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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gi Bat the pi) iherei tho di84 Mioove remedy tnoetag] twed. 1 •veryht Qoglecte( ooJdintJ U(d fa a caUrrh c lowing te , Mr. Hor «»sai BaliK W catarrh Miss Add •*ys: I bad "[assostopi torough my very impure ing I could t using NasaJ " gave me i time had reui »nat I could nostrils. Its •rulywonderf every vestig, Which never I p. S. McDoi l^asal Balm ha much. „„ BEWA NASAL BALM -.-<».• «.ream, Ni ^aJm and see thi . If you cannot o on receipt of pric P9rpuaphlet"Gi m-ti / 1 n»ed. Tt ig a weu!k?«!^®"/® " ^'''•'n if NaSaT &*/t',*"<^ fa even thi time had rImovS thL '" " ''•"' «''oS ^ ' "Pease. ^' * ''"'• *nd at very n so . ^- Derbyshire «. -^ ' nostrils. Its eff«i?*^'^**'y*hrouKhJhe "o Creamlrv a' '^'^•""^Mtof the On». " »r" ly wonderful ^*.?'*.'ny breath wa^ Ba'm beait^i,^'''°<='at'on. savs'Slfi' ^Tl vSsdil^'ofyfcK^ndremoS,' f2'<^ i" thL\*Ja'd^°/i* '°^ '"S'rVh'Sd whici,never%et;ried.""P'«*««' odor? •^«'=»«d reJ.ef f?^ ,{,", ^"jr own ca,?i7 much. It ii^ iJ*',^.^ wy catarrh ver^ B f^''"«»»s. MontrMl ^*'°"' '^''o^Sf u««i. » "»9 best remedy i e^J 5 e«Sr";;f ** ?• "°« 'oni's?a^:i?-N"5 f'^LFORD&ca, "" »re« on appiicauoi,, . ' 1.4 VI .r. ■^ ««■« ■■ 11 DOMINION" PIANOS AND ORGANS I 8T In Tone In Touch In Sweetness In DurabiKty In Workmanship Holds more Qold Medals and Awards than any other Piano in Canada. WARRANTED IN EVERY RESPECT. Five Years' Guarantee with Each Instru- ment. LOWBST PRICKS. EASY TERMS. Sole Aj^enoy Toronto Temple of Music J. S. POWLEY A CO. 68 King St W. - Toronto, Ont. fWl^il""*!^ *^^^mm \ Yr •u * / COMMODORE JUNE. BT G. MANVILLE FENN, Author of •• The Parson o' Dumjord^ ^' \^ Entered aocordiaf to Aet of the PMrliameat of OMuula in the year om' fthonaand eight hoadred and eighty-aiae, hj Willum Bmoi, ia Um' Ofiee of the Miaiater of Agricaltttre. TORONTO: WILLIAM BRYCE, PUBLISHER. CONTENTS. -•o»- MM CHAPTER I. Dowir nc Bivoir » •..••• C5HAPTER n. At thb Coitaob 16 CHAPTER m. At thb Chueoh Dock 21 CHAPTER IV. A Month Later • • . *• CHAPTER V. A Keen ENCounrBB 27 CHAPTER VI. Bkovoht to Book . . <■ • • . i • • • • CHAPTER Vn. Oathbkino Clouds . . 42 CHAPTER VIII. Maby Begins to Plan • . . 46 CHAPTER IX. Bxhind Pkxson Bars ♦ ♦ . . 61 m CONTENTS. VAOB CHAPTER X. A Darino Tbiok 64 CHAPTER XI. IV THB PlANTA. ION 69 CHAPTER Xn. In Dbadly Pbrxi. 69 CHAPTER Xin. Thb Pvbsvit . 88 CHAPTER XIV. *'MASTsa Jack" Ill CHAPTER XV. Amothbr Escapb , • • • . 120 CHAPTER XVI. HFTER A LaPSB . . . . . . • . . . 140^ CHAPTER XVII. Thb Gibbet. 3pit . . 160 CHAPTER XVIII. . ' A HoRBiBLB Tabk 166 CHAPTER XIX. Thb P.ist of the West 176 CHAPTER XX. Thb Pihatb Chasb 170 CHAPTER XXI. 'Phb Blaci^ Schoonbr ......... 182 f' ■ fmtmmmmmm CONTENTS. rAUt CHAPTER XXII. Ifiws AT Last \M CHAPTER XXin. Captain Hvmpheby Comu-to 200 CHAPTER XXIV. Tai Phison Lifb 211 CHAPTER XXV. Plans or Escapi 220 CHAPTER XXVI. Undbb Another Rvlb 233 CHAPTER XXVII. DiNNT Consent* 245 CHAPTER XXVni. Another Duel 254 CHAPTER XXiX. The /jbsassinb 258 CHAPTER XXX DiNNT*s History . 272 CHAPTER XXXI. The Plan of Escapb 278 • CHAPTER XXXIL Thb Explosion . 282 CHAPTER XXXIII. On the Qui Vite . , . , t i -< , t , 2f9 tK)htKNTfl. CHAPTER XXXiy. ^^* Tub dArisT pLAoi ; ; * . . 892 A FftiSH Ai.Amii CHAPTER XXXV. 808 II CHAPTER XXXVI. Oni PEuoim FuB * . tli Ih nu Yavlt CHAPTER XXXVII. 831 CHAPTER XXX Vm. Lam WoRSf ••.U^ li •• V .* I h •v. . ■ .'.'■- \ ! 1 f •:i-.\-. .'l ..' ■*• .•' ', . I •'tY. •••• "'t^ ■■ Vortli Their ffeilit i Gt Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills. Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills. Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills. Dr. Morses Indian Root Pills. Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills. 'I Dr. Morse's Indian . Root Pills. Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills. . — ■ . -— . Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills. Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills. Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills Cured of ladigMlioa and Headach*. St. Andrew's, Que.,— Match ji^ 1887. W. II. COMSTOf-R. Dram Sim,— Morsk's Ixtdiam Root Pii.Ls h«Te benefited me wonderfully. For monthi I suffered from Indigestion and headache, was restless at night and had a bad taste In my mouth every morninff, after tailing one box of the Pills, all these troubles disappeared, my food digested well and my sleep was refreshing. My health is now good. Danikl Homan. What Morse's PiUs are thoaght of at RiTerbaak, Oot Riverbank, Jan. 31, 1887. Mr. Comstock. Drak Sir,— I write to tell you in this section of the country Dm. Morsr's Indian Root Pills have a good name. I will give you the names of one or two f>er8ons who have used them and are oud in their praises. Mr. Robt Smith who has been an invalid for many years has tried many medicines for regulating the bowels, but none suited him till he tried Morse's Indian Root Pills. He says that there was no unplcasanteffects after taking them, the action beip^ mild and free from pain. Mrs. Jas. Gilmour, the mother of a large family, speaks in high terms of the benefit she and her family derived from their use. Mrs. Jas. Hamilton said to me, " I thank vou very much for the box of MoRSs'is Pills you recom- mended me to try when I was so sick. They have made a new woman of me." Yours Respectful, Mrs. Mary Hollis, Agent . — To save Doctor's Bill* use Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills. The Best Family Pill in use. * PBICB 26o. FEB BOX. For Sale by all Dealers. W. H. COMSTOCK, •oie Proprietor, BBOCKVILLE, - . • • ONTABIO. h Commodore Junk -•o«- CHAPTER I. . DOWN IN DEVON. ** Then you're a villain I " " Nonsense, Mary ; be reasonable." " Reasonable, Captain Armstrong ] I am reasonable, and 1 am telling you the truth. You are a villain ! " " Why, you foolish girl, what did you expect 1 " . . " That you would be an officer and a gentleman. One* more, is it true that you are going to bo mai-riod to that lady 1 " . ** Well, you see " • " Answer me, sir." * • " Oh, well, then, yes, I sup])Oso I am.