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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Nic Revel, 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: Nic Revel
+       A White Slave's Adventures in Alligator Land
+
+Author: George Manville Fenn
+
+Illustrator: W.H.C. Groome
+
+Release Date: May 8, 2007 [EBook #21357]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NIC REVEL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+Nic Revel; A White Slave's Adventures in Alligator Land, by George
+Manville Fenn.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+Nic Revel is brought up on a small landed estate in Devon.  The date is
+somewhere in the middle of the nineteenth century.  There is a very good
+salmon pool on the estate, but it is often used by poachers, which
+greatly annoys the Revel family.  Eventually they have a great fight
+there, in which they had arranged to be supported by men from a vessel
+of the Royal Navy.
+
+Nic is wounded and is mistaken for a poacher by the naval party, who
+press-gang the poachers.  When they reach America, Nic is still hardly
+conscious, and not capable of much work.  All the less able poachers are
+then sold by the ship to an American slave dealer, who sells them to a
+settler who lives a long way up a river.
+
+After a journey to the farm they find that they are given very hard work
+to do, and not fed very well.  And of course Nic and one of the
+poachers, who has become a good friend of his, want to get back to
+Devon.  After many trials and tribulations they eventually escape.
+
+George Manville Fenn is a master of suspense, and this book is a very
+good example of his work.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+NIC REVEL; A WHITE SLAVE'S ADVENTURES IN ALLIGATOR LAND, BY GEORGE
+MANVILLE FENN.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ONE.
+
+CAPTAIN REVEL IS CROSS.
+
+"Late again, Nic," said Captain Revel.
+
+"Very sorry, father."
+
+"Yes, you always are `very sorry,' sir.  I never saw such a fellow to
+sleep.  Why, when I was a lad of your age--let's see, you're just
+eighteen."
+
+"Yes, father, and very hungry," said the young man, with a laugh and a
+glance at the breakfast-table.
+
+"Always are very hungry.  Why, when I was a lad of your age I didn't
+lead such an easy-going life as you do.  You're spoiled, Nic, by an
+indulgent father.--Here, help me to some of that ham.--Had to keep my
+watch and turn up on deck at all hours; glad to eat weavilly biscuit.--
+Give me that brown bit.--Ah, I ought to have sent you to sea.  Made a
+man of you.  Heard the thunder, of course?"
+
+"No, father.  Was there a storm?"
+
+"Storm--yes.  Lightning as we used to have it in the East Indies, and
+the rain came down like a waterspout."
+
+"I didn't hear anything of it, father."
+
+"No; you'd sleep through an earthquake, or a shipwreck, or--Why, I say,
+Nic, you'll soon have a beard."
+
+"Oh, nonsense, father!  Shall I cut you some bread?"
+
+"But you will," said the Captain, chuckling.  "My word, how time goes!
+Only the other day you were an ugly little pup of a fellow, and I used
+to wipe your nose; and now you're as big as I am--I mean as tall."
+
+"Yes; I'm not so stout, father," said Nic, laughing.
+
+"None of your impudence, sir," said the heavy old sea-captain, frowning.
+"If you had been as much knocked about as I have, you might have been
+as stout."
+
+Nic Revel could not see the common-sense of the remark, but he said
+nothing, and went on with his breakfast, glancing from time to time
+through the window at the glittering sea beyond the flagstaff, planted
+on the cliff which ran down perpendicularly to the little river that
+washed its base while flowing on towards the sea a mile lower down.
+
+"Couldn't sleep a bit," said Captain Revel.  "But I felt it coming all
+yesterday afternoon.  Was I--er--a bit irritable?"
+
+"Um--er--well, just a little, father," said Nic dryly.
+
+"Humph! and that means I was like a bear--eh, sir?"
+
+"I did not say so, father."
+
+"No, sir; but you meant it.  Well, enough to make me," cried the
+Captain, flushing.  "I will not have it.  I'll have half-a-dozen more
+watchers, and put a stop to their tricks.  The land's mine, and the
+river's mine, and the salmon are mine; and if any more of those idle
+rascals come over from the town on to my grounds, after my fish, I'll
+shoot 'em, or run 'em through, or catch 'em and have 'em tied up and
+flogged."
+
+"It is hard, father."
+
+"`_Hard_' isn't hard enough, Nic, my boy," cried the Captain angrily.
+"The river's open to them below, and it's free to them up on the moors,
+and they may go and catch them in the sea if they want more room."
+
+"If they can, father," said Nic, laughing.
+
+"Well, yes--if they can, boy.  Of course it's if they can with any one
+who goes fishing.  But I will not have them come disturbing me.  The
+impudent scoundrels!"
+
+"Did you see somebody yesterday, then, father?"
+
+"Didn't you hear me telling you, sir?  Pay attention, and give me some
+more ham.  Yes; I'd been up to the flagstaff and was walking along by
+the side of the combe, so as to come back home through the wood path,
+when there was that great lazy scoundrel, Burge, over from the town with
+a long staff and a hook, and I was just in time to see him land a good
+twelve-pound salmon out of the pool--one of that half-dozen that have
+been lying there this fortnight past waiting for enough water to run up
+higher."
+
+"Did you speak to him, father?"
+
+"Speak to him, sir!" cried the Captain.  "I let him have a broadside."
+
+"What did he say, father?"
+
+"Laughed at me--the scoundrel!  Safe on the other side; and I had to
+stand still and see him carry off the beautiful fish."
+
+"The insolent dog!" cried Nic.
+
+"Yes; I wish I was as young and strong and active as you, boy.  I'd have
+gone down somehow, waded the river, and pushed the scoundrel in."
+
+He looked at his father and smiled.
+
+"But I would, my boy: I was in such a fit of temper.  Why can't the
+rascals leave me and mine alone?"
+
+"Like salmon, I suppose, father," said the young man.
+
+"So do we--but they might go up the river and catch them."
+
+"We get so many in the pool, and they tempt the idle people."
+
+"Then they have no business to fall into temptation.  I'll do something
+to stop them."
+
+"Better not, father," said Nic quietly.  "It would only mean fighting
+and trouble."
+
+"Bah!" cried Captain Revel, with his face growing redder than usual.
+"What a fellow to be my son!  Why, sir, when I was your age I gloried in
+a fight."
+
+"Did you, father?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I did."
+
+"Ah! but you were in training for a fighting-man."
+
+"And I was weak enough, to please your poor mother, to let you be
+schooled for a bookworm, and a man of law and quips and quiddities,
+always ready to enter into an argument with me, and prove that black's
+white and white's no colour, as they say.  Hark ye, sir, if it was not
+too late I'd get Jack Lawrence to take you to sea with him now.  He'll
+be looking us up one of these days soon.  It's nearly time he put in at
+Plymouth again."
+
+"No, you would not, father," said the young man quietly.
+
+"Ah! arguing again?  Why not, pray?"
+
+"Because you told me you were quite satisfied with what you had done."
+
+"Humph!  Hah!  Yes! so I did.  What are you going to do this morning--
+read?"
+
+"Yes, father; read hard."
+
+"Well, don't read too hard, my lad.  Get out in the fresh air a bit.
+Why not try for a salmon?  They'll be running up after this rain, and
+you may get one if there is not too much water."
+
+"Yes, I might try," said the young man quietly; and soon after he
+strolled into the quaint old library, to begin poring over a heavy
+law-book full of wise statutes, forgetting everything but the task he
+had in hand; while Captain Revel went out to walk to the edge of the
+high cliff and sat down on the stone seat at the foot of the
+properly-rigged flagstaff Here he scanned the glittering waters,
+criticising the manoeuvres of the craft passing up and down the Channel
+on their way to Portsmouth or the port of London, or westward for
+Plymouth, dreaming the while of his old ship and the adventures he had
+had till his wounds, received in a desperate engagement with a couple of
+piratical vessels in the American waters, incapacitated him for active
+service, and forced him to lead the life of an old-fashioned country
+gentleman at his home near the sea.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+A WET FIGHT.
+
+The Captain was having his after-dinner nap when Nic took down one of
+the rods which always hung ready in the hall, glanced at the fly to see
+if it was all right, and then crossed the garden to the fields.  He
+turned off towards the river, from which, deep down in the lovely combe,
+came a low, murmurous, rushing sound, quite distinct from a deep, sullen
+roar from the thick woodland a few hundred yards to his right.
+
+"No fishing to-day," he said, and he rested his rod against one of the
+sturdy dwarf oaks which sheltered the house from the western gales, and
+then walked on, drawing in deep draughts of the soft salt air and
+enjoying the beauty of the scene around.
+
+For the old estate had been well chosen by the Revels of two hundred
+years earlier; and, look which way he might, up or down the miniature
+valley, there were the never-tiring beauties of one of the most
+delightful English districts.
+
+The murmur increased as the young man strode on down the rugged slope,
+or leaped from mossy stone to stone, amongst heather, furze, and fern,
+to where the steep sides of the combe grew more thickly clothed with
+trees, in and amongst which the sheep had made tracks like a map of the
+little valley, till all at once he stood at the edge of a huge mass of
+rock, gazing through the leaves at the foaming brown water which washed
+the base of the natural wall, and eddied and leaped and tore on along
+its zigzag bed, onward towards the sea.
+
+From where he stood he gazed straight across at the other side of the
+combe, one mass of greens of every tint, here lit up by the sun, there
+deep in shadow; while, watered by the soft moist air and mists which
+rose from below, everything he gazed upon was rich and luxuriant in the
+extreme.
+
+"The rain must have been tremendous up in the moor," thought the young
+man, as he gazed down into the lovely gully at the rushing water, which
+on the previous day had been a mere string of stony pools connected by a
+trickling stream, some of them deep and dark, the haunts of the salmon
+which came up in their season from the sea.  "What a change!  Yesterday,
+all as clear as crystal; now, quite a golden brown."
+
+Then, thinking of how the salmon must be taking advantage of the little
+flood to run up higher to their spawning-grounds among the hills, Nic
+turned off to his right to follow a rugged track along the cliff-like
+side, sometimes low down, sometimes high up; now in deep shadow, now in
+openings where the sun shot through to make the hurrying waters sparkle
+and flash.
+
+The young man went on and on for quite a quarter of a mile, with the
+sullen roar increasing till it became one deep musical boom; and,
+turning a corner where a portion of the cliff overhung the narrow path,
+and long strands of ivy hung down away from the stones, he stepped out
+of a green twilight into broad sunshine, to stand upon a shelf of rock,
+gazing into a circular pool some hundred feet across.
+
+Here was the explanation of the deep, melodious roar.  For, to his
+right, over what resembled a great eight-foot-high step in the valley,
+the whole of the little river plunged down from the continuation of the
+gorge, falling in one broad cascade in a glorious curve right into the
+pool, sending up a fine spray which formed a cloud, across which, like a
+bridge over the fall, the lovely tints of a rainbow played from time to
+time.
+
+It was nothing new to Nic, that amphitheatre, into which he had gazed
+times enough ever since he was a child; but it had never seemed more
+lovely, nor the growth which fringed it from the edge of the water to
+fifty or sixty feet above his head more beautiful and green.
+
+But he had an object in coming, and, following the shelf onward, he was
+soon standing level with the side of the fall, gazing intently at the
+watery curve and right into the pool where the water foamed and plunged
+down, rose a few yards away, and then set in a regular stream round and
+round the amphitheatre, a portion flowing out between two huge
+buttresses of granite, and then hurrying downstream.
+
+Nic was about fifteen feet above the surface of the chaos of water, and
+a little above the head of the pool; while below him were blocks of
+stone, dripping bushes, and grasses, and then an easy descent to where
+he might have stood dry-shod and gazed beneath the curve of the falling
+water, as he had stood scores of times before.
+
+But his attention was fixed upon the curve, and as he watched he saw
+something silvery flash out of the brown water and fall back into the
+pool where the foam was thickest.
+
+Again he saw it, and this time it disappeared without falling back.  For
+the salmon, fresh from the sea, were leaping at the fall to gain the
+upper waters of the river.
+
+It was a romantic scene, and Nic stood watching for some minutes,
+breathing the moist air, while the spray began to gather upon his
+garments, and the deep musical boom reverberated from the rocky sides of
+the chasm.
+
+It was a grand day for the fish, and he was thinking that there would be
+plenty of them right up the river for miles, for again and again he saw
+salmon flash into sight as, by one tremendous spring and beat of their
+tails, they made their great effort to pass the obstacle in their way.
+
+"Plenty for every one," he said to himself; "and plenty left for us," he
+added, as he saw other fish fail and drop back into the foam-covered
+amber and black water, to sail round with the stream, and in all
+probability--for their actions could not be seen--rest from their
+tremendous effort, and try again.
+
+All at once, after Nic had been watching for some minutes without seeing
+sign of a fish, there was a flash close in to where he stood, and a
+large salmon shot up, reached the top of the fall, and would have passed
+on, but fortune was against it.  For a moment it rested on the edge, and
+its broad tail and part of its body glistened as a powerful stroke was
+made with the broad caudal fin.
+
+But it was in the air, not in the water; and the next moment the great
+fish was falling, when, quick as its own spring up, there was a sudden
+movement from behind one of the great stones at the foot of the fall
+just below where Nic stood, and the salmon was caught upon a sharp hook
+at the end of a stout ash pole and dragged shoreward, flapping and
+struggling with all its might.
+
+The efforts were in vain, for its captor drew it in quickly, raising the
+pole more and more till it was nearly perpendicular, as he came out from
+behind the great block of dripping stone which had hidden him from Nic,
+and, as it happened, stepped backward, till his fish was clear of the
+water.
+
+It was all the matter of less than a minute.  The man, intent upon his
+fish--a magnificent freshly-run salmon, glittering in its silver
+scales--passed hand over hand along his pole, released his right, and
+was in the act of reaching down to thrust a hooked finger in the opening
+and closing gills to make sure of his prize in the cramped-up space he
+occupied, when the end of the stout ash staff struck Nic sharply on his
+leg.
+
+But the man did not turn, attributing the hindrance to his pole having
+encountered a stone or tree branch above his head, and any movement made
+by Nic was drowned by the roar of the fall.
+
+The blow upon the leg was sharp, and gave intense pain to its recipient,
+whose temper was already rising at the cool impudence of the stout,
+bullet-headed fellow, trespassing and poaching in open daylight upon the
+Captain's grounds.
+
+Consequently, Nic did take notice of the blow.
+
+Stooping down as the end of the pole wavered in the air, he made a
+snatch at and seized it, gave it a wrench round as the man's finger was
+entering the gill of the salmon, and the hook being reversed, the fish
+dropped off, there was a slight addition to the splashing in the pool,
+and then it disappeared.
+
+The next moment the man twisted himself round, holding on by the pole,
+and stared up; while Nic, still holding on by the other end, leaned over
+and stared down.
+
+It was a curious picture, and for some moments neither stirred, the
+poacher's not ill-looking face expressing profound astonishment at this
+strange attack.
+
+Then a fierce look of anger crossed it, and, quick as thought, he made a
+sharp snatch, which destroyed Nic's balance, making him loosen his hold
+of the pole and snatch at the nearest branch to check his fall.
+
+He succeeded, but only for a moment, just sufficient to save himself and
+receive another heavy blow from the pole, which made him lose his hold
+and slip, more than fall, down to where he was on the same level with
+his adversary, who drew back to strike again.
+
+But Nic felt as if his heart was on fire.  The pain of the blows
+thrilled him, and, darting forward with clenched fists, he struck the
+poacher full in the mouth before the pole could swing round.
+
+There was the faint whisper of a hoarse yell as the man fell back; Nic
+saw his hands clutching in the air, then he went backward into the
+boiling water, while the end of the pole was seen to rise above the
+surface for a moment or two, and then glide towards the bottom of the
+fall and disappear.
+
+For the current, as it swung round the pool, set towards the falling
+water on the surface, and rushed outward far below.
+
+Nic's rage died out more quickly than it had risen, and he craned
+forward, white as ashes now, watching for the rising of his adversary
+out somewhere towards the other side; while, as if in triumphant mockery
+or delight at the danger having been removed, another huge salmon leaped
+up the fall.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+A GAME OF TIT FOR TAT.
+
+"I'd have pushed him in."
+
+Captain Revel's threat flashed through his son's brain as the young man
+stood staring wildly over the agitated waters of the pool, every moment
+fancying that he saw some portion of the man's body rise to the surface;
+but only for it to prove a patch of the creamy froth churned up by the
+flood.
+
+It was plain enough: the man had been sucked in under the falls, and the
+force of the falling water was keeping him down.  He must have been
+beneath the surface for a full minute now--so it seemed to Nic; and, as
+he grew more hopeless moment by moment of seeing him rise, the young
+man's blood seemed to chill with horror at the thought that he had in
+his rage destroyed another's life.
+
+Only a short time back the shut-in pool had been a scene of beauty; now
+it was like a black hollow of misery and despair, as the water dashed
+down and then swirled and eddied in the hideous whirlpool.
+
+Then it was light again, and a wild feeling of exultation shot through
+Nic's breast, for he suddenly caught sight of the man's inert body
+approaching him, after gliding right round the basin.  It was quite
+fifty feet away, and seemed for a few moments as if about to be swept
+out of the hollow and down the gully; but the swirl was too strong, and
+it continued gliding round the pool, each moment coming nearer.
+
+There was no time for hesitation.  Nic knew the danger and the
+impossibility of keeping afloat in foaming water like that before him,
+churned up as it was with air; but he felt that at all cost he must
+plunge in and try to save his adversary before the poor fellow was swept
+by him and borne once more beneath the fall.
+
+Stripping off his coat, he waited a few seconds, and then leaped outward
+so as to come down feet first, in the hope that he might find bottom and
+be able to wade, for he knew that swimming was out of the question.
+
+It was one rush, splash, and hurry, for the water was not breast-deep,
+and by a desperate effort he kept up as his feet reached the rugged,
+heavily-scoured stones at the bottom.  Then the pressure of the water
+nearly bore him away, but he managed to keep up, bearing sidewise, and
+the next minute had grasped the man's arm and was struggling shorewards,
+dragging his adversary towards the rugged bank.
+
+Twice-over he felt that it was impossible; but, as the peril increased,
+despair seemed to endow him with superhuman strength, and he kept up the
+struggle bravely, ending by drawing the man out on to the ledge of
+stones nearly on a level with the water, where he had been at first
+standing at the foot of the fall.
+
+"He's dead; he's dead!" panted Nic, as he sank upon his knees, too much
+exhausted by his struggle to do more than gaze down at the dripping,
+sun-tanned face, though the idea was growing that he must somehow carry
+the body up into the sunshine and try to restore consciousness.
+
+Comic things occur sometimes in tragedies, and Nic's heart gave a
+tremendous leap, for a peculiar twitching suddenly contracted the face
+beside which he knelt, and the man sneezed violently, again and again.
+A strangling fit of coughing succeeded, during which he choked and
+crowed and grew scarlet, and in his efforts to get his breath he rose
+into a sitting position, opened his eyes to stare, and ended by
+struggling to his feet and standing panting and gazing fiercely at Nic.
+
+"Are you better?" cried the latter excitedly, and he seized the man by
+the arms, as he too rose, and held him fast, in the fear lest he should
+fall back into the whirlpool once more.
+
+That was enough!  Pete Burge was too hardy a fisher to be easily
+drowned.  He had recovered his senses, and the rage against the young
+fellow who had caused his trouble surged up again, as it seemed to him
+that he was being seized and made prisoner, not a word of Nic's speech
+being heard above the roar of the water.
+
+"Vish as much mine as his," said the man to himself; and, in nowise
+weakened by his immersion, he closed with Nic.  There was a short
+struggle on the ledge, which was about the worst place that could have
+been chosen for such an encounter; and Nic, as he put forth all his
+strength against the man's iron muscles, was borne to his left over the
+water and to his right with a heavy bang against the rocky side of the
+chasm.  Then, before he could recover himself, there was a rapid
+disengagement and two powerful arms clasped his waist; he was heaved up
+in old West-country wrestling fashion, struggling wildly, and, in spite
+of his efforts to cling to his adversary, by a mighty effort jerked off.
+He fell clear away in the foaming pool, which closed over his head as
+he was borne in turn right beneath the tons upon tons of water which
+thundered in his ears, while he experienced the sudden change from
+sunshine into the dense blackness of night.
+
+"How do you like that?" shouted the man; but it was only a faint
+whisper, of which he alone was conscious.
+
+There was a broad grin upon his face, and his big white teeth glistened
+in the triumphant smile which lit up his countenance.
+
+"I'll let you zee."
+
+He stood dripping and watching the swirling and foaming water for the
+reappearance of Nic.
+
+"Biggest vish I got this year," he said to himself.  "Lost my pole, too;
+and here! where's my cap, and--?"
+
+There was a sudden change in his aspect, his face becoming full of blank
+horror now as he leaned forward, staring over the pool, eyes and mouth
+open widely; and then, with a groan, he gasped out:
+
+"Well, I've done it now!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+NIC WILL NOT SHAKE HANDS.
+
+History repeats itself, though the repetitions are not always recorded.
+
+A horrible feeling of remorse and despair came over the man.  His anger
+had evaporated, and putting his hands to the sides of his mouth, he
+yelled out:
+
+"Ahoy, there!  Help--help!"
+
+Again it was a mere whisper in the booming roar.
+
+"Oh, poor dear lad!" he muttered to himself.  "Bother the zammon!  Wish
+there waren't none.  Hoi, Master Nic!  Strike out!  Zwim, lad, zwim!
+Oh, wheer be ye?  I've drowned un.  Oh, a mercy me!  What have I done?--
+Hah! there a be."
+
+There was a plunge, a splash, and a rush against the eddying water, with
+the man showing a better knowledge of the pool, from many a day's
+wading, than Nic had possessed.  Pete Burge knew where the shallow
+shelves of polished stones lay out of sight, and he waded and struggled
+on to where the water was bearing Nic round in turn.  Then, after
+wading, the man plunged into deep water, swam strongly, and seized his
+victim as a huge dog would, with his teeth, swung himself round, and let
+the fierce current bear him along as he fought his way into the shallow,
+regained his footing, and the next minute was back by the ledge.  Here
+he rose to his feet, and rolled and thrust Nic ashore, climbed out after
+him, and knelt in turn by his side.
+
+"Bean't dead, be he?" said the man to himself.  "Not in the water long
+enough.  Worst o' these here noblemen and gentlemen--got no stuff in
+'em."
+
+Pete Burge talked to himself, but he was busy the while.  He acted like
+a man who had gained experience in connection with flooded rivers,
+torrents, and occasional trips in fishing-boats at sea; and according to
+old notions, supposing his victim not to be already dead, he did the
+best he could to smother out the tiny spark of life that might still be
+glowing.
+
+His fine old-fashioned notion of a man being drowned was that it was
+because he was full of water.  The proper thing, then, according to his
+lights, must be to empty it out, and the sooner the better.  The
+sea-going custom was to lay a man face downward across a barrel, and to
+roll the barrel gently to and fro.
