefully from crag to crag, until they lay in a
+chasm where they could even overhear the conversation of the ruffians;
+while more than once a stifled sob from the women made Murray's heart to
+burn within him.
+
+They were now so close that it seemed almost impossible for them not to
+be discovered; but hour after hour wore on, during which long
+consultations were held amongst the more earnest of the men, though the
+greater part seemed to give themselves wholly up to the riot and
+drunkenness they considered themselves to have earned.  But it seemed
+that they were of divided counsels; some being for making the present
+their stronghold, and setting pursuit at defiance, while they made raids
+in different directions; others being for proceeding along the coast
+until they could seize another vessel, and cruise from place to place.
+
+At this juncture, Bray saw Murray's hands playing with the lock of his
+gun, with whose barrel he covered one of the men whom he saw go up to
+Katie where she sat; but his aspect of rage gave place to one of
+surprise as he recognised the face of the convict, and saw that his
+object was only to press food upon her, which, however, she waved away.
+
+Had they, then, one friend in the camp?  It seemed so; for upon a couple
+of others approaching the poor girl, the first man sturdily bade them go
+back, and on their refusal, placed himself before them, laughing at
+their threats, whereupon they drew back; but a cold shudder ran through
+Murray's frame as one of the ruffians coarsely told the poor girl's
+defender to wait until night.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER TWELVE.
+
+RESCUE.
+
+"To wait until night!"  Those words kept repeating themselves, as Murray
+lay there concealed, within but a few yards of Katie, and yet unable to
+warn her of help being so near.
+
+From time to time Wahika pressed upon him food, and he took it
+mechanically; for he knew his dire need of strength, and trembled for
+his weakness when the time should come for the struggle which he knew
+must be impending.
+
+The sun passed down behind the opposite ridge and still the men lay
+about, drinking and smoking.  Apparently trusting entirely to the
+security of their position, no guard was now kept, for Murray had
+recognised the two men from the entrance of the ravine, who had rejoined
+the party below early in the evening, and at length the darkness came
+on, for this night the moon was clouded.  But the light dresses of Katie
+and her companion were still discernible, and hour after hour wore on,
+the only change being that Wahika had glided down like a serpent, after
+divesting himself of his blanket; and then, slowly and cautiously, each
+in his inmost heart dreading some foul blow, Murray and Bray followed,
+till they lay crouching beneath the leaves, so close that not a whisper
+could have been uttered unheard.  Inch by inch they had lowered
+themselves, trembling as each leaf rustled, and moving only when the
+conversation was at its loudest.
+
+Could they have stood erect, half a dozen steps would have placed them
+beside Katie, who, stupefied with grief, still clung to her
+fellow-captive, save at such times as a rough voice summoned the woman
+away to bear spirits or a light from one to the other; and at last, when
+she was returning from such an errand, her progress was arrested, and
+Murray and Wahika rose to their knees, for they felt that the time for
+action had come.
+
+The night was dark, but figures crossing the chasm could be distinctly
+made out, and there was no need for Wahika's pointing finger, for Murray
+had already made out two men gently creeping towards the sitting figure
+in her light garments, and another making his way from an opposite
+direction.  Enemies all, they seemed; but it was not so, for the next
+moment there was the sound of cursing, and a fierce straggle, in the
+midst of which Katie felt herself roughly clasped, and half carried
+towards the dense foliage on one side, and before she could check
+herself, gave vent to a sharp cry.
+
+The cry was nearly proving fatal; for though, at first sight, the three
+new-comers had been mistaken in the darkness for a portion of their own
+party, the convicts had now taken the alarm, and with furious shouts
+they sought each man his weapon.
+
+As they sprang forward, Bray had furiously thrust Murray back, so that
+he tripped and fell; but recovering himself quickly, he leaped to
+Katie's side, and his voice reassured her.
+
+"This way," he whispered; but it seemed too late.  On three sides there
+were enemies; but Wahika seized the poor girl's arm, and forced her
+towards the unthreatened side, dashing the foliage apart; and, more from
+the boldness of the act than the force of their attack, the young men
+were left free to follow, Katie's dress guiding them, as the savage drew
+her rapidly after him, while to the convicts the escape seemed almost
+incredible.  Had they pursued, all efforts on the part of the fugitives
+would have been vain; but feeling assured that they were attacked by a
+strong party, they were content for a while to fire at random in the
+direction taken by their enemies, who were thus enabled to make some
+little progress before pursuit was attempted.
+
+Using almost superhuman exertions, Murray at last reached Katie's side,
+panted out a few words of encouragement, and tried to hurry her on; but
+now the savage stopped short, listened attentively for a few moments,
+and then turned in another direction, choosing a more arduous upward
+path, helping to drag the half-fainting girl from crag to crag, but not
+for far, since it was evident now that the convicts had recovered from
+their surprise, and were spreading in all directions in pursuit,
+encouraging each other with shouts as they pressed on.
+
+Twice the fleeing party had to double back, for it seemed that they were
+being headed; but Wahika was inexhaustible in his knowledge of the
+ground; and at last he reached once more one of the many little mountain
+streams, trickling down a steep chasm, whose sides were too precipitous
+to be scaled; and telling Murray to go first with the trembling girl, he
+laid his hand on Bray's arm.
+
+"They go--we stop fight," he whispered; but Bray refused.
+
+"Why should not Mr Murray stay, and fight for his lady-love?" he said
+bitterly.
+
+"No, no, no!  Keep with me," whispered Katie, clinging to Murray's arm.
+
+Smothering his resentment, Murray slowly, and hardly able to press on
+himself, helped his tottering charge up the gully.  Slow, cruel work,
+with Bray lingering behind, so as to keep them in sight, and the
+faithful savage covering their retreat.  So far, the convicts had not
+hit upon the gully; and if they did find out their route, it was a place
+that two determined men could have held against a score.  But though
+Murray made every effort he was but human; his wound had been a
+tremendous drain upon his system; and at the end of half a mile of
+incessant climbing, he sank at Katie's feet with a groan, saying, "I can
+go no farther."
+
+"Mr Bray," he said huskily, "I am dead beat.  You must take my place;
+but while power is left me to lift my gun, no one shall pass here!"
+
+Bray leaped to Katie's side in an instant; but she held out her hands to
+keep him at bay.  Murray pressed the poor girl hard to leave him.
+
+"Wahika would protect you," he said earnestly; "and after a while I
+could follow."
+
+"Would you leave _me_?" she whispered.
+
+Murray did not respond; and they waited, listening to the distant
+shouts--now nearer, and echoing, as if close at hand, then growing more
+and more faint, when the hearts of the pursued would rise; but only for
+their spirits to be again damped; for once more it was evident that the
+enemy were nearing.
+
+It was an agonising time as they sat there, feeling, as it were, that
+Death, with black and outspread wings, was swooping here and there--now
+nearer, so that they could almost feel the dull flap of his wings; now
+farther away.  Murray implored his companion to escape.
+
+The answer was ever the same:
+
+"No;" and the question repeated, "Would he go?"--a question that he
+could not answer.  And once more they relapsed into silence, save when
+the savage mattered a few words, or stole gently down a little way
+towards the mouth of the gully.
+
+Once Wahika was gone for so long a time, that Katie glanced uneasily at
+Bray, who followed the savage down, returned, followed him again, and
+again returned, to stand thoughtfully listening; while Edward Murray
+seemed to read his thoughts respecting his helplessness, and the little
+difficulty he would have in ridding himself of a rival.
+
+Could he but tear Katie away, and flee with her higher up the gully, the
+convicts, upon reaching the spot where they now were, would find the
+wounded and half-helpless man; and once there were no Edward Murray,
+Katie might relent--that was, if they escaped.
+
+The young man sighed to himself as he pretty correctly rendered the
+thoughts of Anthony Bray; and he could not help feeling that he would
+rather see her free and the wife of Bray, than that she should again
+fall into the hands of their merciless enemies.
+
+Twice over some movement on the part of Bray made the poor girl cling
+closer to Murray--more in the character of protector than protected; for
+a terrible fear came over her that Bray would slay the almost helpless
+foe to his desires, and then compel her to follow him; and she told
+herself that she would die first.
+
+"Why does he not return?" she muttered, as she tried to pierce the
+obscurity below, in her efforts to catch sight of the savage.  But fully
+an hour passed, during which time they could still hear the occasional
+shout or response of the convicts, as they vainly sought the fugitives.
+The more eagerly, too, that the freedom from attack had taught them the
+weakness of the rescuing party.
+
+Suddenly Bray started, and raised his piece; for a figure was seen to
+rise from some bushes just below them.  But a second glance told him
+that it was Wahika, who had been watching at the mouth of the golly.
+
+"Morning soon--then find," he said curtly.  "Now try get up higher."
+
+Drinking deeply of the limpid water near at hand, Murray rose to his
+feet, and, assisted by the others, he managed to scale the rocky
+barrier.  The darkness was intense; but cautiously leading, the savage
+pressed back the branches, removed heavy stones, and pioneered the way,
+until he stopped short almost in a cavern, so shut in was the gorge; and
+then, helping Katie to a place where the trickling water did not reach,
+he whispered them to sit and rest, setting them the example himself, but
+without giving any explanation.
+
+As the day approached, for a time the darkness seemed to increase; and
+they sat on, with strained ears, listening for the signs that should
+tell of pursuit.  Twice only a faint cry came echoing up the chasm;
+otherwise all was silent.
+
+Murray, as he lay on the stones, was filled with despair, as he thought
+of his weakness, and the distrust existing in their little camp; and as
+he tried in vain to look assuringly at Katie, he more than once asked
+himself how it would end.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
+
+WAHIKA'S STRONGHOLD.
+
+The reason for Wahika's last halt was plainly enough marked now that day
+had dawned.  They were in a _cul-de-sac_--a natural fortress, which it
+must now be their aim to defend against attack.  Assault could come but
+from below, along the narrow winding way of the bed of the stream, up
+which their assailants, should they trace the little party, would have
+to climb slowly and arduously, exposed to their fire; and would their
+ammunition but hold out, Murray felt that those would indeed be daring
+foes who would force their way up, step by step, along the narrow path.
+
+Could Bray have been trusted, Murray would have felt comparatively safe;
+but he could not avoid recalling the night of the fire, the cruel blow
+so treacherously dealt; and it was but rarely that the eyes of the young
+men met.
+
+Bray, too, had his thoughts upon their position.  In spite of his rage,
+he knew that he would fight to the death in Katie's defence; but it was
+gall and bitterness to him to see the gentle care she bestowed upon his
+rival; and more than once, with a vengeful curse, he turned from them to
+make his way lower down the gully, and sit there brooding over his
+wrongs.
+
+No sunshine fell where the fugitives sat; but the heights around grew
+radiant; and poor Katie shuddered as they reminded her of her bright and
+peaceful home, over which so fearful a change had been brought.
+
+Feeling the impossibility of making farther progress, Murray was
+surprised to see Wahika, after a little reconnoitring, begin to climb
+the face of the precipice, finding foothold in tiny crevices, and
+grasping at tufts of grass, till he had surmounted an almost
+perpendicular portion of the face of the rock.  But his object soon
+became plain: some thirty feet up there appeared to be a shelf and a
+dark opening, but so full of verdure that it was impossible to make out
+its extent; and here, it seemed, that the savage intended to make his
+stronghold, for, having reached the shelf, he drew out his knife, and,
+in a very short time, from the hanging creepers had woven a kind of
+rough rope, sufficiently strong to bear the weight of his companions;
+and this he at length let down.
+
+Katie shrank from it at first; but a whisper from Murray sufficed.  The
+loop made was passed over her, so that she was seated within it; a
+couple of handkerchiefs bound her securely, lest her courage should
+fail; and then the young men watched her, trembling, as Wahika stood
+striding on the crag above, his brow knit, and the muscles upon his arms
+standing out like knotted cords, as he, by sheer strength,
+hand-over-hand, drew up the frightened girl.
+
+Twice Murray, his heart beating rapidly, stood with outstretched hands
+to break her fall; for it seemed that Wahika had over-rated his powers,
+and that he must be drawn over the edge.  But slowly and steadily he
+hauled up his rough cord, Katie swinging to and fro, and clinging with
+closed eyes the while, till by an effort the savage drew her to the
+edge; and the next instant she was in safety.
+
+In a few minutes the rope was lowered; and Murray tied to it the guns
+and such provisions as still remained; and when, once more, the rope
+descended, Bray seized it, and half drawn, half climbing, reached the
+top, just as a shout from below told that not only had the gully been
+discovered, but that he had been seen.
+
+The next instant a bullet flattened itself against the stone, a little
+below the edge, and fell at Murray's feet, while the rocks above echoed
+and re-echoed the report with a roll as of thunder.
+
+Wahika would have lowered the line again; but Bray held to it, and kept
+him back; for the temptation was strong upon him to leave Murray to his
+fate.  They had there, where he was, the arms and provisions; and it was
+impossible for the convicts to reach them.  Help must come sooner or
+later; and then there was the future.  Should he not be successful in
+winning Katie, he would be revenged, and he would not have the agony of
+seeing her in his rival's arms.  The temptation was strong, and he
+yielded to it.  Murray might die.  But Wahika, too, was strong, and
+heedless of a couple more shots fired, he struggled hard for the rope,
+sending Bray back upon the precipice, so that it seemed that both must
+fall; but by an effort Bray recovered himself, and the savage was forced
+back; when, with a harsh cry, he loosened his hold of the rope, and
+darted to Katie, whose agitation had alarmed him, for she had seemed as
+if about to leap down to her lover.
+
+But if such had been her intention, Wahika restrained her, pulling her
+down into shelter; and, seizing his gun, he took rapid aim, fired; and
+one of the convicts who was about to fire at Murray bounded into the
+air, and then fell into the little trickling stream.
+
+Imitating his example, Bray too fired; and another man sank into a
+sitting posture, and then crawled into the shelter of the rocks; while
+half-a-dozen shots fired at the defenders of the gully flattened
+themselves on the rock, or dislodged little clouds of dust and stones.
+
+Knowing his peril, Murray sank at the first discharge, and behind a mass
+of rock crouched with anxious heart, waiting for the coming of his
+executioners.  For it seemed to him that, sooner or later, they would
+dash on, ignorant of the inaccessible mass of rock, and then, in their
+rage and disappointment, kill him upon the spot.
+
+He smiled bitterly as he thought of this new act of treachery; and as he
+watched the barrels protruded above his head, he would have felt little
+surprise had that of Bray covered him; and a thrill of rage ran through
+him as he thought of his helpless position--weak and unarmed, and
+waiting for his end.
+
+But would not aid come?  The news of such an outrage, as spread by Mr
+Meadows, must bring the settlers of the whole district down to the
+destruction of the villainous crew.  But would the aid come in time to
+save Katie?
+
+As for Bray, he lay there watching the coming on of the convicts, as
+they now grew more cautious, and darted from stone to stone for
+protection.  Twice he withheld his hand when he might have slain an
+enemy; for he told himself savagely that it was not for him to stay them
+from reaching his rival.  And then as to Wahika--what was he, that he
+should oppose his will?  There was his home in ruins; but he could build
+another; his cattle and sheep were uninjured; and here, miles away from
+another station, and with her friends cut off, Katie must gladly accept
+of his protection and become his wife; and the past would soon be
+forgotten.  He knew nothing of Mrs Lee's escape, nor of the sought-for
+aid; and silent and thoughtful he lay there, almost a spectator of the
+little siege.
+
+Twice his barrel covered Murray, and he took deadly aim at the young
+man; but the blenching was not on the sailor's side.  He saw his peril;
+but he trembled not, but gazed full up at his rival with a calm
+untroubled mien, almost a smile of contempt upon his lip, when the
+fierce eyes of his enemy were withdrawn, the barrel of the gun pointed
+in another direction, and Bray's conscience told him that he dared not
+fire.
+
+Meanwhile precipice and crag sent thundering back the echoes of the
+discharged guns; for every time Wahika, from his more exposed position,
+showed hand or head, bullet after bullet was sent whistling through the
+air; but except being struck and bleeding from the rocky splinters, he
+was but little injured.  Not so, though, his enemies; for more than one
+poor wretch, on rising to fire, from what he conceived to be a place of
+safety, received his death wound, and staggered down the gully, to fall
+with a crash over some fragment of rock, and then dye the streamlet with
+his heart's blood.  Now the strife would seem to cease, and attacker and
+defender would remain in concealment; but only for the convicts to renew
+their assault, coming in their rage nearer and nearer, until, but for
+Wahika's well-plied gun, they must have reached the spot where Murray
+lay sheltered by the rock.
+
+He did not want for food; for there was a portion of the provision
+dropped at his feet; but while the stream trickled close by where he
+sat, and he could quench his thirst and lave his heated brow, those
+above him on the rock suffered severely from want of water, as the sun
+beat down upon their heads, and the stone grew hotter and hotter, till
+the verdure around them flagged and drooped.
+
+The times of cessation were, if possible, more trying than those of the
+active firing; for when the enemy was invisible, the dread was always
+great that they had scaled the sides of the gorge, and would before long
+reach them by some side-path, or, climbing far above where they lay hid,
+would hurl down huge stones and crush them as they sought in vain to
+avoid each ponderous mass.  But no such thoughts seemed to trouble
+Wahika, who, with his gun-barrel commanding the pass, lay there watchful
+and patient, the barrel at times growing so hot that it seemed within
+the range of probability that the charge might explode.  In his rough
+way he comprehended to a great extent the cause of the enmity between
+the young men, and placing Katie in a rift, half chasm, half cavern,
+behind where he knelt, he kept a double watch, and waited patiently for
+the help that he, too, felt must soon come.  As the heat grew more
+intense, reflected back as it was from the rocks, but never reaching the
+hollow where Murray was concealed, the savage picked and chewed leaves
+to allay his thirst, offering some, too, to the trembling girl behind
+him.
+
+The shades of evening began at last to fall, and to Murray it was an
+anxious time, for he rightly guessed that the convicts would take
+advantage of the obscurity to close up and attack their enemies hand to
+hand; for since daylight had enabled them to discover the gully by which
+the fugitives had escaped, every check received had tended to madden
+them and make them reckless of consequences.  Not that they dreaded
+attack themselves--the country had seemed too sparsely inhabited;
+therefore as each man fell, his comrades had sworn the most binding oath
+each to avenge him; and as soon as darkness closed in, they began to
+creep cautiously from rock to rock, higher up the gully.  In spite of
+their caution, though, they had not made much progress, when a heavy
+stone was dislodged, and, as if in consequence, a gun was seen to send
+forth its messenger of death, and the convicts once more halted.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
+
+ATTACK AND DEFENCE.
+
+It was bitter work sitting there beneath the shelter of that stone,
+striving with his thoughts; and Edward Murray's heart sank as the
+darkness increased, and he reflected on his situation.  Yet, in spite of
+his anxiety of mind, that day's rest had not been without its good
+effects.  The stiffness had to some extent worn off, and at last, when
+the night had quite closed in, and the darkness rendered such a
+proceeding safe, Murray rose, and began to search along the side and
+face of the precipice for a spot whence he might contrive to scale the
+crag, and reach the shelf where his companions were concealed.
+
+He moved cautiously, for it struck him that he had heard the sound of
+approaching enemies in the gully below, though the darkness was too
+profound for anything to be seen; but though he tried all along to find
+the spot where Wahika has ascended, it was in vain, and he turned to
+regain the spot where he had lain, when, almost simultaneously, he heard
+the rolling down of a dislodged stone, and the sharp crack of a rifle,
+when a bullet whizzed by his ear, and seemed to strike the spot where he
+had so lately rested, the loose stones flying in all directions, and
+then pattering down.
+
+A pang shot through Murray's breast, as he thought of whose hand must
+have fired that shot; and then listening for a while for sounds from
+below, he stepped back to the face of the precipice, eager now to
+confront the treacherous villain who thus again sought to take his life,
+after having threatened it twice before during the day.  He passed along
+the face of the rock, stumbling heavily amidst the loose stones; and
+then his hand encountered something that made his heart leap, and
+seizing it with both hands, he climbed slowly and painfully, higher and
+higher, till his feet rested on a loftier ledge; and he stopped,
+panting, and wondering whose was the hand that had let down the rope.