* " Then I repeat it, James Armstrong, you are a villain ! ** " What nonsense, you fierce-looking, handsome termagant ! We have had our little pleasant chats and meetings, and now we'll say good-bye j»leasantly. I can't help it^ I have to marry ; so you tjo and do the same, my dear, and I'll buy you a handsome wedding-dress." " You cowardly, cold-blooded villain ! " • " Come, come, my good cirl ; no more stronjr words. pleasQ Don't spoil a pleasant little intimaoy by a vulgar quarrel. ' « « Pleasant little intimacy ! " Why, what did you expect 1 n I \\ « Ifv f -#M 10 COMMObOKK JL'NK. I ! I I "That you were wooin;* mc? *o be your wife." " A captain in tlie KiiigV Navy marry the daughter of ail old wrecker, the nhUir of as utter u Hmiiggling scoundrel as can bo found about this port of Dartmouth ! " •'When a girl gives her heart to the man who comes to her all soft words and smiles, do you think she remembers what he is 1 It is enough for her that she loves him, and she believea ail he Hiiys. Oh, James, dear James ! forgive me all I've said, and don't 8(;nd me adrift like this. Tell me it isn't true." "There, that's enough. You knew as well as I did that there was nothing serious meant, so now let's bring this meeting to an end." " To an end 1 " *' Yes ; you had no business to come here. But, as you have com(!, tliero are five guineas, Mary, to buy finery ; and let's shake hands and say good-bye." Captain Armstrong, a handsome man with a rather cruel- looking, thin-lipped mouth, took five golden pieces from hia great, flapptnl, salt-box-pockeU^d waistcoat, gave the flowing curls of his wig a .nhake, and held out the money to the dark, black-nyed woman standing before him with her sun-browiicd cheeks slightly flushed, her full, red lips quivering, and a look of fierce passion distorting her handsome gipsy countenance, as she held out a well-shaped hand for the money. " Come, that's right, Mary," said the captain. " You are going to be reasonable then. One, two, thieo, four, five — well, yes, 1 11 give you another guinea for being so good — six." As ho sjwke he dropped the golden coins one by one into the woman's hand, smiled, glanced quickly at a door behind him, and caught her in his arms. "There, one more kiss from those ripe red lips, and then " DOWN IN DEVvON. 11 \ As sharp a backlianded blow across the face as ever man received from an angry- woman, and then, aa the recipient involuntarily started back, Mary Dell flung the gulden pieces at him, so that one struck him in the chest and the others flew tinkling across the room. " Curse you ! " cried the captain, in a low, savage voice, " this is too much. Leave this house, you low-bred shrew, and if you ever dare to come here again " " Dare ! " cried the woman as fiercely. " I dare anything. I've not been a sailor's child for nothing. And so you think that a woman's love is to be bought and sold fur a few paltry guineas, and that you can play with and throw me oil as you please. Look here, James Armstrong, I wouldn't marry you now if you prayed me to be your wife — wife to such a cruel, mean coward ! Faugh ! I would sooner leap overboard some night and die in the deepest part of the harbour." " Leave this house, you vixen." " Not at your bidding, captain/' cried the girl, scornfully. " Captain ! Why, the commonest sailor in the king's ships would shame to behave to a woman as you have Ixihaved to me. But I warn you," she continued, as in her excitement her luxuriant glossy black hair escaped from its comb and fell rippling down in masses — ** I warn you, that if you go to church with that lady, who cannot know you as I do, I'll never forgive you, but have such a revenge as shall nuiko you rue tin day that you were bom." " Silence, woman ; I've borne enough ! Leave this house!" " You thought because I was fatherless and motherless that I should be an easy prey ; but you were wrong, Captain Arm- strong ; you were wronj*. I am a woman, but not the weak, helpless thing you believed." ♦* Leave mv house 1 " U.. -«.-,-»i^' ' l' l|||»|»«i«a 18 COMMOnORK JUNK. " When I liavo told you all I think and feel, James Ann> strong." " Leave my house, woman ! " *• Do you think you can fri<5hton mo by your loud voice and threat<3ning looks ? " Huid the qirl, scornfully. " Leave my house ! " cried the captain for the third tioic, furiously ; and, glancing through the window as he spoke, he changed colour at the sight of a grey-haired gentleman ap- l)roaohing with a tall, graceful woman upon his arm. "Ah ! " cried Mary Dell, as she read his excitement aright ; " HO that is the woman ! Tiien I'll stop and meet her face to face, and tell her what a contemptible creature she is going to wed." " Curse you, leave this house ! " cried the captain in a savage whisper ; and catching his visitor roughly by the 8h()uld(T, he tried to j)ull her towards the door ; but the girl resisttid, and in the struggle a chair was overturned with a cwush, the door wjis Hung open, and a bluff, manly voice exclaimed — " Why, hullo ! what's the matter now?" "What's that to you?" cried the caj)tain, angrily, as he desisted from his ellbrts, any su]>erior officer," said the new- comer, flushing slightly, " liut my cousin Jem. Put me in arrest, will you ? Very well, my fine fellow ; you're captain, I'm lieutenant, and I must obey ; but if you do, next time we're ashore I'll thrash you within an inch of your life as sure as my name's Humphrey. Hang it, I'll do it now ! " He took a quick step forward ; but the captain darted behind the table, and Mary caught the young man's arm. " No, no, sir," she said in a diep voice ; " don't get your- self into trouble for me. It's ver\ ue and gnllant of you, sir, to take the part of a [K)orgirl ; bu^. I can hght my own battle against such i coward as that. Look at him, with his pale face and white lips, and t«ll uie how I could ever have loved such a creature." "Woman " • "Yes, woman now," cried the girl. "A moniii ago no word was too swejit and t«>nder for me. There, riii g'ing, James Armstrong, aii by, you know. About your bo'ng ^' to C'OMMOr>ORE JtTNK. a fool — altotit tho fino captain and his new sweetheart. Why, you niiyht ha' knowrd, Mary." " Look here, AIm'1," criod Mary, catching him by the wrist, and dra<{ging at it so that }i<^ started to his feet and tliey stood face to face, the stunted brotlior and the well-grown girl wonderfully equal in size, and extrenitrly alike in physique and air ; " if you dare to talk to me