+
+"And I aren't got no barrel," muttered Pete.
+
+To make up for it he rolled Nic from side to side, and then, as his
+treatment produced no effect, he seized him by the ankles, stood up, and
+raised the poor fellow till he was upside down, and shook him violently
+again and again.
+
+Wonderful to relate, that did no good, his patient looking obstinately
+lifeless; so he laid him in the position he should have tried at first--
+extended upon his back; and, apostrophising him all the time as a poor,
+weakly, helpless creature, punched and rubbed and worked him about,
+muttering the while.
+
+"Oh, poor lad! poor dear lad!" he went on.  "I had no spite again' him.
+I didn't want to drownd him.  It weer only tit for tat; he chucked me
+in, and I chucked him in, and it's all on account o' they zammon.--There
+goes another.  Always a-temptin' a man to come and catch 'em--lyin' in
+the pools as if askin' of ye.--Oh, I say, do open your eyes, lad, and
+speak!  They'll zay I murdered ye, and if I don't get aboard ship and
+zail away to foreign abroad, they'll hang me, and the crows'll come and
+pick out my eyes.--I zay.--I zay lad, don't ye be a vool.  It was on'y a
+drop o' watter ye zwallowed.  Do ye come to, and I'll never meddle with
+the zammon again.--I zay, ye aren't dead now.  Don't ye be a vool.  It
+aren't worth dying for, lad.  Coom, coom, coom, open your eyes and zit
+up like a man.  You're a gentleman, and ought to know better.  I aren't
+no scholard, and I didn't do zo.--Oh, look at him!  I shall be hanged
+for it, and put on the gibbet, and all for a bit o' vish.--Zay, look
+here, if you don't come to I'll pitch you back again, and they'll think
+you tumbled in, and never know no better.  It's voolish of ye, lad.
+Don't give up till ye're ninety-nine or a hundred.  It's time enough to
+die then.  Don't die now, with the sun shining and the fish running up
+the valls, and ye might be so happy and well."
+
+And all the while Pete kept on thumping and rubbing and banging his
+patient about in the most vigorous way.
+
+"It's spite, that's what it is," growled the man.  "You hit me i' th'
+mouth and tried to drownd me, and because you couldn't you're trying to
+get me hanged; and you shan't, for if you don't come-to soon, sure as
+you're alive I'll pitch you back to be carried out to zea.--Nay, nay, I
+wouldn't, lad.  Ye'd coom back and harnt me.  I never meant to do more
+than duck you, and Hooray!"
+
+For Nic's nature had at last risen against the treatment he was
+receiving.  It was more than any one could stand; so, in the midst of a
+furious bout of rubbing, the poor fellow suddenly yawned and opened his
+eyes, to stare blankly up at the bright sun-rays streaming down through
+the overhanging boughs of the gnarled oaks.  He dropped his lids again,
+but another vigorous rubbing made him open them once more; and as he
+stared now at his rough doctor his lips moved to utter the word "Don't!"
+but it was not heard, and after one or two more appeals he caught the
+man's wrists and tried to struggle up into a sitting position, Pete
+helping him, and then, as he knelt there, grinning in his face.
+
+Nic sat staring at him and beginning to think more clearly, so that in a
+few minutes he had fully grasped the position and recalled all that had
+taken place.
+
+It was evident that there was to be a truce between them, for Pete
+Burge's rough countenance was quite smiling and triumphant, while on
+Nic's own part the back of his neck ached severely, and he felt as if he
+could not have injured a fly.
+
+At last Nic rose, shook himself after the fashion of a dog to get rid of
+some of the water which soaked his clothes, and looked round about him
+for his cap, feeling that he would be more dignified and look rather
+less like a drowned rat if he put it on.
+
+Pete came close to him, placed his lips nearly to his ear, and shouted,
+"Cap?"
+
+Nic nodded.
+
+"Gone down the river to try and catch mine for me," said the man, with a
+good-humoured grin, which made Nic frown at the insolent familiarity
+with which it was said.
+
+"You'll have to buy me another one, Master Nic," continued the man, "and
+get the smith to make me a noo steel hook.  I'll let you off paying for
+the pole; I can cut a fresh one somewheres up yonder."
+
+"On our grounds?" cried Nic indignantly, speaking as loudly as he could.
+
+"Well, there's plenty, aren't there, master?  And you've lost mine,"
+shouted back the man, grinning again.
+
+"You scoundrel!" cried Nic, who was warming up again.  "I shall have you
+up before the Justices for this."
+
+"For what?" said the man insolently.
+
+"For throwing me into the pool."
+
+"Zo shall I, then," shouted the man.  "It was only tit for tat.  You
+zent me in first."
+
+"Yes; and I caught you first hooking our salmon, sir."
+
+"Tchah! much my zammon as your own, master.  Vish comes out of the zea
+for everybody as likes to catch them."
+
+"Not on my father's estate," cried Nic.  "You've been warned times
+enough."
+
+"Ay, I've heerd a lot o' talk, master; but me and my mates mean to have
+a vish or two whenever we wants 'em.  You'll never miss 'em."
+
+"Look here, Pete Burge," cried Nic; "I don't want to be too hard upon
+you, because I suppose you fished me out of the pool after throwing me
+in."
+
+"Well, you've no call to grumble, master," said the man, grinning
+good-humouredly.  "You did just the zame."
+
+"And," continued Nic, shouting himself hoarse, so as to be heard, and
+paying no heed to the man's words, "if you faithfully promise me that
+you'll never come and poach on my father's part of the river again, I'll
+look over all this, and not have you before the Justices."
+
+"How are you going to get me avore the Justice, Master Nic?" said the
+man, with a merry laugh.
+
+"Send the constable, sir."
+
+"Tchah! he'd never vind me; and, if he did, he dursen't tackle me.
+There's a dozen o' my mates would break his head if he tried."
+
+"Never mind about that," cried Nic.  "You promise me.  My father warned
+you only yesterday."
+
+"So he did," said the man, showing his teeth.  "In a regular wax he
+was."
+
+"And I will not have him annoyed," cried Nic.  "So now then, you
+promise?"
+
+"Nay, I shan't promise."
+
+"Then I go straight to the constable, and if I do you'll be summoned and
+punished, and perhaps sent out of the country."
+
+"What vor?--pulling you out when you was drownding?"
+
+"For stealing our salmon and beating our two keepers."
+
+"Then I'd better have left you in yonder," said the man, laughing.
+
+"You mean I had better have left you in yonder, and rid the country of
+an idle, poaching scoundrel," cried Nic indignantly.  "But there, you
+saved my life, and I want to give you a chance.  Look here, Pete Burge,
+you had better go to sea."
+
+"Yes, when I like to try for some vish.  Don't ketch me going for a
+zailor."
+
+"Will you give me your word that you will leave the fish alone?"
+
+"Nay; but I'll shake hands with you, master.  You zaved my life, and I
+zaved yourn, so we're square over that business."
+
+"You insolent dog!" cried Nic.  "Then I'll go straight to the Justice."
+
+"Nay; you go and put on zome dry clothes.  It don't hurt me, but you'll
+ketch cold, my lad.  Look here, you want me to zay I won't take no more
+zammon."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then I won't zay it.  There's about twenty of us means to have as many
+fish out o' the river as we like, and if anybody, keepers or what not,
+comes and interveres with us we'll pitch 'em in the river; and they may
+get out themzelves, for I'm not going in after they.  Understand that,
+master?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I do."
+
+"Then don't you set any one to meddle with us, or there may be mischief
+done, for my mates aren't such vools as me.  Going to give me a noo
+steel hook?"
+
+"No, you scoundrel!"
+
+"Going to zhake hands?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Just as you like, young master.  I wanted to be vriends and you won't,
+so we'll be t'other.  On'y mind, if there's mischief comes of it, you
+made it.  Now then, I'm going to walk about in the sun to get dry, and
+then zee about getting myself a noo cap and a hook."
+
+"To try for our salmon again?"
+
+The fellow gave him a queer look, nodded, and climbed up the side of the
+ravine, followed by Nic.
+
+At the top the man turned and stared at him for a few moments, with a
+peculiar look in his eyes; and the trees between them and the falls shut
+off much of the deep, booming noise.
+
+"Well," said Nic sharply, "have you repented?"
+
+"Nothing to repent on," said the man stolidly.  "On'y wanted to zay this
+here: If you zees lights some night among the trees and down by the
+watter, it means vishing."
+
+"I know that," said Nic sternly.
+
+"And there'll be a lot there--rough uns; so don't you come and meddle,
+my lad, for I shouldn't like to zee you hurt."
+
+The next minute the man had disappeared among the trees, leaving Nic to
+stand staring after him, thinking of what would be the result if the
+salmon-poachers met their match.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+THE CAPTAIN CANNOT LET IT REST.
+
+"Hullo, Nic, my boy; been overboard?"
+
+The young man started, for he had been thinking a good deal on his way
+back to the house.  His anger had cooled down as much as his body from
+the evaporation going on.  For, after all, he thought he could not find
+much fault with Pete Burge.  It would seem only natural to such a rough
+fellow to serve his assailant as he had himself been served.
+
+"And he did save my life afterwards, instead of letting me drown,"
+thought Nic, who decided not to try to get Pete punished.
+
+"I'll give him one more chance," he said; and he had just arrived at
+this point as he was walking sharply through the trees by the combe,
+with the intention of slipping in unseen, when he came suddenly upon his
+father seated upon a stone, and was saluted with the above question as
+to having been overboard.
+
+"Yes, father," he said, glancing down at his drenched garments, "I've
+been in."
+
+"Bah! you go blundering about looking inside instead of where you're
+steering," cried the Captain.  "Aren't drowned, I suppose?"
+
+Nic laughed.
+
+"Well, slip in and get on some dry things.  Look alive."
+
+Nic did not want to enter into the business through which he had passed,
+so he hurried indoors, glad to change his clothes.
+
+Then, as the time went on he felt less and less disposed to speak about
+his adventure, for it seemed hard work to make an effort to punish the
+man who had, after all, saved his life.
+
+About a fortnight had passed, when one morning, upon going down, he
+encountered his father's old sailor-servant, who answered his salute
+with a grin.
+
+"What are you laughing at, Bill?" asked Nic.
+
+"They've been at it again, sir."
+
+"What! those scoundrels after the salmon?"
+
+"Yes, sir; in the night.  Didn't you hear 'em?"
+
+"Of course not.  Did you?"
+
+"Oh yes, I heerd 'em and seed 'em too; leastwise, I seed their lights.
+So did Tom Gardener."
+
+"Then why didn't you call me up?" cried Nic angrily.
+
+"'Cause you'd ha' woke the Captain, and he'd have had us all out for a
+fight."
+
+"Of course he would."
+
+"And he was a deal better in his bed.  You know what he is, Master Nic.
+I put it to you, now.  He's got all the sperrit he always did have, and
+is ripe as ever for a row; but is he fit, big and heavy as he's growed,
+to go down fighting salmon-poachers?"
+
+"No; but we could have knocked up Tom Gardener and the other men, and
+gone ourselves."
+
+"Oh!" ejaculated the old sailor, laughing.  "He'd have heared, perhaps.
+Think you could ha' made him keep back when there was a fight, Master
+Nic?"
+
+"No, I suppose not; but he will be horribly angry, and go on at you
+fiercely when he knows."
+
+"Oh, of course," said the man coolly.  "That's his way; but I'm used to
+that.  It does him good, he likes it, and it don't do me no harm.  Never
+did in the old days at sea."
+
+"Has any one been down to the river?"
+
+"Oh yes; me and Tom Gardener went down as soon as it was daylight; and
+they've been having a fine game."
+
+"Game?"
+
+"Ay, that they have, Master Nic," said the man, laughing.  "There's no
+water coming over the fall, and the pool was full of fish."
+
+"Well, I know that, Bill," cried Nic impatiently; "but you don't mean to
+say that--"
+
+"Yes, I do," said the man, grinning.  "They've cleared it."
+
+"And you laugh, sir!"
+
+"Well, 'taren't nowt to cry about, Master Nic.  On'y a few fish."
+
+"And you know how particular my father is about the salmon."
+
+"Oh, ay.  Of course I know; but he eats more of 'em than's good for him
+now.  'Sides, they left three on the side.  Slipped out o' their
+baskets, I suppose."
+
+Nic was right: the Captain was furious, and the servants, from William
+Solly to the youngest gardener, were what they called "tongue-thrashed,"
+Captain Revel storming as if he were once more rating his crew aboard
+ship.
+
+"They all heard, Nic, my boy," he said to his son.  "I believe they knew
+the scoundrels were coming, and they were too cowardly to give the
+alarm."
+
+This was after a walk down to the pool, where the water was clear and
+still save where a little stream ran sparkling over the shelf of rock
+instead of a thunderous fall, the gathering from the high grounds of the
+moors.
+
+"I'm afraid they heard them, father," said Nic.
+
+"Afraid?  I'm sure of it, boy."
+
+"And that they did not like the idea of your getting mixed up in the
+fight."
+
+"Ah!" cried the Captain, catching his son by the shoulder; "then you
+knew of it too, sir?  You wanted me to be kept out of it."
+
+"I do want you to be kept out of any struggle, father," said Nic.
+
+"Why, sir, why?" panted the old officer.
+
+"Because you are not so active as you used to be."
+
+"What, sir?  Nonsense, sir!  A little heavy and--er--short-winded
+perhaps, but never better or more full of fight in my life, sir.  The
+scoundrels!  Oh, if I had been there!  But I feel hurt, Nic--cruelly
+hurt.  You and that salt-soaked old villain, Bill Sally, hatch up these
+things between you.  Want to make out I'm infirm.  I'll discharge that
+vagabond."
+
+"No, you will not, father.  He's too good and faithful a servant.  He
+thinks of nothing but his old Captain's health."
+
+"A scoundrel! and so he ought to.  Wasn't he at sea with me for
+five-and-twenty years--wrecked with me three times?--But you, Nic, to
+mutiny against your father!"
+
+"No, no, father; I assure you I knew nothing whatever about it till I
+came down this morning."
+
+"And you'd have woke me if you had known?"
+
+"Of course I would, father."
+
+"Thank you, Nic--thank you.  To be sure: you gave me your word of honour
+you would.  But as for that ruffian Bill Solly, I'll blow him out of the
+water."
+
+"Better let it rest, father," said Nic.  "We escaped a bad fight
+perhaps.  I believe there was a gang of fifteen or twenty of the
+scoundrels, and I'd rather they had all the fish in the sea than that
+you should be hurt."
+
+"Thank you, Nic; thank you, my boy.  That's very good of you; but I
+can't, and I will not, lie by and have my fish cleared away like this."
+
+"There'll be more as soon as the rain comes again in the moors, and
+these are gone now."
+
+"Yes, and sold--perhaps eaten by this time, eh?"
+
+"Yes, father; and there's as good fish in the sea."
+
+"As ever came out of it--eh, Nic?"
+
+"Yes, father; so let the matter drop."
+
+"Can't help myself, Nic; but I must have a turn at the enemy one of
+these times.  I cannot sit down and let them attack me like this.  Oh,
+I'd dearly like to blow some of 'em out of the water!"
+
+"Better put a bag of powder under the rock, father, and blow away the
+falls so that the salmon can always get up, and take the temptation away
+from these idle scoundrels."
+
+"I'd sooner put the powder under my own bed, sir, and blow myself up.
+No, Nic, I will not strike my colours to the miserable gang like that.
+Oh!  I'd dearly like to know when they are going to make their next
+raid, and then have my old crew to lie in wait for them."
+
+"And as that's impossible, father--"
+
+"We must grin and bear it, Nic--eh?"
+
+"Yes, father."
+
+"But only wait!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+PLOTS AND PLANS.
+
+The rain came, as Nic had said it would, and as it does come up in the
+high hills of stony Dartmoor.  Then the tiny rills swelled and became
+rivulets, the rivulets rivers, and the rivers floods.  The trickling
+fall at the Captain's swelled up till the water, which looked like
+porter, thundered down and filled the pool, and the salmon came rushing
+up from the sea till there were as many as ever.  Then, as the rainy
+time passed away, Captain Revel made his plans, for he felt sure that
+there would be another raid by the gang who had attacked his place
+before, headed by Pete Burge and a deformed man of herculean strength,
+who came with a party of ne'er-do-weels from the nearest town.
+
+"That rascal Pete will be here with his gang," said the Captain, "and
+we'll be ready for them."
+
+But the speaker was doing Pete Burge an injustice; for, though several
+raids had been made in the neighbourhood, and pools cleared out, Pete
+had hung back from going to the Captain's for some reason or another,
+and suffered a good deal of abuse in consequence, one result being a
+desperate fight with Humpy Dee, the deformed man, who after a time
+showed the white feather, and left Pete victorious but a good deal
+knocked about.
+
+So, feeling sure that he was right, Captain Revel made his plans; and,
+unwillingly enough, but with the full intention of keeping his father
+out of danger, Nic set to work as his father's lieutenant and carried
+out his orders.
+
+The result was that every servant was armed with a stout cudgel, and
+half-a-dozen sturdy peasants of the neighbourhood were enlisted to come,
+willingly enough, to help to watch and checkmate the rough party from
+the town, against whom a bitter feeling of enmity existed for depriving
+the cottagers from getting quietly a salmon for themselves.
+
+The arrangements were made for the next night, a stranger having been
+seen inspecting the river and spying about among the fir-trees at the
+back of the pool.
+
+But no one came, and at daybreak the Captain's crew, as he called it,
+went back to bed.
+
+The following night did not pass off so peacefully, for soon after
+twelve, while the watchers, headed by the Captain and Nic, were well
+hidden about the pool, the enemy came, and, after lighting their
+lanthorns, began to net the salmon.
+
+Then a whistle rang out, a desperate attack was made upon them, and the
+Captain nearly had a fit.  For his party was greatly outnumbered.  The
+raiders fought desperately, and they went off at last fishless; but not
+until the Captain's little force had been thoroughly beaten and put to
+flight, with plenty of cuts and bruises amongst them, Nic's left arm
+hanging down nearly helpless.
+
+"But never mind, Nic," said the Captain, rubbing his bruised hand as he
+spoke.  "I knocked one of the rascals down, and they got no fish; and I
+don't believe they'll come again."
+
+But they did, the very next night, and cleared the pool once more, for
+the watchers were all abed; and in the morning the Captain was frantic
+in his declarations of what he would do.
+
+To Nic's great delight, just when his father was at his worst, and, as
+his old body-servant said, "working himself into a fantigue about a bit
+o' fish," there was a diversion.
+
+Nic was sitting at breakfast, getting tired of having salmon at every
+meal--by the ears, not by the mouth--when suddenly there was the dull
+thud of a big gun out at sea, and Captain Revel brought his fist down
+upon the table with a bang like an echo of the report.
+
+"Lawrence!" he cried excitedly.  "Here, Nic, ring the bell, and tell
+Solly to go and hoist the flag."
+
+The bell was rung, and a maid appeared.
+
+"Where's Solly?" cried the Captain angrily.
+
+"Plee, sir, he's gone running up to the cliff to hoist the flag," said
+the girl nervously.
+
+"Humph! that will do," said the Captain, and the maid gladly beat a
+retreat.--"Not a bad bit of discipline that, Nic.  Wonder what brings
+Lawrence here!  Ring that bell again, boy, and order them to reset the
+breakfast-table.  He'll be here in half-an-hour, hungry.  He always was
+a hungry chap."
+
+The maid appeared, received her orders, and was about to go, when she
+was arrested.
+
+"Here, Mary, what is there that can be cooked for Captain Lawrence's
+breakfast?"
+
+"The gardener has just brought in a salmon he found speared and left by
+the river, sir."
+
+The Captain turned purple with rage.
+
+"Don't you ever dare to say salmon to me again, woman!" he roared.
+
+"No, sir; cert'n'y not, sir," faltered the frightened girl, turning
+wonderingly to Nic, her eyes seeming to say, "Please, sir, is master
+going mad?"
+
+"Yes; tell the cook to fry some salmon cutlets," continued the Captain;
+and then apologetically to his son: "Lawrence likes fish."
+
+As the maid backed out of the room the Captain rose from the table.
+
+"Come along, my boy," he said; "we'll finish our breakfast with him."
+
+Nic followed his father into the hall, and then through the garden and
+up to the edge of the cliff, passing William Solly on his way back after
+hoisting the flag, which was waving in the sea-breeze.
+
+"Quite right, William," said the Captain as the old sailor saluted and
+passed on.  "Nothing like discipline, Nic, my boy.  Ha!  You ought to
+have been a sailor."
+
+The next minute they had reached the flagstaff, from whence they could
+look down at the mouth of the river, off which one of the king's ships
+was lying close in, and between her and the shore there was a boat
+approaching fast.
+
+As father and son watched, it was evident that they were seen, for some
+one stood up in the stern-sheets and waved a little flag, to which Nic
+replied by holding his handkerchief to be blown out straight by the
+breeze.
+
+"Ha!  Very glad he has come, Nic," said the Captain.  "Fine fellow, Jack
+Lawrence!  Never forgets old friends.  Now I'll be bound to say he can
+give us good advice about what to do with those scoundrels."
+
+"Not much in his way, father, is it?" said Nic.
+
+"What, sir?" cried the Captain fiercely.  "Look here, boy; I never knew
+anything which was not in Jack Lawrence's way.  Why, when we were young
+lieutenants together on board the _Sovereign_, whether it was fight or
+storm he was always ready with a good idea.  He will give us--me--well,
+us--good advice, I'm sure.  There he is, being carried ashore.  Go and
+meet him, my boy.  I like him to see that he is welcome.  Tell him I'd
+have come down myself, but the climb back is a bit too much for me."
+
+Nic went off at a trot along the steep track which led down to the
+shore, and in due time met the hale, vigorous, grey-haired officer
+striding uphill in a way which made Nic feel envious on his father's
+behalf.
+
+"Well, Nic, my boy," cried the visitor, "how's the dad?  Well?  That's
+right.  So are you," he continued, gazing searchingly at the lad with
+his keen, steely-grey eyes.  "Grown ever so much since I saw you last.
+Ah, boy, it's a pity you didn't come to sea!"
+
+Then he went on chatting about being just come upon the Plymouth station
+training men for the king's ships, and how he hoped to see a good deal
+now of his old friend and his son.
+
+The meeting between the brother-officers was boisterous, but there was
+something almost pathetic in the warmth with which they grasped hands,
+for they had first met in the same ship as middies, and many a time
+during Captain Lawrence's visits Nic had sat and listened to their
+recollections of the dangers they had gone through and their boyish
+pranks.
+
+William Solly was in the porch ready to salute the visitor, and to look
+with pride at the fine, manly old officer's greeting.  He made a point,
+too, of stopping in the room to wait table, carefully supplying all
+wants, and smiling with pleasure as he saw how the pleasant meal was
+enjoyed by the guest.