+Was it Wahika? or was it a fresh act of treachery on the part of Bray?
+Was he to climb nearly to the top, and then feel his support suddenly
+slacken, that he might fall a heavy, helpless mass upon the cruel rocks
+beneath?  He could not help it; he feared that it was so, and for a few
+moments felt disposed to slide down again.  But no! only a few feet
+above him he knew that Katie needed his protection.  He would persevere
+at all hazards; and once more the rough rope quivered beneath his
+weight, as slowly he clambered higher and higher, till with a violent
+effort he got one knee upon the edge, and grasped a tuft of herbage;
+when, just as a hand was gliding down his arm--that of the savage--there
+rang from beneath a loud shout--six or eight shots were fired from close
+at hand--and then, with the aid suddenly withdrawn, Murray's knee
+slipped from the edge, and he had only time to loose the slackened rope,
+and force his bleeding fingers into the crevices of the rock, to save
+himself from falling.
+
+The darkness was awful; the tension upon his weakened arms such as he
+could hardly bear; but finding some slight support for his feet, he
+continued to hang on until he had somewhat recovered from the shock, and
+then made another effort to save himself.  He dared not call for aid,
+lest he should point out his position to the convicts.  But his faint
+whisper was heard in the dead silence, and in an instant he felt himself
+clutched, just as his hands were slipping over the stone, and he felt
+that he must fall.
+
+That grasp stayed him; but, at the same moment, a heavy foot struck at
+his hands, and it seemed that in the darkness a struggle was going
+forward upon the ledge.  The fragments lying loose were thrown down, and
+then came a couple more shots, a loud shriek, and then a heavy,
+sickening fall upon the rocks beneath.
+
+A strange, deathly feeling crept over Edward Murray--a feeling of horror
+and weakness.  His hands seemed to relax, his arms to become powerless;
+and though a voice he well knew whispered to him in anguished tones to
+try once more, his attempt was without success.  He seemed only to sink
+lower; one foot slipped from the tuft upon which it had rested, and
+though he tried hard to regain the hold, it was in vain.  He knew that
+it was Katie who pressed down his hands into the chink where they now
+rested; but it seemed to him that he was drawing her over with him in
+his vain efforts; and that in a few more moments, she, as well as
+himself, would be crushed on the points beneath.
+
+Her encouraging whisper came, close to his ear, to try again.  But he
+was exhausted and helpless, till he felt his arm seized, dragged almost
+out of the socket, and then he lay motionless upon the ledge, with a
+hand grasping his on one side, and the sound as of some one panting hard
+from exertion on the other.
+
+Twice again came the crash and rattle of bullets striking above their
+heads; but they were too well-sheltered for harm to befall them, now
+that their enemies were close beneath, evidently trying hard to find
+some means of ascent, while Katie's hand trembled as she listened to the
+corses and threats which defiled the quiet of the night.
+
+As he lay, each moment recovering strength, Murray tried in vain to
+interpret the meaning of what had taken place in the darkness, for he
+had not seen the tussle between Wahika and Bray as the latter had
+furiously sought to thrust his rival from his hold.  The intense
+darkness had prevented his making out the meaning of the sounds he had
+heard; but when he crept forward, and found out that Murray had nearly
+reached the ledge, his rage knew no bounds, and, but for Wahika's
+devotion, the clinging hold would have been destroyed.  The volley from
+below did the rest; and there, close beneath the cliffs, lay the body of
+Bray, shot through the heart, and insensible to the farther cruelties
+practised by the convicts now in revenge for their losses.
+
+The silence upon the ledge, though, soon lent support to Murray's
+suspicions; but he said nothing, except whispering to Wahika an inquiry
+as to the possibility of an escape, but only to learn that there was
+none.
+
+Another rattling volley startled them; but apparently feeling now that
+their efforts only ended in waste of ammunition, the convicts ceased
+firing, and, for the rest of the night, save an occasional whisper, the
+silence was oppressive.  But there was not the agony of spirit Murray
+had before suffered.  Two soft hands were now clasping his; and when all
+hope of relief was gone, he thought, as they sat there waiting for the
+day, that they could still die together.
+
+But he was hopeful yet.  There was the prospect of help coming through
+Mr Meadows; and he told his thoughts to the trembling girl.
+
+"But would they find this gully?" was the response, to which he could
+only speak hopefully.
+
+The sound of Wahika reloading a gun made the young man ask for a piece,
+which, with the much-lightened horn and pouch, was pushed into his
+hands, and, with knitted brow, he sat still, waiting for the light,
+feeling stronger each hour, and determined to give a good account of
+more than one assailant, before finger should be laid upon the sleeping
+form at his side.
+
+For now, completely worn out, and feeling herself in comparative
+security, the poor girl's head had sunk lower and lower, until it had
+rested upon her breast, and she slept.
+
+At last, morning again, bright and glowing.  Murray felt that if they
+could only hold the convicts at bay, that would be sufficient.  The help
+must come soon; and if they could avoid farther bloodshed, he should be
+thankful.  But he knew that all must depend upon the actions of their
+assailants, and he looked about anxiously now, to see the state in which
+they, the besieged, would be.
+
+Wahika had told him that man could not climb the sides of the gully; but
+the savage had not allowed for the possibility of one or two daring
+spirits climbing to a height wherefrom they could command their place of
+refuge, and render it untenable for any length of time; and it was with
+no little anxiety that Murray saw that, from the first, faint light, the
+convicts had been carefully trying the sides, and that now a couple of
+men were slowly crawling up from crag to crag to a projection similar to
+that on which the besieged rested, and from which, while finding shelter
+themselves, they would be able to fire down upon those at the end of the
+gully.
+
+There was no time for consideration--it was life for life; and having
+turned to see whether the savage had made out the new danger, Murray
+took careful aim, fired, and had the mortification of seeing a puff of
+dust close by one of the convicts' heads as the bullet struck the stone,
+while the shot sent by Wahika had no better effect.
+
+A loud shout of derision greeted their failure; and as hands were raised
+in loading, shot after shot was discharged at the ledge, but also
+without effect.  Wahika was first ready to fire again.  Murray's hand
+trembled so from excitement that he was long in preparing; and then they
+took aim again at the uppermost convict, who they found, to their
+dismay, had gained the shelf, and was reaching down to help his
+companion, who was toiling patiently after him.  Two steps, a strong
+drawing up of the hands, and he was within reach, so that he could grasp
+the other, and in another minute destruction would have been certain for
+the fugitives, when simultaneously Murray and Wahika discharged their
+pieces, and Katie hid her face in her hands, for there was a strange
+surging movement in the higher convict, who pulled his companion upward
+for a few inches, and then seemed to bow forward, gliding over the edge
+of the precipice, the two falling from crag to crag, full sixty feet, to
+roll over at last, crushed and helpless, among the ferns and long grass.
+
+A cry of rage followed this defeat; and darting from behind a stone,
+another man began fiercely to scale the side, climbing actively till he
+had nearly reached the same height as his companions, and then, escaping
+a couple of bullets, taking a leap which landed him upon a jutting mass,
+behind which he glided; but the next moment his gun-barrel was raised,
+with his cap thereon, by way of signal to his companions, who greeted it
+with a cheer.  Then Murray saw it withdrawn, and an ominous silence
+followed.
+
+But the suspense was not of long duration; for before Murray or the
+savage could see sufficient of their enemy to take an aim, a puff of
+smoke seemed to jet out from the rock, and Murray was conscious of a
+sharp twinge on the shoulder, a bullet having passed through his coat
+and grazed the skin.  He remained motionless though, his eye glancing
+along the barrel of his gun, as he waited for a good opportunity for
+delivering his shot, but in vain.  Twice or thrice he saw the motion of
+a lifted arm, as of one loading his piece, and then again came a shot,
+and the puff of smoke, only visible as it darted outward, and then
+gently floated up on the still morning air.
+
+This bullet was wider of the mark, but a dull feeling of despair seized
+upon Murray, as, leaving his gun, he glided back to where Katie
+crouched, telling himself that he could not die with her so close at
+hand, without a farewell.
+
+No words, though, were uttered, as he took the weeping girl to his
+heart; and then, softly unclasping the arms that tightened round his
+neck, he left her, whispering the words, "Pray for us!"
+
+As Murray retook his place, another bullet almost instantly struck up
+the splinters of stone, blinding him for a few minutes, and compelling
+him to wipe the blood from his face.
+
+It seemed that Wahika was not within sight of their enemy, for no shot
+had been aimed at him; and now, with a low-muttered exclamation of
+resentment, he crawled to his companion's side, and with him watched in
+vain for an opportunity to fire.  They could see again the raised arm
+above the rock as the ramrod was driven into the piece; then came the
+puff of smoke, there was a dull thud by Murray's side, and, springing up
+with a cry of rage, the savage shook his piece fiercely for an instant
+in the direction of his foe, and then fell, rolling to the back of the
+ledge, bleeding profusely.
+
+In spite of his efforts, a despairing groan burst from Murray's breast
+as he saw his faithful ally gasping upon the rock, his teeth set with
+anguish, and the tide of life welling from a wound in his shoulder.
+But, after the first cry of rage and pain, no sound escaped the savage,
+and he lay passive; while, between them, Murray and the girl did what
+they could to stop the effusion of blood, for the bullet had passed
+completely through his shoulder.
+
+Cheer after cheer had greeted this success, and half-a-dozen shots were
+fired in a volley at the face of the rock, but only to bring down a
+shower of stones; and on turning once more to regain his place, to his
+horror, Murray made out that the convict, elated by his victory, and
+missing both of his enemies, had climbed a little higher, so as to
+better command the ledge, forgetful that he was exposing himself to his
+enemy's aim.
+
+Just then Murray once more appeared in sight, when the startled wretch
+dropped to his former position, but not quite in so secure a fashion,
+for his fall swept down a portion of the foliage that had before
+concealed him; and as two reports rang out almost as one, Murray had the
+satisfaction of seeing a hand thrown up, and the convict's gun fall
+clattering down into the gully.
+
+Murray loaded again as expeditiously as possible; but seeing that his
+antagonist was helpless, he refrained from firing another shot,
+reserving it for the next who should attempt to scale the gully-side,
+and it was not long before he had an opportunity; but his aim was bad,
+and he had the misery of seeing another daring fellow climb to the rock,
+and then coolly shelter himself behind his comrade's body.
+
+Watching attentively his enemy's movements, Murray prepared to recharge
+his piece; but once more his heart sank, for he had sent his last bullet
+winging its way; and on turning to Wahika, he found that the charge in
+the savage's gun was the last that he, too, possessed.
+
+There was nothing for it but to withdraw into such shelter as he could
+reach--little enough; for the fresh man, more energetic even than his
+disabled fellow, kept on firing furiously, but without effect; while
+terribly unnerved by this enforced inactivity, the horrors of thirst now
+attacked afresh the occupants of the ledge, the wounded savage's
+sufferings seeming to be intense, as he turned his dull eyes from one to
+the other, as if asking the help they could not give.
+
+The sun rose higher and higher; and, save the occasional shout of
+directions to the man on the rock, the convicts preserved an almost
+unbroken silence.  But, suddenly, Murray saw three or four begin to dart
+from stone to stone, as if in retreat, and descend the gully; but too
+unguarded an exposure of himself brought a bullet whizzing by his ear,
+and he felt, with justice, that those who had gone had probably departed
+on a foraging expedition, while they were to lie there and die.
+
+"Would no help come?  Had there not now been ample time?" he asked
+himself, as he gazed at poor Katie's parched white lips.  Their thirst
+was terrible, while their sufferings were like those of Tantalus; for,
+in full view, they could see the cold water trickle from stone to stone,
+and drop plashing into the rocky basin beneath their feet.
+
+What should he do?  Should he leave her to fall alive into the hands of
+the convicts, or should he--
+
+He covered his face with his hands and groaned, as the bright scene of
+the happy home--the rifled nest--came flashing through his memory.
+
+"Don't heed me, Katie," he whispered, as he felt his hands drawn away
+from his face, to be kissed and pressed to a tender throbbing heart.
+"Don't heed me.  I'm weak and childish with my wounds, and it unmans me
+to see you in such peril."
+
+"Hush, hush," whispered the poor girl; "do not grieve.  It cannot be
+very hard to die--not very.  See there, how poor Wahika, who has fought
+so nobly, seems to bear his fate; for he is going, Ned," she continued;
+and she pointed to the glazing eyes and motionless form at their side.
+"If that poor savage can die so peacefully, cannot we, who have received
+so much greater light, pass away even as gently as he?"
+
+The young man sighed heavily, as he pressed her again and again to his
+breast, but he could not speak.
+
+"Will they kill us quickly, Ned?" she went on.  "I hope so now; for
+things seem strange, darling, and I want you to hold me tightly--O, so
+tightly; for it is as though I were being dragged away; and I can see
+dear father beckoning to me, and--Yes, yes; I'm coming!"  Looking up
+suddenly in Murray's face, she kissed him tenderly.  "Good-night, father
+dear!" she murmured; "it was a dream, a troubled dream; and my head, my
+head--"
+
+The heat had now grown insufferable, and the silence down the gully that
+of death--so complete, that when, as Katie lay there with her head upon
+Murray's breast, she started and laughed a little happy-sounding laugh,
+it seemed to be repeated from the mountain side.
+
+"There, there!" she muttered gently; "I can sleep now; but it was
+terrible--yes, it was terrible--such dreams are bad.  Poor Ned! his face
+all crimsoned, and his hands blackened with powder.  But he was fighting
+for me--for me whom he loves--and--Yet did they not kill him?--did they
+not leave him in the burning--Ned!" she added, starting, as it were,
+into sensibility again, and gazing at him with terror-stricken eyes,
+"what was it?  What did it mean?  Was it real?"
+
+Then she trailed off again into a broken incoherent murmur, now lifting
+her parched lips to his, then hiding her face in her hands; but these
+fits of delirium were succeeded by moments of calm.
+
+Hour after hour, Murray crouched there--alone now, he told himself, for
+poor Katie's mind seemed to have passed away.  She had borne up bravely,
+but her sufferings had been greater than she could bear; and Murray knew
+that if the prayed-for help came not soon, there would be nothing for
+him to do but to meet the bullets ready for his breast, for all would be
+over, and the tragedy of Golden Gap complete.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
+
+SEEKING AID.
+
+Slowly up the sheep-track toiled the minister's pony with its sad
+burden.
+
+Seeing how painful was any attempt at consolation to the stricken woman,
+Mr Meadows dropped behind, thoughtfully gazing around from time to
+time, and whenever from a turn of the road there was a view of the
+rifled hut, pausing to take a long and sorrowful look at the ruins of
+the once happy home.  But not once did he draw the attention of Mrs Lee
+to the scene.
+
+How he thought of the quiet Eden-like aspect of the place as he had
+descended that toilsome way; the picturesque house, with its sheep and
+cattle dotted about; but now, though the scene was the same, and a clump
+of trees often hid from view the ruined house, yet how changed all
+seemed to his weary gaze!
+
+Catching the pony's bridle, when he had regained his place by its side,
+he began to try and hurry its pace, but without effect.  Making,
+therefore, a virtue of necessity, they trudged slowly on until, with a
+sigh of relief, the ravine which led over the summit was reached, the
+view of Golden Gap shut out, and the next valley beginning to open
+before them.
+
+What should he do?  Go from station to station, telling the terrible
+news, and summoning the settlers to take arms for the purpose of
+crushing an enemy that might assault each farm in turn, or hurry on to
+the settlement at Kaitaka Bay, and there spread the alarm?
+
+His reason told him that this latter would be the slower process, while
+if he trusted to the settlers in these far-off regions, the news would
+set them aflame, and they would muster readily.  There would be no
+cumbrous arrangements for the expedition, but each man would seize his
+piece and mount horse, ready to join the little levy, and help to drive
+the invader from the neighbourhood of his home--the home which each had
+won for himself from the wilderness, and which was now in danger from
+these marauders.
+
+He halted for a while by the side of one of the many streams, pressing
+upon his companion food and rest beneath the shady foliage, and watched
+her in the hope that sleep would visit the weeping woman--a short halt
+being absolutely necessary, on account of the ruggedness of their path,
+the excessive heat in the ravines, and the distance they had to travel.
+
+Seeing, however, that Mrs Lee's thoughts were wholly upon bringing
+rescue to her child, they were soon again upon their way, and before
+many hours were over, receiving the hearty welcome of a bluff settler,
+who with his wife and child stood at his door to receive the travellers.
+
+"Glad to see you, Mrs Lee," he exclaimed.  "And where's Martin?  Parson
+Meadows, too!  But what's wrong?  Why, you've got a cut on the head
+there, and--what does it all mean?"
+
+Mr Meadows led him aside, wondering, as he saw Mrs Lee throwing
+herself sobbing into his wife's arms.  The business was soon explained,
+and the settler's hearty English face grew stern and overcast.
+
+"Heaven preserve us!" he muttered.  "Poor Martin Lee! and it might have
+been here first!  But are you in earnest, parson?  Convicts?--landed?
+What should they come here for?"
+
+"Spoil!--plunder!--desolation!" replied Mr Meadows.
+
+The settler drew his guest into the house, forced him into a chair, and
+then dashed out of the room, shouting to a couple of his men.  Ten
+minutes after, two stout well-mounted fellows galloped off in different
+directions.
+
+"Mr Meadows," said the settler, returning to where he had left his
+visitor, "I couldn't go myself and leave them, or I'd have been one of
+those to gallop off; but the news will spread fast, and by morning we
+shall have a gathering here, I hope, that shall crush out these
+blood-thirsty locusts.  Don't think me unneighbourly that I did not go
+myself."
+
+"A man's first worldly duty is to his wife and children, friend Lawler,"
+said Mr Meadows.  "I blame you not, for we may perchance even yet have
+to fight for them before help comes."
+
+"Heaven forbid!" exclaimed the settler; but he took down with
+nervousness fowling-piece and rifle, and began to wipe and oil them
+ready for service.
+
+"I'd almost ask you to help in a time of need like this," he continued,
+"but for your cloth."
+
+"Help, friend Lawler!  Yes, I'll help; for I have already turned man of
+war in defence of the Moa's Nest, and am afraid that I did some mischief
+amongst these men you call locusts; but they deserved it all, I fear."
+
+"Fear, parson!" exclaimed the other.  "I would that you had had the
+scoundrels in a row, so that one bullet would have killed the lot!  It
+would have been the best message of peace you ever sent through the
+district."
+
+"But had I not better ride in some other direction to summon help?  If
+you could lend me another horse, I would gladly go: Joey, my pony, is
+slow, and not suited to the work."
+
+The settler mused for a few moments.
+
+"You might ride to Black Rock!" he returned.  "It will be a dark
+journey, and a long one; but the Allens would come to a man, and all
+stanch fellows, who can use a rifle."
+
+"Put on the saddle, and give me a morsel of bread; for no time should be
+lost.  You will be kind to our poor afflicted sister."
+
+"Kind!" was the reply, in such a tone that the clergyman smiled gently,
+and pressed the rough hand extended to him.
+
+Half-an-hour after, he was in the saddle and galloping in the direction
+of Black Rock.
+
+He was no mean horseman, and mile after mile was left behind, till the
+darkness and the increasing difficulties of the road compelled him to go
+more slowly--at a rate, indeed, that but ill accorded with the
+impatience of his spirit, now that he was in some degree rested and
+refreshed.  For, during the early part of his journey from the Moa's
+Nest, he had suffered from a strange feeling of oppression, due to his
+late sufferings; but this was fast wearing off.  And now, troubled in
+mind about the fate of those he sought to save, he once more pushed on,
+till the broken ground again compelled him to draw rein.
+
+Long residence, and occasional visits from station to station, had made
+him pretty familiar with the roads; and as the horse picked its way
+along the stony part they were passing, he began to calculate how many
+men could be mustered; how long it would be before help could be
+afforded; and whether that help would be in time.
+
+He pressed his horse forward as these last thoughts came, until he was
+again progressing at a long swinging gallop.  He had been some three or
+four times to Black Rock, but not by this road, which was not familiar
+to him; but, keeping to the track, he pressed on till it seemed to end
+in a stony wilderness, when he once more had to draw rein; for the
+rugged path required careful riding.  Here the track seemed almost lost;
+but just in front two valleys opened out, and in his directions his host
+had told him to take the left--no, the right--no, the left.  Was it to
+the left?  His head must be weak and confused, he told himself; for the
+settler had explained exactly and carefully the route he should follow.