again like that, we shall quarrel." " Well, let's quarrel, then." " What I " cried Mary, starting, fur this was a new phase i.i her brother's chai'ucter. " 1 say, let's quarrel, then," cried Abel, folding his arms. ** Do you think I've been blind 1 Do you think I haven't seen \* hat's been going on, and how tliat man has served you ] Why, it has nearly broken pour old Bart's heart." "Abel!" • " I don't care, Polly, I will speak now. You don't like Bart." " I do. He is a good time fellow as ever stepped, but " " Ye.s, I know. It ar'n't nat'ral for you to like him as he likes you ; but you've been a fool, Polly, to listen to that tine jack-a-dandy ; and— curse him ! I'll half kill him next tikne we meet!" . Mary tried to s*"<' k, but her ' otion oho^ " ^^er. "You— you •'" '• 1 now wh.t^ are f ;■ >ho ^..ated at last. " Perhaps not," lie .said, in a low, muttering way ; "but I know what I'm going to do." " Do ! " she CI ied, recovering herself, and making ar. effort to regain her old ascf^ndency over her brother. " I forbid you to do anythir.!' ^' m fball not interf«'re." " Very • *he young man, with a smile ; and aa i.<.^ ^i.si. 1 > ,, a L«.- .^ceuiod t. be sabilued. AT THK cnrncH noon. 21 "Nothing, I Hay. Any (nmriH-l I nmy have with Capttiin Armstrong is uiy alVair, and I can fight my own battle. Do you hear 1 " " Yes, I licar," said Abel, going toward the ioor. ." You understand ] I forbid it. You shall i^ ^t even speak to him." " Yes, I understand," said Abel, tucking the netting-needle into his pocket, and thrusting his knife into its sheath ; and then, before Mary could call up sufficient energy to speak again, the young man passed out of the cottage and hurried after Bart. Mary went to the little casement and stood gazing after him thoughtfully for a few minutes, till he passed out of her sight among the rocks on his way to where the boat lay " No," she said, softly ; " ho would not dare ! " Tlien turiiin^ and taking the seat her brother had vacated, a desolate look of mi.sery came over her handsome face, which drooped slowly into her hands, and she sat there weeping silently as she thought of the wedding that was to take place the next day. i 4fc 'm CHAPTER III. AT THE CHURCH DOOR. ' Captain James Armstrong had a few raoro words with hia cousin. Lieutenant Huiuphrey, anunt his marriage. "Perhaps you would like me to marry that girl off the beach," he said, " Mr. Morality ? " " I don't profes . to be a })attern of morality, couttD," replied the lieuteuant, shortly. M COMMODOnE JUNK. " And don't like pretty girlt), of course," sneered the captain. " Suilora ncivor do." "I BuppoHo I'm a nmn, Jem," said Humphrey, "and like pretty girls ; but I hope I should never be such a scoundrel ai to make a girl miserable by professing to care for her, and then throwing her away like a broken toy." " Scoundrel, eh 1 " said the captain, hotly. " V<;s. Scoundrel — confounded scoundrel ! " retorted the lit itiiiiant. " We're ashore now, and discipline's nowliere, my good cousin, so don't ruffle up your hackles and set up your comb and p t(!nd you are going to peck, for you are as great a coward nov cm, as you were when I was a little schoolboy and you we. the big tyrant and sneak." ♦* You .shall pay for this, sir," cried the captain. " Pish ! Now, my good cousin, you are not a fool. You know I am not in the least afraid of you." •' I'll make you some day," said the captain, bitterly. " You shall smart for all this." " Not I. It is you who will smart There, go and marry your rich wife, and much happiness may you get out of the match ! I'm only troubled about one thing, and that is whether it is not my duty to tell the lady — poor creature I — what a blackguard she is going to wed." Captain James Armstrong altered the sit of his cocked hat, brushes, some imaginary specks off his new uniform, and turned his back upon his cousin, ignoring the extended hand. But he did as he was told — he went and was duly married. Lieutenant Humphrey being present and walking close behind, to see just outside the church door the flashing eyes and knitted brow of Mary Dell on one side; while beyond her, but unseen by Humphrey, were her brother Abel, and Bart, who stood with fold%l arms and a melodramatic scowl upon his ugly face. " She's going to make a scene," thought Humphrey ; and, ! A MONTH LATER. pushing before tho tiridc and hritU^grooiu, he intorposod, from a feeling of loyalty to tho former, |NThapH from a little of tho same virtue toward u Tncmb<>r of his family. Mary looked up at him, at first in surprise, and then she smiled bitterly. " Don c he alarmed, sir," she said coldly. " I only came to see the captain's wife." " Poor lass ! " muttered the lietitcnant, as lie saw Mary draw back among tho people gathered together. " She seemed to read me like a book." He caught one more sight of Mary Dell standing at a dis- tance, holding her brother's arm, as the captain «jnt(M'ed t!:e heavy, lumbering coach at the church gate. leu she dis- appeared, the crowd melted away, and the bells ra ig a merry peal, the ringers' muscles having been loosened with ale ; and as the bride and bridegroom went off to the lady's h'lme at an old hall near Slai)ton Lea, Mary returned slowly to the cottage down in the little cove, and Humphrey went to the wedding breakfast, and afterwards to his ship. CHAPTER IV. A MONTH LATER. About a month after the marriage Captain James Armstrong was returning one night on korseback from Dartmouth to the home of his wife's family, where he was sojourning prior to setting off upon a long voyage, it having been decided that the young couple should not set up in housekeeping till his r^um from sea, so that the lady might have nome companionship during his absence, 84 COMMODORE JUNK. He had been to the principal inn to dine v'ith some officers whose vessels had just touched there from Falmouth, .ind Humphrey, wlio had been present, had felt some doubt about letting him go Iiome alone. " You've had too much punch, Jem," he said. " Sleep here to-ni*,'ht, and don't let youi- young wife see you in that Btate." ** You're a fool," was the surly reply. " You can get a good bed here, and rido V- i W tlie morning," said Humplir^y, quietly. " You ho'^ . a- stay." " Mind your own business, njjstart," cried the captain ; and