+
+"We were lying off the river late last night, but I wouldn't disturb
+you," he said.  "I made up my mind, though, to come to breakfast.  Hah!
+What delicious fried salmon!"
+
+"_Hur-r-ur_!" growled Captain Revel, and Solly cocked his eye knowingly
+at Nic.
+
+"Hallo!  What's the matter?" cried the visitor.
+
+"The salmon--the salmon," growled Captain Revel, frowning and tapping
+the table.
+
+"De-licious, man!  Have some?--Here, Solly, hand the dish to your
+master."
+
+"_Bur-r-ur_!" roared the Captain.  "Take it away--take it away, or I
+shall be in another of my rages, and they're not good for me, Jack--not
+good for me."
+
+"Why, what is it, old lad?"
+
+"Tell him, Nic--tell him," cried Captain Revel; and his son explained
+the cause of his father's irritation.
+
+"Why, that was worrying you last time I was here--let me see, a year
+ago."
+
+"Yes, Jack; and it has been worrying me ever since," cried Captain
+Revel.  "You see, I mustn't cut any of the scoundrels down, and I
+mustn't shoot them.  The law would be down on me."
+
+"Yes, of course; but you might make the law come down on them."
+
+"Can't, my lad.  Summonses are no use."
+
+"Catch them in the act, make them prisoners, and then see what the law
+will do."
+
+"But we can't catch them, Jack; they're too many for us," cried the
+Captain earnestly.  "They come twenty or thirty strong, and we've had
+fight after fight with them, but they knock us to pieces.  Look at
+Solly's forehead; they gave him that cut only a few nights ago."
+
+The old sailor blushed like a girl.
+
+"That's bad," said the visitor, after giving the man a sharp look.
+"What sort of fellows are they?"
+
+"Big, strong, idle vagabonds.  Scum of the town and the country round."
+
+"Indeed!" said the visitor, raising his eyes.  "They thrash you, then,
+because you are not strong enough?"
+
+"Yes; that's it, Jack.  Now, what am I to do?"
+
+"Let me see," said the visitor, tightening his lips.  "They only come
+when the pool's full of salmon, you say, after a bit of rain in the
+moors?"
+
+"Yes; that's it, Jack."
+
+"Then you pretty well know when to expect them?"
+
+"Yes; that's right."
+
+"How would it be, then, if you sent me word in good time in the morning?
+Or, no--look here, old fellow--I shall know when there is rain on the
+moor, and I'll come round in this direction from the port.  I'm cruising
+about the Channel training a lot of men.  You hoist a couple of flags on
+the staff some morning, and that evening at dusk I'll land a couple of
+boats' crews, and have them marched up here to lay up with you and turn
+the tables upon the rascals.  How will that do?"
+
+Solly forgot discipline, and bent down to give one of his legs a
+tremendous slap, while his master made the breakfast things dance from
+his vigorous bang on the table.
+
+"There, Nic," he cried triumphantly; "what did I say?  Jack Lawrence was
+always ready to show the way when we were on our beam-ends.  Jack, my
+dear old messmate," he cried heartily, as he stretched out his
+hand--"your fist."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+THE CAPTAIN WILL "WHERRIT."
+
+Captain Lawrence spent the day at the Point, thoroughly enjoying a long
+gossip, and, after an early dinner, proposed a walk around the grounds
+and a look at the river and the pool.
+
+"What a lovely spot it is!" he said, as he wandered about the side of
+the combe.  "I must have such a place as this when I give up the sea."
+
+"There isn't such a place, Jack," said Captain Revel proudly.  "But I
+want you to look round the pool.--I don't think I'll climb down, Nic.
+It's rather hot; and I'll sit down on the stone for a few minutes while
+you two plan where you could ambush the men."
+
+"Right," said Captain Lawrence; and he actively followed Nic, pausing
+here and there, till they had descended to where the fall just splashed
+gently down into the clear pool, whose bigger stones about the bottom
+were now half-bare.
+
+"Lovely place this, Nic, my boy.  I could sit down here and doze away
+the rest of my days.  But what a pity it is that your father worries
+himself so about these poaching scoundrels!  Can't you wean him from it?
+Tell him, or I will, that it isn't worth the trouble.  Plenty more fish
+will come, and there must be a little grit in every one's wheel."
+
+"Oh, I've tried everything, sir," replied Nic.  "The fact is that he is
+not so well as I should like to see him; and when he has an irritable
+fit, the idea of any one trespassing and taking the fish half-maddens
+him."
+
+"Well, we must see what we can do, my boy.  It ought to be stopped.  A
+set of idlers like this requires a severe lesson.  A good dose of
+capstan bar and some broken heads will sicken them, and then perhaps
+they will let you alone."
+
+"I hope so, sir."
+
+"I think I can contrive that it shall," said the visitor dryly.  "I
+shall bring or send some trusty men.  There, I have seen all I want to
+see.  Let's get back."
+
+He turned to climb up the side of the gorge; and as Nic followed, the
+place made him recall his encounter with Pete Burge, and how different
+the pool looked then; and, somehow, he could not help hoping that the
+big, bluff fellow might not be present during the sharp encounter with
+Captain Lawrence's trusty men.
+
+"Hah!  Began to think you long, Jack," said Captain Revel; and they
+returned to the house and entered, after a glance seaward, where the
+ship lay at anchor.
+
+Towards evening Solly was sent to hoist a signal upon the flagstaff, and
+soon after a boat was seen pulling towards the shore.  Then the visitor
+took his leave, renewing his promise to reply to a signal by sending a
+strong party of men.
+
+Nic walked down to the boat with his father's friend, and answered
+several questions about the type of men who came after the salmon.
+
+"I see, I see," said Captain Lawrence; "but do you think they'll fight
+well?"
+
+"Oh yes; there are some daring rascals among them."
+
+"So much the better, my dear boy.  There, good-bye.  Mind--two small
+flags on your signal-halyards after the first heavy rain upon the moor,
+and you may expect us at dusk.  If the rascals don't come we'll have
+another try; but you'll know whether they'll be there by the fish in the
+pool.  They'll know too--trust 'em.  Look, there's your father watching
+us--" and he waved his hand.  "Good-bye, Nic, my dear boy.  Good-bye!"
+
+He shook hands very warmly.  Two of his men who were ashore joined hands
+to make what children call a "dandy-chair," the Captain placed his hands
+upon their shoulders, and they waded through the shallow water to the
+boat, pausing to give her a shove off before climbing in; and then, as
+the oars made the water flash in the evening light, Nic climbed the long
+hill again, to stand with his father, watching the boat till she reached
+the side of the ship.
+
+"Now then, my boy," said the old man, "we're going to give those fellows
+such a lesson as they have never had before."
+
+He little knew how truly he was speaking.
+
+"I hope so, father," said Nic; and he was delighted to find how pleased
+the old officer seemed.
+
+The next morning, when Nic opened his bedroom window, the king's ship
+was not in sight; and for a week Captain Revel was fidgeting and
+watching the sky, for no rain came, and there was not water enough in
+the river for fresh salmon to come as far as the pool.
+
+"Did you ever see anything like it, Nic, my boy?" the Captain said again
+and again; "that's always the way: if I didn't want it to rain, there'd
+be a big storm up in the hills, and the fall would be roaring like a
+sou'-wester off the Land's End; but now I want just enough water to fill
+the river, not a drop will come.  How long did Jack Lawrence say that he
+was going to stop about Plymouth?"
+
+"He didn't say, father, that I remember," replied Nic.  "Then he'll soon
+be off; and just in the miserable, cantankerous way in which things
+happen, the very day he sets sail there'll be a storm on Dartmoor, and
+the next morning the pool will be full of salmon, and those scoundrels
+will come to set me at defiance, and clear off every fish."
+
+"I say, father," said Nic merrily, "isn't that making troubles, and
+fancying storms before they come?"
+
+"What, sir?  How dare you speak to me like that?" cried the
+Captain.--"And you, Solly, you mutinous scoundrel, how dare you laugh?"
+he roared, turning to his body-servant, who happened to be in the hail.
+
+"Beg your honour's pardon; I didn't laugh."
+
+"You did laugh, sir," roared the Captain--"that is, I saw you look at
+Master Nic here and smile.  It's outrageous.  Every one is turning
+against me, and I'm beginning to think it's time I was out of this
+miserable world."
+
+He snatched up his stick from the stand, banged on the old straw hat he
+wore, and stamped out of the porch to turn away to the left, leaving Nic
+hesitating as to what he should do, deeply grieved as he was at his
+father's annoyance and display of temper.  One moment he was for
+following and trying to say something which would tend to calm the
+irritation.  The next he was thinking it would be best to leave the old
+man to himself, trusting to the walk in the pleasant grounds having the
+desired result.
+
+But this idea was knocked over directly by Solly, who had followed his
+master to the porch, and stood watching him for a few moments.
+
+"Oh dear, dear!  Master Nic," he cried, turning back, "he's gone down
+the combe path to see whether there's any more water running down; and
+there aren't, and he'll be a-wherriting his werry inside out, and that
+wherrits mine too.  For I can't abear to see the poor old skipper like
+this here."
+
+"No, Solly, neither can I," said Nic gloomily.
+
+"It's his old hurts does it, sir.  It aren't nat'ral.  Here he is laid
+up, as you may say, in clover, in as nice a place as an old sailor could
+end his days in."
+
+"Yes, Solly," said Nic sadly; "it is a beautiful old place."
+
+"Ay, it is, sir; and when I cons it over I feel it.  Why, Master Nic,
+when I think of all the real trouble as there is in life, and what some
+folks has to go through, I asks myself what I've ever done to have such
+good luck as to be safely moored here in such a harbour.  It's a lovely
+home, and the troubles is nothing--on'y a bit of a gale blowed by the
+skipper now and then along of the wrong boots as hurts his corns, or him
+being a-carrying on too much sail, and bustin' off a button in a hurry.
+And who minds that?"
+
+"Ah! who minds a trifle like that, Solly?" sighed Nic.  "Well, sir, you
+see he does.  Wind gets up directly, and he talks to me as if I'd
+mutinied.  But I don't mind.  I know all the time that he's the best and
+bravest skipper as ever lived, and I'd do anything for him to save him
+from trouble."
+
+"I know you would, Solly," said Nic, laying a hand upon the rugged old
+sailor's shoulder.
+
+"Thank ye, Master Nic; that does a man good.  But look here, sir; I
+can't help saying it.  The fact is, after his rough, stormy life,
+everything here's made too easy for the skipper.  He's a bit worried by
+his old wounds, and that's all; and consekens is 'cause he aren't got no
+real troubles he wherrits himself and makes quakers."
+
+"Makes quakers?" said Nic wonderingly.
+
+"Sham troubles, Master Nic--wooden guns, as we call quakers out at sea
+or in a fort.  Strikes me, sir, as a real, downright, good, gen-u-wine
+trouble, such as losing all his money, would be the making of the
+Captain; and after that he'd be ready to laugh at losing a few salmon as
+he don't want.  I say, Master Nic, you aren't offended at me for making
+so bold?"
+
+"No, Solly, no," said the young man sadly.  "You mean well, I know.
+There, say no more about it.  I hope all this will settle itself, as so
+many troubles do."
+
+Nic strolled out into the grounds and unconsciously followed his father,
+who had gone to the edge of the combe; but he had not walked far before
+a cheery hail saluted his ears, and, to his great delight, he found the
+Captain looking radiant.
+
+"Nic, my boy, it's all right," he cried; "my left arm aches terribly and
+my corns are shooting like mad.  Well, what are you staring at?  Don't
+you see it means rain?  Look yonder, too.  Bah!  It's of no use to tell
+you, boy.  You've never been to sea.  You've never had to keep your
+weather-eye open.  See that bit of silvery cloud yonder over Rigdon Tor?
+And do you notice what a peculiar gleam there is in the air, and how
+the flies bite?"
+
+"Yes--yes, I see all that, father."
+
+"Well, it's rain coming, my boy.  There's going to be a thunderstorm up
+in the hills before many hours are past.  I'm not a clever man, but I
+can tell what the weather's going to be as well as most folk."
+
+"I'm glad of it, father, if it will please you."
+
+"Please me, boy?  I shall be delighted.  To-morrow morning the salmon
+will be running up the river again, and we may hoist the signal for
+help.  I say, you don't think Jack Lawrence has gone yet?"
+
+"No, father," said Nic; "I do not."
+
+"Why, Nic?--why?" cried the old sailor.
+
+"Because he said to me he should certainly come up and see us again
+before he went."
+
+"To be sure; so he did to me, Nic.  I say, my boy, I--that is--er--
+wasn't I a little bit crusty this morning to you and poor old William
+Solly?"
+
+"Well, yes; just a little, father," said Nic, taking his arm.
+
+"Sorry for it.  Change of the weather, Nic, affects me.  It was coming
+on.  I must apologise to Solly.  Grand old fellow, William Solly.  Saved
+my life over and over again.  Man who would die for his master, Nic; and
+a man who would do that is more than a servant, Nic--he is a friend."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+THE CAPTAIN'S PROPHECY.
+
+Before many hours had passed the Captain's words proved correct.  The
+clouds gathered over the tors, and there was a tremendous storm a
+thousand feet above the Point.  The lightning flashed and struck and
+splintered the rugged old masses of granite; the thunder roared, and
+there was a perfect deluge of rain; while down near the sea, though it
+was intensely hot, not a drop fell, and the evening came on soft and
+cool.
+
+"Solly, my lad," cried the Captain, rubbing his hands, "we shall have
+the fall roaring before midnight; but don't sit up to listen to it."
+
+"Cert'n'y not, sir," said the old sailor.
+
+"Your watch will begin at daybreak, when you will hoist the signal for
+Captain Lawrence."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!"
+
+"And keep eye to west'ard on and off all day, to try if you can sight
+the frigate."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!"
+
+"And in the course of the morning you will go quietly round and tell the
+men to rendezvous here about eight, when you will serve out the arms."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir."
+
+"The good stout oak cudgels I had cut; and if we're lucky, my lad, we
+shall have as nice and pleasant a fight as ever we two had in our
+lives."
+
+"Quite a treat, sir," said the old sailor; "and I hope we shall be able
+to pay our debts."
+
+The Captain was in the highest of glee all the evening, and he shook his
+son's hand very warmly when they parted for bed.
+
+About one o'clock Nic was aroused from a deep sleep by a sharp knocking
+at his door.
+
+"Awake, Nic?" came in the familiar accents.
+
+"No, father.  Yes, father.  Is anything wrong?"
+
+"Wrong?  No, my boy; right!  Hear the fall?"
+
+"No, father; I was sound asleep."
+
+"Open your window and put out your head, boy.  The water's coming down
+and roaring like thunder.  Good-night."
+
+Nic slipped out of bed, did as he was told, and, as he listened, there
+was the deep, musical, booming sound of the fall seeming to fill the
+air, while from one part of the ravine a low, rushing noise told that
+the river must be pretty full.
+
+Nic stood listening for some time before closing his window and
+returning to bed, to lie wakeful and depressed, feeling a strange kind
+of foreboding, as if some serious trouble was at hand.  It was not that
+he was afraid or shrank from the contest which might in all probability
+take place the next night, though he knew that it would be desperate--
+for, on the contrary, he felt excited and quite ready to join in the
+fray; but he was worried about his father, and the difficulty he knew he
+would have in keeping him out of danger.  He was in this awkward
+position, too: what he would like to do would be to get Solly and a
+couple of their stoutest men to act as bodyguard to protect his father;
+but, if he attempted such a thing, the chances were that the Captain
+would look upon it as cowardice, and order them off to the thick of the
+cudgel-play.
+
+Just as he reached this point he fell asleep.
+
+Nic found the Captain down first next morning, looking as pleased as a
+boy about to start for his holidays.
+
+"You're a pretty fellow," he cried.  "Why, I've been up hours, and went
+right to the falls.  Pool's full, Nic, my boy, the salmon are up, and
+it's splendid, lad."
+
+"What is, father?"
+
+"Something else is coming up."
+
+"What?"
+
+"Those scoundrels are on the _qui vive_.  I was resting on one of the
+rough stone seats, when, as I sat hidden among the trees, I caught sight
+of something on the far side of the pool--a man creeping cautiously down
+to spy out the state of the water."
+
+"Pete Burge, father?" cried Nic eagerly.
+
+"Humph!  No; I hardly caught a glimpse of his face, but it was too short
+for that scoundrel.  I think it was that thick-set, humpbacked rascal
+they call Dee."
+
+"And did he see you, father?"
+
+"No: I sat still, my boy, and watched till he slunk away again.  Nic,
+lad, we shall have them here to-night, and we must be ready."
+
+"Yes, father, if Captain Lawrence sends his men."
+
+"Whether he does or no, sir.  I can't sit still and know that my salmon
+are being stolen.  Come--breakfast!  Oh, here's Solly.--Here, you, sir,
+what about those two signal flags?  Hoist them directly."
+
+"Run 'em up, sir, as soon as it was light."
+
+"Good.  Then, now, keep a lookout for the frigate."  The day wore away
+with no news of the ship being in the offing, and the Captain began to
+fume and fret, so that Nic made an excuse to get away and look out,
+relieving Solly, stationing himself by the flagstaff and scanning the
+horizon till his eyes grew weary and his head ached.
+
+It was about six o'clock when he was summoned to dinner by Solly, who
+took his place, and Nic went and joined his father.
+
+"Needn't speak," said the old man bitterly; "I know; Lawrence hasn't
+come.  We'll have to do it ourselves."
+
+Nic was silent, and during the meal his father hardly spoke a word.
+
+Just as they were about to rise, Solly entered the room, and the Captain
+turned to him eagerly.
+
+"I was going to send for you, my lad," he said.  "Captain Lawrence must
+be away, and we shall have to trap the scoundrels ourselves.  How many
+men can we muster?"
+
+"Ten, sir."
+
+"Not half enough," said the Captain; "but they are strong, staunch
+fellows, and we have right on our side.  Ten against twenty or thirty.
+Long odds; but we've gone against heavier odds than that in our time,
+Solly."
+
+"Ay, sir, that we have."
+
+"We must lie in wait and take them by surprise when they're scattered,
+my lads.  But what luck! what luck!  Now if Lawrence had only kept faith
+with me we could have trapped the whole gang."
+
+"Well, your honour, why not?" said Solly sharply.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"He'll be here before we want him."
+
+"What?" cried Nic.  "Is the frigate in sight?"
+
+"In sight, sir--and was when you left the signal station."
+
+"No," said Nic sharply; "the only vessel in sight then was a big
+merchantman with her yards all awry."
+
+"That's so, sir, and she gammoned me.  The skipper's had her streak
+painted out, and a lot of her tackle cast loose, to make her look like a
+lubberly trader; but it's the frigate, as I made out at last, coming
+down with a spanking breeze, and in an hour's time she'll be close
+enough to send her men ashore."
+
+The Captain sprang up and caught his son's hand, to ring it hard.
+
+"Huzza, Nic!" he cried excitedly.  "This is going to be a night of
+nights."
+
+It was.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINE.
+
+READY FOR ACTION.
+
+"That's about their size, Master Nic," said Solly, as he stood in the
+coach-house balancing a heavy cudgel in his hand--one of a couple of
+dozen lying on the top of the corn-bin just through the stable door.
+
+"Oh, the size doesn't matter, Bill," said Nic impatiently.
+
+"Begging your pardon, sir, it do," said the old sailor severely.  "You
+don't want to kill nobody in a fight such as we're going to have, do
+ye?"
+
+"No, no; of course not."
+
+"There you are, then.  Man's sure to hit as hard as he can when his
+monkey's up; and that stick's just as heavy as you can have 'em without
+breaking bones.  That's the sort o' stick as'll knock a man silly and
+give him the headache for a week, and sarve him right.  If it was
+half-a-hounce heavier it'd kill him."
+
+"How do you know?" said Nic sharply.
+
+"How do I know, sir?" said the man wonderingly.  "Why, I weighed it."
+
+Nic would have asked for further explanations; but just then there were
+steps heard in the yard, and the gardener and a couple of labourers came
+up in the dusk.
+
+"Oh, there you are," growled Solly.  "Here's your weepuns;" and he
+raised three of the cudgels.  "You may hit as hard as you like with
+them.  Seen any of the others?"
+
+"Yes," said the gardener; "there's two from the village coming along the
+road, and three of us taking the short cut over the home field.  That's
+all I see."
+
+"Humph!" said Solly.  "There ought to be five more by this time."
+
+"Sick on it, p'r'aps," grumbled the gardener; "and no wonder.  We are."
+
+"What!  Are you afraid?" cried Nic.
+
+"No, sir, I aren't afraid; on'y sick on it.  I like a good fight, and so
+do these here when it's 'bout fair and ekal, but every time we has a go
+in t'other side seems to be the flails and we only the corn and straw.
+They're too many for us.  I'm sick o' being thrashed, and so's these
+here; and that aren't being afraid."
+
+"Why, you aren't going to sneak out of it, are you?" growled Solly.
+
+"No, I aren't," said the gardener; "not till I've had a good go at that
+Pete Burge and Master Humpy Dee.  But I'm going to sarcumwent 'em this
+time."
+
+"Here are the others coming, Bill," cried Nic.--"What are you going to
+do this time?" he said to the gardener.
+
+"Sarcumwent 'em, Master Nic," said the man, with a grin.  "It's no use
+to hit at their heads and arms or to poke 'em in the carcass--they don't
+mind that; so we've been thinking of it out, and we three's going to hit
+'em low down."
+
+"That's good," said Solly; "same as we used to sarve the black men out
+in Jay-may-kee.  They've all got heads as hard as skittle-balls, but
+their shins are as tender as a dog's foot."
+
+Just then five more men came up and received their cudgels; and directly
+after three more came slouching up; and soon after another couple, and
+received their arms.
+
+"Is this all on us?" said one of the fresh-comers, as the sturdy fellows
+stood together.
+
+"Ay, is this all, Master Nic?" cried another.
+
+"Why?" he said sharply.
+
+"Because there aren't enough, sir," said the first man.  "I got to hear
+on it down the village."
+
+"Ah! you heard news?" cried Nic.
+
+"Ay, sir, if you call such ugly stuff as that news.  There's been a bit
+of a row among 'em, all along o' Pete Burge."
+
+"Quarrelling among themselves?"
+
+"That's right, sir; 'cause Pete Burge said he wouldn't have no more to
+do with it; and they've been at him--some on 'em from over yonder at the
+town.  I hear say as there was a fight, and then Pete kep' on saying he
+would jyne 'em; and then there was another fight, and Pete Burge licked
+the second man, and then he says he wouldn't go.  And then there was
+another fight, and Pete Burge licked Humpy Dee, and Humpy says Pete was
+a coward, and Pete knocked him flat on the back.  `I'll show you whether
+I'm a coward,' he says.  `I didn't mean to have no more to do wi' Squire
+Revel's zammon,' he says; `but I will go to-night, for the last time,
+just to show you as I aren't a cowards,' he says, `and then I'm done.'"