+
+He grew excited as he recalled the importance of his making speed, and
+at last drew up, pained and troubled.  He essayed to go a little way
+along the valley to the right, but in a doubtful fashion; and, drawing
+rein at the end of a mile, he rode hastily back, feeling assured that he
+was wrong; and on reaching the headland that separated the valleys, he
+urged his steed onward, peering eagerly in advance the while, in search
+of some tokens of civilised man.
+
+He was angry with himself for the mistake he had made--wasting minutes
+that might prove to have been of inestimable value; but he felt that he
+must soon reach the settlement now, since it was situated in the bottom
+of the valley, and could not be missed even by a traveller by night.
+
+On past long park-like sweeps of rich land, varied by portions where the
+valley closed in till huge nestling crags, crowned with glorious
+vegetation, made darker the way he traversed, and seemed threatening to
+topple over upon the traveller; but still no signs of civilisation: no
+shepherd's hut, no folding hurdles, no cattle--all solitary and grand.
+Twice the idea occurred to him that he must, after all, be wrong; but he
+rejected or crushed down the thought, and hurried his horse along; for
+it had begun to show signs of fatigue.
+
+Then Mr Meadows allowed the reins to fall upon the poor beast's neck,
+while he tried to think out the best course to pursue.
+
+But little reflection sufficed to make him understand his position--he
+had been mistaken in the route he was to have pursued.  He sighed
+heavily as he acknowledged his failing; for it was but too true.  With
+Katie Lee in the hands of the convicts, and that young man awaiting the
+succour he was to bring, he had wandered from the right path, and
+travelled miles upon miles out of his way.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
+
+COLLECTING THE LEVY.
+
+John Lawler barricaded his place as strongly as he could for the night;
+and then, with loaded gun and rifle by his side, he awaited the return
+of the messengers.  He felt that there was not much cause for fear; but
+he determined to watch and wait.
+
+Soon after reaching the hospitable place, Mrs Lee had sunk back in her
+chair, faint and exhausted.
+
+It was anxious work for the master of the house, watching alone, with
+the knowledge that a terrible danger might at any time come upon his
+home.  As the darkness came on, sounds, heretofore passed unnoticed,
+seemed to have an ominous import.  Each time a dog barked the watcher
+started, and tried to pierce the distant gloom, seeing in every tree an
+enemy, and a lurker behind every bush.
+
+After a while, watching in the silence, he started; for his wife had
+stolen to his side, begging to be allowed to stay with him, since Mrs
+Lee slept heavily, and she feared to be alone.
+
+John Lawler tried to persuade her to go; but not energetically.  And
+then the couple watched on, shivering at every sound, until there came,
+from a distance, the tramp of a horse, at a slow weary pace; and at last
+one of the settler's own beasts made its way into the yard, and then
+into the familiar stable by the side.
+
+Lawler went out, to find that the animal was saddled and bridled; but on
+leading it into the yard, he found that it halted on one of its
+forelegs.
+
+"Must have fallen lame," he muttered; "and Sam has gone on, thinking the
+poor brute would find its way back."
+
+Another hour's watching, and then came again the slow pacing of a horse;
+but this time there was a man leading it; and upon his coming up, Lawler
+heard that the horse had stumbled in the dark, fallen, and thrown his
+rider heavily, the poor fellow having been hardly able to make his way
+back to the station.
+
+Then came more watching, hour after hour, till daylight began to chase
+away the dim shadows of night.
+
+John Lawler's spirits rose as the sun sent its warm rays once more over
+the brightened earth; but he shuddered as he thought that perhaps that
+night the home that he had been years in winning from the wilderness
+might become a blackened ruin.
+
+Hour after hour passed but no gathering party of neighbours clustered
+round; and though Lawler climbed from time to time the hill behind his
+house, there was no sign of Sam.
+
+After all these hours, surely, he thought, some neighbours might have
+come down to his help.  Supposing that his place had been attacked, it
+would have been by this time a heap of blood-stained ashes.  His brow
+knit as he watched, here for enemies, there for friends, with none to
+meet his eye, and the lines on his brow told the inquietude of his mind.
+At last, maddened with anxiety, he summoned his wife, had the two lamed
+beasts and Mr Meadow's pony brought out, and prepared to mount the two
+women, and flee farther inland, to where there were friends.
+
+"I'd stop and fight to the last gasp for my bit of property, Nell," said
+Lawler to his wife, "if it wasn't for you and the child."
+
+"No, no; let's go," she replied, as if fearing that he might stay.
+
+The few arrangements being made, the little caravan had prepared to
+start, when a cheery shout from the men made Lawler shade his eyes, and
+his heart leapt up as he saw two mounted men, each carrying a gun, come
+cantering up.
+
+"Hallo!" exclaimed one.  "Just off out--pilgrimage to Egypt, eh?  And
+Mrs Lee, too!  How are you all?  Bad job, though; for we wanted a rest
+and feed for the horses.  S'pose we can have that all the same?"
+
+John Lawler laid his hand upon the saddle of the speaker, and looking
+wonderingly in his face, he said:
+
+"What! didn't the news reach you last night?"
+
+"News?" echoed the other.
+
+Lawler drew him down, and whispered in his ear, so that the drooping
+woman upon the horse should not hear again of the horrors that had
+devastated her home.
+
+"Good God!" exclaimed the new-comer.  "But have you sent out for help?"
+
+"Yes," said Lawler; "three messengers.  One miscarried; and I've had no
+news yet of the others."
+
+A short conference was held as the new-comers, with darkened brows,
+learned more fully the state of affairs, and discussed it with John
+Lawler--earnestly, too, since each had a stake in the district, and knew
+full well that his might be the next turn to suffer as had suffered the
+family of Martin Lee.
+
+Five minutes after, Lawler's wife was clinging to him, begging that, for
+the child's sake, he would accompany her to a place of safety; but
+although torn to the heart, the settler held firm.  In a short
+consultation, it had been decided to let the women proceed, accompanied
+by Lawler's crippled man, while the three remained to garrison the
+little farm, and cover the retreat of the fugitives, agreeing that, if
+hard pressed, they could but follow them.
+
+"We must stay and help one another," said Lawler gloomily.  "You attend
+to poor Lee's wife; we'll see if we cannot save his child."
+
+"But could not he stay?" said his wife piteously, as she pointed to the
+man.
+
+"Would you have your husband turn coward, Nell?"  Lawler said gently.
+"Should we not say that man was contemptible who kept back from us in
+time of need?  Be a woman!  There will be help soon; and it would never
+do now for neighbours to come at my asking, and find me gone.  Half an
+hour ago it was different, and there was good excuse; now there is
+none."
+
+Mrs Lawler uttered no complaint; only one sob rose from her breast as
+she hung on her husband's neck; and then, with the man leading the
+horses, the party passed slowly out of sight.
+
+"Heaven be praised!" said one of the new-comers.  "One seems free to act
+now."
+
+After a little consideration, it was determined that nothing better
+could be done than for one of the party in turn to act as scout, and
+watch the ravine leading towards the Gap, the only way by which danger
+could approach; while the others patiently waited the succour that was
+expected.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
+
+THE START.
+
+Hour after hour the little rescuing party waited for further assistance;
+for sooner or later they well knew that there would be a strong
+gathering; but night was fast approaching before two horsemen were seen;
+and of these one, Mr Meadows, had to be lifted from his horse, and then
+supported into the house.
+
+"Better soon, friends all," he said feebly.  "I've been hard tried
+lately."  And then he sank into a chair, and would have fainted, but for
+some brandy.  "I've proved a sorry messenger, friend Lawler," he said
+after a pause.  "You see, I was a good deal knocked about at the Nest,
+and I took the wrong track, and was lost; and, but for my horse, I fear
+there would have been no help through me.  I was confused and weak, and
+not myself; but don't be hard upon me."
+
+"I came on with him directly," said the fresh arrival; "and I've sent
+round in all directions; but it will be some hours before more help can
+come."
+
+But still this was a reinforcement; for the settler was well armed, and
+loaded with ammunition; while, just as it grew dark, there came the
+sharp "thud, thud" of horses' hoofs, and Lawler's first messenger
+hastily came up with three neighbours, armed, and eager to assist.
+
+"The mare fell lame," said the man, "before we'd gone three miles; so I
+turned her loose, and tramped it."
+
+"And I was cattle-driving," said one.  "And I at the sheep-station,"
+said another.  While the third had been ill in bed; but forgot his pains
+when the dire news was brought.
+
+Again there was a council of war; and it was decided that nothing better
+could be done than to wait for daylight and farther reinforcements.
+
+"Don't you think so, Lawler?" said one of his friends, noticing that the
+settler looked gloomy and discontented.
+
+"Yes, I think so," he said.  "It's quite right--quite right; but I could
+not help thinking of those poor creatures waiting for our help, and
+wondering, hour after hour, why no aid comes.  But we have done our
+best, neighbours, and I must agree that it would be folly to go on now
+in the dark, and weak-handed; for I suppose they would still outnumber
+us, according to Mr Meadows's account."
+
+"It's giving them a few more hours to live," said one of the last
+arrivals grimly; "for I'm afraid they will not meet with much mercy."
+
+"Nor give much," said another.  And then he made a motion to the rest to
+preserve silence; for Mr Meadows was listening, half shuddering, to the
+remarks made.
+
+"What do you advise, parson?" said one, who had not yet spoken.  "You
+know most about this sad business.  Should we go or stay?"
+
+"Friend Laing," said Mr Meadows feebly, "I would that you had not asked
+me that question.  With the thoughts of that poor lamb in the clutches
+of those ravening wolves, my heart says, Go--go at once, and strike to
+save her.  But then reason saith, Would you send these men--fathers of
+children, dear husbands of loving and anxious wives--to encounter
+useless peril, and come to ruin and death, for want of a little care?
+But I think this: the miles are long between this and the Moa's Nest.
+Suppose that we proceeded with caution during the dark cool hours, so as
+to be ready to pursue the task at daybreak?  One of your number could
+stay here, ready to bring on the rest of our friends when they arrive;
+while, without proceeding to attack, we might draw off the attention of
+the convicts, as well as succour Edward Murray and the brave savage, who
+must be faint and weary long ere this--if they still live," he muttered
+to himself.
+
+The advice was received with general tokens of satisfaction; but when it
+came to the question who should stay behind, no man displayed his
+willingness to undertake that tame part of the duty.  One suggested that
+Mr Meadows would be unable to accompany them; but he did not know the
+stanch spirit of the old man, who sturdily declared his intention of
+following.
+
+"This food and rest were all I required," he said; "and I shall be no
+hindrance to you.  My pony will bear me; and if I should be left behind
+for a while, I daresay I can overtake you."
+
+Seeing his determination, lots were drawn as to who should stay; for
+there was a certain feeling of respect shown by all towards their common
+friend.
+
+The preparations were soon made, each man carrying a supply of
+provisions; and then they filed cautiously along the track, keeping ever
+on the alert, for each man knew that at any time a volley from behind
+some clump of trees or rocks far overhead, might perhaps empty half the
+saddles of the little party.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
+
+THE AVENGERS' WAY.
+
+Daylight found them standing, dark of face, around the barely cold ashes
+of the Moa's Nest; and the stern determination of the party might have
+been read in their compressed lips and fierce looks, as more than one
+man mentally registered an oath of the stern vengeance he would take for
+this cruel desolation of a peaceful home.
+
+A short interval of rest and refreshment, and the horses were stabled in
+one of the sheds yet standing; arms were examined, and the party began
+to ascend the Gap, slowly and cautiously, for they knew that unless the
+convicts had made their way round by the sea, they must be somewhere
+higher up, amongst these natural fortresses.
+
+It was a very slow rate at which they progressed, for they anxiously
+searched for and examined every trace left by the convicts, though these
+were comparatively few, Wahika having previously picked up and hidden
+the greater part as he followed the ruffianly crew.
+
+But soon these tokens disappeared, and they pressed on higher and
+higher, watching eagerly for farther signs of their enemy.
+
+Once the foremost man halted, holding up his hand as a sign to those who
+followed, for there was the distant sound as of a gun; but it reached
+their ears in a strange, muffled way, as if discharged on the other side
+of the mountains; and another, which followed soon after, was even less
+distinct.
+
+"They must be farther up, round the bend," said one; and on they
+proceeded, taking advantage of every inequality for concealment.  Every
+man's rifle was ready to reply to the shot which was expected at any
+instant; but on they still went, without encountering a foe.
+
+Hour after hour had passed; and at length, heated and wearied, a halt
+was called by the side of a rapid, babbling stream.  Provisions were
+brought out, and then, for the first time, it was seen that one of the
+party was missing.
+
+"Where's the parson?" exclaimed the one who first made the discovery;
+when, upon comparing notes, it was found that he had not been noticed by
+any one for some hours.
+
+"Poor old fellow, he could not keep up," said Lawler.  "We shall find
+him under a tree, resting, when we go back.  He was not without food,
+fortunately, for I saw that he had it, or he would have gone without."
+
+"I hope no mischief will befall him," said another; and then they fell
+to consulting, in cautious tones, as to the next best proceeding;
+whether to press on farther, or to retrace their steps, and examine some
+of the ravines, so as to join the strength they hoped by that time to
+meet approaching from the lower part of the Gap, while, at the same
+time, they would pick up Mr Meadows.
+
+"I should be for going on," said Lawler, "only that I think the last
+plan is the better; for I can't help thinking they have never come up
+here.  Let's go back: we're losing time."
+
+Following out his suggestion, the men rose, and began, with the same
+precautions, to retrace their steps, by this time spreading out in a
+more extended line; while, about the same time, a party of a dozen
+friends commenced the ascent of the Gap, following the plainly-marked
+track left by the first detachment.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER NINETEEN.
+
+MR MEADOWS'S WEAKNESS.
+
+Mr Meadows struggled on, hour after hour, with his companions, only
+enabled to keep up with them by their exceedingly slow progress; for,
+from time to time, he would sit for a few minutes while they passed on
+for some little distance, and then, following the track, he would
+overtake them at their slow, watchful pace.
+
+He pressed on; sometimes tottering, sometimes resting so long that he
+had to strive hard to reach the last man.  The heat seemed to overcome
+him; and at last, seating himself by the bright stream, upon whose banks
+he was, he let five, ten, twenty minutes, an hour slip away, heedless of
+all save the exhaustion that had enervated him.
+
+Gradually a delicious sleep stole upon him, and then for a while all was
+blank.
+
+But at length the weary man awoke, and started in pursuit of his
+companions, reproaching himself for his cruelty in sleeping at an hour
+like this; though, at the time, his forward progress was but a weary
+totter from tree to tree, against whose trunks he was often glad to lean
+his hands.
+
+"It is of no use," he groaned.  "I'm worn out; and until Nature has done
+her part of restoration, I am helpless as a child."
+
+He sat down, and rested again, and then rose; for the distant report of
+a gun fell upon his ear; repeated, too, once or twice; and turning from
+his companions' track, he faced towards that side of the Gap from amidst
+whose craggy fastnesses the sound seemed to proceed.
+
+"I have no strength," muttered Mr Meadows feebly; "but I have still my
+eyesight, and I may be able to play the spy.  Why are they not here?
+They have gone on too far; but if they hear the firing, they will soon
+return."
+
+He passed through the dense undergrowth, and then stopped short, for he
+had hit upon a well-marked track, which looked as if the grass had been
+trampled down by footprints to and fro.
+
+"Strange," he said, "that it should fall to the weakest of the party to
+discover this.  I'll go on; but not in the guise of warfare;" and he
+leaned his gun against a tree, and toiled patiently along the track.  No
+easy task, for it led up and up, along the valley side, higher and
+higher; each few steps giving a view over the tops of the trees just
+passed.
+
+"Not the way taken by the gallant young man," he muttered, "for not one
+of the branches he was to have broken, has met my eye.  It is plain that
+I have not struck upon his track; but I may be able to report good news
+to our friends on my return."
+
+Once more came the faint, muffled sound of a gun; and collecting his
+fast-flagging energies, Mr Meadows pushed on, until breathless, and
+with bleeding hands and knees, he stood looking down with astonishment
+into a little rocky amphitheatre, strewn with provisions and the plunder
+taken by the convicts from the Moa's Nest.
+
+He stepped down, for the place appeared to be quite forsaken, and vainly
+tried to make out the cause of its being untenanted, when, looking
+round, he started with dismay; for half-seated, half-lying, with his
+back to the rocks, was the form of a human being, but so disfigured,
+that it seemed impossible for life to exist in such a ruin.  But life
+was there; for, to the clergyman's horror, he saw that the man was
+engaged with a knife in his left hand, slowly and deliberately trying to
+back off his right at the wrist.
+
+For a few moments, Mr Meadows could not speak; then, hurrying up, he
+arrested the man, exclaiming, "Surely, friend, that operation cannot be
+necessary?"
+
+"Let it be--let it be," was the answer, in a strange, muttering voice,
+which came from the mutilated face.  "It's a vile hand--a bad hand,
+stained with crime."
+
+It required but little effort to wrest the knife from the convict's
+hand; and then, binding a handkerchief round the bleeding wrist, Mr
+Meadows gazed, shuddering, in the man's face, as his head fell back, and
+he fainted.
+
+"He cannot live through those injuries," muttered the clergyman.  And
+leaning forward, he dropped a little brandy from the flask he carried
+between the man's lips, when, after a few minutes, he revived, and spoke
+in a more collected way.
+
+"Is any one there?" he asked.
+
+"Yes; there is one here," was the reply.
+
+"Come back to finish your work, I suppose?" said the man hoarsely; and
+he raised his arms, as if to protect his head, but only to drop them
+directly.
+
+"Where are your companions?"
+
+"Companions--companions?" said the wounded man inquiringly.  "Who, then,
+are you?"
+
+"One of those whom you so much injured."
+
+"Injured--injured?  What does it mean?  What's this red blind over my
+eyes?  Where are we--in the valley?  Or--I can't see--can't see with my
+eyes, nor yet with my understanding!" he gasped, apparently struggling
+hard with his misty, clouded intellect.  "Yes, I can--I know now.  Where
+is the girl?"
+
+"Yes; where is the poor girl?" repeated Mr Meadows anxiously; and he
+again poured a few drops between the poor wretch's lips.
+
+"Girl!  Yes, yes; I saved her.  I told young Murray I'd pay him.  Lee's
+girl, the other woman told me.  I knew the Lees once, at home.  Yes, at
+home; and I saved her twice, and _they_ saved her."
+
+He trailed off into a wild, incoherent string; and in spite of all Mr
+Meadows's efforts and anxiety, no farther information could he obtain.
+He was about to turn and leave the dreadful spectacle, when he felt a
+light touch upon his arm; and starting round, he saw, standing pale and
+trembling by his side, a woman whom he hardly recognised as one of the
+shepherds' wives he had more than once seen at the Moa's Nest.
+
+He elicited that she had lain concealed amidst the ferns for many hours
+past, so overcome with dread, that, though provisions in abundance had
+been almost within sight, she had not dared to crawl out until she heard
+a voice she knew to be friendly.
+
+She told, too, how the miserable man at their side had twice acted in
+defence of Katie and herself; and how, in the midst of a wild struggle
+and confusion, Katie had been snatched away: when, availing herself of
+the absence of the convicts in pursuit, the woman had crawled amongst
+the ferns, and lain there, not daring to more.  Then, some time after,
+she heard the oaths and raging of the men on their return, and the
+murderous way in which they had set upon their companion, whom they
+accused of betraying them, leaving him at last, probably for dead.
+
+"And I did not dare to move, sir," she sobbed; "but had to lie there,
+listening to his groans, hour after hour, till I prayed that he might
+die out of his misery, as I felt that I must, or else be driven mad."
+
+"But where do you think they are now?" said Mr Meadows.
+
+"Somewhere up the valley that runs beside here, sir; and that's where
+Miss Katie must have been taken, if they've not killed her, for there's
+been shooting ever since."
+
+"Did you not see who snatched her away?"