ordering his horse he mounted and set off with a lurch, first on one aide, and then on the other, each threatening to send liim out of the saddle. " Hell be all riirl ^, Armstrong," said a jovial-looking officer, , t< 'iiijy, "Co.ac . ■ ' have another glass. By the time he is a I Li.e top of the long hill he will be sober as a judge." "Perhaps so," said Humphrey aloud. Then to himself, "I n t half like it, though. The road's bad, and I shouldn't care h.r anything to happen to him, even if it is to make me heir to the estate. I wish I had not let him go." He returned to the room where the officers had commenced a fresh bowl of punch, for they had no longer journey before thorn than upstairs to their rooms, and there were plenty of servants to see them safely into bed, as wa« the custom iu dealing with the topers of that day. "I've done wrong," said Humphrey Armstrong, after partaking of one glass of puncli and snv ' '"g r. bingle pipe of tobacco from a tiny bowl of Dutch ware. " He was not fit to go home alone." "♦He said tlus to himself as iin officer was trolling forth an finacreontic song. f* It's a long walk, but I shall not feel comfortable unless J ■i : A MONTH LATER. 25 see whether he has got home safely j and it will clear away the fumes of the liquor. Here goes." He slipped out of the room, and, taking a stout stick which was the companion of his hat, ho started forth into the cool night air, and walked sturdily away in the direction of his cou.dn's home. About half an hour later the drowsy groom, who was sitting up for the captain's return, rose with a sigh of satisfaction, for he heard the clattering of hoofs in the stable-yard. " At last ! " he cried ; and, taking a ligiited lantern, he hurried otit, to stand in dismay staring at the empty 'id- Me, which had been dragged round under the hoi-se's b«;lly, and at the trembling animal, breathing hard and shaking its head. " Why, she's all of a muck," muttered the man ; " and the captain ar'n't on her. He be fallen off, I'd zwear." The man stood staring for a few minutes, while the horse pawed impatiently, as if asking to be admitted to its stable. Then he o|)ened the door, the weary beast went in, and the man stood staring with true Devon stolidity before he be- thought him of the necessity for removing^ the saddle from its awkward Dosition. This seen to, it suddenly occurred to him that something ought to be done about the captain, and he roused up the coachman to spread the alarm in the house. " Nay, we'll only scare the poor ladies to death," said the Jehu of the establishment, grey hairs having brought him wisdom. " Let's zee vii-st, lad, if there be anything really bad. If he be droonk and vailed otl", he won't thank us for telling his wife. Zaddle the dwo coach-horses, Ridgard, and we'll ride to town and «ee. " . w^ The aoises were quickly saddled, and the two men-servants trotted along the Dartmouth road till about half-way, where| COMMODORE JUNK. in one of the gloomiest parts, their horses began to snort and exhibit signs of fear, and as they drew up a voice shouted — "Here! Who's that? Help!" " Why, it be Mr. Humphrey," said the old coachman ; and dismounting he gave his rein to bis companion, and ran for* ward. " What be wrong, zir 1 " " The captain. Much hurt," v » reply. " I thought zo, zir. His horHt^ l i home without him. He's been throwed — or pulled off," he added to himsell " It's something worse, I'm afraid. Here, help me, and let's get him home." The old coachman lent his aid, and with some difficulty the captain was placed across one of the horses, the lieutenant inotinting to hold him on and support him, while the two ser< vants followed slowly behind. " Pulled off 1 " whispered the groom. " Mebbe," sa'd the old coachman ; and then to himself, " Looks bad for Mr. Humphrey ; and if he died, what should I zay to -them as asked how I found 'em V* The old man walked slowly on for half an hour before he answered his mental question, and his answer was — "They'd make me dell 'em the truth, and it might bring Mr. Humphrey to the gallows ; and if it did, it would be all through me.' 27 I CHAPTER V. A KEEN ENCOUNTER. The prognostications of his fellow-oiticer did not prove true, for Captain Armstrong, instead of being sobered by tlie ride up the hill, grew more drunken. The fresh air blown straight from the ocean seemed to dizzy his muddled brain, and when he rode down the hill he was more drunken than ever, and rolled about in his saddle like his ship in a storm. Tliis seemed to amuse the captain, and he talked and chuckled tr himself, sang snatches of songs, and woke the echoes of the little village street at the top of the next hill, where the tall, square church tower stood up wind-swept and dreary to show marinei-s \o v/ay to Dartmouth harbour. Then came a long r d along a very shelf of a road, where • it seemed as if a false step on the part of his horse would send both rolling down the declivity to the edge of the sheer rocks, where they would fall headlong to the fine shingle below. But drunken men seem favourites with their horses, for when Captain Armstrong lurched to starboard his nag gave a hitch to keep him in the saddle, and when he gave another lurch to larboard the horse was ready for him again — all of which amused the captain more and more, and he chuckled aloud, and i^ng, and swore at his cousin for a cold, fishy, sneaking hound. " He'd like to see me die, and get the estate," he said ; " but I*1J live to a hundred, and leave half a score of boys to inherit, and he sha'n't get a groat, a miserable, sanctified dog-fish. Steady, mare, steady ! Bah, how thirsty I am ! Wish I'd had another drop.'