+
+"Ay; and he zays," cried another man from the village, "`If any one
+thinks I'm a coward, then let him come and tell me.'"
+
+"Then they are coming to-night?" cried Nic, who somehow felt a kind of
+satisfaction in his adversary's prowess.
+
+"Oh, ay," said the other man who had grumbled; "they're a-coming
+to-night.  There's a big gang coming from the town, and I hear they're
+going to bring a cart for the zammon.  There'll be a good thirty on 'em,
+Master Nic, zir; and I zay we aren't enough."
+
+"No," said Nic quietly; "we are not enough, but we are going to have our
+revenge to-night for all the knocking about we've had."
+
+"But we're not enough, Master Nic.  We're ready to fight, all on us--eh,
+mates?"
+
+"Ay!" came in a deep growl.
+
+"But there aren't enough on us."
+
+"There will be," said Nic in an eager whisper, "for a strong party of
+Jack-tars from the king's ship that was lying off this evening are by
+this time marching up to help us, and we're going to give these
+scoundrels such a thrashing as will sicken them from ever meddling again
+with my father's fish."
+
+"Yah!" growled a voice out of the gloom.
+
+"Who said that?" cried Nic.
+
+"I did, Master Nic," said the gardener sharply; "and you can tell the
+Captain if you like.  I say it aren't fair to try and humbug a lot o'
+men as is ready to fight for you.  It's like saying `rats' to a dog when
+there aren't none."
+
+"Is it?" cried Nic, laughing.  "How can that be?  You heard just now
+that there will be about thirty rats for our bulldogs to worry."
+
+"I meant t'other way on, sir," growled the man sulkily.  "No sailor
+bulldogs to come and help us."
+
+"How dare you say that?" cried Nic angrily.
+
+"'Cause I've lived off and on about Plymouth all my life and close to
+the sea, and if I don't know a king's ship by this time I ought to.
+That's only a lubberly old merchantman.  Why, her yards were all anyhow,
+with not half men enough to keep 'em square."
+
+"Bah!" cried Solly angrily.  "Hold your mouth, you one-eyed old
+tater-grubber.  What do you mean by giving the young master the lie?"
+
+"That will do, Solly," cried Nic.  "He means right.  Look here, my lads;
+that is a king's ship, the one commanded by my father's friend; and he
+has made her look all rough like that so as to cheat the salmon-gang,
+and it will have cheated them if it has cheated you."
+
+A cheer was bursting forth, but Nic checked it, and the gardener said
+huskily:
+
+"Master Nic, I beg your pardon.  I oughtn't to ha' said such a word.  It
+was the king's ship as humbugged me, and not you.  Say, lads, we're
+going to have a night of it, eh?"
+
+A low buzz of satisfaction arose; and Nic hurried out, to walk in the
+direction of the signal-staff, where the Captain had gone to look out
+for their allies.
+
+"Who goes there?" came in the old officer's deep voice.
+
+"Only I, father."
+
+"Bah!" cried the Captain in a low, angry voice.  "Give the word,
+sir--`Tails.'"
+
+"The word?--`Tails!'" said Nic, wonderingly.
+
+"Of course.  I told you we must have a password, to tell friends from
+foes."
+
+"Not a word, father."
+
+"What, sir?  Humph, no!  I remember--I meant to give it to all at once.
+The word is `Tails' and the countersign is `Heads,' and any one who
+cannot give it is to have heads.  Do you see?"
+
+"Oh yes, father, I see; but are the sailors coming?"
+
+"Can't hear anything of them, my boy, and it's too dark to see; but they
+must be here soon."
+
+"I hope they will be, father," said Nic.
+
+"Don't say you hope they will be, as if you felt that they weren't
+coming.  They're sure to come, my boy.  Jack Lawrence never broke faith.
+Now, look here; those scoundrels will be here by ten o'clock, some of
+them, for certain, and we must have our men in ambush first--our men,
+Nic.  Jack Lawrence's lads I shall place so as to cut off the enemy's
+retreat, ready to close in upon them and take them in the rear.  Do you
+see?"
+
+"Yes, father; excellent."
+
+"Then I propose that as soon as we hear our reinforcement coming you go
+off and plant your men in the wood behind the fall.  I shall lead the
+sailors right round you to the other side of the pool; place them; and
+then there must be perfect silence till the enemy has lit up his torches
+and got well to work.  Then I shall give a shrill whistle on the French
+bo'sun's pipe I have in my pocket, you will advance your men and fall
+to, and we shall come upon them from the other side."
+
+"I see, father."
+
+"But look here, Nic--did you change your things?"
+
+"Yes, father; got on the old fishing and wading suit."
+
+"That's right, boy, for you've got your work cut out, and it may mean
+water as well as land."
+
+"Yes, I expect to be in a pretty pickle," said Nic, laughing, and
+beginning to feel excited now.  "But do you think the sailors will find
+their way here in the dark?"
+
+"Of course," cried the Captain sharply.  "Jack Lawrence will head them."
+
+"Hist!" whispered Nic, placing his hand to his ear and gazing seaward.
+
+"Hear 'em?"
+
+Nic was silent for a few moments.
+
+"Yes," he said.  "I can hear their soft, easy tramp over the short
+grass.  Listen."
+
+"Right," said the Captain, as from below them there came out of the
+darkness the regular _thrup_, _thrup_ of a body of men marching
+together.  Then, loudly, "king's men?"
+
+"Captain Revel?" came back in reply.
+
+"Right.  Captain Lawrence there?"
+
+"No, sir; he had a sudden summons from the port admiral, and is at
+Plymouth.  He gave me my instructions, sir--Lieutenant Kershaw.  I have
+thirty men here."
+
+"Bravo, my lad!" cried the Captain.  "Forward, and follow me to the
+house.  Your men will take a bit of refreshment before we get to work."
+
+"Forward," said the lieutenant in a low voice, and the _thrup_, _thrup_
+of the footsteps began again, not a man being visible in the gloom.
+
+"Off with you, Nic," whispered the Captain.  "Get your men in hiding at
+once.  This is going to be a grand night, my boy.  Good luck to you; and
+I say, Nic, my boy--"
+
+"Yes, father."
+
+"No prisoners, but tell the men to hit hard."  Nic went off at a run,
+and the lieutenant directly after joined the Captain, his men close at
+hand following behind.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TEN.
+
+A NIGHT OF NIGHTS.
+
+Nic's heart beat fast as he ran lightly along the path, reached the
+house, and ran round to the stable-yard, where Solly and the men were
+waiting.
+
+"Ready, my lads?" he said in a low, husky voice, full of the excitement
+he felt.
+
+"We'll go on round to the back of the pool at once.  The sailors are
+here, thirty strong, with their officer; so we ought to give the enemy a
+severe lesson.--Ah!  Don't cheer.  Ready?--Forward.  Come, Solly; we'll
+lead."
+
+"Precious dark, Master Nic," growled the old sailor in a hoarse whisper.
+"We shan't hardly be able to tell t'other from which."
+
+"Ah!  I forgot," cried Nic excitedly.  "Halt!  Look here, my men.  Our
+password is `Tails,' and our friends have to answer `Heads.'  So, if you
+are in doubt, cry `Tails,' and if your adversary does not answer `Heads'
+he's an enemy."
+
+"Why, a-mussy me, Master Nic?" growled Solly, "we shan't make heads or
+tails o' that in a scrimble-scramble scrimmage such as we're going to be
+in.  What's the skipper thinking about?  Let me tell 'em what to do."
+
+"You heard your master's order, Solly," replied Nic.
+
+"Yes, sir, of course; but this here won't do no harm.  Look here, my
+lads; as soon as ever we're at it, hit hard at every one who aren't a
+Jack.  You'll know them."
+
+Nic felt that this addition could do no harm, so he did not interfere,
+but led on right past the way down to the falls, which had shrunk now to
+a little cascade falling with a pleasant murmur, for the draining of the
+heavy thunder-showers was nearly at an end, and the pool lay calm enough
+in the black darkness beneath the overhanging rocks and spreading
+trees--just in the right condition for a raid, and in all probability
+full of salmon.
+
+All at once the old sailor indulged in a burst of chuckles.
+
+"Hear something, Bill?" said Nic.
+
+"No, my lad, not yet; I was on'y thinking.  They was going to bring a
+cart up the road yonder, waren't they?"
+
+"Yes; one of the men said so," replied Nic.
+
+"Well, we're a-going to give 'em something to take back in that cart
+to-night, my lad," whispered the man, with another chuckle; "and it
+won't be fish, nor it won't be fowl.  My fingers is a-tingling so that I
+thought something was the matter, and I tried to change my stick from my
+right hand into my left."
+
+"Well, what of that?" said Nic contemptuously; "it was only pins and
+needles."
+
+"Nay, Master Nic, it waren't that.  I've been a sailor in the king's
+ships and have had it before.  It was the fighting-stuff running down to
+the very tips of my fingers, and they wouldn't let go."
+
+"Hush! don't talk now," whispered Nic; "there may be one or two of the
+enemy yonder."
+
+"Nay, it's a bit too soon for 'em, sir; but it'll be as well to keep
+quiet."
+
+The narrow paths of the tangled wilderness at the back of the pool were
+so well known to all present that their young leader had no difficulty
+in getting them stationed by twos and threes well down the sides of the
+gorge on shelves and ledges where the bushes and ferns grew thickly,
+from whence, when the poachers were well at work, it would be easy to
+spring down into the water and make the attack.  For the flood had so
+far subsided now that the worst hole was not above five feet deep, and
+the greater part about three, with a fairly even bottom of ground-down
+rock smoothed by the pebbles washed over it in flood-time.
+
+Here it was that the salmon for the most part congregated, the
+new-comers from the sea taking naturally to the haunts of their
+forerunners from time immemorial, so that poacher or honest fisher
+pretty well knew where he would be most successful.
+
+Nic chose a central spot for himself and Solly, some four feet above the
+level of the black water, and after ranging his men to right and left he
+sat down to wait, with all silent and dark around, save for the murmur
+of the water and the gleaming of a star or two overhead, for besides
+this there was not a glint of light.  Still, the place seemed to stand
+out before him.  Exactly opposite, across the pool, was the narrow
+opening between the steep rocks on either side; and he knew without
+telling that as soon as the poachers began their work his father would
+send some of his active allies into the bed of the stream lower down, to
+advance upward, probably before the whistle was blown.
+
+"And then the scoundrels will be in a regular trap before they know it,"
+thought Nic, as he strained his ears to catch the sound of the sailors
+being stationed in their hiding-places; but all was still save the soft
+humming roar of the falling water plunging into the pool.
+
+An hour passed very slowly, and Nic's cramped position began to affect
+him with the tingling sensation known as pins and needles; this he did
+not attribute to the movement of his nerve-currents eager to reach his
+toes and fill him with a desire to kick his enemies, but quietly changed
+his position and waited, trembling with excitement, and longing now to
+get the matter over, fully satisfied as he was that his friends were all
+in position and ready for the fray.
+
+At last!
+
+There was a sharp crack, as if someone had trodden upon a piece of
+dead-wood away up to the right.  Then another crack and a rustling, and
+an evident disregard of caution.
+
+"Come along, my lads," said a low, harsh voice; and then there was a
+splash, as if a man had lowered himself into the water.  "They had
+enough of it last time, and won't come this, I'll wager.  If they do,
+we're half as many again, and we'll give 'em such a drubbing as'll stop
+'em for long enough."
+
+"Needn't shout and holloa," said another voice from the side.  "Keep
+quiet.  We don't want to fight unless we're obliged."
+
+"Oh no, of course not!" said the man with the harsh voice mockingly.
+"If we do have to, my lads, two of you had better take Pete Burge home
+to his mother."
+
+There was a low laugh at this, and Pete remained silent as far as making
+any retort was concerned, but directly after Nic felt a singular thrill
+run through him as the man said softly:
+
+"Three of you get there to the mouth and drop the net across and hold
+it, for the fish will make a rush that way.  Don't be afraid of the
+water.  Shove the bottom line well round the stones, and keep your feet
+on it.  A lot got away last time."
+
+There was the sound of the water washing as men waded along the side of
+the great circular pool, and then the whishing of a net being dropped
+down and arranged.
+
+"Ha, ha!" laughed a man; "there's one of 'em.  Come back again' my legs.
+He's in the net now.  Can't get through."
+
+"Now then," cried the harsh-voiced fellow; "open those lanthorns and get
+your links alight, so as we can see what we're about."
+
+"Not zo much noise, Humpy Dee," said Pete sharply, as the light of three
+lanthorns which had been carried beneath sacks gleamed out over the
+water, and the light rapidly increased as dark figures could be seen
+lighting torches from the feeble candles and then waving their sticks of
+oakum and pitch to make them blaze, so that others could also start the
+links they carried.
+
+At first the light was feeble, and a good deal of black smoke arose, but
+soon after over a dozen torches were burning brightly, showing quite a
+little crowd of men, standing in the black water, armed with hooks and
+fish-spears, and each with a stout staff stuck in his belt.
+
+The scene was weird and strange, the light reflected from the cliff-like
+sides of the pool seeming to be condensed upon the surface; and the
+faces of the marauders gleamed strangely above the flashing water,
+beginning to be agitated now by the startled salmon; while rising upward
+there was a gathering cloud of black, stifling smoke.
+
+"Ready there with that net," cried Humpy Dee, a broad-shouldered,
+dwarfed man, whose head was deep down between his shoulders.
+
+"Ay, ay!" came from the mouth of the pool.
+
+"Less noise," cried Pete angrily.  "Here, you, Jack Willick, and you,
+Nat Barrow, go up towards the house and give us word if anyone's coming,
+so as we may be ready."
+
+"To run?" snarled Humpy Dee.  "Stop where you are, lads.  If the old
+squire meant to come with his gang he'd ha' been here afore now, and--"
+
+_Phee-yew_!
+
+The Captain's shrill silver whistle rang out loudly at this instant, and
+Nic and his men grasped their cudgels more tightly.
+
+"Now for it, lads," he shouted, and he sprang from his ledge into the
+water and made at Humpy Dee.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ELEVEN.
+
+A BLACK NIGHT.
+
+Nic's cry was answered by a loud cheer from his men, which seemed to
+paralyse the enemy--some thirty strong, who stood staring, the
+torch-bearers holding their smoky lights on high--giving the party from
+the Point plenty of opportunity for picking their men, as they followed
+their leader's example and leaped into the pool.  This caused a rush of
+the fish towards the lights for the most part, though many made for the
+gap to follow the stream, shooting against the net, which was held
+tightly in its place.
+
+"There, go home, you set of ugly fools, before you're hurt," cried the
+deformed man, with a snarl like that of a wild beast.  "What!  You will
+have it?  Come on, then.  Hi, there! hold the links higher, and let us
+see their thick heads.  Give it to 'em hard."
+
+Emboldened by old successes, two wings of the gang whipped out their
+sticks and took a step or two forward, to stand firm on either side of
+the deformed man, who was a step in front.  The next minute the fray had
+commenced, Nic leading off with a tremendous cut from his left at Humpy
+Dee's head.
+
+For the young man's blood was up; he was the captain of the little
+party, and he knew that everything depended upon him.  If he fought well
+they would stand by him to a man, as they had shown before.  If, on the
+other hand, he seemed timid and careful, they would show a disposition
+to act on the defensive.  That would not do now, as Nic well knew.  His
+object was to make a brave charge and stagger the enemy, so that they
+might become the easier victims to panic when they found that they were
+attacked by a strong party in the rear.
+
+_Crack_! went Nic's stout stick, as he struck with all his might; and
+_crick_, _crick_, _crack_, _crash_! went a score or more, mingled with
+shouts of defiance.
+
+But Nic's cudgel did not give forth its sharp sound from contact with
+the leader's head, for he had to do with a clever cudgel-player as well
+as one who had often proved his power as a tricky wrestler in contests
+with the best men of the neighbouring farthest west county.  Nic's blow
+was cleverly caught on as stout a cudgel, and the next moment his left
+arm fell numb to his side.
+
+He struck savagely now, making up for want of skill by the rain of blows
+he dealt at his adversary, and thus saved himself from being beaten down
+into the water at once.
+
+But it was all in vain.
+
+On the other hand, though his men did better, being more equally matched
+they did not cause the panic Nic had hoped for, and the enemy kept their
+ground; while the torches spluttered, blazed, and smoked, and to the
+spectators the amphitheatre during those few brief moments looked wild
+and strange as some feverish dream.
+
+But, as before said, Nic's brave efforts were all in vain.  His muscles
+were too soft and green, and he was, in addition to being young, no
+adept in the handling of a stick.  He fought bravely, but he had not the
+strength to keep it up against this short, iron-muscled, skilful foe.
+He was aware of it only too soon, for his guard was beaten down, and he
+saw stars and flashes of light as he received a sharp blow from his
+adversary's stick.  Then he felt himself caught by the throat, and by
+the light of one of the torches he saw the man's cudgel in the act of
+falling once more for a blow which he could only weakly parry, when
+another cudgel flashed by, there was a crack just over his head, and
+Humpy Dee uttered a yell of rage.
+
+"You coward!" he roared.  "Take that!" and quick as a flash Nic made out
+that he struck at some one else, and attributed the side-blow in his
+defence to Solly, who was, he believed, close by.
+
+At that moment a loud, imperious voice from somewhere in front and above
+shouted, so that the rocks echoed:
+
+"Hold hard below there!"
+
+Nic involuntarily lowered his cudgel and stood panting, giddy, and sick,
+listening.
+
+"Yah! never mind him," roared Humpy.  "You, Pete, I'll pay you
+afterwards."
+
+"Now, boys, down with you."
+
+"The poachers' companions," cried one of Nic's men, and they stepped
+forward to the attack again, when a pistol-shot rang out and was
+multiplied by the rocky sides of the arena, making the combatants pause,
+so that the voice from above was plainly heard:
+
+"Below there, you scoundrels!  Surrender in the king's name.  You are
+surrounded."
+
+"Brag, my lads!" roared Humpy Dee.  "Stand to it, boys, and haul the
+beggars out."
+
+There was a moment's pause, just enough for the next words to be heard:
+
+"At 'em, lads!  You've got 'em, every man."
+
+A roaring cheer followed, and Nic saw the torches through the cloud that
+seemed to be thickening around them.  He could hear shouts, which grew
+louder and fiercer.  There was the rattle of cudgels, savage yells
+seemed to be bellowed in his ears, and he felt himself thrust and struck
+and hauled here and there as a desperate fight went on for his
+possession.  Then, close at hand, there was a deafening cheer, a
+tremendous shock, the rattle of blows, and he was down upon his knees.
+Lastly, in a faint, dreamy way, he was conscious of the rush of cold
+water about his face, in his ears the thundering noise of total
+immersion, with the hot, strangling sense of drowning; and then all was
+blank darkness, and he knew no more.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWELVE.
+
+A STRANGE AWAKENING.
+
+Another storm seemed to have gathered in Dartmoor--a terrible storm,
+which sent the rain down in sheets, which creaked and groaned as they
+washed to and fro, and every now and then struck against the rocks with
+a noise like thunder.  Great stones seemed to be torn up and thrown here
+and there, making the shepherds shout as they tried to keep their flocks
+together under the shelter of some granite for, while down by the falls
+at the salmon-pool the water came over as it had never come before.
+
+Nic had a faint recollection of his fight with Humpy Dee, and of some
+one coming to take his part, with the result that they were all tangled
+up together till they were forced beneath the water.  This must have
+separated them, so that he was quite alone now, being carried round and
+round the pool, rising and falling in a regular way, till he came
+beneath the falls, when down came the tons of water upon his head,
+driving him beneath the surface, to glide on in the darkness, feeling
+sick and half-suffocated, while his head burned and throbbed as if it
+would burst.
+
+It did not seem to matter much, but it appeared very strange; and this
+must be drowning, but it took such a long time, and went on and on,
+repeating itself in the same way as if it would never end.
+
+That part of it was very strange, too--that light; and it puzzled Nic
+exceedingly, for it seemed to be impossible that he should be going
+round and round in the salmon-pool, to be sucked under the falls, and
+feel the water come thundering upon his head with a crash and creak and
+groan, and in the midst of it for a lanthorn to come slowly along till
+it was quite close to him, and voices to be heard.
+
+After seeing it again and again, he felt that he understood what it was.
+He had been drowned, and they were coming with a lanthorn to look for
+his body; but they never found it, though they came and stood talking
+about him over and over again.
+
+At last he heard what was said quite plainly, but he only knew one voice
+out of the three that spoke, and he could not make out whose that was.
+
+The voice said, "Better, sir, to-day;" and another voice said, "Oh yes,
+you're getting all right now: head's healing nicely.  The sooner you get
+up on deck and find your sea-legs the better."
+
+"Oh, I shall be all right there, sir."
+
+"Been to sea before?"
+
+"In fishing craft, sir--often.  But would you mind telling me, sir,
+where we're going?"
+
+"Oh, you'll know soon enough, my lad.  Well: America and the West
+Indies."
+
+"This must be a dream," thought Nic; and he was lying wondering, when
+the light was suddenly held close to him, and he could see over his head
+beams and planks and iron rings and ropes, which made it all more
+puzzling than ever.
+
+Then a cool hand touched his brow, and it seemed as if a bandage was
+removed, cool water laved the part which ached and burned, and a fresh
+bandage was fastened on.
+
+"Won't die, will he, sir?" said the voice Nic knew but could not quite
+make out.
+
+"Oh no, not now, my lad.  He has had a near shave, and been none the
+better for knocking about in this storm; but he's young and healthy, and
+the fever is not quite so high this morning.--Hold the light nearer,
+Jeffs.--Hallo!  Look at his eyes; he can hear what we say.--Coming
+round, then, my lad?"
+
+"Yes," said Nic feebly, "round and round.  The falls will not come on my
+head any more, will they?"
+
+_Crash_--_rush_! and Nic groaned, for down came the water again, and the
+young man nearly swooned in his agony, while a deathly sensation of
+giddiness attacked him.
+
+"Head seems to be all right now," said the third voice.
+
+"Yes, healing nicely; but he ought to have been sent ashore to the
+hospital."
+
+"Oh, I don't know.  Bit of practice."
+
+The roar and rush ceased, and the terrible sinking sensation passed off
+a little.
+
+"Drink this, my lad," said a voice, and Nic felt himself raised;
+something nasty was trickled between his lips, and he was lowered down
+again, and it was dark, while the burning pain, the giddiness, and the
+going round the pool and under the falls went on over and over in a
+dreamy, distant way once more.  Then there was a long, drowsy space, and
+the sound of the falls grew subdued.
+
+At last Nic lay puzzling his weary, confused head as to the meaning of a
+strange creaking, and a peculiar rising and falling, and why it was that
+he did not feel wet.