+
+"No, sir, no; it was all in the night-time, when she was clinging
+tightly to me, and I was struck down at the same moment."
+
+"Let us descend from here, my child," he said; "for there are friends
+below in the valley, seeking for us."
+
+He turned to lead his new companion away, but she suddenly exclaimed,
+"They're coming again!  O, sir, save me--save me!"--and she clung to Mr
+Meadows, who heard far down below him the rustling and snapping of the
+trees, as if several people were forcing their way through them.
+"That's the way they went," sobbed the woman; "and they're coming
+again."
+
+Mr Meadows had no doubt as to the truth of what she said; and glancing
+round, he tried to make out the part of the rocky wall around by which
+he had descended, but for a while his efforts were fruitless; and he
+could not leave the woman to search for his path, since at the least
+effort to unclasp her hands, she clung to him the tighter, imploring him
+in whispers not to leave her--not to go away.
+
+"No, no; we will go together.  Quick! the wretches are upon us, and we
+shall be taken.  Heaven give me strength!  What shall I do?"
+
+His tones were anguished, for the crashing through the leaves seemed now
+to be close at hand; while, as he spoke, the woman fell from him, quite
+inanimate.
+
+"Must I leave her?" he murmured to himself; and then he stooped and
+tried to lift her, but it was beyond his strength, and in his despair it
+seemed to him that he must be already seen.  An hour sooner, he would
+not have cared so much; but, with the information he had gained and the
+care of this poor creature upon his hands, he felt that he would give
+anything to escape; for might not this snatching away of Katie mean an
+act of daring performed by Murray or the savage, and the shots fired, a
+conflict still going on between them?
+
+The leaves and boughs crashed together, and whoever they were, either
+friends or foes, were coming ever nearer and nearer.
+
+[Twelve lines of the scan are not readable here.]
+
+The trees could be plainly seen moving now, and Mr Meadows caught a
+glimpse of an approaching figure.  It was only a shadowy glimpse, but
+exerting his little remaining strength he dragged his companion on her
+side, forced her down amongst the waving undergrowth, and then crouched
+himself, gazing with swimming eyes between the strands down into the
+amphitheatre, and wondering whether, after all, his efforts had not been
+in vain.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER TWENTY.
+
+FRIENDS IN NEED.
+
+It seemed almost impossible for the convicts not to have seen them, as
+now, to the number of five, they leaped down and seized the provisions
+that lay scattered about, hunting out such bottles as remained, and more
+than once coming so near to Mr Meadows that he hardly dared to breathe.
+Then they went farther away, first one and then another, contemptuously
+kicking the body of their late associate.
+
+But it was after they had gathered and tied up a portion of the food
+that the danger of the hiding couple culminated; for once more drawing
+near, a convict said:
+
+"Now then, down into the valley once, just for a look about for squalls,
+and then back again."
+
+"After breakfast and a bit of 'bacca," said another, coolly seating
+himself, when his companions laughed and followed his example.
+
+Mr Meadows shuddered.  They were so near, that he felt that they must
+hear them if they moved; and still he knew that in another few minutes
+they would trample upon him and the woman in their downward progress.
+It must be done; the attempt must be made; and after turning and gazing
+at the convicts, he bent down towards the pale face at his side.
+
+He had no occasion to speak; for he read in her looks that she had heard
+every sound.  He dared not trust himself to state his wishes, but
+pointed along the track so plainly marked through the long grass, here
+abundant; and slowly the woman rose to her knees, then, with a slight
+rustling, to her feet, and began to glide gently away.
+
+Mr Meadows could not watch her, but dared only to keep his eyes fixed
+upon those of one of the seated convicts, just seen through the leaves;
+when, to his consternation, he saw him shift his position so as to gaze,
+as it were, right in his watcher's face, till, trembling with dread, Mr
+Meadows's eyelids sunk, and he knelt there motionless.
+
+When he again unclosed his eyes, the man had ceased to look in his
+direction; and then, calling up his strength, he slowly backed, inch by
+inch, upon his hands and knees, till the descending nature of the ground
+took him below the edge which overhung the depression where the convicts
+were seated.  Then, and then only, he raised himself gradually into a
+stooping position, listened attentively, and, with beating heart, began
+softly, step by step, to follow the woman, whose own retreat he tried
+vainly to hear.
+
+Gradually he set down each foot, lest a sound should follow, holding his
+breath, and pressing a hand upon his heart to stay its throbbings; when,
+accelerating his pace, he strode on to overtake the woman, whom he could
+now see hurrying down from stone to stone, or along the well-marked
+grassy track, with fear-given wings.
+
+He trembled lest she should miss the track in her fright; but no, she
+kept to it without deviating, until she reached the spot where Mr
+Meadows left his gun; and there he overtook her.
+
+What was to be his course?  Should they proceed farther up the Gap, or
+down towards the ruins?  Friends should be coming from either way,
+unless they had returned, and passed downwards, giving up the search so
+far, until joined by the expected reinforcements.
+
+He was woodman enough, though, from his long residence in the colony, to
+be able, in a short time, to determine whether his companions had
+returned.  Though the upward tracks were easy to find, no descending
+footprints could he discover; but a joyful cry was half uttered as twice
+he came upon a broken twig, which told him of the promise of Edward
+Murray, and showed that he had passed in that direction.
+
+There needed now but little reflection for Mr Meadows to decide what
+course would be the best.  Up the valley there were certainly friends;
+down the valley there might be; but it was uncertain.
+
+Turning then to the woman, who had followed him step by step, he pointed
+upwards; and in silence they moved towards the higher portion of the
+Gap.  But they had hardly traversed a quarter of a mile before she
+halted, exclaiming:
+
+"I can't go any farther, sir;" and, without another word, she sank
+fainting upon the grass.
+
+"Then we must sit and rest, my child, until our friends come," he said
+in encouraging tones, which did much towards soothing the woman; and
+then, opening the wallet slung by his side, he forced her to partake of
+some refreshment.
+
+They waited patiently as the afternoon wore on, listening for some token
+of coming friends.  Once voices were heard approaching, evidently those
+of the convicts; but they soon passed away again; and at last came the
+rustling sound of cautiously advancing footsteps, to right of them, to
+left of them, and in front, and ever coming nearer and nearer.
+
+"Friends, my child, friends," said the old man cheerfully.
+
+But the woman looked at him with a troubled anxious gaze, not doubting
+his word, but distrusting his ability to tell; until, rising suddenly
+from where they sat, he called loudly, and, from close at hand, the cry
+was responded to.
+
+"No news, sir--not a bit," said Lawler; for it was he.  "We did not miss
+you till we got to the top; but perhaps it was as well you stopped
+behind, and saved yourself fatigue that you could scarcely have borne."
+
+"Quite as well, John Lawler," said Mr Meadows, smiling faintly; "but I
+have not been idle;" and he pointed to the trembling woman behind him.
+
+Lawler gave a low whistle, which was responded to from different
+quarters; and in a few minutes the party of settlers had collected
+round, listening eagerly to Mr Meadows's narration; when it was
+immediately decided to make their way at once to the track, leaving one
+of their party to watch for the hoped-for aid, and then proceed to the
+convicts' lair, following their trail to where it was evident that some
+conflict must be going on.
+
+But they had no occasion to weaken their little force.  Before they
+reached the path that led upwards, it was plain that some one was
+approaching; and, after due precautions, a joyful encounter took place;
+when, eager and forgetful of fatigue, the now tolerably strong company
+filed up the track.
+
+It was now so plainly beaten that it was followed quickly; Mr Meadows,
+who declared himself sufficiently rested, insisting upon being one of
+the party, lest they should fail for want of guidance; while one of the
+new-comers was intrusted with the care of the shepherd's wife.
+
+Well armed and determined, and now outnumbering the enemy, though they
+knew it not, there seemed every prospect of Justice laying her sword
+upon the outlaws' heads.
+
+The depression was reached at last; and men's brows darkened as they
+looked upon the scattered plunder; but they paused not; and
+half-an-hour's climbing and toiling brought the party to the entrance of
+the narrow gorge, where they halted to look inquiringly at Mr Meadows.
+
+Marks on grass and mossy stone were plain enough to be seen, though,
+after a short inspection; and a careful advance was made over the rugged
+ground, until the leader stopped short, to point out something he had
+discovered.
+
+Only a trifle; but enough to convince them that they were on the right
+track; for upon a thorny bush hung a shred, evidently fresh torn from a
+woman's dress--a significant fact, when found in one of the wilds far
+away from a civilised home.
+
+Then, satisfied of the near approach of the conflict, each man looked to
+his piece, and eagerly scanning every rock and stone in advance, they
+pressed on, until suddenly the foremost man raised his hand, and pointed
+to where, far in advance, and high above them, they could see perched up
+a figure, upon whose bright gun-barrel the sunbeams played and flashed,
+as, resting upon a stone, he seemed intently gazing at something in
+advance.
+
+Lawler was acting the part of leader; and he appointed two of the party
+to watch this one man.
+
+"If he turns to fire, bring him down," he said sternly.
+
+The attention of the rest of the party was directed to what seemed the
+end of the gorge; for, right in front, they could now see the upper part
+of the vast scarped rock, from whose ledge so gallant a defence had been
+kept up; but it was not until they had advanced another hundred yards,
+so as to surmount a broad ridge of stone, that they could see the ledge,
+up which, with their companions eagerly watching their progress, and
+covering them with their guns, two of the convicts had clambered.
+
+These two had just reached the shelf, so that, in another minute, they
+would have stood upon it, when the sharp echoing crack of a rifle was
+heard, almost accompanied by two more; for the man upon the rock high up
+had suddenly turned, caught sight of the coming danger, and fired.  His
+aim, however, was too rapid to be effectual; while, in answer to the
+double shot from below, the convict started to his feet, dropped his
+piece, clutched at the air for a few moments, and then leaped upwards,
+to fall heavily into the gorge.
+
+The two men who had scaled the rock slipped back, hung by their hands;
+and then one fell; while the other, with catlike activity, managed to
+descend unhurt; but only to fall, the next instant, under the volley
+sent in answer to that of the enemy, who, roused to action by their
+fellow's shot, had faced round and fired at their assailants.
+
+Then followed a rapid exchange of firing for some five minutes; but the
+advantage was all on the side of the settlers, who had the greater part
+of the cover; and upon a sharp dash being made with clubbed guns, after
+the convicts had fired, and before they had time to reload, a fierce
+hand-to-hand struggle ensued, in which more than one settler fell
+beneath the outlaws' knives; for they fought desperately, like rats at
+bay, till, one by one, they were beaten down; till the remainder
+sullenly threw away their arms, and suffered themselves to be bound.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
+
+JUST IN TIME.
+
+Immediately after the victory over the convicts, all attention was drawn
+to the ledge; but not before the wounded had received the needful
+attention, careful arrangements being made to prevent farther danger.
+
+But there was a manifest repugnance exhibited amongst those present to
+attempt to mount the ledge, whose silence terrified the men who had but
+a few minutes before faced death by rifle and knife; but at last, stern
+and rugged of brow, John Lawler laid down his gun, and, with much
+difficulty, made his way up to stand upon the ledge, peering forward
+into the rift for a few moments, and then, stifling the sob which rose
+from his breast, he turned sorrowfully, and pointed to the rough green
+rope yet lying by; and, upon its being thrown up, he held one end, while
+a couple of his companions climbed to his side.
+
+"The savage isn't dead," said one, kneeling by Wahika's side, and laying
+a hand upon his breast.
+
+Carefully making the rough rope fast round him, they lowered the savage
+down; when, with the tears dimming their eyes, the three stout-hearted
+men stood gazing upon the couple before them, till they were reverently
+lowered down in the same way, to be received in the arms of Mr Meadows,
+who then knelt anxiously, rose hastily to fetch water and dash it in
+their faces, and afterwards tried to force some between their teeth.
+
+"No hope, sir," whispered Lawler sorrowfully, as he watched his
+proceedings.
+
+"Mr Lawler," was the stern reply, "it is our duty on this earth never
+to be too soon disheartened.  I have hope here; and I pray heaven that
+that hope may not be vain."
+
+In spite of his weakness, Mr Meadows was now unceasing in his efforts
+to restore animation to those who had been found upon the rocky ledge.
+For a time, though, all his toil seemed vain.  It was a hard battle,
+too; for he who ministered was more fit to receive ministrations.
+
+At last, though, there was a faint sigh from Katie's lips; and, soon
+after, a few muttered, unmeaning words from Murray told that the flame
+of life still burned feebly.
+
+Wahika, too, with the hardihood of the savage, had, sooner even than his
+fellow-sufferers, shown that he was ready to fight for the last few
+sparks of life faintly burning in his breast; though had the rough,
+surgical aid of the old clergyman been much longer delayed, those sparks
+must have died out.
+
+"Little flower of Moa's Nest?" he said at last, in an inquiring whisper,
+as his eager eyes gazed from face to face.
+
+"Safe, I hope, friend savage," said Mr Meadows, as he laid a cool, wet
+hand upon the New Zealander's fevered brow, when a quiet, satisfied
+smile flitted over the tattooed face; and he closed his eyes, to wait
+patiently, as became a warrior, for the fate that was to be his.
+
+"Thank heaven, friend Lawler!" said Mr Meadows, at the end of an hour;
+"matters are even looking hopeful.  I was ready to despair myself at one
+time; but providentially, I was able to conquer the weakness.  Prompt
+action, John Lawler--prompt action has gained us the day.  And now, good
+men and true, prepare something in the shape of a litter, and let us
+bear these poor sufferers gently down from this dreadful place before
+the night falls."
+
+"Mind!  Take care!  Here, lean on me, sir," cried Lawler eagerly; for
+Mr Meadows had turned deadly pale, and now reeled, and would have
+fallen but for the friendly arm.
+
+"Thanks.  Lawler, thanks," said Mr Meadows.  "I'm afraid that I am very
+weak.  I feel unstrung by what we have gone through; and it only wanted
+the sight of that poor fellow Bray, carried down--but a few hours ago a
+strong, healthy man--now so much clay--it only wanted that to completely
+overcome me."
+
+In a few minutes, though, Mr Meadows's brave heart sustained him again;
+and in spite of all advice to the contrary, he insisted upon
+superintending the removal of the sufferers, himself adjusting their
+heads, that the rough journey might not add fresh pangs.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
+
+THE OLD STORY.
+
+Busy hands and strong soon provided a shelter from the ruins of the
+Moa's Nest--the fragments of the schooner playing no inconsiderable part
+in the rough erection that was prepared for the sufferers; Mr Meadows
+declaring that it would be madness to yield to the wish of John Lawler,
+and convey them to his home.
+
+And here, forgetting his own sufferings, the old clergyman fought a long
+and arduous fight with the fever that had seized his patients, but to be
+triumphant in the end--"Even though I am no doctor," he said with a
+smile.
+
+The hardy savage was the first to recover, and then to follow Mr
+Meadows about like a dog, never seeming weary of watching to do his
+bidding, in return for the life he had saved.
+
+But months of weary weakness, and mourning for the father who was slain,
+succeeded before Katie Lee was again the bright-eyed maiden of old,
+though she struggled hard to be the stay and solace of her widowed
+mother.
+
+At last came a day, an eventful day in the lives of two of the
+characters in this short narrative, when they knelt before Mr Meadows,
+to listen to his quaint but earnest voice repeating those words
+addressed to all who, in God's name, are joined together; while, as they
+rose, it was for him to gaze at them with bent head and moistened eyes;
+and the words of fatherly benediction spoken were husky and low.
+
+"But these are no days for tears, my children," he said, at last; for,
+indeed, the time had glided swiftly away.  And under the management of
+him who had just reaped the reward of his patient forbearance, the Moa's
+Nest, rebuilt, stood once more homelike and prosperous in the smiling
+valley, with the Gap, more golden and glorious, shining around rich in
+tokens of harvest, and the flocks and herds so carefully supervised by
+that stern-looking, tattooed chief, half savage, half-civilised man.
+
+For Wahika clung to Edward Murray, who, tempting the sea no more, had
+settled in the old pleasant vale, for the dread of so dire an invasion
+occurring a second time troubled him not; though for long years to come
+the story was told in the settlers' homes, through the length and
+breadth of the three islands, of the gallant defence, the cruel
+slaughter, and the brave way in which the prisoners had been rescued,
+and the invaders put to the rout, their ringleaders expiating their
+crimes at Port Caroline, the residue, few indeed, ending their career in
+Van Diemen's Land.
+
+Such is the old story--a story of fifty years since, but fresh yet in
+the memory of grey-haired men, who listen to the chime of the
+church-bell, and walk the streets of the busy port that now stands at
+the mouth of Golden Gap.  But a few minutes' walk will take you to the
+farm at the foot of the mighty volcanic cliffs, clothed nearly to their
+icy tops with gorgeous verdure; and, as you gaze upon the scene of
+peace, the heart seems to say it is impossible that such deeds of
+violence could have occurred to blur the beauty of the verdant vale,
+till memory recalls in new settlements scores of scenes as tragical as
+that at the rifling of the Moa's Nest.
+
+
+STORY FOUR: VIOLETS IN THE SNOW.
+
+
+STORY FOUR, CHAPTER ONE.
+
+On one side there was a square, with trees that tried to look green in
+summer, but in winter time stuck in scraggy form out of the
+soot-peppered snow, with a beadle who wore a gold band round his hat and
+lived in a lodge, out of which he issued every morning with a thin
+rattan cane to keep away the boys; on the other side there was a row of
+goodly mansions, with a mews for the horses and carriages of the
+grandees who inhabited those mansions; and down between square and
+mansions, hidden behind the mews, as if it was a brick-and-mortar snake,
+there was Gutter-alley.
+
+People said, how could such a dirty, squalid, unhealthy,
+beggar-inhabited place get there between the mansions of the rich.
+People said so to the parish officers, and the parish officers shook
+their heads; not so much as to say that they did not know, but to imply
+thereby, a great deal, as if the wickedness of the inhabitants had
+something to do with it.  Then people said so to the dwellers in
+Gutter-alley in an ill-used fashion, to which Gutter-alley very
+reasonably replied that it must get somewhere, which was perfectly true;
+that it squeezed itself up as much out of the way as it could, which was
+also quite true; that it--to wit, Gutter-alley--did not get between the
+square and the row of mansions, but that the square came and sat upon it
+on one side, and the row of mansions came and sat upon it on the other,
+which was true again; and lastly, Gutter-alley said, where was it to go,
+for it must have living room?  Then people who knew its squalor said
+that it was all very shocking, and that a meeting ought to be held.  And
+it was very shocking, but a meeting was not held; and Gutter-alley stood
+where it had stood before, in the year of our Lord 1862, when there was
+a very great exhibition building very close at hand; and Gutter-alley
+remained an exhibition itself, staying as it did where, without much
+effort, it could have thrown a stone into the grounds of a palace.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY FOUR, CHAPTER TWO.
+
+Now, whether in summer or winter, poor people can patronise as well as
+rich; and so it fell out that the custom in poverty-stricken,
+hunger-pinched Gutter-alley was for the poor folk there to speak
+condescendingly to old Dick Bradds, when he stood at the door of Number
+5, with his poor old head on one side as he looked up the court; head on
+the other side as he looked down.  "Dickey" he was generally called, and
+more than one stout costermonger--they did a deal in costering in
+Gutter-alley, and if you penetrated into the rooms of the human
+rabbit-warren, fish could be found mingled with furniture, turnips
+amongst the wash-tubs, and a good full bucket of mussels often formed
+the seat of the father of a family while he helped his wife to make up
+ropes of onions for the morrow's sale--well, many a stout costermonger
+told his wife in confidence that old Dickey Bradds always put him in
+mind of a moulting thrush.  No inapt simile, and doubtless taken from
+the life, for there were always plenty of feathered captives to be seen
+in Gutter-alley.
+
+It was quite true Dick--old Dickey Bradds--did look very much like some
+aged and shabby bird, lame of one leg; and when he stood on a cold
+winter's morning peering up and down through the fog that loved to hang
+about the court, no one would have felt at all surprised to have seen
+the old man begin to peck, or to whet his long sharp old nose against
+the door-post.