* s ^a COMMObORE JUNK. He kicked his liorsn's ribs, and the docile creature broke into a gentle amble, but only to be checked sharply. " Wo — ho, mare ! " cried the capt'iin, shaking his head, for he was dizzy now, and the dimly-seen tre(»8 sailed slowly round. "Wind's changing," he said ; " steady, old lass ! Walk." The mare walktid, and the captain grew more confused in his intellect ; while the night became darker, soft clouds rolling slowly over the star-spangled sky. The ride was certainly not sobering James Armstrong, and he knew it, for lie suddenly burst into a chuckling laugh, " I know what she'll say," he said. " Ladyship will ride the high horse. Let her. I can ride the high horse, too — steady, niaro 1 What's the matttT with you 1 " He iuid been descending into a narrow pass where the road had been cut down in the hill-side, leaving a high, well-wooded bank on eitluT hand, and h(;re it was fa;* more dark than out in the open, and the mare, after walking steadily on for some distance with her well-shod hoofs clinking upon the loose stones, suddenly shied, stopped short, and snorted. "What's the matter with you, stupid? Can't you stand straight 1 " cried the captain, stiiking the beast angrily with his heels. "Coon." The horse, however, backed and swerved from side to side, making as if to turn sharply and gallop back to Dartmouth ; but just at that moment there was a rustling sound heard over- head, where the rough bushes fringed the bank, and directly after a rush and the sound of someone leaping down into the lane between the captain and the town. This had the effect of startling the horse more and more, but instead of making now for the way by which they had come, it willingly obeyed th'^ to ich of t^e rider's spur, and ^ continued its journev for hair a dozen yards. Then it stopped Q A KEEN ENCOlINTEn. short onco a^aiii, for a durk fi;^unf I<'}«,|kuI down into tlio lano juHt in front, and tlio captain found liinimtlf lirniniod in. And now, for tluj lirst tiin**. Im l»«'i;a!i to i'vv\ solxirod as ho took in tlio position. II«< IuhI hern iittackrd l»y liii^hwaynion without a (h)uh(, and unh-ss hr rhosn to do l»att,l«! for his watch anon the blade close to the hilt, the sword snapped in two, and the captain was def(;nc(!less. This mishap took all the spirit-born courage out of him. An< and do I he threw down the brok(Mi w<'apon. 1 give in," ho cried, backing away to the --ide of the lano I facing th(! two dindy-scen figures in the; darkness ; " what you mg wa ii. i H nil » 30 COMMODORE JUNK. It I' \ ( One of the men burst into a hoarse laugh. " I've hardly any money," cried the captain ; "a guinea or two. If I give you that will you go 1 " " Curse your money, you cowardly hound ! " cried the second man. " How dare you, dog ! " cried the cai)tain. " Do you know who I am V "James Armstrong," said the same speaker. " Now, lad, quick ! " " You shall- n The captain's words turned into a yell of agony as he re- ceived a violent blow from a stick across one arm, numbing it, and before its echo rose from the steep slope of the hill a second and a third blow fell, which were followed by a shower, the unfortunate man yelling, beseeching, and shrieking with agony and fear. He dropi)ed upon his knees and begged piteously for mercy ; but his tormentors laughed, and seized the opportunity he offered to apply their blows more satisfac- torily. Back, arms, legs, all in turn, were belaboured as two' men beat a carpet, till the victim's cries grew hoarse, then faint, and finally ceased, and he lay in the tramjiled road, crushed almost to a mummy, and unable to stir hand or foot ; and then, and then only, did his assailants cease. " Ain't killed him, have we, Abel, lad 1 " said the bigger of the two men. " Killed 1 No. We never touched his head. It would take a deal to kill a thing like him. Captain ! " he said, mock- ingly. " What a cowardly whelp to command men ! " " What shall we do now 'I " whispered the bigger man. " Do ! I'm going to make my mark upon him, and then go home." " Well, you have, lad." "Ay, with a stick, but I'm going to do it with my knife; " BROUGHT TO BOOK. 81 and, as he spoke, the lesser of the two men drew his knife from its dagger-like sheath. " No, no, don't do that. Give him a good 'un on the head. No knife." "Yes, knife," said the lesser of the two. •He's had no mercy, and I'll have none. He's stunned, and won't feel it." " Don't do that, lad," whispered the bigger man. ** Ay, but I will," said the other, hoarsely j and, dropping on his knees, he seized the prostrate man by the ear, when the trembling wretch uttered a shriek of agony, making his assailants start away. "Did you do it, ladl" " Yes ; I done it. I'm satisfied now. Let's go." " And leave him there ] " "Why xiofi What mercy did he show? He was only shamming. Let him call for help now till someone comes." The bigger man uttered a grunt and followed his companion as he mounted the steep side of the lane, while, faint, ex- hausted, and bleeding now, Captain James Armstrong sank back and fainted away. CHAPTER VL BROUGHT TO BOOK. "You dare not deny it," cried Mary Dell, furiously, as she stood in the doorway of the cottage, facing her brother and Bart Wrigley, who attempted to escape, but were prevented by her barring the way of exit. Neither spoke, but they stood looking sullen and frowning like a couple of detected schoolboys. '!;. ■. M i\ COMMODORE JUNK. " No," she continued, " you dare not deny it You cowarda — lying in wait for an unarmed man !" " Why, he'd got a svord and pistols," cried Bart. " There ! " shrieked Mary, triumphantly ; " you have be- trayed yourself, Bart. Now perhaps my brave brother will confess that he lay in wait in the dark for an unarmed man, aTid helped to beat him nearly to death." " You're a nice fellow to trust, Bart,'* said Abel, looking at his companion. " Betrayed yourself directly." " Couldn't help it," grumbled Bart " She's so sharp upon a man." " You cowards ! " cried Mary again. " Well, I don't know about being cowards," said Abel, sullenly. " He was mounted and had his weapons, and we had only two sticks." " Then you confess it was you 1 Oh ! what a villain to have for a brother ! " " Here, don't go on like that," cried Abel. " See how he has served you." "What is that to you?" cried Mary, fiercely. "If he jilted me and I forgive him, how dare you interfere 1" " Phew ! " whistled Bart to himself. "What a way she has I" "Why, any one would think you cared for him, Polly,** said Abel, staring, while Bart whistled softly again, and wiped the heavy dew from his forehead. " Care for him ! — I hate him ! " u.'ied Mary, passionately : " but do you think I wanted my own brother to go and take counsel with his big vagabond companion " " Phew ! " whistled Bart again, softly, as he perspired now profusely, and wiped his forehead with his fur cap. " And then go and beat one of the king's officers 1 But you'll both suffer for it The constables will be here for you, and you'll both be punished.'