+
+Just then from out of the darkness there was a low whistling sound,
+which he recognised as part of a tune he had often heard, and it was so
+pleasant to hear that he lay quite still listening till it ended, when
+he fell asleep, and seemed to wake again directly, with the melody of
+the old country ditty being repeated softly close at hand.
+
+"Who's that?" he said at last; and there was a start, and a voice--that
+voice he could not make out--cried:
+
+"Hullo, Master Nic! glad to hear you speak zensible again."
+
+"Speak--sensible--why shouldn't I?"
+
+"I d'know, zir.  But you have been going it a rum 'un.  Feel better?"
+
+"Feel--better.  I don't know.  Who is it?"
+
+"Me, sir."
+
+"Yes, yes," cried Nic querulously; "but who is it?"
+
+"Pete Burge, sir."
+
+"Pete--Burge," said Nic thoughtfully, and he lay very still trying to
+think; but he could not manage it, for the water in the pool seemed to
+be bearing him along, and now he was gliding up, and then down again,
+while his companion kept on talk, talk, talk, in a low murmur, and all
+was blank once more.
+
+Then a change came, and Nic lay thinking a little more clearly.
+
+"Are you there, Pete Burge?" he said.
+
+"Yes, I'm here, master."
+
+"What was that you were saying to me just now?"
+
+"Just now?" said the man wonderingly.  "Well, you do go on queer, zir.
+That was the day afore yes'day.  But I zay, you are better now, aren't
+you?"
+
+"Better?  I don't know.  I thought I was drowned."
+
+"Poor lad!" said Pete softly; but it seemed to sting Nic.
+
+"What do you mean by that?" he said feebly.
+
+"Zorry for you, master."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"'Cause you've been zo bad."
+
+"Been so bad?" said Nic thoughtfully.  "Why have I been so bad?  It's
+very strange."
+
+Pete Burge made no reply, and there was silence again, till it was
+broken by Nic, who said suddenly:
+
+"Have you been very bad too?"
+
+"Me, zir?  Yes, horrid.  Thought I was going to the locker, as they call
+it.  Doctor zaid I ought to have been took to the hospital."
+
+"Were you nearly drowned?" said Nic after a pause, during which he had
+to fight hard to keep his thinking power under control.
+
+"Was I nearly drowned, zir?" said the man, with a low chuckle.  "Zeems
+to me I was nearly everythinged.  Head smashed, chopped, choked, and
+drowned too."
+
+Nic was silent again, for he could not take in so many ideas as this at
+once, and it was some minutes before he could collect himself for
+another question.
+
+"But you are better now?"
+
+"Oh yes, zir, I'm better now.  Doctor zays I'm to get up to-morrow."
+
+"The doctor!  Was that the doctor whom I heard talking yesterday?"
+
+"Yes: two of 'em; they've pulled uz round wonderful.  You frightened me
+horrid, master, the way you went on, and just when I was most bad.  You
+made me feel it was all my fault, and I couldn't zleep for thinking that
+if you died I'd killed you.  But I zay, master, you won't die now, will
+you?"
+
+"How absurd!" said Nic, with a weak laugh.  "Of course not.  Why should
+I die now?"
+
+"Ah, why indeed, when you're getting better?"
+
+There was another silence before Nic began again.
+
+"I've been wondering," he said, "why it is that we can be going round
+the salmon-pool like this, and yet be lying here talking about the
+doctor and being bad."
+
+"Ay, 'tis rum, sir."
+
+"Yes, it puzzles me.  Look here; didn't we have a fight with you and
+your men to-night?"
+
+"We had a big fight, sir; but it waren't to-night."
+
+"But it's quite dark still, and I suppose it's my head being giddy that
+makes me feel that we're going up and down."
+
+"Oh no, it aren't, zir," said the man, laughing; "we're going up and
+down bad enough.  Not zo bad as we have been."
+
+"And round and round?"
+
+"No; not going round, master."
+
+"But where are we?" said Nic eagerly.
+
+"Ah, that puzzles you, do it, zir?  Well, it puzzled me at first, till I
+asked; and then the doctor zaid we was in the cockpit, but I haven't
+heard any battle-cocks crowing, and you can't zee now, it's zo dark.
+Black enough, though, for a pit."
+
+"Cockpit--cockpit!" said Nic.  "Why, that's on board ship."
+
+"To be zure."
+
+"But we are not on board ship?"
+
+"Aren't we?" said the man.
+
+"I--I don't understand," cried Nic after a pause.  "My head is all
+confused and strange.  Tell me what it all means."
+
+Pete Burge was silent.
+
+"Poor lad!" he said to himself; "how's he going to take it when he knows
+all?"
+
+"You do not speak," said Nic excitedly.  "Ah!  I am beginning to think
+clearly now.  You came with the men after the salmon?"
+
+"Ay, worse luck.  I didn't want to, but I had to go."
+
+"Come," said Nic sharply.  "To-night, wasn't it?"
+
+"Nay.  It's 'bout three weeks ago, master."
+
+This announcement, though almost a repetition, seemed to stun Nic for
+the time; but he began again:
+
+"We had a desperate fight, didn't we?"
+
+"Worst I was ever in."
+
+"And--yes, I remember; we were struggling in the pool when the sailors
+came."
+
+"That's it, master; you've got it now."
+
+"But your side won, then, and I'm a prisoner?"
+
+"Nay; your side won, master."
+
+"How can that be?" cried Nic.
+
+"'Cause it is.  They was too many for uz.  They come down like thunder
+on uz, and 'fore we knowed where we was we was tied up in twos and being
+marched away."
+
+"Our side won?" said Nic, in his confusion.
+
+"That's right, master.  You zee, they told Humpy Dee and the rest to
+give in, and they wouldn't; so the zailor officer wouldn't stand no
+nonsense.  His men begun with sticks; but, as our zide made a big fight
+of it, they whips out their cutlashes and used them.  I got one chop,
+and you nearly had it, and when two or three more had had a taste of the
+sharp edge they begun to give in; and, as I telled you, next thing we
+was tied two and two and marched down to the river, pitched into the
+bottoms of two boats, and rowed aboard a ship as zet zail at once; and
+next night we was pitched down into the boats again and hoisted aboard
+this ship, as was lying off Plymouth waiting to start."
+
+"Waiting to sail?"
+
+"That's right, master!  And I s'pose she went off at once, but I was too
+bad to know anything about it.  When I could begin to understand I was
+lying here in this hammock, and the doctor telled me."
+
+"One moment.  Where are the others?"
+
+"All aboard, sir--that is, twenty-two with uz."
+
+"Some of our men too?"
+
+"Nay, zir; on'y our gang."
+
+"But I don't understand, quite," said Nic pitifully.  "I want to know
+why they have brought me.  Tell me, Pete Burge--my head is getting
+confused again--tell me why I am here."
+
+"Mistake, I s'pose, sir.  Thought, zeeing you all rough-looking and
+covered with blood, as you was one of us."
+
+Nic lay with his head turned in the speaker's direction, battling with
+the horrible despairing thoughts which came like a flood over his
+disordered brain; but they were too much for him.  He tried to speak;
+but the dark waters of the pool were there again, and the next minute he
+felt as if he had been drawn by the current beneath the fall, and all
+was mental darkness and the old confusion once more.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
+
+WILLIAM SOLLY HAS THOUGHTS.
+
+It would have been better, perhaps, for Nic Revel if he had not heard
+the result of the plan to get help from Captain Lawrence's ship and its
+disastrous results for him.
+
+For Pete Burge's narrative was correct enough, save that he made an
+omission or two, notably the fact that he was captured while making a
+brave effort to save Nic from the savage blows being dealt out to him by
+Humpy Dee, who was trying to visit upon his head the disappointment he
+felt through the failure of the raid.
+
+It was from finding Nic, helplessly insensible, being carried off by
+Pete that in the dark the sailors took the young man for one of the
+party they were to attack; and hence it was that he was tied fast to his
+injured companion, carried down the hill-slope to the river, bundled
+into the boat with the other prisoners, and carried off, there being no
+further communication held with the shore.  Captain Lawrence knew
+nothing till long afterwards about Nic being missing, and the long, long
+search made for him in the pool; two of the men, when questioned later
+on during the inquiry, having seen him go down in the fierce struggle.
+But no one, during the confusion which ensued, had seen him rise again;
+for it was somewhere about that time that those who bore torches, and
+saw that the fight was going against them, dashed them down into the
+water, hoping the darkness would cover their escape.
+
+The Captain, in the triumphant issue of the encounter, had stood to see
+the prisoners all bound, and soon after, upon not finding his son,
+accepted Solly's suggestion that Nic had walked down to see the
+prisoners off, and perhaps gone on board to thank the officer for his
+help.
+
+The next morning the ship was gone, and a horrible dread assailed master
+and man as to Nic's fate.  Then came the information from the two
+labourers who had taken part in the defence and the search, every inch
+of the pool and river being examined, till the suspicion became a
+certainty that Nic had been swept down the river and carried out to sea,
+the cap he wore having been brought in by one of the fishermen who
+harboured his boat in the mouth of the stream.
+
+But Captain Revel did not rest content with this: in his agony he
+communicated with Captain Lawrence, who came on at once, and confessed
+now to his old friend why, when his help was asked, he had jumped at the
+idea.  They wanted men for one of the ships bound for Charleston and the
+West Indies, the pressgangs having been very unsuccessful; and as the
+salmon-poachers were described to him as being strong, active fellows,
+the idea struck him that here was a fine opportunity for ridding the
+neighbourhood of a gang of mischievous ne'er-do-weels--men who would be
+of service to their country, and henceforth leave his old
+brother-officer in peace; while any of them not particularly suitable
+could be easily got rid of among the sugar and tobacco plantations.
+
+"Then," said Captain Revel, "you have sent them away?"
+
+"Yes; they sailed the next night.  It was rather a high-handed
+transaction; but the service wanted them badly, and we can't afford to
+be too particular at a time like this."
+
+"But do you think it likely that my poor boy was among the prisoners?"
+
+"Impossible," said the Captain.  "If he were--which is not in the least
+likely--all he had to do was to speak and say who he was.  But absurd!
+I should have known, of course."
+
+"But after he was on board the other vessel?"
+
+"My dear old friend," said Captain Lawrence sympathetically, "I shrink
+from dashing your hopes, but I feel how unjust it would be to back you
+up in the idea that he may have gone with the impressed men.  He is a
+gentleman, and an English officer's son, and he would only have to open
+his lips to any one he encountered, and explain his position, to be sent
+home from the first port he reached."
+
+"Yes, yes, of course," said the Captain bitterly; "and I shall never see
+my poor boy again."
+
+Captain Lawrence was so uneasy about his friend that he went back to the
+boat and sent her off to the ship, returning afterwards to the house,
+bitterly regretting that he had sent his men ashore and allowed himself
+to be tempted into making a seizure of the poachers.
+
+Captain Revel was seated in his arm-chair when Captain Lawrence
+re-entered the house, looking calm, grave, and thoughtful.  His friend's
+coming made him raise his head and gaze sorrowfully; then, with a weary
+smile, he let his chin drop upon his breast and sat looking hard at the
+carpet.
+
+"Come, Revel, man," cried Captain Lawrence, "you must cheer up.  We
+sailors can't afford to look at the black side of things."
+
+"No, no; of course not," said the stricken man.  "I shall be better
+soon, Jack; better soon.  I'm getting ready to fight it."
+
+"That's right; and before long you will have the boy marching into the
+room, or else sending you a letter."
+
+"Yes, yes," said Captain Revel, with a sad smile, and in a manner
+totally different from that which he generally assumed, "he'll soon come
+back or write."
+
+"But, poor fellow! he does not think so," said Captain Lawrence to
+himself, as Nic's father relapsed into thoughtful silence.
+
+"Solly, my lad," said the visitor, when he felt that he must return to
+his vessel, "your master has got a nasty shock over this business."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir; and he aren't the only one as feels it.  I ought never to
+ha' left Master Nic's side; but he put me in my station, and, of course,
+I had to obey orders."
+
+"Of course, my lad.  Here, we must make the best of it, and hope and
+pray that the boy will turn up again all right."
+
+Solly shook his head sadly.
+
+"Ah, don't do that, my man," cried Captain Lawrence.  "You a sailor,
+too.  There's life in a mussel, Solly.  A man's never dead with us till
+he is over the side with a shot at his heels."
+
+"That's true, sir," said the old sailor; "but, you see, I'm afraid.
+There was some fierce fighting over yonder in the pitch-dark, where the
+lights waren't showing.  Sticks was a-going awful.  If my poor boy got
+one o' they cracks on his head and went beneath, there was plenty o'
+water to wash him out o' the pool and down the river."
+
+"Yes; but hope for the best, man; hope for the best.  Remember the bit
+of blue that comes in the wind's eye often enough when we're in the
+worst part of a gale."
+
+"Ay, sir, that's what I do--hope for the best, and that if my poor young
+master, who was as fine a lad as ever stepped, is done for, I may some
+day find out who it was that hit that blow, and pay it back."
+
+"No, Solly," said Captain Lawrence sternly.  "An English sailor does not
+take revenge in cold blood for what was done in hot.  Never!  There, I
+must get off, and in a few days I hope to be back to see my old friend
+again.  Meanwhile, I know he's in good hands, and that he would not wish
+to be watched over by any one better than William Solly, his old
+companion in many a trouble of the past."
+
+"It's very kind o' you to say so, sir," said Solly humbly.
+
+"I only speak the truth, my man," said the visitor.  "I have seen a
+great deal, and Captain Revel has told me more, about what a faithful
+servant you have been to him.  Do all you can to comfort him, for he is
+terribly changed."
+
+The tears were in old Solly's eyes, and there seemed to be a kink in his
+throat, as he said huskily:
+
+"Awful, sir.  I was a-saying on'y the other day, when the skipper was
+wherriting hisself about losing a few salmon, and raging and blowing all
+over the place, that he wanted a real trouble to upset him, and that
+then he wouldn't go so half-mad-like about a pack o' poachers working
+the pool.  But I little thought then that the real bad trouble was
+coming so soon; and it has altered him, sewer-ly.  Poor Master Nic--poor
+dear lad!  Seems on'y t'other day as I used to carry him sittin' with
+his little bare legs over my two shoulders, and him holding on tight by
+my curly hair.  Yes, sir, you look; it is smooth and shiny up aloft now,
+but I had a lot o' short, curly hair then, just like an old Calabar
+nigger's.  And now, on'y to think of it."
+
+"No, don't think of it, my lad, for we are not certain, and we will not
+give up hope.  There, good-bye, Solly, my man.  Shake hands."
+
+"Shake--hands, sir--with you, cap'n?"
+
+"No, not with the captain, but with the man who looks upon you as an old
+friend."
+
+The next minute Solly was alone, rubbing his fist first in one eye and
+then in the other, twisting the big bony knuckle of his forefinger round
+so as to squeeze the moisture out.
+
+"Well now," he said, "just look at that!  What an old fool I am!  Well,
+if I didn't know as them there drops o' mystur' was 'cause o' my poor
+lad Master Nic, I should ha' thought it was all on account o' what Cap'n
+Lawrence said.  `Friend!' he says.  Well, I like that.  I s'pose it's
+'cause I've allus tried to do my dooty, though I've made a horful muddle
+on it more'n once."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
+
+FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT.
+
+The next time the doctor came below to see his patients he examined Pete
+Burge.
+
+"Humph!" he ejaculated.  "Lucky for you, my man, that you have such a
+thick skull.  You'll do now; but you've had a narrow escape.  There, you
+can go up on deck every day a bit, but keep out of the sun; it's very
+hot, and getting hotter.  It will do you more good than stopping down in
+this black hole."
+
+"Thank ye, master," said Pete; and he lay still in his hammock, waiting
+for the doctor to go on deck before getting out and beginning to dress.
+
+"Look here," said the doctor; "you are not off the sick-list yet, and
+you will come down and look after this lad till he is fit to go up.--
+Well, how are you, my lad?--Hold that light closer," he continued,
+turning to his assistant.  "Humph! fever stronger.--Has he been talking
+to you--sensibly?"
+
+"Yes, zir," replied Pete.  "A good deal muddled at first, but he began
+asking questions at last."
+
+"What about?"
+
+"Didn't know how he come here, and I had to tell him."
+
+"Yes!  What then?"
+
+"Give a zort of a groan, zir, and been talking to hisself ever zince."
+
+"Humph!  Poor wretch," muttered the doctor, and he gave some
+instructions to his assistant before turning once more to Pete:
+
+"Look here, you had better stay with your mate when you are not on deck.
+If he gets worse you can fetch me."
+
+"Where shall I find you, zir?" asked Pete.
+
+"Ask one of the men."
+
+Pete began to dress as soon as he was alone, and found that it was no
+easy task on account of a strange feeling of giddiness; but he succeeded
+at last, and stepped to Nic's hammock and laid a cool hand upon the poor
+fellow's burning brow.  Then he went on deck, glad to sit down right
+forward in the shade cast by one of the sails and watch the blue water
+whenever the vessel heeled over.
+
+The exertion, the fresh air, and the rocking motion of the ship produced
+a feeling of drowsiness, and Pete was dropping off to sleep when he
+started into wakefulness again, for half-a-dozen men came up a hatchway
+close at hand, with the irons they wore clinking, to sit down upon the
+deck pretty near the convalescent.
+
+Pete stared as he recognised Humpy Dee and five other partners in the
+raid.
+
+"There, what did I tell you?" said the first-named, speaking to his
+companions, but glaring savagely at Pete the while.  "There he is.  I
+allus knowed it.  He aren't in irons.  It was his doing.  Give warning,
+he did, and they brought the sailor Jacks up.  It was a regular trap."
+
+"What do you mean?" said Pete wonderingly.
+
+"What I say.  I always knew you'd turn traitor and tell on us."
+
+"You don't know what you're talking about," cried Pete.  "Look here,
+lads."
+
+The men he addressed uttered a low growl and turned from him in disgust.
+
+"Oh, very well," said Pete bitterly; "if you like to believe him instead
+of me, you can."
+
+"I told you so," went on Humpy Dee, whose countenance looked repulsive
+now from a patch of strips of sticking-plaster upon his forehead; "and
+he says I don't know what I'm talking about."
+
+"That's right," said Pete; "you don't."
+
+"Maybe; but I do now.  Look ye here, Pete Burge; it's your doing that
+we're here.  Nearly the whole lot on us took--there, you can see some of
+'em sailors now.  Pressed men.  They took the pick of us; but we're not
+good enough, we're not, while you're to be a bo'sun, or some'at o' that
+sort, you expect.  But you won't, for, first chance I get, Pete Burge,
+I'm going to pitch you overboard, or put a knife in your back; so look
+out."
+
+"You don't know what you're talking about," said Pete again, for nothing
+better occurred to him; and as the charge seemed to have gone home for
+truth with the other unfortunates, one and all embittered by sickness,
+injuries, and confinement in irons below deck, Pete sulkily did as they
+did, turned away, confident that Humpy Dee's threat would not be put in
+force then; for a marine was standing sentry over them, till the men in
+irons were marched below, Pete finding that, as one on the sick-list, he
+was free to go up or down when he liked.
+
+During the next fortnight the man puzzled himself as to what was to
+become of them.  He had seen others of his companions often enough,
+going about their duties; but every one turned from him with a scowl of
+dislike, which showed that the charge Humpy had made had gone home, and
+that all believed he had betrayed them.
+
+The consequence was that he passed much of his time below decks, and
+preferred to come up for his breath of fresh air after dark, passing his
+time beside Nic's hammock, thinking what he ought to do about him, and
+making up his mind what it was to be as soon as the poor fellow grew
+better and fully recovered his senses.
+
+"I'll tell the doctor then," he said to himself.  "There's no good in
+telling him now, for if I did they'd take him away and put him in a
+cabin, where it would only be lonezome for him and for me too; and no
+one would wait on him better than I do."
+
+But Nic did not get better, as Pete wished, nor yet as the doctor
+essayed to make him.
+
+"It has got on his brain, poor fellow," said that gentleman one day,
+when the patient was able to walk about, apparently nearly well, but his
+mind quite vacant.  He talked, but the past was quite a blank.
+
+"But he'll get it off, won't he, zir?" said Pete, who felt the time to
+speak had come.
+
+"Some day, my lad.  I dare say his memory will come back all of a sudden
+when he is stronger and better able to bear his trouble; so perhaps it's
+all a blessing for him in disguise."
+
+There was so much in this that Pete felt that it was not the time to
+speak yet.
+
+"What good can it do him till he can think?" he said to himself.  "It
+will only be like me losing a mate as can be a bit o' comfort, now every
+one's again' me.  I mean to stick to him till he can speak out and tell
+'em as I didn't inform again' the others."
+
+So Pete held his tongue, and being so much below, was almost forgotten,
+save by the men of the watches who had to bring the two sick men their
+rations; and finally he left it till it was too late.  For he awoke one
+morning to find that they were in port in a strange land, and in the
+course of the morning the word was passed to him and his unfortunate
+companion to "tumble up."
+
+"Here, master," he said to Nic; "you're to come up."
+
+Nic made no objection, but suffered himself to be led on deck, where he
+stood, pale and thin, the wreck of his former self, blinking in the
+unwonted light, and trying to stare about him, but in a blank way,
+ending by feeling for and clinging to Pete's arm.
+
+Very little time was afforded the latter for looking about, wondering
+what was to happen next; all he saw on deck was a group of marines and
+about a couple of dozen of the sailors doing something to one of the
+boats, while the officers were looking on.
+
+The next minute his attention was taken by the beautiful country
+spreading out beyond the shore, a quarter of a mile away across the
+sparkling waters of the harbour.
+
+But there was something else to take his attention during the next
+minute, for there was the clanking of irons, and he saw Humpy Dee and
+his five companions marched up from below to be called to where he was
+standing with Nic.
+
+The poachers looked repellent enough as they followed Humpy Dee's
+example, and scowled at the pair who had come up from the sick bay, and
+seemed to receive little sympathy from those who were looking on.  Then
+there was an order given by one of the officers, and the crew of the
+boat climbed quickly in, while the marines came up behind the prisoners.
+
+"They're going to take us ashore," thought Pete excitedly, and the idea
+had hardly been grasped, before a couple of old hats were handed to him
+and his companion by the sergeant of marines.
+
+"They're going to put uz with Humpy and that lot," said Pete to himself
+excitedly; "and I must speak now."
+
+He spoke.  It was hurriedly and blunderingly done, and the officer whom
+he addressed looked at him frowningly.
+
+"What!" he cried; "this man is not one of you--one of the gang taken
+that night?"
+
+"No, master; he's a gentleman, and took by mistake."
+
+Humpy Dee's eyes flashed, and he burst into a coarse laugh.
+
+"Silence, you scoundrel!--How dare you?" cried the officer angrily.
+
+"Couldn't help it, master," growled Humpy.  "Make a horse laugh to hear
+such gammon."