+
+Not that Dick did do anything of this kind--he only gave two or three
+keen one-sided bird-like looks about before slowly hopping up-stairs to
+his room on the second floor--the front room--to wait for Jenny.
+
+A keen old blade though was Dick--a piece of that right good true steel
+so often to be found in the humblest implements, while your
+finely-polished, gaily-handled, ornamental upper-ten-thousand cutlery is
+so often inferior, dull of edge, and given to shut up just when they are
+wanted the most.  Dick was not human hurried up, but a piece of fine old
+charcoal-made steel.  Toil and hard usage had ground and ground Dick
+till there was little left of him but the haft, and seventy years of
+existence rubbing away through the world--that hard grindstone to some
+of us--had made that haft very rickety of rivet and springs.  Certainly
+there was blade enough left to cut in one direction, but you could not
+trust Dick for fear of his giving way, or perhaps closing upon the hand
+that employed him.
+
+It was so with poor old Dick when he left the great auction-rooms, where
+he had been kept as long as was possible; and, being proud, Dick would
+not believe in Nature when she told him that he had grown to be an old
+man, and that the time had gone by when he was lusty and strong, and
+able to lift great weights; and when Dick's fellow-porters told him that
+a piece of furniture was too heavy for him to lift, he only felt
+annoyed, and grew angry and stubborn.
+
+The fact was that Dick knew from old experience how hard a matter it was
+for even an industrious man to get a living in the great city; and for
+him, whose livelihood depended entirely upon his muscles, to turn weak
+and helpless meant misery, privation, and perhaps the workhouse for his
+old age.
+
+That was what Dick thought, and therefore he fought hard against even
+the very semblance of weakness, making a point always at the
+auction-rooms of doing far more than he need, rushing at heavy pieces of
+furniture, tiring himself with extra work, and making himself an object
+of sport to the thoughtless, of pity to his older fellow-servants of the
+firm.
+
+The consequence was that poor old Dickey Bradds had to go one day to the
+hospital, to lie there for many weary weeks, and come out at last lame
+and uncured, for at threescore and ten there is not much chance of a man
+building up new tissue, piling on fresh muscle and strength, and
+renewing the waste of so many years.
+
+Poor old Dick left the hospital a confirmed cripple, but hopeful ever of
+regaining his strength and activity--at least he said so, whether merely
+to cheer up his grandchild or to mask his sufferings, that was known
+only to his own heart.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY FOUR, CHAPTER THREE.
+
+Now this was how old Dick became a cripple.
+
+It was early in winter, and there was a heavy sale on at the rooms, for
+the furniture of a noble mansion had been sent up from the country, and
+bargain-hunters and Jew brokers were there that day in force,
+chaffering, running down the value of the goods they coveted, and
+turning the crowded room into a Babel of confusion.
+
+The sale was progressing, and under the superintendence of one Joseph
+Brown, the head porter, the lots had been submitted to competition with
+ease and facility.  Old Dick had as usual been working very hard, but,
+not content to show the others his power, he sought to do more.
+
+"You can't take that there chist o' drawers down," said the head porter,
+a man most careful in the way in which he looked after the corners and
+polish of pieces of furniture, saving them from scratch and chip.  So
+careful, in fact, was Brown that he had never had time to look after the
+polish and corners of her Majesty's English, which he chipped and
+scratched most terribly.  So "you can't take that there chist o' drawers
+down," said Brown, "it's too much for you;" and he meant it kindly,
+though his words were rough.
+
+"You wouldn't ha' talked to me like that ten year ago, Joe Brown!"
+quavered Dick, turning angrily upon the porter, for he was hurt and
+annoyed at being spoken to before the other men.
+
+"I didn't mean to hurt the poor old chap," said Brown at home to his
+wife that night, "for I like old Dick, who's as honest and true-hearted
+an old chap as ever stepped.  All the years we've been together I never
+knew Dick do a man an ill turn; while the way he turns out o' Sundays to
+take that there granchile of his to a place o' wasshup ought to be a
+patten for some on us.
+
+"In course I wouldn't ha' spoke to him in that way ten years ago: for
+why? 'cos he could ha' carried the chist o' drawers easily; but 'stead
+o' actin' sensible, he was that proud, bless you, that he wriggled
+hisself under 'em like a young cuckoo with a hegg, hystes hisself up
+slowly by taking hold of the bannisters, and then begins to stagger
+downstairs.
+
+"`Now then: lot 'underd and two, waitin' for lot 'underd and two,' they
+calls out below.  `Comin'--comin'--comin',' pants out Dick; and I see as
+it was too much for the poor old chap, who felt touched at being thought
+past his work, though the governors only expected him to take down the
+light things.  So seeing how matters stood, I steps forrard to help him,
+when if he didn't seem to shut up all at once like; and that there chist
+o' handsome French-polished mahogany drawers, 'underd and two in the
+catalogue, went downstairs a deal too fast for its constitution.
+
+"Poor old Dick! he never groaned nor made no fuss when we got him down
+to the cab to take him to the 'orsepittle, although his poor old leg was
+broke, through his coming down a whole flight arter that there chist o'
+handsome French-polished mahogany drawers; but his lips was shaking, and
+his face drored as he gets hold of my button and pulls me to him, and
+says, says he, `This'll be a sad upset for my Jenny, but don't let 'em
+frighten her, Joe Brown, don't please.  You're a married man and got
+feeling, though I spoke nasty to you just now.  Please go and tell her
+gently, yourself.  O, Joe, I shan't be able to help in many more sales.'
+
+"Poor old chap, how the tears did run down his cheeks as he whispered me
+again--
+
+"`Don't say it's much, Joe; tell her it's a bit of a scratch, and she
+isn't to fidget about me.  Tell her gently, Joe; good bye, Joe; I shall
+be over again to-morrow or next day, Joe; and, Joe,' he calls out in his
+weak piping way, as the keb begins to move, `Joe,' he says, `just take
+my apern and give the lookin'-glass in the big wardrobe a bit of a rub
+before it comes down; and don't forget about Jenny.'
+
+"Poor old Dickey: got his 'art in his work, he had; and somehow as he
+went off, and I knew as we shouldn't never see him again at work, if we
+ever see him at all, my nose wanted blowing to that degree that nothing
+couldn't be like it; and it's my belief, Sarah, if I hadn't been roused
+up by a call for the next lot, that I should have turned soft; for you
+see, says I to myself, I says, suppose as that had been me.
+
+"But he told me to tell Jenny gently, and I did."
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY FOUR, CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+Old Dick went no more to porter at the rooms when he came out of the
+hospital; his smoothly-shaven face did not peer out of windows where he
+was hanging out hearthrugs with, pinned upon them, the bills announcing
+the capital modern household furniture for sale; but when he returned to
+Gutter-alley, Dick would always be clean-shaven of a morning, spending
+an hour over the process, pulling out wrinkles to get at the silver
+stubble lurking in the bottoms of the furrows, and stopping at times,
+when his hands grew tremulous, to rest.  Many was the time that his
+grandchild, Jenny, would have to run down in haste to fetch a bit of
+cobweb from the cellar to stay the bleeding when that tremulous old hand
+did make a slip, for the nap upon Dick's Sunday hat was too scarce to be
+used up in so wanton a way.
+
+But at last Dick would strop and put away his razor and shaving-brush,
+hang up the little glass, and then tie on a clean white apron, take his
+round carpet-cap down from a nail and carefully put it on so as not to
+disarrange his grey locks, and then sit patiently nursing his porter's
+knot and waiting, as he used to tell Jenny, for a job.
+
+"Strong, my little lass?  Strong as ever," he'd say.  "If I could only
+get this leg right;" and then Jenny would drop her work, take his old
+face between her plump little hands, kiss him tenderly, and tell him to
+wait a little.
+
+So old Dick Bradds used to wait on, day after day, waiting for the jobs
+that never came, and the injured leg did not get right.  The old man's
+strength sufficed to carry him down to the front door and back again.
+Down he would go slowly, holding tightly by the balustrade, one leg
+always first, till he reached the bottom, where the mat should have
+been, only they could not afford mats in Gutter-alley, and then as
+regularly as possible the old man, in his thankfulness at being able to
+walk so far, would take off the old carpet-cap and say softly, when
+there was no one by, "Thank God!" and the same again when, after a visit
+to the front door and a glance up and down the court, he had slowly and
+painfully made his way up to his own room.
+
+Jenny would have helped him; but no: the old man could not shake off the
+belief that he was in a state to do heavy work and to help his child.
+There was too much determination left yet in the old piece of steel, and
+heedless of rust and weakness Dick struggled up and down.
+
+People used to say that Sharpnesses, the great auctioneers, ought to
+have pensioned old Bradds, but they were people who made money fast, and
+knew its value in too worldly a way to pension worn-out servants, so old
+Dick had to live as he could.
+
+Jenny was Dick's support--Jenny, his grandchild--Jenny Blossom, as they
+called her in Gutter-alley.  She was the last of the family--father,
+mother, and another child had died in Gutter-alley, where fevers used to
+practise and get themselves into full strength before issuing out to
+ravage the districts where sanitary arrangements were so perfect.
+
+The place was very foul, but somehow Jenny grew brighter day by day, and
+the old crones of the alley used to chuckle and say no wonder, for
+flowers always throve in the dirt.  At all events, the foul odours did
+not take the bloom from her cheek, and when fever or cholera held high
+revel, Jenny had passed scatheless through trials when scores had fallen
+around.
+
+Every one spoke well of Jenny; untidy women with bare arms and rough
+hair always had for her a pleasant look; great hulking market-attending
+men, with hoarse voices, would always stand aside for Jenny to pass; and
+the slatternly girls of the alley, though they occasionally glanced at
+her with envious eyes, displayed no open jealousy.  Away from
+Gutter-alley it was different, but in the forty houses of the court, and
+their four or five hundred inhabitants, there was not one who did not
+look up to Jenny Blossom.
+
+And no unsuitable title was that--Jenny Blossom; for whether taken in
+connection with her young and blooming face, or her trade, the name
+seemed equally adapted.  Ask for her as Jane Bradds, and people would
+have shaken their heads; though the mention of Jenny Blossom brought a
+bright look into perhaps a scowling face; and Number 5 in the court was
+indicated directly.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY FOUR, CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+Number 5 in the court!  Come up the four flights of creaking stairs to
+the only bright thing in the crowded place--the only bright thing likely
+to meet the eye, where squalor, misery, poverty, wretchedness, filth,
+and sickness ran riot.  Breakfast is over, and, so that Jenny's needle
+shall not be stayed, Dick has himself washed and put away the two cups
+and saucers, and now sits by the fire drying the splashes upon his white
+apron.  His carpet-cap is upon his head, and his porter's knot rests
+against his chair.  The only sound in the room is the click of Jenny's
+thimble, as it sends the sharp needle flying through the hard slop-work
+upon which she is busy.
+
+Pretty?  Well, yes, there is the beauty in her face of youth.  No
+Grecian-cut lines or finely chiselled features, but the simple bright
+countenance of an English girl, as she bends over her work.
+
+Jenny's face was never pale, spite of the mephytic gases of
+Gutter-alley; but the rosy flush upon it deepened as a step was heard
+upon the stairs, followed by a tap at the door.
+
+A querulous "Come in!" from old Dick, and then a tall, stout young
+fellow entered, bearing a basket of violets, whose sweet fragrance
+filled the room.
+
+"Oh, it's you, is it, Harry?" said the old man.  "Had you got money
+enough?"
+
+"O yes, plenty; but I spent it all," was the reply.  "The flowers are
+rare and fresh this morning."
+
+"That's right, Harry--that's right," quavered the old man.  "Set 'em
+down--set 'em down.  And now what's to pay?"
+
+"Pay?  What for?" was the rather gruff response, as the new-comer looked
+hard the while at Jenny.
+
+"For your trouble, Harry.  You ought to take something for your
+trouble."
+
+"'Tisn't trouble!" said the young man, more gently, still looking hard
+at Jenny, who never raised her eyes from her work.  "When I'm at market,
+as I've often said before, it isn't much to bring home a few bunches of
+flowers.  I should like to bring them every morning, if I may."
+
+He still glanced at Jenny, as if he hoped that the permission might come
+from her; but she made no sign, and old Dick himself broke the awkward
+silence by thanking the young man once more, and he then took his
+departure with a disappointed aspect.
+
+The flower-bearer slowly descended the stairs, nettled at the calm,
+patronising manner adopted by the old man.
+
+"Poor old chap," he muttered; "I wonder what he really does think."
+
+He said no more, for at the foot of the stairs he encountered a
+smartly-dressed youth, apparently a junior clerk in some city office.
+
+The look which passed between the young men was of no very friendly
+character; but, directly after, each went upon his way, thinking of his
+rival--the violet-bearer to his little half stall, half shop, where he,
+in a very humble fashion, contrived to make a good living--the other,
+smiling with contempt, ascending to old Dick Bradds' abode.
+
+For be it known that fair young Jenny Blossom was not without suitors,
+who were both at this time anything but peaceful at heart, since there
+was plenty of jealousy and annoyance at Jenny's coldness.  They called
+it coldness, though hardly with justice, for the visits were none of
+Jenny's seeking, since she, poor girl, loved her grandfather, and though
+she confessed to herself that it was kind of Harry Smith to bring the
+violets, and to save her from going to the wet, cold market so early in
+the morning, yet she would very much rather that both--well, that Mr
+John Wilson, Sharpnesses' clerk, would stay away.
+
+But John Wilson was quite a favourite with the old man, and the intimacy
+had arisen when at several times the former had been the bearer of
+various small gratuities from the great auction firm to their old
+porter, while he was weak from his accident.  Dick admired the young
+fellow's appearance and his smart way of dressing, so different from the
+fustian of Harry Smith, and upon more than one occasion he proved that
+years had not made him perfect, for said he, "Only think what a good
+thing it would be for you, my pet," referring, of course, to John
+Wilson's attentions; "what would become of you if I were taken away?"
+
+Jenny said nothing, and the old man talked on under the impression that
+affairs were as they were years before, and quite oblivious of the fact
+that Jenny had been for some time past his sole stay and support; and
+that if the young girl, with her busy fingers morning and evening, and
+the sale of her violets in the cold streets in the afternoon, could
+supply sustenance for both, her fate would not have been so very hard
+had he been taken away.
+
+But there were other feelings animating the breast of old Dick Bradds,
+and he would have liked to see that the young girl had some one to take
+his place as protector before the great change came, about which he
+never attempted self-deceit.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY FOUR, CHAPTER SIX.
+
+Gutter-alley was certainly a gloomy home, but somehow time glided on as
+swiftly there as in more favoured spots.  A year soon sped.  The
+attentions of the young men had been incessant, but they had made no
+progress in their suits, for the love of Jenny continued to be centred
+in her grandfather, and if she had any to spare it was devoted to the
+row of flowers in her window, sickly plants which, sheltered though they
+were from the cold weather without, grew long of stalk and leaf as they
+strained and struggled to reach the light.  But Jenny's patience was
+vain; the flowers always ended by drooping, turning yellow, and slowly
+withering away, even as drooped the wretched birds, supposed to be
+fowls, which pecked about in the alley, dropping a feather here and a
+feather there in their perpetual moult and raggedness, but about which
+fowls there was a legend known to every child in the court, in which it
+was related that the feathery scarecrow known as "the hen" had once laid
+an egg--a real genuine egg like those labelled at the cheesemonger's as
+"Sixteen a shilling," though no one had ever been found, from the owner
+of the fowls to the youngest inhabitant, who could conscientiously
+declare that he or she had seen that egg in its new-laid form.
+
+For, as has been before hinted at, Gutter-alley had an atmosphere of its
+own, where not only flowers had their life dried out of them, but human
+beings grew more sickly day by day.  The children became pale and
+stunted of growth; their elders unwholesome of mien and habit.  It was
+one of Death's London strongholds, and the visits of parish surgeon and
+undertaker were frequent here.  The close crowded court was one of the
+spots where typhus lived till it was tired, surfeited with the ill it
+had done, when for a time it slept.
+
+It was summer, and there was much meeting of women in the court, where
+they would stand together after their fashion, with apron-wrapped arms,
+to gossip and compare notes.  Now there was a funeral, and that had to
+be discussed, being considered a decent berryin, wherein all took deep
+interest, for most likely the majority had subscribed their mites to
+assist the neighbour in trouble.  No matter how poor the sufferers, a
+decent funeral must be had; and it was no uncommon thing for the
+undertaker to be called upon to take off the bare, wretched,
+poverty-stricken aspect of the parish shell by decking it with a few
+rows of black nails, and a breast-plate and set of handles.
+
+Now the doctor had been seen to go into Number 8.  Where would he go
+next?  How was Mrs Rose?  Was Banks's child better?  Would Widow
+Robinson and the five little ones have to go to the workhouse?  Plenty
+of such questions were discussed in those days; and it happened that as
+four of the women were watching for the return of the doctor from one
+house, that, laden as usual, Harry Smith came up the road, set down his
+basket, and then, taking out almost an armful of moss roses, he was
+about to enter the door of Number 5, when one of the women partly
+covered her face with her apron, and then whispered something to the
+young man, which made him hesitate for a moment.  Directly after he
+smiled, shook his head, and entered the house, to return in a few
+minutes without the roses.
+
+The next morning he found that there was still a discussion going on in
+the court, and on approaching the door of Number 5 it was shut, and
+entrance was denied.
+
+He could not see any one, a parish nurse said, for the fever was very
+bad in the house, as at many more in the court; and the young man sighed
+as he went away to encounter John Wilson at the end of the alley,
+glancing down it for a moment before passing on again.
+
+For the fever was bad indeed, and once and twice a day shabby funeral
+processions left the place.  Now that the trouble had come, parish
+meetings were held, and timid men made some little paltry attempts at
+battling and staying the progress of the distemper.  But in spite of all
+they could do, the fever still raged; and at last, when he came one
+morning, Harry Smith learned from the women of the court that Jenny
+Blossom lay a-dying.
+
+No one now saw the blooming girl, basket in hand, go out to sell her
+fragrant flowers, and Number 5 was shunned as the blackest plague spot
+in the court.
+
+But still, day by day, came Harry Smith to the door, where he was never
+admitted.  Not laden now with heavy bunches of flowers, but bearing a
+few sweet buds, to send by the hands of the nurse to the sick girl's
+room.  Twice over though had Hany to stop shuddering, to let the bearers
+of something pass.  Shuddering from no selfish fear, but lest _some one_
+might have been suddenly snatched away.  For in those times he knew that
+it was not long before the cold harshly-shaped coffin was called into
+requisition, and his dread was great until the woman at the house set
+him at rest.
+
+Then came Harry's turn: one morning he tried to rise for his market
+trip, but only to find that he had been stricken down by the enemy, and
+he was soon fighting hard with the fever that had fastened on him.
+
+It was a long hard fight that, but Harry was young and hopeful, he had
+much to live for, and he won the victory, but only to be left weak as a
+little child, and unable to stir from his humble bed.
+
+As soon as he could crawl about, by the help of a stick, Harry's steps
+were directed to Gutter-alley, where, after a long and painful walk, he
+stood leaning against a wall for support, feeling deadly faint, for
+there was another funeral at Number 5.
+
+"From which room?" he asked huskily, for there was one of the court
+women at his side.
+
+"Second floor front," was the reply, and the young man groaned, impotent
+to ask further questions.
+
+"Is it--is it?" he could say no more; but the woman divined his
+thoughts.
+
+"No, no!" she answered eagerly, "the poor darling has been spared.  It
+is the old man who is gone to his long home.  Jenny has been about this
+fortnight now, and nursed the old man through it all."
+
+"Was it fever?" asked Harry, more for the sake of speaking than from
+curiosity, for he wanted to conceal his weakness as far as he could.
+
+"Some say it was; but I don't think so," she replied.  "But you ought to
+be at home, with the rain falling like this.  Why, you look fit to be in
+your bed and nowhere else."
+
+"Yes, yes," said Harry, "I'll go soon."
+
+"He was very old," said the woman; "I knew him years ago, when I lived
+over there, before he broke his leg.  I've been to see Jenny, God bless
+her!  She's half brokenhearted, and has now no one to look up to."