* BROtGHT TO BOOK. "Not likely — eh, Bart?" said Abel, with a laugh. " No, lad," growled that worthy. " Too dark." " Don't you be too sure," cried Mary. ** You cowards ! and if he dies " — there was a hysterical spasm here — ** if he dies, you'll both go to the gibbet and swing in chains ! " Bart gave his whole body a writhe, as if he already felt the chains about hiin as he was being made into a scare-scamp. " Didn't hit hard enough, and never touched his head," he growled. " And as for you," cried Mary, turning upon him sharply, "never you look me in the face again. You are worse than Abel ; and I believe it "w as your mad, insolent jealousy set you persuading my foolish brother to help in this cowardly attack." Bart tried to screw up his lips and whistle ; but his jaw seemed to drop, and he only stared and shuffled behind his companion in misfortune. " Never mind what she says, Bart, lad," said the latter ; *' she'll thank us some day for half-killing as big a scamp as ever stepped." " Thank you ! " cried Mary, with her eyes flashing and her handsome face distorted, " I hope to see you both well punished, and " " Who's that coming t " said Abel, sharply, as steps were heard approaching quickly. As Mary turned round to look, Abel caught sight of some- thing over her shoulder in the evening light which made him catch his companion by the arm. " Quick, Bart, lad ! " he whispered ; " through her room and squeeze out of the window. The constables ! " He opened the door of his sister's little room, thrust his mate in, followed, and shut and bolted the door ; but as he turned then to the window, a little strongly-made frame which ill 34 COMMODOUE JUNK. ■\ had once done duty in a vessel, Mary's voice was heard speak- ing loudly in conversation with the new arrivals in the outer room. " Out with you, quickly and q»i(;tly," whispered Abel. " Right, lad," replied Bart ; anil unfastening and opening the little window, he thrust his arms through and began to get out. At that moment there was a loud knocking at the door. " Open — in the king's name ! " " Open it yourself," muttered Abel, " when we're gone. Quick, Bart, lad ! " This remark was addressed to the big fellow's hind quar- tere, which were jerking and moving in a very peculiar way, and then Bart's voice was heard, sounding muffled and angry, warning somebody to keep off. " Curse it all ! too late ! " cried Abel, grinding his teeth. " Here, Bart, lad, get through." " Can't, lad," growled his companion. " I'm ketched just acrost the hips, and can't move." " Come back, then." " That's what I'm a-trying to do, but this son of a sea-cook has got hold of me." " Open — in the king's name ! " came from the outer room ; and then, just as Abel had seized an old sea-chest and was about to drag it before the door, there was a tremendous kick, the bolt was driven off, the door swung open, and the Dart- mouth constable and a couple of men rushed forwards, and, in spite of Abel's resistance, dragged him into the other room. " Now, Dell, my lad," said the head man, " I've got you at last." "So it seems," said Abel, who stared hard at his sister as he spoke ; while she stood with her hands clas[)ed before her and a peculiarly rigid look in her face, staring wildly back. BROUGHT TO BOOK. 85 " flniu«]ff»Hng and wrockiii}* weren't enough for you, eh V* " WImt l)ery on the king'H highway, my lad." " It'H a lie ! Who says so ] " cried Abel, setting his teeth and fixing his sister again with his dark eyes as she gave him an imploring look. " Never mind who says so, my lad. Information's laid all regular against you and Master Bart Wrigley. You're both captured neatly. Here, how long are you going to be bringing forward the other*?" cried the constable. " Wo can't get him out," shouted a voice. " He's stuck in the little window." " Pull him back, then, by his legs. " Been trying ever so long," said another voice, " but he won't come." "I'll soon see to thnt," said the constable, backing Abel into the little bed-room which was darkened by Bart's body filling up the window. " Here, lay hold of his legs, two of you, and give a good jerk." Two men obeyed, but they did not give the jerk — Bart did that. Drawing in his legs like a grasshopper about to leap, he suddenly shot them out straight, when, though they did not alter his position where he was nipped in across the hips by the window-frame, they acted like catapults upon the two con- stables, who were driven backwards, the one into a chair, the other into a sitting position on the floor, to the great delight o£ those wholooked on. " Four of you," said the head constable stolidly ; " and hold on this time." 08 (■ * i *Bn at COMMODORE JUNK. ii The men obeyed, two going to each leg ; and though Bai-t gave iliree or four vigorous kickfl, his ca[)toi*8 were not dis- lodged. "Now," said the head constuble, as the kicking legs became quiescent, "all together ! " There was a sharp jerk, and Bart's body was snatched out of the imprisoning frame so suddenly that five men went down on the floor together ; while the first to rise was Bart, who kicked himself free, made for the door in spite of a pistol levelled by the head constable, and passed through. " Come on, Abel ! " he shouted as he went. Abel made a dash to follow, but he only struck his face against the muzzle of a pistol, and the head constable held on. There was a rush after Bart, but it was needless, for the great stolid fellow had seen the state of aflairs, and come back. " All right, Abel, lad," he growled ; " I won't leave you in the lurch. What's it mean — lock-up ? " " Yes, my lad ; charge of attempted murder and robbery," said the head constable. "Took all the skin off my hips and ribs," growled Bart, rubbing himself softly. " You'll have plenty of time to got well before your trial," said the constable, smiling. " Are you ready 1" This last to Abel, who was gazing fiercely at his sister, who met his angry eyes with an imploring look. " And my own sister, too, Bart," he said, bitterly. " We fought for her, lad, and she gave information to the police." " No, no, no, Abel ! " cried Mary, running to him to fling her arms about his neck ; but he gave her a rough