+
+"What!  Do you say that what he tells me is not true?"
+
+"It is true, master," cried Pete, "every word--"
+
+"All lies," snarled the poacher savagely.  "He was in the fight, and got
+hurt.  He's one of us.  That Pete Burge peached on us, and brought the
+sailor Jacks on us; and he wants to get out of it to let us go alone.
+Lies, captain; all lies."
+
+"What do you say, my men?" said the officer sternly, turning to Humpy's
+companions.
+
+"Same as he does," cried the pressed men in chorus.
+
+"And you?" cried the officer, turning to Nic.  "Are you one of this
+fellow's comrades?"
+
+"No, master, he aren't," cried Pete; "he aren't, indeed.  He's nought to
+me.  He's--"
+
+"Silence, sir!" roared the officer.  "You, sir," he continued, turning
+to Nic, "speak out.  Are you one of this fellow's comrades?"
+
+Nic looked at him blankly, and there was silence on the deck, as the
+various groups stood there in the burning sunshine.
+
+"Well, sir, why don't you answer?" cried the officer.
+
+Nic's answer was in dumb-show, for, poor fellow, he did not grasp a
+word.  He knew that the man by his side had been with him a great deal,
+and nursed and helped him, speaking soothingly when he was at his
+worst--every one else seemed strange; and without a word he smiled sadly
+in Pete's face and took hold of his arm.
+
+"That will do," said the officer, who had his orders to carry out.  "In
+with them!"
+
+The marines laid their hands on Nic's and Pete's shoulders, while the
+sergeant signed to the others to climb into the boat; Humpy Dee turning,
+as he got in last, to give Pete a savage look of triumph.
+
+Pete turned sharply to the marine who was urging him to the side.
+
+"Tell me, mate," he whispered quickly; "just a word.  Where are we going
+to be took?"
+
+The marine glanced swiftly aside to see if it was safe to answer, and
+then whispered back:
+
+"Off to the plantations, I s'pose.  There, keep a good heart, lad.  It
+aren't for ever and a day."
+
+The plantations--to work as a kind of white slave for some colonist
+far-away.
+
+Pete, in his ignorance, only grasped half the truth; but that half was
+bad enough to make him sink down in the boat as it was lowered from the
+davits, put his lips close to Nic's ear, and groan more than say:
+
+"Oh, Master Nic, lad, what have you done?"
+
+Then the boat kissed the water; the order was given; the oars fell with
+a splash; and, as the men gave way, Pete Burge darted a wild look about
+him, to find Humpy Dee just at his back, glaring malignantly, and as if
+about to speak, as he leaned forward.
+
+But no word came, for the marine sergeant clapped a hand upon his
+shoulder and thrust him back.
+
+"All right," said Humpy Dee; "my time'll come bimeby.  Better than being
+a pressed man, after all."
+
+Nic had been a long while in the darkness below deck, and his eyes were
+feeble; but, as the boat glided on rapidly towards the shore, they
+became more accustomed to the light, and he gazed wonderingly about in
+his confused state, seeing nothing of the trouble ahead, only the fact
+that he was approaching the far-stretching, sun-brightened shore.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
+
+HUMPY DEE'S LITTLE THREATS.
+
+However much he might have been disposed to make a fresh appeal on his
+companion's behalf, Pete had no opportunity; for, upon the boat being
+run alongside of a roughly-made wharf, he and the others were hurried
+out and marched away to a kind of warehouse, and the care of them handed
+over to some people in authority, by whom they were shut-in, glad of the
+change from the broiling sun outside to the cool gloom of the interior,
+lit only by a grated window high up above the door, from which the rays
+streamed across the open roof, leaving the roughly-boarded floor in
+darkness.
+
+After a few minutes the eyes became accustomed to the gloom, and the men
+seated themselves upon the empty chests and barrels lying about, Pete
+securing one for Nic, who sat down mechanically, with his head thrown
+back so that he could gaze at the light.  Pete contented himself with
+the rough floor, where he half-lay, listening to his companions in
+misfortune, half-a-dozen yards away, as they talked over their position
+and wondered where they were to go--to a man keeping aloof from Pete,
+the traitor they accredited with bringing them to their present state.
+
+The men were better informed than Pete had been, his stay in company
+with Nic and the dislike in which he was held by his old companions
+having kept him in ignorance of facts which they had picked up from the
+sailors.  And now Pete gradually grasped in full that of which he had
+previously only had an inkling--that the pick of the prisoners had been
+reserved for man-o'-war's-men, those who were considered unsuitable
+having been reserved for handing over to the colonists.  This was in
+accordance with a custom dating as far back as the days of Cromwell, the
+Protector being accredited with ridding himself of troublesome prisoners
+by shipping them off to the plantations as white slaves, most of them
+never to return.
+
+"Well," said Humpy Dee aloud, in the course of conversation, "I suppose
+it means work."
+
+"Yes," said another; "and one of the Jacks told me you have to hoe
+sugar-cane and tobacco and rice out in the hot sun, and if you don't do
+enough you get the cat."
+
+"If any one tries to give me the lash," growled Humpy, "he'll get
+something he won't like."
+
+"They'll hang you or shoot you if you try on any games, old lad," said
+another of the men.
+
+"Maybe, if they can," said Humpy, with a laugh.  "Perhaps we may be too
+many for them.  I mean to take to the woods till I can get taken off by
+a ship."
+
+"Ah, who knows?" said another.  "I aren't going to give up.  Place don't
+look so bad.  See that river as we come up here?"
+
+"Of course," growled Humpy.
+
+"Well, I dare say there'll be salmon in it, same as there is at home."
+
+"Tchah!" cried Humpy; "not here.  This is foreign abroad man.  You'll
+get no salmon now."
+
+"Well, any fish'll do," said another of the men.  "The place don't look
+bad, and anything's better than being shut down below them decks.
+'Nough to stifle a man.  I know what I'm going to do, though, along with
+them as like to join me."
+
+"You're going to do what I tells you," said Humpy Dee sourly; "I'm going
+to be head-man here; and if you don't you'll find yourself wishing you
+hadn't been born."
+
+The man growled something in an undertone, and Humpy made an offer at
+him as if to strike, causing his companion in misfortune to flinch back
+to avoid the expected blow.
+
+"Look here, boys," said Humpy; "if every one here's going to try to do
+things on his own hook we shall do nothing, so what you've got to do is
+to stick by me.  We're not going to be sold here like a gang o' black
+slaves."
+
+"But we are sold," said the man who had shrunk away.
+
+"Never mind that; we're not going to work, then," said Humpy.  "We're
+going to slip off into the woods, get to that there river, and do
+something better than spear or bale out salmon.  We're going to take the
+first boat we see and get round to the coast, and then keep along till
+we find a ship to take us off."
+
+"Well, that's what I meant," said the other man.
+
+"Then you'll be all right," said Humpy.
+
+So far, without paying attention, Pete had heard every word, and his
+blood began to course faster through his veins at the thought of
+escaping and helping Nic back to his friends; but, though he strove
+hard, not another word reached his ears; for Humpy leaned forward and
+began speaking in a hoarse whisper, his companions bending towards him,
+as he said with a peculiar intensity:
+
+"We've got to get back home, lads, and not stop here to rot in the sun
+to make money for whoever's bought us; but there's something to do
+first."
+
+"What?" said one of the men, for Humpy Dee had stopped and sat in the
+gloom, glaring savagely at the farther side of the place.
+
+"Wait, and you'll hear," was the reply; and there was another pause,
+during which Nic uttered a low, weary sigh, and let himself fall
+sideways, so that his head sank in Pete's lap, and, utterly exhausted,
+he dropped off to sleep.
+
+"You know how it all was," Humpy went on at last.  "I aren't going to
+name no names, but some 'un was jealous-like o' me, and wanting to take
+the lead always; and, when he found he couldn't, he goes and blabs to
+the young master yonder.  Well, we're not going to take him back--we've
+not going to tell him how we're going to do it."
+
+"Have told him.  Spoke loud enough," said the man who had received the
+rebuff.
+
+Humpy leaned towards him, and with a peculiar, savage air, said in a
+husky whisper:
+
+"Look here, mate; there's only room for one to lead here.  If you aren't
+satisfied you can go and sit along with them two and sham sick, like
+Pete Burge has all through the voyage."
+
+"Well, don't bite a man's head off," said the other.  "Who wants to
+lead?"
+
+"You do, or you wouldn't talk like a fool.  Think I'm one, mates?--think
+I'm going to do as I said, and let him go and blab, so as to get into
+favour here?  That's just what I don't mean to do."
+
+"Then what are you going to do?" said his fellow-prisoner; but for a few
+moments Humpy only glared at him without speaking.  At last, though, he
+whispered:
+
+"I mean for us to go off together and get free; and as for some one
+else, I mean for us all to give him something to remember us by afore we
+go."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
+
+HUMAN CATTLE.
+
+The prisoners had been sitting in the dark warehouse-like place for some
+hours, Nic sleeping soundly, and Pete watching and listening to his
+companions in misfortune, judging from their behaviour that he was to be
+treated as an outcast, but caring little, for he was conscious of having
+been true to them in their nefarious doings.
+
+"Let them think what they like," he said to himself.  "Humpy has got
+that into their heads, and if I talk to them for a week they won't
+believe me."
+
+Then he began to muse upon the subject which forms seven-eighths of a
+prisoner's thoughts--how he and Nic were to escape, and whether it would
+be possible to get to a boat and float down the river of which they had
+had a glimpse, and of which he had heard his companions speaking, when
+suddenly there was the deep, heavy barking of a dog, followed by that of
+two more; and, as he listened, the sounds came nearer and nearer, in
+company with the shuffling of feet.  Voices were heard too, and directly
+after there was a loud snuffling sound and a deep growling, as the dogs
+they had heard thrust their noses under the big door, tore at it, and
+growled savagely, till a fierce voice roared:
+
+"Come here!  Lie down!" and there was a crack of a whip, and a sharp
+yelp to indicate that one of the dogs had received a blow.
+
+Directly after there was the rattle of a big key in the lock, the bolt
+snapped back, and the door was thrown open, to fill the place with the
+glow of the afternoon sunshine; and three great hounds bounded in, to
+rush at once for the prisoners and begin snuffing at them, growling
+loudly the while.
+
+"Call those dogs off, Saunders," said a stern voice, as the entrance was
+darkened by the figures of a group of men.
+
+"In a moment," was the reply, made by a tall, active-looking man, "They
+only want to know the new hands, and their flavour.--Here: down, boys!"
+
+The speaker accompanied his order with a sharp crack of the whip, and
+the dogs came back unwillingly from the groups seated on the floor.
+
+"Take care," said the first speaker; "that man has a knife."
+
+Pete turned sharply, to see that a knife-blade was gleaming in Humpy
+Dee's hand.
+
+"Knife, has he?" said the man addressed as Saunders, and he stepped
+forward to where Humpy was crouching down.
+
+"Give me that knife," he said sharply.
+
+"I don't want to be eat by dogs," said Humpy in a low, surly tone.
+
+"Give me that knife," was reiterated sternly, "or I set the dogs to hold
+you while I take it away."
+
+Humpy hesitated for a moment and glared in the speaker's eyes; but he
+read there a power which was too much for him, and he closed the blade
+with a snap and slowly held it up.
+
+The man snatched it from him with his left hand, and the next instant
+there was a sharp whish through the air and a smart crack, as the
+stinging lash of a whip fell across Humpy's shoulder, making him utter a
+yell of rage.
+
+"Saunders, Saunders!" said the first speaker reproachfully.
+
+"All right, Mr Groves; I know what I'm about," said the man sharply.
+"That fellow was armed with a knife which he must have stolen from one
+of the sailors; and he was ready to use it.  The sooner a savage brute
+like that is taught his position here the better for him.  You have done
+your part and handed the scoundrels over to me, so please don't
+interfere."
+
+The first speaker shrugged his shoulders, and turned to a couple of men
+who were carrying a basket and a great pitcher; while Saunders went on
+sharply:
+
+"You hear what I am saying, my lads; so understand this: You have been
+sent out here from your country because you were not fit to stay there;
+and you will have to serve now up at your proprietor's plantation.
+Behave yourselves, and you will be well fed, and fairly treated over
+your work; but I warn you that we stand no nonsense here.  The law gives
+us power to treat you as you deserve.  Our lives are sacred; yours are
+not--which means, as Mr Groves here will tell you, that if you venture
+to attack any one you will be shot down at sight, while I may as well
+tell you now that we shall fire at any man who attempts to escape."
+
+Pete's head gave a throb, and his hand glided slowly to Nic's and held
+it tightly.
+
+"When you get up to the plantation you will see for yourselves that you
+cannot get away, for you will have jailers there always ready to watch
+you or hunt you down.  There are three of them," he continued, pointing
+to the dogs which crouched on the warehouse floor, panting, with their
+long red tongues out and curled up at the ends.
+
+At their master's gesture the sagacious animals sprang up and gazed
+eagerly in his face.
+
+"Not now, boys; lie down.--Ah, what's that?" he cried sharply, and the
+dogs made a movement as if to rush at the prisoners, for Humpy leaned
+sideways and whispered to his nearest companion:
+
+"More ways than one o' killing a dog."
+
+"Talking about the dogs," said the other surlily.  "You are making
+yourself a marked man, my friend.  Take care.  Who are these--the two
+who have been in hospital, Mr Groves?"
+
+"I suppose so," was the reply.
+
+"What's the matter with you?" said the overseer--for such he proved to
+be--addressing Pete.  "Jump up."
+
+Pete softly lifted Nic's head from his knee and rose quickly.
+
+"Was cut down, sir," said Pete; "but I'm getting better fast now."
+
+"Good job for you.  Now, you, sir; wake up."
+
+The overseer raised the whip he held, to make a flick at Nic as he lay
+soundly asleep; but Pete stepped forward to save his companion, and in
+bending over him received the slight cut himself without flinching,
+though the lash made him feel as if he had been stung.
+
+"He has been a'most dead, zir," said Pete sharply; "but he's getting
+better now fast.  Hasn't got his zenses, though."
+
+"Wake him up, then," said the overseer sharply; "and you can get your
+meal now.--Here, my lads, bring that stuff here and serve it out."
+
+Pete obeyed the order given, and began by gently shaking Nic, who made
+no sign.  Pete shook him again more firmly, starting violently the next
+moment, for, unnoticed, one of the great hounds had approached him and
+lowered its muzzle to sniff at the prostrate man.
+
+Pete's first instinctive idea was to strike fiercely at the
+savage-looking intruder, but fortunately he held his hand and bent over
+his companion wonderingly, and hardly able to believe what he saw; for
+as the dog nuzzled about Nic's face, the young man, partly aroused by
+the shaking, opened his eyes, looked vacantly at the brute for some
+moments, and then, as if his intellectual powers were returning, he
+smiled, the animal stopping short and staring down at him closely.
+
+"Well, old fellow," he said gently; "whose dog are you?"
+
+Pete looked up sharply, and saw that every one's attention was centred
+on the basket and pitcher, the two men serving out the provisions and
+their two superiors looking on.
+
+Then he glanced back again, to see in horror that Nic had raised his
+hand to the dog's muzzle, and followed that up by taking hold of and
+passing the animal's long, soft ears through his hand.
+
+Pete would have seized the dog, but he felt paralysed by the thought
+that if he interfered he might make matters worse; and then his heart
+seemed to rise in his throat, for the great hound uttered a deep, short
+bark, which had the effect of bringing the others to its side.
+
+"Quiet, you, sirs!" cried their master, but he did not turn his head,
+and the three dogs now pressed round Nic, the first planting his
+fore-paws on the young man's chest, blinking at him with his jaws apart
+and the long red tongue playing and quivering between the sets of keen
+milk-white teeth, evidently liking the caresses it received, and of
+which the other two appeared to be jealous, for they suddenly began to
+whimper; and then the first threw up its head, and all three broke into
+a loud baying.
+
+"Quiet, there!" roared Saunders, and he turned sharply now, saw what had
+taken place, and came back cracking his whip.  "Ah!" he shouted.  "Get
+back!  How dare you?"
+
+The dogs growled, stood fast, and barked at him loudly.
+
+"Good boys, then!" cried Saunders.  "Yes, it's all right; you've found
+him.  There, that will do."
+
+The dogs began to leap and bound about the place, while their master
+turned to Pete.
+
+"Why didn't you call me?" he said.  "Have they bitten him?"
+
+"No; haven't hurt him a bit," said Pete quietly.
+
+"Lucky for him," said the man.  "There, you see what they're like, and
+know what you have to expect--What?"
+
+"I said, are they your dogs?"
+
+Pete stared, for it was Nic who spoke, perfectly calmly, though in a
+feeble voice.
+
+"Yes," replied Saunders.  "Why?"
+
+"I could not help admiring them.  They are magnificent beasts."
+
+"I am glad you like them, sir," said Saunders, with a mocking laugh; and
+he turned and strode away, to order the men to take some of the food
+they had brought to the other two prisoners, leaving Nic gazing after
+him.
+
+"Rather brusque," he said, half to himself, and then he passed his hand
+over his eyes, drew a long, deep, restful breath, and turned over as if
+to go to sleep again; but he started up on his elbow instead as he
+encountered Pete's face, and a look of horror and dislike contracted his
+own.
+
+"You here?" he said wonderingly.
+
+"Hush!  Don't speak aloud, dear lad," whispered Pete excitedly.
+
+"Dear lad?"
+
+"Master Nic Revel, then.  You haven't quite come-to yet.  You don't
+remember.  You were took bad again after being bad once--when you asked
+me questions aboard ship, and I had to tell you."
+
+"Taken bad--aboard ship?"
+
+"Here you are; catch hold," said a voice close to them; and one of the
+men handed each half a small loaf, while his companion filled a tin mug
+that must have held about half-a-pint, and offered it to Nic.
+
+The young man had let the great piece of bread fall into his lap, but
+the gurgling sound of the water falling into the mug seemed to rouse a
+latent feeling of intense thirst, and he raised himself more, took the
+vessel with both hands and half-drained it, rested for a few moments,
+panting, and then drank the rest before handing the tin back with a sigh
+of content.
+
+"No, no; hold it," said the man sharply; and Nic had to retain it in his
+trembling hands while it was refilled.
+
+"There, give it to your mate," said the water-bearer.
+
+The two young men's eyes met over the vessel in silence, Nic's full of
+angry dislike, Pete's with an appealing, deprecating look, which did not
+soften Nic's in the least.
+
+"Well, why don't you take it?" said the man with the pitcher.
+
+"Don't seem to kinder want it now," replied Pete hoarsely.
+
+"Drink it, man, and don't be a fool.  You'll be glad of it long before
+you get there.  Sun's hot yet, and the water's salt for miles, and then
+for far enough brackish."
+
+Nic looked at the speaker wonderingly, for the blank feeling seemed to
+be coming with the forerunner of the peculiar sensation of confusion
+which had troubled him before, and he looked from one to the other as if
+for help; while Pete took the mug and drained it, but contented himself
+with slipping his bread inside the breast of his shirt, and stood
+looking down at Nic, whose lips parted to speak, but no words came.
+
+"Seem decent sort of fellows," said the water-bearer, as he turned off
+towards the door with his companion; and the dogs rose to follow them,
+sniffing at the basket.
+
+"Yes, poor beggars!" said the other.  "Whatever they've been up to in
+the old country, they've got to pay pretty dearly for it now."
+
+Nic's hearing was acute enough now, and he heard every word.
+
+"Here, you," he gasped painfully.  "Call them back."
+
+"What for, Master Nic?" said Pete in an appealing whisper.  "Don't; you
+mustn't now.  Ask me for what you want."
+
+"I want to know what all this means," panted the young man.  "Why am I
+here?  What place is this?  I'm not--I will know."
+
+"No, no; don't ask now, Master Nic," whispered Pete.  "You aren't fit to
+know now.  I'm with you, my lad, and I swear I won't forsake ye."
+
+"You--you will not forsake me?" said Nic, with a look of horror.
+
+"Never, my lad, while I've got a drop o' blood in my veins.  Don't--
+don't look at me like that.  It waren't all my fault.  Wait a bit, and
+I'll tell you everything, and help you to escape back to the old
+country."
+
+"To the old country!" whispered Nic, whose voice was panting again from
+weakness.  "Where are we, then?"
+
+"Amerikee, among the plantations, they say."
+
+"But--but why?  The plantations?  What does it mean?"
+
+"Work," said Saunders, who had come up behind them.  "Now then, look
+sharp, and eat your bread.  You'll get no more till to-morrow morning,
+and in less than half-an-hour we shall start."
+
+"Start?" cried Nic huskily, as he clapped his hands to his head and
+pressed it hard, as though he felt that if he did not hold on tightly
+his reason would glide away again.
+
+"Yes, man, start," said Saunders.  "Can you two fellows row?"
+
+"He can't, sir; he's too weak," cried Pete eagerly; and the overseer's
+face contracted.  "But I can.  Best man here with an oar.  I can pull,
+sir, enough for two."
+
+"I'll put you to the proof before you sleep," said the overseer sharply.
+"Now, Mr Groves, I'm at your service.  I suppose I have some papers to
+sign?"
+
+"Yes," said the agent, and he led the way, while the overseer followed,
+closing the door, placing a whistle to his lips and blowing a shrill
+note which was answered by a deep baying from the dogs.
+
+"Escape!" muttered Nic wildly.  "Plantations!  Why, I shall be a slave!"
+
+"No, no, my lad; don't take it like that.  I'll help you to get away."
+
+"Will ye?" growled Humpy Dee, coming towards them.  "Then I tells that
+chap next time he comes.  I splits on you as you splits on we; so look
+out, I say, both of you; look out!"
+
+"It's a lie, Master Nic--a lie," cried Pete fiercely.  "I swear to you,
+I never--"
+
+Pete caught at the young man's arm as he spoke, and then loosened it
+with a groan, for, with a look of revulsion, Nic cried hoarsely:
+
+"Don't touch me; don't come near me.  Wretch--villain!  This is all your
+work."
+
+"And so say we, my fine fellow," cried Humpy Dee, whose eyes sparkled
+with malignant joy.  "His doing, every bit, 'cept what you put in, and
+for that you've got to take your share the same as us.  And all because
+a few poor fellows wanted a bit o' salmon.  Hor, hor, hor!  I say, take
+it coolly.  No one won't believe ye, and you may think yourself lucky to
+get off so well."
+
+Nic turned from the man with a look of disgust, and sat up, resting his
+throbbing head in his hands; while, as Humpy Dee went back to his
+companions, whistling as he went, Pete threw himself upon the floor,
+watching him, with his hands opening and shutting in a strange way, as
+if they were eager to seize the brutal ruffian by the throat.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
+
+CHAINS AND SLAVERY.
+
+Pete calmed down after a while, and began to feel a bit sulky.  He had
+common-sense enough to begin looking at the state of affairs from a
+matter-of-fact point of view, and he lay conning the position over.