+
+Harry Smith, in spite of the inclement, wintry weather, stopped by the
+mouth of the court awaiting the coming of the funeral, and a faint flush
+came into his hollow cheeks as he thought of the woman's last words, and
+wondered whether Jenny would now choose a protector, and whether that
+protector would be John Wilson.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY FOUR, CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+Harry Smith, the very shadow of his former self, waited until the
+procession neared, and then stood aside to let the one sad woman pass to
+the shabby funeral carriage, after which he made his way back into the
+court, to listen to the narrative of the sad havoc worked by the disease
+while he had been tossing in delirium upon his own pallet.  But he went
+home sad and yet happy, as he pondered upon some information he had
+gained from the neighbours; for he learned for certain that no one whose
+visits he had dreaded had passed up the court to Number 5.
+
+The days glided on.  It was the depth of winter, and the snow lay
+thickly upon the house-tops.  It was churned up into a black mud
+sometimes in the streets; but, in spite of powdering blacks, it still
+struggled to lie white and pure upon the ledges and window-sills.  The
+storm came again and again, and Jenny's window-sill was covered, and
+somehow in the morning, when she rose, there lay a tiny bunch of sweet
+violets in amongst the snow.  From whence did the offering come?  There
+was but one explanation--it must have been thrown across from a
+neighbour's window; and morning after morning the flowers were there,
+and as Jenny took each bunch and placed it in water she thought of the
+market and its floral treasures even at that season of the year, and a
+blush burned hotly in her cheek, for she remembered who had brought
+roses during the illness, and wondered why he had ceased to come.
+
+There was much for Harry to ponder upon, though, in the long hours
+during which, for want of strength, he was compelled to remain idle; he
+thought of his own rough ways and garb, as compared with the bearing and
+dress of his favoured rival; telling himself that he was mad and foolish
+to expect that Jenny could prefer him to the man chosen by her
+grandfather.  If she could only read his heart aright, he thought that
+there might be hope for him; but how could he expect that!
+
+And time still sped on, giving to Harry Smith once more muscle and
+vigour, but little peace of mind, since now Jenny declined to let him
+bring her flowers, for she kept entirely to her needlework, lodging with
+an old widow on the opposite side of the court.  But the flowers once
+more began their struggle for life in Jenny's window, and with better
+success, for there was quite an hour's more sun on that side of the way,
+so that the once bare window-sill grew gay with bright-hued blossoms.
+
+But as Jenny grew brighter with her flowers, day by day, Harry Smith's
+heart grew sad within, for with her consent or not--how could he tell?--
+John Wilson, the fair-weather friend, was frequently to be seen by the
+young girl's side, as she was going to and from the warehouse whence she
+obtained the work which made sore her little fingers.  Harry knew not
+that poor Jenny was pestered sadly, and went to the warehouse at
+different hours each day, so as to avoid a meeting.  Harry judged only
+from what he saw, and grew daily more disheartened and sad.  He did not
+rail against her, he only blamed his own folly, and at last made up his
+mind to leave the country--his attention having been taken by the
+inducements held out by emigration placards.
+
+But this was not until nearly a year had passed, and now that his mind
+was fully made up, he watched for an evening when he could see Jenny
+alone, and tell her--he thought he would like to tell her how he had
+loved her--before he went.
+
+Harry's words were nearly left unsaid; for it happened that one evening
+he saw Jenny hurrying through the busy streets laden with the work she
+was taking home, and at a short distance behind he could make out John
+Wilson following rapidly in her steps.
+
+The sight made the young man's heart sink within his breast, and he was
+about to turn back when he saw that the young girl was panting beneath
+her burden, and half angrily he hastened up, and asked if he might carry
+it, determined for this time not to be driven away.
+
+And it came to pass that evening that as they stepped into the quieter
+streets the bells of one of the old churches began to peal up joyfully
+for a practice, and it may be they inspired the young man with hope to
+declare his intentions, and then to his own surprise he grew warm and
+eloquent, reproaching his companion even for her conduct towards one who
+had loved her long and well.
+
+"O Jenny!" he exclaimed, "I have always looked upon you as a violet
+growing therein--"
+
+"A violet in the snow," she said archly, as she gazed in his face; and--
+well, the street was very dark--he held her for a moment in his arms.
+
+She shrank from him startled and angry, and he felt hurt once more.
+
+"Ah!" he said bitterly, as they reached the door in the alley, "fine
+feathers make fine birds, and perhaps Jenny Blossom likes such birds to
+watch for her, and follow her about."
+
+"Can I help it, Harry?" said Jenny softly, as she laid one little
+work-scarred hand upon his.  "I have no one to protect me," and before
+he could speak again she had hurried up-stairs.
+
+There must have been something more than the ordinary interpretation of
+those words, so effectually to drive away Harry Smith's anger.  Perhaps
+it arose from the way in which they were said.  At all events John
+Wilson must have imagined that a fresh plague had broken out in the
+court, for he came near no more; and at one regular hour every evening
+Harry was to be seen accompanying the dainty little maiden to the
+warehouse, turning himself into a regular pack-horse with parcels, and
+all to the great hindrance of the emigrating scheme.
+
+And so weeks--months passed, and then something more must have been
+said; for one day Harry Smith was seen busily carrying Jenny's
+flower-pots from her lodging to his own home, which could have been from
+no other reason than that Jenny had at last consented to tend them
+there, and send brightness to the honest young fellow's home.  And so it
+passed, for from that time Jenny Blossom's name faded out of the
+chronicles of Gutter-alley.  Year after year, though, when tiny little
+blue-eyed children were born to Harry in the cold wintry season, there
+was a fancy of his which may be recorded.  It was only the fancy of a
+rough, honest worker--a soldier in the fight for life; but all the same,
+the idea had its tinge of poetry.  The idea was this--to say that the
+tiny blossoms that came to find this world in its wintry garment of
+purity were like Violets in the Snow.
+
+
+STORY FIVE: NIL DES.
+
+
+STORY FIVE, CHAPTER ONE.
+
+JOHN RICHARDS' HOUSEKEEPER.
+
+"Git along, do, with such clat."
+
+"But, Keziah--dear--only listen to me!  Here's winter coming on fast,
+and what could be a better time for getting it over?  What's cold got to
+do with it, Keziah, when there's a warm and manly heart beating away for
+you at such a rate as to keep you warm and itself too?  Say yes,
+Keziah!"
+
+"I won't."
+
+"Only think of how happy we should be, with you at your housekeeping,
+and me with my tallers!"
+
+"And smelling ten times worse of burnt mutton-chops than you do now when
+you come."
+
+"Smell, Keziah!  Oh, what's smell when him as smells loves you?  Ah,
+Keziah!  I did think you'd got a heart that I could melt like good
+quality fat; but it's a stringy and gristly heart, Keziah, one as is
+full of pride.  On my bended knees I ask you to say yes."
+
+"Git up, do, with your clat.  The idee of going down on the carpet like
+that, just for all the world like a man in a stage-play.  Such stuff
+indeed.  If you don't get up directly I'll run out of the room, that I
+will.  Do you take me for a silly girl? at my time of life too."
+
+"No, Keziah," said the man of bended knees, rising slowly to stand once
+more, a fat, podgy little fellow, whose anxious face grew more ludicrous
+each moment.  "No, Keziah, I only take you for a very hard-hearted
+woman."
+
+"Don't be a noodles, Peter," exclaimed Keziah.  "Didn't I always tell
+you, when I gave consent for you to come and see me, that I'd never
+think of marrying till Miss May was settled?"
+
+"Yes, you did," said Peter, "but she's such a long time over it."
+
+"Stuff!" said Keziah.
+
+"But she is indeed," cried Peter, trying to catch one of the lady's
+hands in his.  "You see she's only nineteen, and can afford to wait a
+few years.  But you see, dear, I'm forty, and you are--"
+
+"Yes, I know, I'm forty, too, and I'm not ashamed of it, so you needn't
+twit me with that," said Keziah snappishly.  "I'm in no hurry to change
+my name into Pash--Pash indeed.  I'm sure Bay's ever so much better."
+
+"It is!  I know it is," said Peter, "and I didn't twit you about your
+years.  Ain't I always said that you were just growing into your prime?
+But I see how it is: it's pride--it's the pride of the composites,
+Keziah, and you're trying to throw me over after I've been a true lover
+all these years."
+
+"Are you going to talk sense; or am I to leave you to chatter that
+sickly twaddle to the cat?--true lover indeed!"
+
+"Go it!" cried Peter, "it's pride!  I can see through it all.  Why don't
+you be open with me?  But, mark my words, Keziah, there's more sterling
+substance in a short six, or even a height, than in all your grand
+composites, as set themselves up for sparm or wax.  I'm tallow, I am,
+and I respect tallow.  I like people not to be ashamed of their
+position.  We can't all be wax, nor yet sparm, so why not be content as
+a good honest dip, or a mould!  Why, even your twelve or fourteen has a
+honesty about it that your sham, make-believe imitation wax don't
+possess--things as won't stand so much as a draught of air without
+flaring, and guttering down, and spattering all over your carpets.  It's
+pride, Keziah, and that's all about it."
+
+"No, it ain't," said Keziah quietly.
+
+"To throw me over like this," continued Mr Pash in injured tones, "and
+after all my attentions and presents."
+
+"Presents, indeed!" exclaimed the lady, "attentions!--very delicate
+attentions.  Kidneys, that you got out of the nasty fat that you buy of
+the butchers."
+
+"But I never brought one as was the least tainted," said Peter, "and you
+always said there was nothing nicer for supper."
+
+"And, pray, who always ate a good half?" retorted Keziah angrily.
+
+"But I never should have touched 'em if they hadn't been so gloriously
+cooked--such brown--such gravy!  O, Keziah, don't be hard on me," sighed
+Peter.
+
+"Peter Pash!" exclaimed the lady indignantly, "you're a great goose; and
+if I didn't know that you'd been sitting here three hours without
+nothing stronger than small beer before you, I should say you'd been
+drinking.  Now, once for all, you can come if you like, or you can stay
+away if you like.  I'm not going even to think about getting married
+till Miss May's settled, and that won't be well, never mind that.  Now
+go home."
+
+"Yes, my dear," said Peter in a resigned way, and taking his hat off the
+sideboard he began to brush the nap round and round very carefully.
+"But you're very hard on me, Keziah."
+
+"Didn't I tell you to go?" said the lady.
+
+Peter Pash sighed and drew the back of his hand across his mouth, but
+then his heart failed him, and he shook hands and said "good-night"--
+words which seemed thrown back at him by the lady of his heart; directly
+after he withdrew in accordance with the line in italics which appeared
+at the bottom of his tallow-chandler's trade card--"N.B.  Orders
+punctually executed!" leaving Keziah Bay, cook and housekeeper to John
+Richards, the old money-lender, of Walbrook, nipping her lips together,
+beating one foot upon the fender, and frowning very fiercely at the
+fire.
+
+For this had been a very exciting affair for Mrs Keziah Bay, since,
+heretofore, Peter Pash's custom had been to come three times a week to
+Walbrook, where he would sit in the half kitchen, half sitting-room, of
+the dingy old mansion--a house built in the days when merchants
+condescended to live over their offices, with bedrooms looking down upon
+warehouse or yard--sit and smoke a pipe while Keziah darned her master's
+stockings; stare at her very hard, sup, and say "good-night," and then
+go.  That was the extent of Peter Pash's courting.  He had certainly
+once before said something respecting wedding, and been snubbed into
+silence; but only that once; hence, then, this had been rather an
+exciting time at Walbrook, and for more reasons than that one.
+
+Mrs Keziah Bay had not been thoughtfully tapping the old-fashioned
+brass fender with her foot for more than five minutes before the door
+softly opened and a slight girlish figure entered, to steal quietly to
+the comely dame's side, kneel down, and clasp two little white hands
+round her waist.
+
+"That means trouble, I know," said Keziah sharply, but all the same one
+of her hands was passed caressingly over the soft brown hair, and her
+lips were pressed to the white upturned forehead.  "That means trouble,
+and worry, and upsets, or you wouldn't come to me.  Now, what is it?
+But there: I know: you've been thinking about Frank Marr; haven't you?"
+
+A sigh was taken for an affirmative answer, and Keziah continued:
+
+"What's Mr Brough been here for to-night?"
+
+"Don't talk about it--don't ask me!" cried the kneeling girl, who now
+burst out into a passion of weeping.  "O, 'Ziah, what shall I do, what
+shall I do?"
+
+"Why, tell me all about what you're crying for, to be sure," cried
+Keziah sharply; but all the same with a motherly attempt or two at
+soothing.  "Surely master hasn't been at you again about Mr Frank, has
+he?"
+
+"O, yes--yes," sobbed the girl; "and it does seem so cruel and hard.  O,
+'Ziah, I've no one to talk to but you--no one to ask for help.  He talks
+as if Frank could help being poor, and not prospering in his business,
+when, poor fellow, he strove so hard."
+
+"But what did he bring all that up for?" cried Keziah.  "Mr Frank
+hasn't been here these two months, I'll swear.  Did you say anything?"
+
+"No, no!" sobbed the girl, bursting into a fresh paroxysm of weeping.
+
+"Then some one must have brought it up.  There, I see plain as plain.
+Bless him!  He ought to be boiled in his own sugar, that he ought!  He's
+a nice fellow, he is, for a sugar-baker, to come here tattling and
+setting people against other people."
+
+"What do you mean?" sobbed May Richards, gazing wonderingly at her
+comforter.
+
+"Mean?  Why, that that old Tom Brough ought to be ashamed of himself to
+come tattling to master about Mr Frank.  That was it, wasn't it?"
+
+"No, no!" sobbed the poor girl wearily.
+
+"Then what did he come for?" said Keziah.
+
+There was a pause, during which May wept bitterly.
+
+"I shall go and ask master myself," said Keziah authoritatively, as she
+half rose.  "I'm not going to have my child upset like this for
+nothing."
+
+"No, no, no!" sobbed May.  "Pray stay, 'Ziah--dear 'Ziah, don't be
+angry, and I'll tell you all."
+
+"Then what is it?" said Keziah.
+
+"Mr Brough--"
+
+"Well?"
+
+"Mr Brough has been to talk to papa."
+
+"Well, go on, child, for goodness' sake, and do wipe your eyes.  He's
+been to talk to master, and what about, pray?"
+
+"About me," sobbed May.
+
+"Well, and pray what about you?"
+
+"He came to propose, and papa gave him leave."
+
+"To propose what?" said Keziah.  "There, for goodness gracious in heaven
+sake, child, speak out and do not keep on riddle-me-riddle-me-reeing in
+that way.  What did he want?  Why!" she exclaimed, as a sudden light
+seemed to break upon her, "he ain't broke, and come after money?  Not he
+though, he's as rich as a Jew.  What does it all mean?"
+
+"He came to propose, and papa ordered me to accept him," sobbed Mary;
+"and when I told papa that I considered myself engaged to poor Frank, he
+was ready to strike me, and he cursed him, and called him horrible
+names, and said he would sooner see me dead than married to such a
+beggar, and that I was to accept Mr Brough's offer."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Keziah, her eyes dilating as she caught May by the
+shoulders, and seemed to look her through and through.  "Do you mean to
+tell me that old Tom Brough, the sugar-baker, wants to marry you, and
+that master said he should?"
+
+"Yes, yes," sobbed May.  "O, 'Ziah, I'm half brokenhearted.  What shall
+I do?"
+
+"Do!" cried Keziah fiercely; "I'd have knocked their heads together.
+Old Tom Brough!  An old villain!  An old rascal!  He's sixty, if he's an
+hour.  It's a good job for him he's gone.  Sneaking out as he did, and
+giving me five shillings when he went.  Ah! if I'd have known when he
+was with me there in the passage, I'd have given it him!"
+
+May clung to her, sobbing more than ever.  "I'd--I'd--I'd have wrung his
+neck," cried Keziah furiously; and then she burst out into a
+contemptuous laugh, as she strove to comfort the weeping girl, kissing
+her, wiping her eyes, and holding her to her breast.  "There--there,"
+she said, "let it be now, and I'll talk to them both.  I'll let them see
+that money is not going to do everything.  Tom Brough, indeed!  A
+carneying old rascal, with his smooth tongue and pleasant ways; an old
+deceiver.  I thought better things of him.  But I haven't done with them
+all yet; I don't believe there's a man under the sun good for anything.
+But there goes the bell."
+
+Keziah Bay rose to leave the room, but May clung to her imploringly.
+
+"You will not say a word?" she said pleadingly.
+
+"And why not, pray?"  Then seeing the agitation and fear in the poor
+girl's face she continued, "Then I won't--not to him; for it would be
+like trying to turn a rushing bull;--but I'm not married yet, Peter
+Pash," she muttered as she left the room, "nor she isn't married yet,
+John Richards and Thomas Brough, alderman and big man as you are.  We're
+a poor weak, helpless lot, that we are, and it's my belief that men are
+born with but one idea, and that is that they ought to persecute us
+women."
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY FIVE, CHAPTER TWO.
+
+UNDER TEMPTATION.
+
+There is, and there always was, about Walbrook something of an
+exasperating nature.  I don't care whether you journey upon wheels, or
+by means of your nature-given supports, you shall always find an
+obstruction.  The pathways are as narrow and awkward as the road; and
+while there is always a perky, impudent-looking, heavily-laden truck,
+with its handle either cocked up in defiance, or pointed down
+insultingly, as it obstructs the horse-drawn traffic, there is sure to
+be some one carrying a box of stationery, or a bale of paper-hangings,
+or something or another with hard, harsh corners, to come in contact
+with your front or your back, to injure your hat, or tear your coat with
+a ragged nail, or jostle you off into the gutter.  It don't matter when
+you go down Walbrook, passing by the sombre Mansion House, and seeking
+to be at peace in the quiet shades of Budge-row, or Watling, you shall
+certainly have your feathers ruffled, mentally of course; therefore, it
+was not surprising that Frank Marr, a sturdy young fellow of goodly
+aspect, and some eight-and-twenty years, should look angry and frowning
+as he sought the house of old John Richards.
+
+Not that it was at all surprising for people either going to or coming
+from John Richards' office to look lowering of brow, for interviews with
+that gentleman were none of the most pleasant; they had too much to do
+with interest, and renewing, and bill stamps, and too little to do with
+hard cash--unless it were for repayments--to be gratifying to any one.
+
+But Frank Marr's business, as he thought, did not relate to money; and
+without hanging about the passage in the hope of catching sight of May
+Richards, his old playmate and boyhood's love, he asked to be, and
+was shown at once into the presence of old John
+Richards,--"Grab-all,"--"Grind-'em,"--"Screw-bones,"--"Publican,"--for
+by all these pleasant sobriquets was the money-lender known.
+
+But Frank Marr, merchant, who had just passed through the Bankruptcy
+Court, after five years' hard struggle with unforeseen difficulties, and
+paid ten shillings in the pound, after all the expenses had come out of
+his estate--Frank Marr knew that he had chosen a bad morning for his
+visit.  John Richards' enemy had him by the leg; and swathed and
+bandaged, suffering terribly from gout, but transacting business all the
+same, as many a trembling client knew to his cost, he sat with a curious
+smile upon his face as the young man entered.
+
+"Now for a fierce volley of rage and curses," thought Frank; "he shall
+hear me, though, all the same!"  But to his great surprise the old man
+greeted him most civilly.
+
+"Well, Mr Marr, what's in the wind, eh?  Little accommodation bill, eh?
+Whose names?"
+
+"No, Mr Richards," said Frank, dashing at once into the subject nearest
+his heart, "I have not come about money."
+
+"Indeed!" said the money-lender, grinning with pain, but still speaking
+suavely.  "Pray what is it, then?"
+
+"I have had news this morning, Mr Richards."
+
+"Good, I hope.  An opening, perhaps, for business?"
+
+"No, sir!  Bad news--vile news--cruel news!" cried the young man
+excitedly.
+
+"Sorry, very sorry," said Richards, quietly.  "Pray what is it, then?"
+
+"It is the news of slave-dealing in this city, sir," said Frank.  "Of a
+father making a contract with a rich purchaser for the sale and delivery
+of his only child, as if she were so much merchandise, and I come, old
+man, to tell you to your face that it is cruel, and a scandal to our
+civilisation.  But I beg pardon, Mr Richards; I am hot and excited.  I
+am deeply moved.  You know I love May, that we have loved from
+childhood, and that we are promised to one another.  Don't interrupt me,
+please."