thrust which sent her staggering back, and her countenance changed on the instant, for her eyes flashed vindictively, and she stood before him with folded arms. BROUGHT TO BOOK. 37 ' ** Prisonor confosHod in tlie prosotico of you all that he committed the act," ssiid the <:oiiHtal»l(^ ; aned as she watched the chase. For as the little party stood outside, Bart still with his hand upon his companion's shoulder, Abel said quickly — "The boat. Run!" Bart was, as a rule, rather slow of comprehension ; but at that moment the same idea was filling his mind. That is to say, it was already charged, and Abel's words were as so many sparks struck from steel to fire that charge. Consequently, as the young fellow struck the constable to the left, Bart did the same to the right, and they dashed off as one man towards where, just round the western point of rock which helped to form the little bay, they knew that their boat was lying, swinging with the tide to a grapnel lying on the sands. As they dashed off, running swiftly over the hard sand, the head constable raised his old brass-mounted pistol and fired, when the shot might have been supposed to have struck Mary Dell, so sharp a start did she give as she clapped one hand to her side, and then peered at the rising smoke, and drew a long breath full of relief. ' For, as the smoke rose, she could see the fugitives still run- ning, and that quite a cloud of sea-birds had risen from the • a spock afloat hoyond the lino of foam. Mary pa\iHoonnot in hor hand to watch tho result; but then' whh no exultation in her eye«, only a look of stony deHpon«leney, for fronj where she stood sh<^ could s(M^ now that the effort of her brother and his companion was in vain. They were still in ignorance as tliey ran on, for they were on the bay side of the point y(!t, toiling over tho loo8«^ sand and shingle, where tho wiushed-up wcsed lay thick ; but Mary had a bird's-eye view of what in tho clear south air seemed to be close at her feet, as close almost as where the boat lay in shelter from tho north and «'ast(!rly wind. Tho pursuers were now all tog(?ther, and settled down to a steady trot, which pace they increased as Bart and Abel reached the rocks, and, instead of going right round, began to climb over some fifty yards from where the water washed the point. " We're too many for him this time, Bart, my lad," cried Abel. " You weren't hit, were you 1 " "Hit? No. Shot never went within a mile o' me." "Then why are you dowsing your jib like that?" " I were a-thinking about she, mate," said Bart, in a low growl. " Curse her for a woman all over ! " said Abel. " They take to a man, and the more he ill-uses 'em, they fight for him the more." " Ay, lad ; but to think of her putting them on to us I It don't seem like she." " Curse them ! " cried Abel, as he reached the other side of the point, and saw that which his sister had 8t;en from the cliff behind the cottage. I ^'" it* 40 COMMODORE JUNK. " What for now ? " said Bart, stolidly, as he reached his companion's side. " Hum, that's it, is it ? " He looked round him for a fresh way of escape. There was the sea, if they liked to leap in and swim ; but they could be easily overtaken. The rocks above them were too overhanging to climb, and there was no other way, unless they returned, and tried to rush through their pursuers ; for beyond the point the tide beat upon the clitf. " No good, Bart ; we're trapped," said Abel, stolidly. " I'll never forgive her — never ! " "Yes, you will," said Bart, sitting down on a rock, and carefully taking off his fur cap to wipe his heated brow. " You will some day. Why, I could forgive her anything — I could. She's a wonderful gell ; but, I say, my hips is werry sore." He sat staring down at the boat beyond the point, the anchor having been taken on board, and the oars being out to keep her off the rocks, as she rose and fell with the coming tide. "No!" said Abel, bitterly. "I'll never forgive her — never ! " . • " Nay, lad, don't say that," said Bart, rubbing one side. " Hey, lass ! There she is. Top o' the cliff. Look at her, mate." . " No," said Abel ; " let her look — at her cowardly work." " Now, then ! " shouted the head constable, as he came panting up. " Is it surrender, or fight 1 " For answer, Abel climbed slowly dowki to the sands, fol- lowed by Bart ; and the next minute they were surrounded, and stood with gyves upon their wrists. " Warm work," said the constable, cheerfully ; " but we've got you safe now." " Ay, you've^ot us safe," growled Bart; "but it wouldn't ha* been easy if Abel here had showed fight." BROUGHT TO BOOK. 41 " Been no use," sjiid the constable. " I sidd io Billy Niggs here : * Niggs,' I said, * them two'll make for their boat, and getaway.' *Ay, zhure, that they 'ool,' he said. Didn't you, Billy?" " Ay, zhure, sir, that's just what I did say," cried a con- stable, with a face like a fox-whelp cyder apple. " So I sent on two men to be ready in the boat. Come on, mv lads." The boat was pulled ashore. The two constables in charge leaped out with the grapnel, and dropped it on the sand ; and then in silence the party with their prisoners walked slowly back, and beneath the spot where Mary stood like a figure carved out of the rock, far above their heads, till they hai;ll NVfiit a^^ain ami aj^'aiii to tho prison in the county town, trautping till sh(> was footKorc ; but hIio did not nee Abel, for hIio had to encounter double ditliculties — to wit, the regu- lations of the authorities, and her brother's refusal to see her. At last, though, she compassed an interview with Bart Wrigley, and the big fellow listened to her stolidly, as he enjoyed the sound of her voice, sighing heavily from time to^ time. " But even you seem at times, Bart, as if you did not believe a word I say," she cried passionately. " Who says I don't 1 " said Bart, in a low growl. " You tells me you didn't, my lass, and of course you didn't. Why, I'd believe anything you told me ; but as for Ab'^l, he's dead-set on it that you told the captain, and there's no moving him." " But tell him, Bart, tell him I was angry with him for what he did " "What we did," said-Bart, who was too loyal to shirk his share. " Well, what you both did, Bart ; but that I would sooner have died than betray my own brother." " Haw, haw ! That's a wunner," said Bart, with a hoarse laugh. " That's just what I did tell him." "You did, Bart r' " Ay, my lass, I did ; but he " Bart stopped. " Yes, Bart, what did he say 1 " " Said I was a blind, thick-headed fool," »8 I in-^i UM*i MHM f I ; y i' 1 V 1^ ;'f i !;' I.