+
+"Just as he likes," he said.  "He pitches me over, and won't have any
+more to do with me.  Well, it aren't no wonder, zeeing what I've been.
+Wonder what made me turn so zoft and zilly about him!  Zeeing how hard
+it was for him to be zarved as he was, and then hooked off along with
+us."
+
+"Dunno that it's any worse for him than it is for me," he muttered; "but
+zeemed to feel a bit sorry about him, poor lad!--there I go again: poor
+lad!  No more poor lad than I be.  Got it into my thick head that it was
+nice to help him while he was so bad, and that, now our lads have
+pitched me overboard, we was going to be mates and help one another.
+But we aren't, for he's pitched me overboard too."
+
+"Well," muttered Pete, with a bitter laugh, "I can zwim as well as most
+on 'em, and I shan't hurt much; and as for him, he must take his chance
+with the rest on us.  He's got his wits back again, and don't zeem like
+to go wool-gathering again; and, if he's sharp, he'll speak up and make
+that t'other man understand it's all a blunder about him being sent off
+along o' we.  But there, he wants to go his own fashion, zo he must.
+But if I was him I should kick up a dust before we start, and have
+myself zent back home by the next ship."
+
+He glanced in the gloom at where Nic was seated, and a feeling of sorrow
+for the poor fellow filled him again; but after the rebuff he had
+received he fought it off, and began to watch Humpy Dee and the others,
+as they sat together talking in a low tone, and then to meditate on
+their position towards himself.
+
+"They're half-afraid of Humpy," he thought, "and he's made 'em think
+that I zet the sailors at them.  If I go on talking till it's a blue
+moon they won't believe me, zo things must go their own way, and zome
+day they'll find Humpy out; on'y I'm not going to let him do as he likes
+with me.  This isn't going to be a very cheerful zort of life out here;
+but, such as it is, it's better than no life at all; zo I aren't going
+to let him pitch me into the river or down some hole, or knock me on the
+head, or stick a knife into me.  That won't do.  It's murder--leastwise
+it is at home; p'raps it aren't out here.  Zeems not after the way that
+chap talked about shooting us down and zetting them dogs at us.  Why,
+one of 'em's stronger than us, and a zet-to wi' one of 'em wouldn't be
+nice.  Bit of a coward, I s'pose, for I can't abide being bitten by a
+dog."
+
+"Best thing I can do will be to slip off first chance; for I zeem, what
+with Humpy and these folk, to have dropped into a nasty spot.  Dessay I
+can take care of myself, and--nay, that won't do; zeem sneaky-like to go
+and leave that poor lad, for I do zort o' like him.  Wonderful how they
+dogs took to him.  Nay, that aren't wonderful.  Got a lot o' zense, dogs
+have.  Allus zeem to take to zick people and little tiny children, and
+blind folk too.  How they like them too!"
+
+At that moment there was a deep baying sound not far-away, and Pete had
+not long to wait before there were steps, the door was unlocked and
+thrown open, and the overseer entered, accompanied by the dogs, and
+followed by a party of blacks, one of whom carried a roughly-made
+basket.
+
+They were big, muscular fellows, and shiny to a degree whenever the
+light caught their skins, a good deal of which was visible, for their
+dress consisted of a pair of striped cotton drawers, descending half-way
+to the knee, and a sleeveless jacket of the same material, worn open so
+that neck and breast were bare.
+
+The dogs barked at the prisoners, and repeated their examination by
+scent, ending by going well over Nic, who made no attempt to caress
+them, nor displayed any sign of fear, but sat in his place stolidly
+watching the proceedings, the dogs ending their nasal inspection by
+crouching down and watching him.
+
+The overseer was alone now, and his first proceeding was to take his
+stand by the black, who had set down the heavy basket, and call Humpy
+Dee to come forward, by the name of Number One.
+
+The man rose heavily, and this seemed to be a signal for the three
+hounds to spring to their feet again, making the man hesitate.
+
+"Them dogs bite, master?" he said.
+
+"Yes; they'll be at your throat in a moment if you make the slightest
+attempt to escape," said the overseer sharply.
+
+"Who's going to try to escape?" grumbled Humpy.
+
+"You are thinking of it, sir," said the overseer.  "Mind this," he
+continued--drawing the light jacket he wore aside and tapping his belt,
+thus showing a brace of heavy pistols--"I am a good shot, and I could
+easily bring you down as you ran."
+
+"Who's going to run?" grumbled Humpy.  "Man can't run with things like
+these on his legs."
+
+"I have seen men run pretty fast in fetters," said the overseer quietly;
+"but they did not run far.  Come here."
+
+Humpy shuffled along two or three steps, trailing his irons behind him,
+and the overseer shouted at him:
+
+"Pick up the links by the middle ring, sir, and move smartly."
+
+He cracked his whip, and a thrill ran through Nic.
+
+Humpy did as he was told, and walked more quickly to where the overseer
+stood; but before he reached him the herculean black who stood by his
+basket, which looked like a coarsely-made imitation of the kind used by
+a carpenter for his tools, clapped a hand upon the prisoner's shoulder
+and stopped him short, making Humpy turn upon him savagely.
+
+"Ah!" roared the overseer, as if he were speaking to one of the dogs.
+
+Humpy was overawed, and he stood still, while the black bent down, took
+a ball of oakum out of the basket, cut off about a foot, passed the
+piece through the centre ring of the irons, and deftly tied it to the
+prisoner's waist-belt.  Then, as Nic and Pete watched, the action going
+on fascinating them, the black made a sign to one of his companions, who
+dropped upon his knees by the basket, took out a hammer, and handed it
+to the first black.  Then the kneeling man lifted out a small block of
+iron, which looked like a pyramid with the top flattened, clapped it on
+the floor, and the first black began to manipulate Humpy as a blacksmith
+would a horse he was about to shoe, dragging him to the little anvil
+with one hand, using the hammer-handle to poke him into position with
+the other.
+
+"Going to take off his irons," thought Pete, and the same idea flashed
+across Nic's mind.
+
+He was mistaken.
+
+Another black stepped up, as if fully aware of what was necessary, and
+stood behind Humpy, ready to hold him up when necessary; for the second
+black now seized one of the prisoner's ankles, lifted his foot on to the
+little anvil, and the first examined the rivet, grunted his
+dissatisfaction, and Humpy's foot was wrenched sidewise by one man, who
+held the rivet upon the anvil, while his leader struck it a few heavy
+blows to enlarge the head and make it perfectly safe.
+
+This done, Humpy was marched nearer the door, scowling savagely at
+having had to submit to this process; but he grinned his
+self-satisfaction as he saw his companions brought forward in turn for
+their irons to be examined--one to have them replaced by a fresh set,
+which were taken from the basket, and whose rings were tightly riveted
+about his ankles, the rivets of the old ones being quite loose.
+
+The men were ranged near the entrance, which, at a look from the
+overseer, was now guarded by the three unoccupied blacks.
+
+"Now you," said the overseer to Pete, who rose from where he sat alone
+and approached the anvil with a curious sensation running through him.
+
+"Why didn't they iron you?" said the overseer harshly.
+
+"Wounded and sick," replied Pete gruffly.
+
+"Ah, well, you are not wounded and sick now.--He's a big, strong fellow,
+Sam.  Give him a heavy set."
+
+The big black showed his fine set of white teeth.  A set of fetters was
+taken from the basket, and with Pete's foot held in position by the
+second black--a foot which twitched and prickled with a strong desire to
+kick--the first ring was quickly adjusted, a soft iron rivet passed
+through the two holes, and then the head was rested upon the little
+block of iron, and a few cleverly-delivered blows from the big black's
+hammer spread the soft iron out into a second head, and the open ring
+was drawn tight.
+
+The second ankle-ring was quickly served in the same way, and the centre
+link was lifted and tied to the prisoner's waist-belt, Pete turning
+scarlet, and wiping the perspiration from his dripping brow from time to
+time.
+
+"Over yonder with the others!"
+
+There was a movement among the men at the door as this order was given,
+and Pete winced; but even a man newly fettered can still feel pride, and
+the poor fellow determined that his old comrades should not think he was
+afraid of them.  He walked boldly up to take his place, meeting Humpy's
+malignant look of triumph without shrinking, and turning quickly
+directly after with a feeling of pity as he heard the overseer summon
+Nic to take his place in turn.
+
+"Now's your time, my lad," Pete said to himself.  "Speak out like a man,
+and if you ask me to, I'll back you up--I will."
+
+He looked on excitedly, wondering whether Nic's wits were still with
+him, as but so short a time ago they had only returned to him like a
+flash and then passed away, leaving him, as it were, in the dark.
+
+It was very still in the hot, close place, and every word spoken sounded
+strangely loud in the calm of the late afternoon.
+
+"Lighter irons," said the overseer to the big black; and there was the
+clinking sound of the great links as the man handed the fetters from the
+basket.
+
+"And him not shrinking," thought Pete.  "Give me quite a turn.  He can't
+understand."
+
+The big black took the fetters and balanced them in his hand, looking at
+his superior as much as to say, "Will these do?"
+
+The overseer took a step or two forward and grasped the chain, to stand
+holding it, gazing frowningly the while at Nic, who met his gaze without
+blenching.
+
+"Why don't you speak--why don't you speak?" muttered Pete.  "Can't you
+see that now's your time?"
+
+"You've been bad, haven't you?" said the overseer roughly.
+
+Nic raised his hand slowly to his head and touched the scar of a great
+cut on one side, the discoloration of a bruise on the other.
+
+"But quite well again now?"
+
+Nic smiled faintly.
+
+"I am weak as a child," he replied.
+
+"Humph!  Yes," said the overseer, and he threw the chain upon the floor.
+
+Pete, who had been retaining his breath for some moments, uttered a
+faint exclamation full of relief.
+
+"But why didn't he speak out and tell him?"  For a few moments his
+better feelings urged him to speak out himself; but he shrank from
+exposing both to the denials of the other men again, and stood frowning
+and silent.
+
+Then the chance seemed to be gone, for the overseer gave the young
+prisoner a thrust towards the others, and Nic walked towards them
+straight for where Pete was waiting.  Then he raised his eyes, saw who
+was standing in his way, and he went off to his right, to stop beside
+Humpy Dee, while a feeling of resentment rose hotly in Pete's breast.
+
+"Oh, very well," he muttered to himself; "it's no business of mine."
+
+The next minute the overseer gave a sharp order; the big black raised
+the basket and put himself at the head of the prisoners; the other
+slaves took their places on either side, and the overseer followed
+behind with the dogs, which began to bound about, barking loudly for a
+minute or two, and then walked quietly as the party left the gloomy
+warehouse behind.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
+
+HUMPY DEE'S PLAN GOES "A-GLEY."
+
+It all seemed to Nic like part of some terrible dream, for a strange
+struggle was going on in his weakened brain, where reason seemed to come
+and go by pulsations.  One minute everything appeared to be real, the
+next it was dream-like; and he was so convinced that in a short time he
+would wake up that he walked quietly on side by side with one of the
+negroes, taking notice of the place, which seemed to be a port, with the
+beginnings of a town dropped down in a scattered fashion a short
+distance from the mouth of a river.  The houses were of timber, and to
+each there was a large, roughly fenced-in piece of cultivated ground,
+with some trees standing, while others had been cut down, leaving the
+blackened stumps in all directions.
+
+It was a strange mingling of shed, shipbuilding-yard, and store, for
+many of the erections and their surroundings wore all the aspect of
+barns.  As the little party now tramped on, with the prisoners' fetters
+giving forth a dull, clanking sound, the aspect of the place grew more
+and more rustic, the people who stopped to stare fewer, till, as they
+reached a large boarded house, evidently nearly new, and against whose
+rough fence a farmer-like man, in a damaged straw hat, was leaning,
+gazing intently at the prisoners.  All beyond seemed trees and wild
+growth, amidst which the river made a curve, and the trampled track
+looked more green.
+
+Nic looked half-wonderingly at the man leaning upon the fence, and felt
+that he was going to speak in commiseration of his plight; but the next
+moment his hopes were dashed, for the settler shouted:
+
+"How are you, Master Saunders?  How's the Gaffer?"
+
+"All well," said the overseer, with a nod.
+
+"Seems a nice, tidy, strong-limbed lot you've got there, master."
+
+"Oh yes; pretty well."
+
+"Some of all sorts.  That's an ugly one," continued the farmer, pointing
+to Humpy Dee, and mentally valuing him as if he were one in a herd of
+cattle.  "But I daresay he can work."
+
+"He'll have to," said the overseer, and Nic saw that each black face
+wore a grin, while Humpy was scowling savagely.
+
+"Yes, I should like a lot such as that.  'Member me to the Gaffer.  Tell
+him to look in if he comes to town."
+
+"Yes," thought Nic as they passed on; "it must be a dream, and I shall
+wake soon."
+
+It grew more and more dream-like to him as the track was followed among
+the trees till a rough landing-place was reached, formed by some huge
+stakes driven down into the mud, with heavy planks stretched over to
+them, and others laid across.  The reddening sun was turning the gliding
+water to gold, as it ran up the river now, for the flood-tide was
+running fast; and as they drew nearer, Nic caught sight of what looked
+like the launch of some large vessel swinging by a rope fastened to an
+upright of the landing-stage.
+
+Just then one of the blacks uttered a peculiar, melodious cry, the great
+dogs bounded on to the stage and began to bark, and a couple of blacks,
+dressed like those about him, sprang up in the boat, where they had been
+lying asleep, and began to haul upon the now unfastened rope to draw the
+craft up to the stage.
+
+Nic's head was throbbing again, and the unreality and novelty of the
+scene increased.
+
+"I shall wake soon," he said to himself.  "How strange it is!"
+
+For at that moment, as the boat came abreast, he saw one of the great
+dogs leap from the stage, run to the stern, and sit down, the others
+following and joining it behind the seat provided with a back rail.
+
+It seemed to be no new thing to the blacks, for the huge fellow who had
+acted as smith stepped down into the boat, followed by his assistant,
+walked aft, and deposited his bag with the dogs, and then stooped down
+and drew from under the side-seat a couple of muskets, one of which he
+handed to his assistant, both examining their priming, and then seating
+themselves one on either side of the boat, with their guns between their
+legs, watching the embarkation.
+
+"You next," said the overseer to Pete; and the prisoner walked to the
+edge, made as if to leap, but checked himself and climbed down, feeling
+that the other way would have been risky, weighted as his legs were by
+the shackles.  "Help your young mate," said the overseer roughly; and
+Pete's eyes flashed as he stood up and held out his hand to Nic, who
+shrank from the contact as his wrist was caught.  Then he descended
+feebly into the boat, and then had to be helped right forward, to sit
+down close to one of the blacks who was now holding on to the woodwork
+with a boat-hook.
+
+The other prisoners followed awkwardly enough in their irons, and took
+the places pointed out to them by one of the blacks who had been in
+charge of the boat.
+
+As the second of the party took his place next to Pete, he hung down his
+head and whispered:
+
+"Humpy says we're to make a dash for it and take the boat."
+
+Pete started; but the man, under the pretence of adjusting his irons,
+went on, with his head nearly in his comrade's lap:
+
+"T'others know.  We shall push off into the stream, where he can't hit
+us with his pistols, and we can soon pitch the niggers overboard."
+
+"Silence, there!" shouted the overseer.
+
+The other men descended, and exchanged glances with their companions--
+glances which Pete saw meant "Be ready!"--and his blood began to dance
+through his veins.
+
+Should he help, or shouldn't he?
+
+Yes; they were his fellows in adversity, and it was for liberty: he
+must--he would; and, with his heart beating hard, he prepared for the
+struggle, feeling that they must succeed, for a blow or two would send
+the men by them overboard, and a thrust drive the boat gliding swiftly
+up-stream, the man with the boat-hook having enough to do to hold on.
+
+"Young Nic Revel don't zeem to understand," thought Pete; "but he
+couldn't help us if he did."
+
+He had hardly thought this when, in obedience to an order from the
+overseer, the last man, Humpy Dee, tramped clumsily to the edge and
+seemed to hesitate, with the result that there was a sharp bark from one
+of the dogs right astern, and a chill ran through Pete's burning veins.
+
+"I forgot the dogs!" he said to himself.
+
+"Get down, fool!" cried the overseer, and he struck at the hesitating
+prisoner with the whip.
+
+It was all a feint on the part of Humpy to gain time and carry out his
+plan.
+
+He winced as the whip-lash caught him on his leg, and then, instead of
+descending slowly, leaped down right upon the black who held the boat to
+the stage by the hook.
+
+It was cleverly done, and acted as intended, for the black was driven
+over the side, and the prisoner's weight gave the boat the impetus
+required, sending it a little adrift into the stream, which began to
+bear it away, but not before the result of a little miscalculation had
+made itself evident.
+
+For Humpy Dee had not allowed for the weight and cumbersomeness of his
+fetters; neither had he given them credit for their hampering nature.
+He had leaped and suddenly thrust the black overboard, to hang clinging
+to the boat-hook; but he had been unable to check himself from
+following; and, as the boat yielded to his weight and thrust, he seemed
+to take a header over the bow, there was a tremendous splash, and the
+water was driven over those seated forward.
+
+The two blacks astern leaped up, and the overseer uttered a cry of rage;
+the water closed over Humpy Dee's head, while the dogs set up a chorus
+of baying as the boat glided steadily away.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINETEEN.
+
+"WHAT'LL MASSA SAY?"
+
+The scene taking place before him acted strangely upon Nic.  It seemed
+to rouse him from his dreamy state, and awakened him to a wild pitch of
+excitement.
+
+He sprang to his feet, and was on the point of springing overboard to
+the man's help; but a touch from Pete upon the shoulder was enough: he
+sank down beneath its pressure, weak and helpless as a child.
+
+"What are you going to do?" whispered Pete.  "Are you mad?"
+
+"Help!  Save him!  Can you stand like that and see the man drown before
+your eyes?"
+
+"What can I do, lad?" growled Pete angrily.  "If I go over after him,
+it's to drown myself.  These irons'll stop a man from zwimming, and take
+one to the bottom like a stone."
+
+"Ay, ay; ye can't do 'un," growled one of the other prisoners, in whom
+the desire for escaping died out on the instant.  "Sit still, lad; sit
+still."
+
+But Pete stood with staring eyes, gazing wildly at the place where his
+enemy had disappeared; the veins in his forehead swelled, his lips
+parted, and he panted as he drew his breath, looking ready at any moment
+to leap overboard and make an effort to save his old companion's life.
+
+Meanwhile the overseer was shouting orders to his blacks ashore as well
+as to those in the boat, which was gliding faster up the stream, and the
+men laid down their guns and picked up and put out a couple of oars, the
+dogs barking frantically the while.
+
+"Pete Burge," whispered one of the men, "we must make friends now.
+Here's our chance; shall we take it?"
+
+"No, no," cried Pete furiously, but without taking his eyes from where
+Humpy had disappeared.
+
+"I cannot bear it," panted Nic to himself, as he once more sprang up;
+and before he could be stayed he dived out of the boat, rose, and struck
+out for the landing-stage.
+
+Pete shouted at him in his agony, and jumped overboard to save him,
+forgetting what was bound to happen, and going down like a stone, feet
+foremost, but rising to the surface again, to fight gallantly in spite
+of the weight of his irons, and strive to overtake Nic, who,
+unencumbered, was some yards away.
+
+But it proved to be as Pete had foreseen; there was the gallant will and
+the strength to obey it, but it was merely a spasmodic force which only
+endured a minute or two.  Then the brave young swimmer's arms turned, as
+it were, to lead, the power to breast the strong current ceased, and he
+remained stationary for a moment or two, before being gradually borne
+backward, his efforts ceasing; while the men in the boat watched him and
+Pete, who, with the water quite to his nostrils, was swimming with all
+his strength, but only just able to keep the heavy fetters from dragging
+him to the bottom.
+
+"Two more on us going," said one of the men.  "Here, Bob; come and help.
+You stop and grab 'em as soon as they're near."
+
+The man and the comrade he had addressed scrambled over the thwarts
+towards where the two blacks were rowing hard, but hardly holding the
+heavy boat against the powerful tide; and as soon as the fetters
+clanked, the dogs barked savagely and leaped up to meet them; but as the
+intelligent beasts saw the men seize a couple of oars and thrust them
+over the sides, they stopped short, panting.
+
+"All the better for you," growled one of the men to the dog glaring at
+him, "for I'd ha' choked you if you'd come at me.--Pull away, blackies."
+
+The additional oars had the right effect, for as the four men pulled
+with all their might the boat began to stem the current and shorten the
+distance between it and the two drowning men.  But, in spite of his
+great strength, Pete was being mastered by the heavy weight of the
+irons, and was getting lower and lower in the water; while Nic's arms
+had ceased to move, and he was drifting with the tide.
+
+"Keep up; strike out, lads," cried the man in the bows, in agony.
+"We're coming fast now."
+
+It was not the truth, for the heavy boat was moving very slowly against
+the swift tide, and the swimmers' fate seemed to be sealed, as the man
+reached back, got hold of another oar, and thrust it out over the bows,
+ready for Pete to grasp as soon as he came within reach.
+
+"We shall be too late," groaned the man, with all his enmity against
+Pete forgotten in those wild moments of suspense.  "Here, look out for
+the oar.  Pete, lad, swim back.  Oh! poor lad, he can't hear me.  He's
+drownin'--he's drownin'."
+
+Pete could not hear, and if he had heard during his frantic efforts to
+reach Nic, he would not have heeded, for there was no room in the man's
+brain in those wild moments for more than that one thought--that he must
+save that poor, weak fellow's life.
+
+It takes long to describe, but in the real action all was condensed into
+less than a minute.  Pete, who fought wildly, frantically, to keep his
+head above water, fought in vain, for his fettered legs were fast losing
+their power, and he was being drawn gradually lower and lower, till,
+after throwing his head back to gasp for a fresh breath, he straightened
+his neck again, with the water at his eyes, and saw that what he could
+not achieve the current had done for him.
+
+He made a wild, last effort, and caught with one hand at the arm just
+within reach; his fingers closed upon it with a grip of iron, and
+another hand caught desperately at his hair.
+
+Then the water closed over the pair, joined together in a death-grip,
+and the tide rolled them unresistingly up the stream.
+
+"Pull, pull!" yelled the man in the bows, as he reached out with his
+oar; but he could not touch the place where he saw the figures
+disappear.  Quick as thought, though, and with the clever method of one
+accustomed to the management of a fishing-boat, the man changed his
+tactics.  He laid the oar over the prow, treating the iron stem as a
+rowlock, and gave a couple of strokes with all his might, pulling the
+boat's head round, and bringing it well within reach of the spot where
+Nic's back rose and showed just beneath the surface.  Then, leaving the
+oar, the man reached over, and was just in time to get a good hold, as
+the oar dropped from the bow into the river, and he was almost jerked
+out of the boat himself.