+
+"I'm not going to," said the old man, still quietly, to the other's
+intense astonishment.
+
+"I know what you would say to me if I were to advance my pretensions
+now.  But look here, Mr Richards--I am young yet, May is young.  I have
+been very unfortunate.  I have had to buy experience, in spite of my
+endeavours, in a very dear school; but there is time for me to retrieve
+my position.  I shall get on--I feel assured.  For heaven's sake, then,
+let this cruel affair be set aside: give me a few years to recover
+myself, and all will yet be well, I am sure.  You will break her heart
+if you force her to marry this old man."
+
+"Who told you of this?" said John Richards, still calmly.
+
+"I cannot tell you," said Frank.
+
+"Did May write to you?"
+
+"No," said Frank warmly; "she promised you, sir, that she would not.  I,
+too, promised you that while my affairs were in such a state I would not
+hold communication with her.  We have kept our words, sir, even as we
+intend to keep those upon another point.  I have neither spoken to nor
+heard from May for months."
+
+"Only gone to church to sit and stare at her," said John Richards
+quietly.
+
+"It were hard indeed, sir, if that poor gratification were not afforded
+me," said Frank.  "But now, sir, pray hear me--pray listen to me.  Think
+of the misery you would inflict."
+
+"Stop now, and hear me," said the old money-lender quietly, though his
+lips quivered with pain.  "Your name is Frank; now be frank with me.
+You are at the present time penniless, are you not?"
+
+Frank had hard work to suppress a groan as he bowed his head and thought
+of how, had he been given time, he could have paid every creditor in
+full, and had to spare, instead of his poor assets being more than half
+swallowed up in costs.
+
+"You came here expecting a stormy interview, did you not?"
+
+"I did!" said Frank.
+
+"To be sure! and now I am going to show you that old Grab-all is not so
+black a devil as he is painted."
+
+"Good heavens, sir!" cried Frank joyfully.
+
+"Stop a bit--stop a bit--don't be rash, young man; for perhaps I am not
+going to favour you in the way you may expect, though I do feel disposed
+to help you.  Now look here: I suppose five hundred pounds would be a
+great help to you just now?"
+
+"It would start me in life again, sir," said Frank, sadly; "but I should
+not feel justified in commencing upon borrowed capital at high
+interest."
+
+"Did I say a word about borrowed capital or high interest?"
+
+"No, sir, but--"
+
+"Yes, yes--of course--I know--old Grind-'em will have sixty per cent,
+they say, eh?  But look here, suppose I were to _give_ you five hundred
+pounds to start with!"
+
+"Give! give!  Give me five hundred pounds in hard cash, sir!  Mr
+Richards, why do you play with my feelings?"
+
+"Play, young man?" said the money-lender quietly.  "I am not playing--I
+am in earnest.  I tell you that I will give you, now, this minute, five
+hundred pounds.  There," he said, "give me that cheque book," and he
+pointed to a safe in the wall.  "I'll write you one now this instant;
+and with five hundred pounds you have the key to a fortune.  You may die
+rich as I am, Frank Marr."
+
+"But you have a condition: you wish to buy something with this five
+hundred pounds, Mr Richards," said Frank sternly.
+
+"I only want five minutes of your time," said the old man.
+
+"What to do?"
+
+"To write half a dozen lines at my dictation."
+
+"And to whom?"
+
+"To my daughter."
+
+"Their purport?"
+
+"That you break with her, and set her free, now and for ever."
+
+"If I do," cried Frank fiercely, "may God in heaven bring down--"
+
+"Stop, stop, you rash, mad fool!" cried the old man excitedly.  "Look
+here, Frank Marr: you have not a penny; your mother is almost starving;
+you are living together in a beggarly second-floor room at a
+tallow-chandler's.  You see I know all!  You are suffering the poor old
+lady's murmurs day by day, and she reproaches you for wasting her little
+all in your business.  Look here: be a man, and not a love-sick boy.
+I'll be frank with you.  Mr Brough has proposed, and I approve of him
+for a son-in-law.  He is elderly, but a better-hearted man does not
+exist; and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that May has gone
+to a good home; while you have the chance, and at once, of doing your
+duty by your old mother.  She wants change of air, Frank, and more
+nourishment.  Five hundred pounds clear, Frank, to start with, and on
+your obtaining one name, one respectable name, beside your own, I'll
+advance you five hundred more--at five per cent, Frank, my good fellow--
+at five per cent.--a thing I never before did in my life.  I'll do it at
+once, this very hour, and you can pay the cheque into a banker's, start
+a new account, and a prosperous one.  There, I'll find you a name--your
+uncle, Benjamin Marr; I'll take him; he's a respectable man, and good
+for five hundred pounds.  He'll do that for you.  Now, my good lad, sit
+down and accept my offer."
+
+"Does the devil tempt men still in human form?" gasped Frank, as with
+veins starting he stood panting for breath before the old man.
+
+"Pooh! nonsense! absurd!  Now, how can you talk such silly book-trash,
+Frank Marr?  I thought five years with me as clerk would have made
+another man of you.  You ought never to have left me.  Throw all that
+folly aside, and look the matter in the face like a man.  Now you see
+how calm and how lenient I am.  I might play the tyrant, and say that
+May shall be Mr Brough's wife, and all that sort of thing; but I want
+to spare everybody's feelings.  I don't want any scenes.  Come, now: you
+give her up; you will write to her, eh?"
+
+Frank Marr's voice was hoarse as he spoke; for he had felt the old man's
+words burning as it were into his brain, as scene after scene presented
+itself to his imagination.  There on one side wealth, prosperity,
+comfort for the old and ailing woman whom he had, as he told himself, in
+an evil hour robbed of the comforts of her declining years; a new
+career, and the means to pay off that other ten shillings in the pound,
+so that he could once more hold up his head amongst his fellow-men.  On
+the other side, the sweet, loving face of May Richards, whom he thought
+he loved as man never yet loved.  He told himself that without a
+moment's hesitation he should defy the temptation to gain a hold; but
+for all that he temporised, and John Richards saw it, and stretched out
+his hand to take a pen.
+
+"But you will give me time to recover myself?" said Frank.
+
+"What for?  I don't understand," said Richards.
+
+"For May's sake," pleaded Frank.
+
+"Stop!  Not another word!" cried the old man, now speaking fiercely.  "I
+told her last night that I'd sooner see her dead than your wife.  I tell
+you the same.  But I will not be angry, nor yet harsh--I was put out
+last night.  Now, once more look here: Five hundred pounds in cash--a
+free gift, mind--and five hundred more as an easy business loan,
+renewable year after year during my life, so long as the interest is
+punctually paid.  Nothing can be easier for you.  Think now, to give up
+a boy's milk-and-water love I offer you what to a man in your present
+position is a fortune--a thousand pounds.  And you will take it?"
+
+Frank tried to speak, but he seemed to be choking.
+
+"A thousand pounds, which means future prosperity--which means, as well,
+a score of rich and beautiful women to choose from."
+
+Frank had not heard a door open behind them; he had not seen May, pale
+as ashes, standing motionless listening to every word; he could only
+hear the words of the tempter, and the scratch, scratch of a cruel pen,
+sharp as a needle, dipped apparently in some subtle venom, writing the
+words _one thousand pounds_ on his heart at the same time as in that
+little slip-book, while the poison was coursing through his veins,
+making them to beat and throb.
+
+"One thousand pounds, John Richards; payable to Frank Marr, Esquire, or
+his order," said the old man aloud, but as if speaking to himself; "and
+all for giving up a boy-and-girl love affair.  Pish!  I am getting into
+my dotage.  Look here, Mr Marr," he said, speaking up, "I only want you
+to write the few lines I dictate, and to get that name to the bill, and
+here is the cheque ready.  You'll get on, now, I feel sure," he said, in
+cool, business-like tones, but watching his victim like a cat the while.
+"Bought wit is better than taught wit.  Shall I order you a gloss of
+wine?"
+
+"God help me!" groaned Frank Marr as, making an effort to speak, he tore
+at his throat for an instant, snatched at his hat, and then rushed out
+of the house.
+
+"Expensive, but safe!" said John Richards, with a bitter smile, as he
+pinned the cheque to its duplicate.  "What, you here?"
+
+"Father!" cried May, coming forward and speaking in tones that should
+have pierced even his heart, had it not been stony to the very core; "O,
+father, what have you done?"
+
+"Spent hundreds of my hard-earned pounds to free you from a bankrupt
+lover--a scoundrel whose every thought was on my cash, whose every
+calculation was as to how many years I should be before I died; upon a
+man who had not the heart to stand up for you, who valued you at less
+than five hundred pounds; and yet you reproached me with wishing to sell
+you to a rich husband, when he is a pure, sterling, true-hearted man,
+the only one I know that I could trust--a man you have known from a
+child, and one who has long loved you.  Suppose he is grey-headed, what
+then?  You can trust in his experience and--eh?  What?  Why?  What the
+deuce! talk of the--How are you, Brough? glad to see you.  Got the gout
+awful this morning.  Don't stop; I'm bothered and sick with pain.  Take
+May up-stairs.  My dear, give Mr Brough some lunch."
+
+Then, in an undertone, he spoke to the new-comer:
+
+"I've done it for you, Brough; smoothed the way, and the day's your own.
+Bought him off for five hundred."
+
+"And has he taken it?" said the new-comer, a handsome, florid, elderly
+man.
+
+"As good as taken it.  It's all right, I tell you.  She knows it too.
+Go and comfort her up, Brough; comfort her up."
+
+"Poor child, poor child," muttered Mr Brough, taking a cold stony hand
+in his; and the tears rose to his eyes as he read in the despairing look
+directed at him the truth of the old money-lender's words.  The next
+minute he had led May Richards up-stairs and was seated by her on one of
+the sofas, gazing pityingly at her, for with her face covered by her
+hands the poor girl wept as though her heart would break.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY FIVE, CHAPTER THREE.
+
+TOM BROUGH.
+
+For a good quarter of an hour no word was spoken; then again taking one
+of the unresisting hands in his, May's new courtier talked long and
+earnestly, telling of how, with no ardent passion, but with the
+chastened love of one who had known a bitter disappointment, he had long
+watched her and waited.
+
+"And now, at last, May, I ask you to be an old man's wife," he said.
+"Yours shall be no life of slavery; but there, you have known me long,
+and for some time past," he said tenderly; "I have not been without hope
+that you loved me in return."
+
+"Mr Brough," sobbed May, throwing herself on her knees at his feet, "I
+do love you, I have loved you ever since I was a child--loved you as one
+should love a dear father.  Have I not often come to you with my girlish
+troubles; but you surely never can mean this--you cannot wish what you
+say?  How can I be your wife, when you know how long--how long--O,
+Frank, Frank, Frank!" she cried, with a wail of despair that seemed to
+thrill through her suitor's heart, and raising her in his arms he kissed
+her tenderly--as lovingly as might a father--and placed her on a sofa at
+his side, drawing her nearer to him in spite of a slight resistance, as
+he tried to whisper a few words in his endeavour to soothe the fierce
+burst of despair that shook the poor girl's frame.
+
+"There, May--my child," he said at last, "try and command yourself,"
+when a thought seemed to strike him, and, though evidently troubled and
+reluctant, he rose to go, tenderly taking leave of the weeping girl.
+
+But before he could reach the door, May had him by the hand.
+
+"Dear Mr Brough," she said beseechingly, "I cannot think that you would
+wish to make me unhappy for life."
+
+"Indeed, no," he said gently, as he held both her hands in his.  "I
+would devote my life to making you happy."
+
+"But you know--for some time--Mr Frank Marr--"
+
+Then the recollection of what she had heard and seen that morning seemed
+to flash across her brain, scathing her as it passed, and with a wild
+look she sought to withdraw her hands, but they were fist held.
+
+"Nay, my child," said Mr Brough tenderly, "I love you too well to wish
+to give you pain.  I would sooner suffer myself than cause a pang to
+your gentle little heart.  Show me that Frank Marr is worthy of you--
+that is, that your father's words which he told me were either untrue,
+or that he had been deceived; tell me, in fact, that by waiving my
+claims I can give you happiness, and I will do so, and at once, even
+though--" His voice trembled as he spoke, and then he added hastily:
+"But you are much agitated; I will go.  Only one question before a
+painful subject is buried for ever--Are you aware that Frank Marr was
+with your father this morning?"
+
+May bowed her head, for the words would not come.
+
+"And you know of the offer made and accepted?  Good God, what a brute I
+am!" he exclaimed, as he had just time to catch May in his arms, and
+save her from falling.
+
+"That's just what you are!" exclaimed a harsh voice, and the visitor
+became aware of the presence of Keziah Bay, who indignantly caught the
+fainting girl from him, and apparently without much effort bore her from
+the room.
+
+It was with a quiet, thoughtful face that Tom Brough, the well-known
+wealthy, charitable sugar-baker, made his way to one of the City
+chop-houses, and sat down in a dark box to think for quite an hour, with
+a newspaper before his face, a newspaper that the impatient waiter
+swooped down at a good half-dozen times, but never asked for on account
+of its being in the hands of so excellent a customer.  But never a word
+read Tom Brough; it was only a blind behind which he wished to think on
+that eventful morning; and he thought till his countenance lightened,
+for it seemed to him that his way ahead was very clear, and in that way
+ahead he saw himself a happy man, cheered by May's smiles, in spite of
+his years, and playing with her children; and at last, his own eyes dewy
+and twinkling, his bright grey hair glistening, and the ruddy hues of
+his open countenance ruddier than ever, he laid aside the paper just at
+a moment when, unable to bear it any longer, the waiter was swooping
+down with the fell intent of striking and bearing off the sheet.  But
+just as he stooped to seize it, the paper was dropped, and he was
+standing face to face with the old and regular attendant at the place.
+
+"Charles," said Mr Brough, "I think I'll take a chop."
+
+"And hysters, sir?" said Charles.
+
+"And oysters," said Tom Brough.
+
+"Port _or_ sherry, sir?" said Charles respectfully.
+
+"Pint of port--yellow seal," said Tom Brough with a sigh of content, and
+then he leaned back and looked up at the dingy soot-darkened skylight,
+till the hissing hot chop was brought, moistening his lips from time to
+time with the glass of tawny astringent wine, seeing, though, no yellow
+glass, no floating blacks, nothing but a bright future; and then he
+ate--ate like a man who enjoyed it, finished his fifth glass of port,
+and walked to his office, brisk, bustling, and happy.
+
+"Gentleman been waiting to see you two hours, sir," said a clerk.
+
+"Bless my soul, how tiresome!" he muttered.  "I wanted to do as little
+as possible to-day; and if news came that the sugar crops were a failure
+to a cane, I believe I'm so selfish that I shouldn't care a--"
+
+But, whatever might have been the proper finish of that sentence, it was
+never uttered; for, bustling forward with an easy elastic step, the
+pleasant countenance suddenly became grave as opening the door of his
+inner office Tom Brough stood face to face with pale, stern-looking
+Frank Marr.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY FIVE, CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+HOPELESS.
+
+If there is anything obstinate in this life it is Time, whom poets and
+painters are so fond of depicting as a goose-winged, forelocked,
+bald-headed, scraggy old gentleman, exceedingly hard up for clothes, but
+bearing an old, overgrown egg-boiler, and a scythe with a shaft that,
+however well adapted for mowing in his own particular fields, would, for
+want of proper bend and handles, if he were set to cut grass in some
+Essex or Sussex mead, make that old back of his double down in a grander
+curve than ever, and give him such a fit of lumbago as was never
+suffered by any stalk of the human corn he delights to level.  Just want
+the hours, weeks, and months to seem extended, and they shrink like
+fourteen-shilling trouser legs.  Just want the days to glide by so that
+some blissful moment may be swift to arrive, and one might almost swear
+that the ancient hay-maker had been putting his lips to some barrel, and
+was lying down behind a hedge for a long nap.  He had been busy enough
+though at Walbrook, as many a defaulting bill acceptor knew to his cost,
+and small mercy was meted to him by John Richards.  The time, too, with
+May seemed to speed by, as evening after evening it brought her
+December, in the shape of Tom Brough--always pleasant, cheerful, and
+apparently happy, if he gained one sad pleasant smile.
+
+For there was a sadness in May Richards' face that was even at times
+painful; but she seemed to bear her cares patiently.  Only once had she
+sought to talk to her father, to find him even gentle.
+
+"You had better throw it all aside," he said.  "Take my advice, child,
+you will find it better."
+
+"But I must see those papers, father," she said hoarsely.
+
+She had followed the old man into his office, and stood facing him as he
+laid one hand upon his great iron safe.
+
+He did not seem to heed her for a few minutes; but at last he spoke.
+
+"You will not destroy them?" he said.  "No."
+
+The next minute the great iron door opened with a groan, and he had
+placed a cancelled cheque bearing frank Marr's name on the back, and a
+couple of other documents before her.
+
+She stood there and read them through, word for word, twice, and then
+they dropped from her hand, and gazing straight before her she slowly
+left the place.
+
+He had sold her, then.  He had preferred worldly prosperity to her love,
+and she had been deceived in him as hundreds of others were every day
+deceived by those in whom they trusted.  But one document she held to
+still--the one in her desk, the little desk that stood by her bed's
+head, and that letter she had read night after night, and wept over when
+there was none to see, till the blistering tears had all but obliterated
+the words on the paper.  But no tears could wash them out from her
+heart, where they were burned in by anguish--those few cold formal words
+dictated by her father--that he, Frank Marr, feeling it to be his duty,
+then and there released her from all promises, and retained to himself
+the right without prejudice to enter into any new engagement.
+
+She had been asked to indite a few lines herself, setting him free on
+her part, but she could not do it; and now, after the first month of
+agony, she was striving hard to prepare herself for what she felt to be
+her fate.
+
+But all seemed in vain, and one day, almost beside herself with the long
+strain, Keziah found her pacing the room and wringing her thin hands.
+
+"You sha'n't marry him, and that's an end of it!" cried Keziah fiercely.
+"I'll go over and see him to-night and talk to him; and if I can't win
+him round my name isn't Bay.  I'll marry him myself if it can't be done
+any other how, that I will.  Cheer up, then, my darling.  Don't cry,
+please, it almost breaks my heart to see you.  He's a good old fellow,
+that he is; and I'm sure when he comes to know how you dread it all
+he'll give it up.  If I only had that Mr Frank--What?  Don't, my little
+one?  Then I won't; only it does seems so hard.  Married on the shortest
+day, indeed!  I daresay he'd like to be.  There's no day so short nor so
+long ever been made that shall see you Tom Brough's wife, so I tell him.
+Now, only promise me that you'll hold up."
+
+"Don't talk to me, please.  I shall be better soon," sobbed May; and
+then after an interval of weeping, "'Ziah, I know you love me: when I'm
+dead, will you think gently of me, and try to forgive all my little
+pettish ways?"
+
+"When you're what?" cried Keziah.
+
+"When I'm dead; for I feel that it can't be long first.  I used to smile
+about broken hearts and sorrow of that kind, but, except when I'm asleep
+and some bright dream comes, all seems here so black and gloomy that I
+could almost feel glad to sleep always--always, never to wake again."
+
+"O, O, O!" cried Keziah, bursting into a wail of misery, but only to
+stop short and dash away a tear right and left with the opposite corners
+of her apron.  "There, I won't have it, and if you talk to me again like
+that, I'll--I'll--I'll go to Mr Brough at once.  No, my child, I'm not
+going to sit still and see you murdered before my very eyes if I know
+it.  But though I don't want to be cruel I must tell you that your poor
+affections really were misplaced; for that Frank Marr is as well off now
+and as happy as can be.  He lodges, you know, at Pash's, and they've got
+all the best furnished rooms that he got ready for me; not that I was
+going to leave you, my pet; and he's making money, and taking his mother
+out of town, and all sorts, I can tell you."
+
+It did not escape Keziah's eye how every word was eagerly drunk in, and
+feeling at last that she was but feeding and fanning a flame that
+scorched and seared the young life before her, she forbore, and soon
+after left the room.