- ft"' Kit OOMMOnOUK JUNK. "Oil, Hart, Hail, Unit! you aro ilio l»0Ht ami tniost frioiid wo ovor !ia«l." " ^'i«y that a^ain, laNS, will you ?" said ihfi rou^h follow. Mary sai11 him, doar Hart, that hin mntor waa truH to him all thi*oUjL!;h, and that ho must ltoliov«« mo." '* Ay, laMS, I'll t(>ll him ; Init don't rail mo '(h>ar Bart 'again, 'cauHO 1 can't hoar it." " But you aro our friend, and have always been like a brother to us." •* Ay, lass, I tri(»d to bo, and I'll spoak to him again. Bah I you novor wont agiiiii us. You couldn't. Your tongue thrash«»d us a bit, as you alius did, but it was for our good. And now, look lu>iv, my lass, when wo'n? gone " "When you'ro gom*. Hart!" cried Mary, with her lip (juivering. " Ay, hivss, when we're gone, for I daresay they'll hang us.** " Bart I " " Oh, it won't hurt much. Not worse than being drownded, and much ^juicker." "Oh, J^art, Hart!" » . " Don't cry, my pretty one, only don't forget us. You won't forget Abel, of course ; but — I never felt as if I could talk to you like this before — don't forget as Bart Wrigloy was worry fond on you, and that if he'd been a fine hansum chap, 'stead of such a rough un, with his figui-c-head all set o' one side, he'd ha' stuck up and said as no one else shouldn't have you." " Oh, Bart, Bart ! " sobbed Mary, piteously. " Ay, lass, that he would ; but he often says to himself, * It wouldn't be kind to a girl like that to hang on to her.' So, good-bye, my pretty lady, and I'll tell Abel as he's the blind, thick-headed fool if he says it was you as got us into this hole.** BRtllNI) I'UrHON UAIt.S. 58 Bart had to wiiul up liiH unwonUMlIy loii^ Hpoooh vory quickly, for a coiiplo (»f tunikryH Iwid ontonul ilin Htono-wuUtMl room, to coiuluct tln^ big fallow hack to IiIh coll, itrid bIiow Miiry to th«) oiitsido of the priHon. " (jlood-hyi^ doar IJart, dnar old frinid I " "(lood-hyc, my pretty lady ! " cried tluj hig fellow. '"You called me * dear JJart ' aj^aiii." *' YoH, dear IJart, dear brother I " cri(!d Mary, piiHHJonatoly, and, nuHing Iuh big hand to )\m' lips, hIic kiHHcd it. " Bah ! " growhid IJart to hiiiiHelf, " let '(!in hang me. What do I care art«!r that? M)(jar Hart — «lear JJart ! ' I wouldn't care a bit if I only knowed what Hho'd do wh(;n w(!'r« gone." Then the time glided on, and Mary heard from ono and another the popular b(;lief that the authoritien, rejoicing in having at last caught two notorious smugglerH and wreckcrn red-handed in a HcriouH oHeix^o, wore determin(;d to make an example by punishing tlnim with the utmost rigour of the law. The poor girl in her loneliness had racked her brains for means of lielping lier brotlu^r. She had sold o. Oh, lor, how I do waiii to hiugh ! " llo roH(min«Ml his i»\i»i.h for a iiinn, mm\ fhoy vvalkod on to the* oimi of th<> plaolidion inul h«»^iui ihoir f.nHk at ar (ho «h»nHo jnnglo, hoyond which lay the nian- grov«» swamp and i\\v soa. *' I daren't hope, Mart," whisptMod AIm'J, m» dcHpondnidly (hat his oonipanion, in a wildly oNoi(od niiinn(>!, huighod in hia face. "What a lad yoi» aro ! " ho cried. "IIh all right; h«»*H waiting for ns. It'a s«)tn(» Ruilor chap from l)i\rtniou(h, wIioho whip's piit in at Kings(oo or Heli/e. (1he«>r \ip, nuito ! " Hut it was all a. n>oclwii upon (lieju a sh(»( Hart's voice trenihled and Honnered back Hart, chopping away and breaking clods, as his fetters clanked more loudly than ever. "Now, then, Polly ! Pretty Polly, aro you there 1" " Yes, yes. Part. AIk^I, dear brother, at last., at last I " came inm\ the j niggle. "Mary — Polly, my girl !" cried Ab(>l, hoansely, hh Iio throw down hia luw ; and he was running toward the Jungle, w hero a crashing sound wa« heard, when Part Hung his strong arms across his chest and daslnnl him to the ground. tN MnAf»f-Y r'KUlli (\U u Ihrow I anus Aro you nmill" lio crUvl. " Miiry, for Go«r« hp\o kuep Imrk ! Tlin wniniii^ wh« iH»(»(lr»(l, for frotri n,(iroHH Mir piniiiaiion t!iP ovciHOMi' and a nmpli' of Holdii'iM rarrio n .riiiiij, ovory liiovoiii(>iif> on (Ii«» |»arl of ilin priMoiiorw lu'iiif^ WMlrlioI, wlnmo impnci liolpcd Mm illuHion, fur lio lookod glniHlly IVoiii IiIm cnioMon ; and lio )iaH(«iiro f)f mind (>nnii^ili (»» o|i»'ii Ins oyos, look aWoiif, wildly from f'aco (o furc, and Mmmi lM»giii lu stinggh* (ij», with oim hand to liin lioad. *• Ih i<. Ilio fayvor, ,sor I " Huid ono of Mm S(»!(fiorM. "No. TiMndi of Mm Hun," Haid IIm* ovoiwnr. " 'riicy're iilwayH goMing il,. 'rhcro, yon'ro all riglif, Mi'n't yon V ** \'(5H, nir," Haid Aliol, nlowly, an Im jtir|, wlmro a huge cotton tree t,h row itHshado; and h(!ro Bart phuHMJ him on an oM .stninj), tromlding tho whih;, a8 ho h(dd tho wator 1<> hin coni|>anion'H lij»H. It waH hard work to kc^op still whilo tho othorH wont out of hoaring ; but at lant it HO(!nmd waff, anre you were. I've been to other plantations, and people have thought me mad ; but one day I stumbled across the sailors of a ship that comes here with stores from the station, and I heard them say that there were a number of prisoners working at this place ; and at last, after waiting and watching for weeks and weeks, I caught sight of vou two, and then it was a month before I could speak to you is I did the other day." " And now you have come," said Abel, bitterly, " I can't even look at you." " But you will escape, dear," said Mary. " Escape ! " cried Abel, excitedly. " Steady, lad, steady. 'Member you're ill," growled Bart, glancing toward the nearest sentry, and then holding up the bottle as if to see how much was within. " Yes, escape," said Mary. " I have the boat ready. Can you come now ] " IN DEADLY PERIL. 71 \ " Impossible ! We sliould be overtaken and shot before we had gone a mile." '• But you must escape," said Mary. "You must get down here by night." " How 1 " said Bart, gitiffly. " You two ninst settle that," said Mary, quickly. " I am only a woman ; but I have found nu'ans to m't here with a boat, and T can come again and again till you join me." " Yes," said Abel, deci