+
+"But if I don't see Mr Tom Brough, and put a stop to this marriage, and
+his preparations, and new house, and furnishing," she cried, "my name
+isn't Keziah Bay?"
+
+And Keziah kept her word.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY FIVE, CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+MR PASH LOOKS GREEN.
+
+Keziah Bay had made up her mind to go to Mr Tom Brough, and, attended
+by Peter Pash as her faithful squire, she started, loading him to begin
+with in case of rain, for on one arm Peter carried a large scarlet
+shawl, and under the other a vast blue-faded gingham umbrella, with a
+great staghorn beak and a grand ornamental brass ferule.
+
+But Peter Pash looked proud at the confidence placed in him, and,
+following rather than walking by the side of his lady, he accompanied
+her to Finsbury-square, in one corner of which place lived Tom Brough.
+
+All the same, though, Peter Pash was not comfortable, for he did not
+know the object of Keziah's mission.  What was she going to Mr Brough's
+for?  It was not because she was sent--she had declared that before
+starting, and when pressed for her reason she said that she was "going
+because she was going," and Peter did not feel satisfied.  In fact,
+before they were half-way to Finsbury, Peter was fiercely jealous, and
+telling himself that he was being made a fool of.
+
+"You'd better let me carry that umbrella if you are going to bring it
+down thump at every step like that," said Keziah.
+
+"No, thank you, I can manage it," said Peter, as, tucking it once more
+beneath his arm, he trotted on by her side, trying to make up his mind
+how he should find out the truth of his suspicions.
+
+"It only wants a little looking into," said Peter to himself, "and then
+you can find out anything.  I can see it all now.  And do they think
+they are going to deceive me?  No, I've boiled down and purified too
+much not to be able to separate the wrong from the right.  She's going
+to ask him if he means to marry her instead of Miss Richards, and if he
+don't, she'll fall back on me.  But she won't, for I don't mean to be
+fallen on, and so I tell her."
+
+"Here we are," said Keziah, stopping short in front of Mr Brough's
+house.
+
+"Yes, here we are," said Peter, with what he meant for a searching look.
+
+"Now, look here, Peter," said Keziah, "I'm going to see Mr Brough, and
+you'll wait outside till I come back."
+
+"But what are you going for?" said Peter.
+
+There was no reply save what was conveyed in a hitch of Keziah's shawl,
+and then, her summons being responded to, she entered, leaving Peter
+perspiring on the door-step, brandishing the great umbrella and peering
+at the door with eyes that threatened to pierce the wood--varnish,
+paint, and all.
+
+Meanwhile, Keziah was ushered into the room where Tom Brough was seated,
+rosy and hearty, over his decanter and glass.
+
+"Well, Keziah," he said, "and how are all at home?  Take a chair."
+
+The visitor did not condescend to reply until the door was shut, when,
+folding her arms, she stood looking at him with a fierce uncompromising
+aspect.
+
+"I've come about that poor girl," she said at last.
+
+"About what poor girl?" said Tom Brough.
+
+"That poor girl whose heart's being broken up into tiny bits by you and
+him--her father," cried Keziah, fiercely, "and I've come to know if you
+ain't ashamed of yourself.  There, hold your tongue, and listen to what
+I've got to say; I haven't said anything to him at home, because it's
+like talking to stone and marbles.  But I've come to talk to you."
+
+"Talk away, then," said Tom Brough, pleasantly.
+
+"I'm going to," said Keziah, angrily, "and don't you think, Mr Brough,
+that you're going to get rid of me like that, because you are not, so
+now then.  This marriage can't go on."
+
+"Why not?" said Tom Brough, offering a glass of wine, which was refused.
+
+"Because I'm not going to see my darling that I've nursed and tended
+ever since she was a baby driven into her grave to please you.  There,
+keep off--gracious, if the man isn't mad!"
+
+Keziah half shrieked the last words, for, leaping from his seat, Tom
+Brough made a rush at her, chased her round the table with an activity
+hardly to have been expected from one of his years, followed her out on
+to the landing as she hastily beat a retreat, down the stairs, along the
+passage, and caught her on the door-mat, where, after a sharp scuffle,
+he succeeded in imprinting a couple of sounding kisses upon her cheek
+before she got the door open, and, panting and tumbled, rushed out
+nearly to the oversetting of Peter Pash, who, with his eye to the
+keyhole, had seen the chase in part, heard the scuffle in full, and now
+stood gazing grandly at the panting object of his affections.
+
+"Keziah!" he exclaimed at length, "I thought better of you."
+
+"What do you mean by that?" exclaimed the irate dame.
+
+"I thought you had been a woman as could be trusted," he said, sadly.
+
+"Trusted, indeed!" cried Keziah.  "Why, he's a madman, that's what he
+is.  He's off his head because of this wedding: see if he ain't."
+
+"Keziah!" said Peter, loftily, "I've done with you."
+
+"Give me that umbrella," cried Keziah, snatching the great gingham from
+his hand.  "Now just you speak to me again like that, young man, and
+I'll talk to you."
+
+"I'll see you home.  I won't be mean," said Peter.  "But you've broken a
+true and trusting heart, Keziah."
+
+"Hold your tongue, do," she cried; "just as if I hadn't enough to bother
+me without your silly clat.  I did think he'd be open to reason," she
+added half aloud.
+
+Peter did not answer, but walked by Keziah's side till they turned down
+by the Mansion House and entered Walbrook, when with a start the latter
+caught Peter by the arm and pointed down the deserted way to where a
+light figure was seen to hurriedly leave John Richards' door, and then
+to flit beneath lamp after lamp in the direction of Cannon-street.
+
+"Where's she going?" exclaimed Keziah, hoarsely.  "What is she out for
+to-night?"
+
+"Who is it?" said Peter, though it was for the sake of speaking, for he
+knew.
+
+"She's mad, too, and we're all mad, I believe," cried Keziah.  "O,
+Peter, if you love me as you say, hold by me now, for there's something
+going wrong; don't lose sight of her for an instant, if you value me.
+Make haste, man, and come on."
+
+"That's cool!" said Peter, "and after me seeing some one else kissing
+and hugging you."
+
+"Quick, quick!" cried Keziah, excitedly catching Peter's hand in hers;
+and then together they passed down Walbrook and across the street at the
+bottom, both too fat and heavy to keep the light figure in sight without
+great exertion.
+
+Down one of the hilly lanes and into Thames-street they panted, with the
+light drapery now lost sight of, now seen again at some corner, and then
+to disappear down one of the dark fog-dimmed openings, up which came the
+faint odour of the river and the low lapping noise of its waters against
+the slimy steps below.
+
+"Quick, quick!" said Keziah hoarsely, "or we shall be too late."
+
+Her earnest manner more than her words seemed to impress Peter Pash, and
+hurrying along he was the first to catch sight of the light figure they
+chased now standing motionless on the edge of a wharf, while the wind
+came mournfully sighing off the river, in whose inky breast, all blurred
+and half-washed-out, shone the light of star and Keziah's breath seemed
+drawn in deep groans, as for a few minutes she stood, as it were,
+paralysed.  Then recovering herself, and motioning Peter back, she
+advanced quickly, and just as the light figure gave a start and seemed
+about to step forward, she threw her arms round it and held it tightly,
+sobbing hysterically the while.
+
+But only for a few seconds.
+
+"Here, Peter, quick," she cried, "that shawl.  And were you looking for
+me, my pet?  We've been walking.  But never mind, we've found you now,
+and I won't leave you again.  Don't talk--don't say anything, only come
+home quickly!"
+
+Without a word, without resistance, May Richards suffered herself to be
+led homeward, merely gazing from time to time at her old servant in a
+half-dazed way as if she could not understand the meaning of it all, nor
+yet why she was being led with Keziah's arm so tightly holding hers.
+
+And so they walked back to find the door in Walbrook ajar, with Tom
+Brough standing in the entry.
+
+"Go back now, Peter," whispered Keziah, "and not a word of this to a
+soul."
+
+"But what's he here for?" said Peter, in the same tone.
+
+"You miserable jealous pate," whispered the old servant fiercely, "if
+you don't be off--"
+
+She said no more, for Peter _was_ off, and then she turned to Mr
+Brough.
+
+"You may well look," she whispered to him, as he said a few unnoticed
+words to May.  "All your doing--all your doing.  Another minute, and the
+poor lamb would have been sleeping in the river."
+
+Tom Brough started, and then caught May in his arms, and bore her
+up-stairs, where for quite an hour she sat in a dazed, heedless way that
+troubled Keziah more than would a passionate outburst.
+
+"If she'd only cry," she whispered at last to Mr Brough, "But you won't
+press for it now, Mr Brough; you won't, sir, I'm sure.  People say
+you're a good man, and that you're kind and charitable.  Look at the
+poor thing; her heart's broke--it is indeed."
+
+"I'm going now," said Mr Brough in answer, and then when Keziah
+accompanied him down to the door, "Do not leave her for an instant, if
+you love the poor child; and, look here, Keziah, the wedding must take
+place, and it is for her good--_mark me_, for her good.  I love her too
+well to make her unhappy, and if you do your duty you will help me all
+you can."
+
+Keziah closed the door without a word, and a minute after she was
+kneeling beside and crying over the heartbroken girl.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY FIVE, CHAPTER SIX.
+
+HARD-HEARTED.
+
+Time glided on.
+
+"You've come again, then?" said Keziah Bay.
+
+"Yes, I've come again," said Mr Peter Pash.  "Trade's very brisk,
+Keziah."
+
+"Is it?" said that lady, in the most indifferent of tones.
+
+"Yes, things are looking up well," said Mr Pash, "and my lodger has
+dropped dips and taken to composites.  You know what that means, of
+course."
+
+"Not I," said Keziah indifferently.  "I don't trouble my head about such
+things."
+
+"You're always a-snubbing me, Keziah," said the little man dolefully.
+"It's no good for me to try and please you."
+
+"Not a bit," said Keziah with a smile.  "You ought to know better than
+to come wherrittin' me when there's so much trouble in the house."
+
+"But it ain't our trouble," said Peter Pash.  "Why, if I was to make
+myself unhappy about other folks' candles, where should I be?  Now, I
+say, Keziah dear, when's it to be?"
+
+"Once for all, I tell you," said Keziah, "that until I see poor Miss May
+happily settled, I won't bother about that nonsense; so you may hold
+your tongue, for I can see what you mean."
+
+Peter Pash gave a great groan of despair, but the next minute he was
+patiently submitting to a severe cross-examination concerning the habits
+and customs of his lodger Frank Marr.
+
+"He's no good, Peter," said Keziah at last, "and the sooner you get rid
+of him the better."
+
+"But he pays his rent very regular," said Peter, "and that's a
+consideration, you know.  And he's a good son, and pays no end of
+attention to his mother.  And I say, Keziah, dear, I've seen Mr Brough,
+and I ain't a bit jealous now."
+
+Keziah snorted.
+
+"He's been to my place twice to see Mr Marr, and they're the best of
+friends, and he tells me it was only his fun, and Mr Marr don't seem to
+mind a bit.  And I say, Keziah dear, now that Miss May is really going
+to get married and settled, sha'n't we make it right now?"
+
+"Now I tell you what it is, young man," said Keziah fiercely, "I hate
+the very name of marrying, and if you say another word to me about it
+I'll never have you at all.  When I want to be married I'll ask you, and
+not before, so now be off."
+
+"But will you want to some day?" said Peter pitifully.
+
+"Perhaps I shall, and perhaps I sha'n't; I'm seeing enough of it to
+satisfy me, so I tell you."
+
+Peter groaned.
+
+"Now don't make that noise here," cried Keziah snappishly.  "If you
+can't behave yourself, you'd better go."
+
+"I won't do so any more, dear," said Peter softly.  "How's poor dear
+Miss May?"
+
+"O, don't ask me--poor lamb!" cried Keziah.
+
+"It is to be, isn't it?" said Peter.
+
+"To be!  Yes.  They've talked her into it, now that your fine Mr Marr
+has proved himself such a good-for-nothing.  It's to be, sure enough,
+and I wish them all joy of what they've done.  They're killing her
+between them, and then they'll be happy.  Get married!  There, don't
+drive me wild, Peter Pash, but be off out of my sight, for I hate the
+very sound of the word, and don't you come here any more till I ask
+you."
+
+Peter Pash groaned; and then rising he departed in a very disconsolate
+state of mind, for he considered himself to be far more worthy of pity
+than May Richards.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY FIVE, CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+MAY'S MARRIAGE.
+
+The wedding day, and for once in a way a crisp, bright, hearty, frosty
+time--cold but inspiriting; and at ten o'clock, pale and trembling, but
+nerved for her trial, May Richards stood suffering Keziah to give the
+finishing touches to her dress before starting for the church.  There
+was to be no form; May had stipulated for that.  The wedding was to be
+at an old City church hard by, and in place of meeting her there Tom
+Brough had arrived, and was in the dining-room talking to old Richards
+bound to an easy-chair with gout, and too ill to think of going to the
+church.
+
+As May entered at last, led in by Keziah, defiant and snorting, Tom
+Brough, active as a young man, hurried to meet the trembling girl,
+caught her in his arms, and kissed her fondly, heedless of the sigh she
+gave.
+
+"Don't look like that, my darling," he whispered.  "I'm going to make
+you happy as the day is long."
+
+May's only reply was a look so full of misery and despair, that Keziah
+put her apron to her eyes and ran out of the room.
+
+For a moment there was a shade as of uneasiness crossed old Richards'
+face--it might have been a twinge of gout--but it passed on the instant.
+
+"Don't look like that, May!" he exclaimed angrily.  "If you don't know
+what is for your good you must be taught.  Now, Brough, time's going--
+get it over, man.  She'll be happier as soon as you have her away."
+
+"Yes, yes," said Tom Brough tenderly.  "Come May, my child, have you not
+one look for me?"
+
+May placed her hands in his, and looked up in his face with the faintest
+dawning of a smile upon her lip, and this time she did not shrink back
+when he kissed her forehead, but hung upon his arm as if resigned to her
+fate; the sound of wheels was heard in the narrow street; the friends
+ready to accompany them were summoned from the room below--two old
+friends of Mr Brough's, for old Richards had, as he often boasted, no
+friends; May was led out, the door was heard to close, wheels rattled
+away, and then, for a wonder, there fell a dead silence upon Walbrook,
+one which seemed to affect old Richards, even as he sat there looking
+haggard and drawn of feature, thinking of the past, and of the day he
+wed his own wife long before gold had become his care--almost his god.
+For the first time remorse had seized upon him, and it wanted not the
+words of Keziah Bay, who now entered the room, for reproach to be heaped
+upon his head.
+
+But Keziah's words were not fierce now, only the words of sorrow; and at
+last she sank down sobbing before him, and said:
+
+"O, Master Richards--Master Richards--what have you done?"
+
+He did not turn round fiercely to bid her begone, but shrank from her,
+farther and farther, into his great roomy chair, and at that moment,
+could he have done so, he would have arrested the farther progress of
+the ceremony, for remorse was beating strongly at his heart.
+
+But the time was passed now, and with him action was impossible.  He sat
+there motionless, listening to the sobs of his old servant till nearly
+an hour had passed, when suddenly Keziah rose, wiping her eyes, and
+saying,--
+
+"I hadn't the heart to go and see it, and now it is too late!"
+
+"Yes, yes," said old Richards softly; "it is now too late!"
+
+The next moment Keziah was hurrying from the room, for there was the
+sound of wheels and a heavy knocking at the door, which she opened to
+admit old Tom Brough, red and excited, and his first act upon the door
+being closed was to catch Keziah round the waist, to hug her and give
+her a sounding kiss before waltzing her down the passage, she struggling
+the while till she got free, and stood panting, trembling, and boiling
+over with ire.
+
+"It's all right, 'Ziah!" he exclaimed, "the knot's tied."
+
+"You ought to be ashamed of yourself, that you ought," panted Keziah,
+darting away to avoid another embrace.  "And pray where's Miss May?"
+
+Tom Brough did not answer, he only hurried into the drawing-room, where
+old Richards sat upright, holding on by the arms of his chair.
+
+"Where's May?" he gasped, looking ashy pale; "why have you not brought
+her back?"
+
+"Because she was not mine to bring," said Tom Brough coolly.  "Flunk
+Marr waylaid me, and he's carried her off and married her."
+
+"Brough! this is a plot, and you are in it," exclaimed old Richards
+fiercely, as he saw the serio-comic smile upon his friend's countenance.
+
+"Well, yes, I had a little to do with it," Brough said quietly.
+
+"And is dear Miss May really married to Mr Frank?" cried Keziah.
+
+"Silence, woman," roared old Richards.  "Brough, I'll never forgive you.
+You've planned all this with that beggar, and he's swindled me out of a
+thousand pounds, and robbed me of my child!  A rascally, lying beggar."
+
+"Gently, gently, my dear Richards," said Tom Brough, coolly.  "I don't
+think that now I have taken him into partnership he is quite the beggar
+you imagine.  What with that and your thousand, and what we--_we_,
+friend Richards--will leave them when we die, I don't think there will
+be many men hold up their heads much higher in the City than Frank Marr.
+On the whole, I think your child has done well."
+
+"Brough, Brough," exclaimed old Richards excitedly, "what does this all
+mean?  In God's name tell me, or I shall have a fit."
+
+"In God's name," said Tom Brough, slowly and reverently, "it means that
+I, blessed as I have been with wealth, could not commit the grievous sin
+you wished against that sweet child I loved her too well to condemn her
+to such a fate, and Frank Marr found me more open to appeal than he did
+his father-in-law.  I told him to come again to your office when he had
+been to me, and at my wish he accepted all your terms, though not
+without a deal of forcing on my part.  He's a fine, noble-hearted young
+fellow, Richards, and listening to me I tried to make matters work for
+the good of us all."
+
+He looked at old Richards as he spoke, but the old man was scowling at
+the wall.
+
+"Would you have murdered your child, Richards?" said Tom Brough.  "I
+tell you, man, that had your will been law the poor girl would not have
+lived a year, while now, with the husband she loves, she is waiting to
+ask your forgiveness for that for which I am solely to blame."
+
+"Keziah," said Mr Brough softly, after a pause, and he whispered a few
+words in her ear--words whose effect was to send her from the room, but
+only to return in ten minutes, followed by Frank Marr, leading in his
+trembling wife.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+STORY FIVE, CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+CAN'T IT BE TO-MORROW?
+
+There will doubtless be those ready to say that such things do not
+happen in real life--that rich men do not take poor men into
+partnership, nor yet give up handsome young wives on their wedding morn;
+but in spite of all that cynics may declare, there are men with hearts
+so large still to be found in this business-like world of ours--men who
+are ready to do any good to benefit another.  And there are times when
+people do perform very eccentric acts, in proof of which must be related
+what took place in Walbrook that same evening, at a time when there was
+a merry party in the drawing-room, and old Richards' face wore an
+expression that it had not worn for years.  There came a ring at the
+door bell--a sneaking under-handed sort of ring; and on Keziah opening
+the door--behold Peter Pash!
+
+"May I come in?" he said, modestly.
+
+"Come in? yes, man," cried Keziah, catching him by the coat, and giving
+him a snatch so that he was pulled into the passage, and the door banged
+behind him.
+
+The next moment, to Peter's utter astonishment--for he was ignorant of
+the morning's changes--Keziah's arms were round his neck.
+
+"Peter dear, can't it be to-morrow?"
+
+"What! will you have me, then?" cried the little man in ecstasies, and
+the next moment there was the sound of such a kiss heard in that passage
+that it rolled along, vibrating from floorcloth to ceiling, and actually
+echoed; not that one would have recorded the fact, only this was such a
+tremendously big kiss, and one that echoes is really worthy of mention.
+
+_It_ could not "be to-morrow," but it happened very soon after, and Tom
+Brough gave away the bride, while, talk about illuminations, Peter
+Pash's house was a sight that drew together twelve small boys and an old
+woman, who stayed till the last dip went out and smelt unpleasant in the
+best room window; but it is not every man that can have an illumination
+at his own expense and of his own manufacture.
+
+The gout proved too much for old Richards before another twelvemonths
+passed; but every one said that during the last year of his life he was
+another man.
+
+The End.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Midnight Webs, by George Manville Fenn
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