+
+"Hold hard, lads, and come and help," he yelled.
+
+The help came; and, with the dogs barking furiously and getting in every
+one's way, Nic and Pete, tightly embraced, were dragged over into the
+bottom of the boat, the blacks, as soon as this was done, standing
+shivering, and with a peculiar grey look about the lips.
+
+At that moment there was a distant hail from the landing-stage, and the
+big smith pulled himself together and hailed in reply.
+
+"Ah, look!" he cried; "you white fellow lose one oar.  Quick, sharp!
+come and pull.  Massa Saunders make trebble bobbery if we lose dat."
+
+The oars were seized, and with two of the prisoners helping to row, the
+oar was recovered from where it was floating away with the tide, the
+others trying what they could do to restore the couple, who lay
+apparently lifeless; while the dog which had behaved so strangely
+earlier in the day stood snuffing about Nic, ending by planting his
+great paws upon the poor fellow's chest, licking his face two or three
+times, and then throwing up his muzzle to utter a deep-toned, dismal
+howl, in which the others joined.
+
+"Say, um bofe dead," groaned the big smith.  "Pull, boy; all pull you
+bess, and get back to the massa.  Oh, lorimee! lorimee! what massa will
+say along wi' dat whip, all acause we drown two good men, and couldn't
+help it a bit.  Oh, pull, pull, pull!  Shub de boat along.  What will
+massa say?"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY.
+
+FISHING FOR MEN.
+
+Those with the boat had been too much occupied in their own adventure to
+heed what had taken place at the landing-stage; and, even had they
+glanced in that direction, the distance the swift tide had carried them
+up-stream would have made every movement indistinct.
+
+But busy moments had passed there, for the overseer was a man of action,
+and prompt to take measures toward saving the life of the drowning man.
+For a human life was valuable in those early days of the American
+colonies, especially the life of a strong, healthy slave who could work
+in the broiling sunshine to win the harvest of the rich, fertile soil.
+
+So, as the boat drifted away, he gave his orders sharply, and the black
+slaves, who had stood helplessly staring, rushed to the help of their
+companion, who was hanging by the boat-hook, half in the water, afraid
+to stir lest the iron should give way and the tide carry him off to
+where, as he well knew, there were dangers which made his lips turn grey
+with dread.
+
+The help came just as the poor fellow was ready to lose his hold and
+slip back into the river, and in another minute he was shivering on the
+stage.
+
+"Take hold of that boat-hook," cried the overseer, speaking with his
+eyes fixed upon one spot, where the water ran eddying and forming tiny
+whirlpools, and not daring to look round for fear of losing sight of the
+place where it seemed to him that his white slave had gone down like a
+stone; and this had kept him from giving much heed to the proceedings in
+the boat.
+
+One of the men seized the pole and waited for the next order.
+
+"He went down there," cried the overseer, pointing.  "Sound with the
+pole, and try how deep it is."
+
+The man obeyed, the pole touching the muddy bottom about four feet below
+the surface.
+
+"That's right; jump in," cried Saunders.
+
+The man started, and then remained motionless, gazing piteously at his
+companions.
+
+"Do you hear?  Quick!" roared the overseer.
+
+"There big 'gator, sah--'gator gar, sah," cried the man piteously.
+
+"Bah!  In with you," cried the overseer fiercely, and he cracked his
+whip, with the result that the man lowered the pole again, and then
+half-slipped, half-jumped down into the water, which rose breast-high,
+and he had to hold on by the boat-hook to keep himself from being swept
+away.
+
+But the next moment he steadied himself.
+
+"There, wade out," cried Saunders; "quick, before it is too late.
+Quick, sir; do you hear?"
+
+He cracked his whip loudly as he spoke, and the man raised the pole
+after separating his legs to increase his support, as he leaned to his
+left to bear against the rushing tide, which threatened to sweep him
+from his feet.  Then, reaching out, he thrust down the boat-hook again
+to get another support before taking a step farther from the staging.
+
+But it was in vain.  The water deepened so suddenly that as he took the
+step the water rose to his nostrils, and he uttered a yell, for the
+current swept him from his feet to fall over sidewise, and the next
+moment lay, as it were, upon the surface, with only one side of his face
+visible; but he was not borne away.
+
+The other blacks, and even the overseer, stared in wonder, for there the
+man lay, with the tide rushing by him, anchored, as it were, in the
+stream, rising and falling gently like a buoy for a few moments before
+beginning to glide with the current.
+
+"It's of no use," said the overseer sharply; "the hound's dead before
+now.  Clumsy fool!  Two of you jump in, and one reach out to get hold of
+Xerxes; we must give the new fellow up."
+
+The men shrank, but they obeyed, lowering themselves into the water and
+joining hands, one of them taking hold of the end of the staging, while
+the other waded a step or two and reached out, as he clung to his
+fellow's extended hand till he was just able to get hold of the cotton
+jacket.
+
+That was sufficient; the black was drawn a trifle shoreward, and then
+came more and more, as if dragging with him whatever it was that had
+anchored him to the bottom.
+
+That mystery was soon explained, for the pole of the boat-hook, to which
+the poor fellow clung, appeared level with the surface, and as the drag
+was increased more and more of the pole appeared, till all three were
+close up to the piles; after which first one and then another climbed
+out to drag at the long stout staff, till, to the surprise of all, they
+found that what it was hitched into was the clothes of Humpy Dee, who
+had lain nearly where he had sunk, anchored by the weight of his irons,
+in some hole where the pressure of the current was not so great as at
+the surface.
+
+In another minute the heavy figure had been hauled upon the platform, to
+lie there apparently dead; while the blacks began, after their homely,
+clumsy fashion, to try and crush out any tiny spark of life which might
+remain, and kept on rolling the heavy body to and fro with all their
+might.
+
+"It's no good, boys," said the overseer, frowning down at the prisoner.
+"Keep on for a bit, though;" and he turned away to watch the coming of
+the boat, just as Pete sat up, looking dazed and strange, and Nic rose
+to his knees, and then painfully seated himself in his old place.
+
+"Better than I thought for," muttered the overseer.  "One gone instead
+of three--pull, boys," he shouted.
+
+The blacks needed no telling, for they were exerting themselves to the
+utmost, and in a few minutes one of the blacks on the landing-stage
+caught the prow with the hook, and the boat was drawn alongside of the
+woodwork, the dogs having quietly settled themselves in their place
+behind the stern seat as soon as the two half-drowned men had shown
+signs of recovery.
+
+The overseer scanned the two dripping figures hard, uttered a grunt, and
+turned once more to where the blacks were busy still with the heavy
+figure of Humpy Dee, which they were rolling and rubbing unmercifully,
+with the water trickling between the boards, and the sunset light giving
+a peculiarly warm glow to the man's bronzed skin.
+
+"Well," cried the overseer, "is he quite dead?"
+
+"No, sah; am t'ink he quite 'livo," said one of the blacks.
+
+"Eh?  What makes you think that?"
+
+"Him bit warm, massa--and just now him say _whuzz_, _whuzz_ when we rub
+um front."
+
+"No," said the overseer; "impossible.  He was under the water too long.
+Here, what are you doing?"
+
+The black had laid his ear against the patient's breast, but he started
+up again.
+
+"Lissum; hear whever him dead, massa.  You come, put your head down
+heah, and you hear um go _wob_, _wob_ berry soffly."
+
+Saunders bent down and laid his head against the man's bull-throat, to
+keep it there for a few moments.
+
+"No go _wob_, _wob_, sah?" cried the black.  "You two and me gib um big
+shake.  Um go den."
+
+"No, no; let him be," cried the overseer; and the blacks looked on in
+perfect silence till their tyrant rose slowly to his feet, scowling.
+
+"Clumsy brute," he said, "causing all this trouble and hindrance.
+Nearly drowned two men.  There, two of you take him by his head and
+heels and drop him in."
+
+"Tie big 'tone to um head first, massa?"
+
+"What!" roared the overseer, so sharply that the black jumped to his
+feet.  "What do you mean?"
+
+"Make um go to de bottom, sah, and neber come up no more."
+
+"Bah! you grinning black idiot.  Didn't you tell me he was alive?"
+
+"Yes, sah; quite 'livo, sah."
+
+"Drop him in the boat, then, and hurry about it, or we shan't get up to
+the farm before the tide turns.  There, four of you take him; and you
+below there, ease him down.  Don't let him go overboard again, if you
+want to keep whole skins."
+
+The men seized the heavy figure by the hands and legs, and bearing it
+quite to the edge, lowered it down to the others, room being made at the
+bottom of the boat, where it was deposited with about as much ceremony
+as a sack of corn.  Then, in obedience to another order, the blacks
+descended, and the overseer stepped down last, to seat himself with his
+back to the dogs; while the smith and his assistant once more took up
+their guns and their places as guards.  Then the boat was pushed off.
+Four of the blacks seized the oars, the boat's head swung round, and the
+next minute, with but little effort, she was gliding rapidly up the
+muddy stream.
+
+It was dangerous work to begin talking, but as Nic sat there in silence,
+with his head growing clearer, and gazing compassionately at the
+prostrate figure, two of the prisoners put their heads together and
+began to whisper.
+
+"Close shave for old Humpy," said one.  "Think he'll come round again?"
+
+"Dunno; but if he does, I'm not going to help in any more games about
+going off.  This job has made me sick."
+
+"He won't want you to; this must have pretty well sickened him if he
+comes to."
+
+"Mind what you're saying.  That there black image is trying to hear
+every word."
+
+"He can't understand.  But I say, the gaffer didn't know how it
+happened, after all.  Thought it was an accident."
+
+"So it was," said the other man, with a grim smile, "for old Humpy.
+Here, Pete, old man, how are you now?"
+
+Pete looked at the speaker in wonder, then nodded, and said quietly:
+
+"Bit stiff and achey about the back of the neck."
+
+"Mind shaking hands, mate?" said the man in a faint whisper.
+
+"What for?" said Pete sourly.
+
+"'Cause I like what you did, mate.  It was acting like a man.  But we're
+not friends over that other business of splitting on us about the
+salmon."
+
+"Better wait a bit, then, my lad," said Pete.  "It aren't good to shake
+hands with a man like me."
+
+"But I say it is," said the other with emphasis.  "The way you went
+overboard with them heavy irons on, to try and save young master here,
+sent my heart up in my mouth."
+
+Nic, who had sat listening moodily to the whispered conversation,
+suddenly looked up in a quick, eager way.
+
+"Say that again," he whispered huskily.
+
+"Say what agen?"
+
+"Did Pete Burge jump in to save my life?"
+
+"Course he did--like a man."
+
+"Oh!" gasped Nic, turning to look Pete wonderingly in the face.
+
+"Silence there!" roared the overseer savagely.  "Do you think you've
+come out here for a holiday, you insolent dogs?"
+
+At the last words the three animals behind the speaker took it to
+themselves, and began to bark.
+
+"Down!  Quiet!" roared the overseer, and the barking of the dogs and his
+loud command came echoing back from a wood of great overhanging trees,
+as the boat now passed a curve of the river.
+
+Nic glanced at the overseer, then to right and left of him, before
+letting his eyes drop on the swiftly-flowing river, to try and think out
+clearly the answers to a couple of questions which seemed to be buzzing
+in his brain: "Where are we going?  How is this to end?"
+
+But there was no answer.  All seemed black ahead as the rapidly-coming
+night.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
+
+IN ALLIGATOR LAND.
+
+As the night grew darker, and Nic sat in the forepart of the boat in his
+drenched clothes, which at first felt pleasantly cool, and then by
+degrees grew colder until he shivered, his head grew clearer and he
+became more himself.  He was able to grasp more fully his position and
+how hardly fate had dealt with him.
+
+It was clear enough now; he had been sent off in that terrible blunder
+as one of the salmon-poachers; and he was there, sold or hired to one of
+the colonists, to work upon a plantation until he could make his
+position known to some one in authority, and then all would be right.
+He felt that it would be of no use to appeal to this brutal slave-driver
+who had him and his fellow-unfortunates in charge.  What he had to do
+was to wait patiently and make the best of things till then.
+
+His head was rapidly growing so clear now that he could piece the
+disconnected fragments of his experience together, few as they were, and
+broken up by his sufferings from the injuries he had received; and, as
+he sat there in the darkness, he became more calm, and rejoiced in the
+thought that he was growing stronger, and would, without doubt, soon be
+fully recovered and able to act.  Till then he made up his mind to wait.
+
+When he had arrived at this point he began to think about his position
+in connection with the rough ne'er-do-wells who were his companions.  He
+shivered involuntarily at the thought of being in such close touch with
+men of this class; but he softened a little as he dwelt upon the fact
+that, bad as he was, Pete Burge had behaved bravely, and that he had to
+thank him for twice-over saving his life.  He might have said three
+times, but he was unaware of the patient attention he had received from
+the man during the feverish hours produced by his contusions and wound.
+But, still, there was a feeling of revulsion which made him shrink from
+contact with one whom he felt to be the cause of all his sufferings, and
+he hardened himself against the man more than against the others.
+
+Then, with a sigh of relief, he cast all thoughts of self away, after
+coming to the conclusion that, as soon as his father realised what had
+happened, he would never rest till the authorities had had him found and
+brought back, even if a ship was purposely despatched.
+
+For this thought was very comforting.  He had only to wait, he felt,
+little thinking that the old Captain was lying in peril of his life from
+the genuine trouble which had come upon him, as he mourned over the loss
+of the son whom he believed to be dead, and for the recovery of whose
+body he had offered a heavy reward to the fishermen.
+
+For he said to Solly, "One of these days they will find him cast up on
+the shore."
+
+It was very dark; the cloudy sky seemed to be hanging low over the heads
+of those in the boat, as the men rowed on till the overseer made a
+change in his crew; the four blacks who had been rowing taking the
+places of those who had been guards and steersman, while the rowers took
+the muskets in turn.
+
+The fresh crew pulled steadily and well, and the boat glided on along
+the winding river, whose banks grew more and more wooded until they
+seemed to be going through a thick forest, whose closely-growing trees
+formed dense, high walls, above which there was a strip of dark, almost
+black, sky.
+
+Then another change was made, just when Nic was suffering from a fresh
+anxiety; for after he had proved to himself, by kneeling in the boat and
+touching him, that Humpy Dee was alive and regaining consciousness, his
+companions had suddenly grown very quiet, and the dread had assailed Nic
+that the man was dead, for he had been left to take his chance as far as
+the overseer was concerned; and when twice-over the prisoners had begun
+to trouble themselves about their comrade's state, Nic setting the
+example by kneeling down to raise Humpy's head, a stern command came
+from the stern of the boat, and this threat:
+
+"Look here, you fellows; if I hear any more talking or shuffling about
+there I shall fire."
+
+Nic felt that the man would act up to his threat; but after a time, when
+a groan came from Humpy, the whispering and movements recommenced in the
+efforts made to succour the sufferer.
+
+"I don't speak again," roared the overseer; and Nic started and
+shuddered, but felt fiercely indignant the next moment as he heard the
+ominous _click_! _click_! of a pistol-lock from out of the darkness
+astern.
+
+At last came the order for a fresh change of rowers, and four of the
+captives went climbing over the thwarts, with their irons clanking and
+striking against the seats as they took their places, all being men who
+had been accustomed to the handling of an oar.
+
+Nic took advantage of the noise to sink upon his knees beside Humpy in
+the bottom of the boat to try if he could not do something for him; he
+was no longer the hated, brutal ruffian, but a suffering
+fellow-creature.  As Nic felt about in the dark he found that the man
+had somehow shifted his position and slightly rolled over, so that his
+face was partly in the water which had collected for want of baling; and
+doubtless, in his helpless, semi-insensible state, but for Nic's
+efforts, Humpy Dee's career would after all have been at an end.
+
+It was only a fresh instance of how strangely we are all dependent upon
+one another, and the way in which enemies perform deeds which they
+themselves would previously have looked upon as impossible.  And without
+doubt big, brutal Humpy Dee would have stared in wonder, could he have
+opened his eyes in daylight, to see what took place in the
+pitch-darkness--to wit, the feeble, suffering young man, whom he had
+struck down and tried to drown in the Devon salmon-pool, kneeling in the
+wash-water, making a pillow of his knees for his companion's rough,
+coarse head.
+
+Still, for hours this was Nic's position, while the boat was rowed by
+the white slaves along the winding river, until another change was made,
+the blacks taking the oars, when Pete, being the first of the rowers to
+come back to his seat, found what had taken place, and insisted upon
+relieving Nic of his task.
+
+"On'y to think of it, zur," he said; "on'y to think o' your doing o'
+that, and you so bad!"
+
+Nic said nothing, but had to be helped back to his seat, the position he
+had occupied having cramped him; and then once more he sat gazing at the
+great black wall opposite to him as the blacks sent the boat along, till
+suddenly, about midnight, there was heard a deep bark from somewhere
+ashore.
+
+The three dogs, which had been curled up asleep, sprang to their feet
+and answered in chorus, when another chorus rose from the right and came
+nearer and nearer.  Then the black wall on the same side dropped away,
+and amidst the baying of the great hounds the boat's speed was
+slackened, and it was turned into a narrow creek.  Here the oars were
+laid in, and progress was continued for about a hundred yards by a
+couple of the blacks poling the boat along towards a light which
+suddenly appeared, the bearer hailing and coming alongside to begin
+talking to the overseer.
+
+It was dark enough still; but another lanthorn was brought, the
+prisoners were ordered to step out, and were then marched to a barn-like
+place, where, as they entered a door, Nic felt the soft rustling of
+Indian-corn leaves beneath his feet.
+
+"In with you, boys," cried the overseer; and the three dogs, and the
+others which had saluted them, scampered in.  "Watch 'em, boys, and give
+it to them if they try to get away.  There, lie down."
+
+The man held up the lanthorn he had taken as he spoke, and Nic saw that
+seven of the great hounds settled themselves in a heap of leaves close
+to the door, while quite a stack was close to where he was standing with
+his companions.
+
+"There's your bed, my lads," cried the overseer.  "You heard what I
+said.  Lie down, all of you, at once.  There will be a sentry with a
+musket outside, and you can guess what his orders are."
+
+The man strode out; the door was banged to, there was the noise of a big
+bar being thrown across and the rattling of a padlock, followed by the
+clink of fetters as their wearers lay down in the heap of sweet-smelling
+corn-stalks and leaves; and for a few moments no one spoke.
+
+Nic had sunk down in the darkness, glad to be in a restful posture, and
+began to wonder whether Humpy Dee had been carried in by the blacks, for
+he had been one of the first to leave the boat, and had seen hardly
+anything by the light of the lanthorns.
+
+"Poor wretch!" he sighed.  "I hope he is not dead."
+
+Just then one of the other men said, in the broad Devon burr:
+
+"Zay, lads, bean't they going to give uz zum'at to eat?"
+
+"Brakfus-time," said another.  "Zay, Humpy, how is it with ye?  Not
+thuzty, are you?  Oughtn't to be, after all that water."
+
+"I'm going to make zumun pay for all this," came in the man's familiar
+growl.  "Why didn't you get hold o' me and pull me in?  Zet o' vools.
+Had your chance; and we might ha' got away."
+
+"Why, it was all your fault," said another.  "We was waitin' for you.
+What did you go and stop zo long under water for?"
+
+"Did I?" said Humpy confusedly.
+
+"Course you did.  We was too good mates to go and leave you behind."
+
+There was a heavy bang at the door, as if from the butt of a musket, and
+the dogs leaped up and began to growl.
+
+"Lie down, boys," cried a thick voice, the words sounding as if spoken
+through a big keyhole.  "An' I say, you chaps, look heah; de massa say
+you make a row in dah I got to shoot."
+
+"All right, blackie," said one of the prisoners; "don't shoot.
+Good-night, boys.  I'm going to sleep."
+
+Just at that moment Nic started, for there was a snuffling noise close
+to him, the leaves rustled, and he felt the hot breath of one of the
+dogs on his face.
+
+But it was a friendly visit, for the great brute turned round two or
+three times to trample down the dense bed of leaves, and settled itself
+into a comfortable curve, with its big head upon the poor fellow's
+chest, making Nic wonder whether it was the dog which had been friendly
+before.
+
+He risked it: raising his hand, he laid it gently between the animal's
+soft ears, and there was a low muttering sound that was a big sigh of
+satisfaction, not a growl; and Nic felt as if the companionship of the
+dog was pleasant in his terrible loneliness and despair.  It was warm
+and soothing, too, and seemed like the beginning of something hopeful--
+he knew not what.  Then he began to think of home, and a sensation of
+prayerful thankfulness came over him as he felt that his head was
+growing clearer.  The next minute all trouble, pain, and weariness were
+forgotten in a deep and dreamless sleep.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
+
+REACHING THE PLANTATION.
+
+A deep growl and a loud burst of barking roused Nic Revel from his deep
+sleep, free from fever, calm and refreshed, to lie listening to the
+dogs, wondering what it all meant.
+
+The sun was up, and horizontal rays were streaming in between
+ill-fitting boards and holes from which knots had fallen consequent upon
+the shrinking of the wood.  There was a feeling of cool freshness in the
+air, too, that was exhilarating; but for a few moments Nic could not
+make out where he was.
+
+Then the slight confusion passed away, as he heard the rustling of
+leaves, and turned to see his companions stirring and yawning, while at
+the same moment a dog's great head was butted at him as if its owner
+were a playful sheep, and it then drew back, swinging its tail slowly
+from side to side.
+
+The next minute the heavy bar was swung down, the great padlock rattled,
+and the door was drawn open, to let in a flood of light, followed by the
+two blacks who had fitted on the irons, but who now bore a huge loaf of
+bread and a pitcher of water; while two more blacks, each shouldering a
+musket, closed in behind them, to stand as if framed in the doorway.
+
+"Heah, jump up," cried the big smith.  "Make has'e; eat your brakfas'
+'fore you go to de boat."
+
+As he spoke he turned an empty barrel with its head upward, banged the
+loaf down upon it, drew a knife from its sheath in his belt, and counted
+the prisoners over with the point of the blade.  He then drew a few
+imaginary lines upon the top of the loaf, paused to rub his woolly head
+with the haft, looking puzzled and as if cutting the loaf into as many
+pieces as there were prisoners bothered him, and ended by making a dash
+at his task.
+
+He cut the loaf in half, then divided it into quarters, and went on
+working hard as he made these eighths, and finally sixteenths.
+
+By this time the top of the barrel was covered.
+
+"Now, den, 'tan' in a row," he cried importantly.
+
+The men scowled, but they were hungry, and obeyed, the black sticking
+the point of his knife into the chunks he had cut, and handing a piece
+to each in turn, beginning with Humpy Dee, who did not seem any the
+worse for his immersion, and ending with Nic.
+
+After this he began again with Humpy, went down the line again, and had
+begun for the third time when it suddenly struck him that there would
+not be enough to go round, and he snatched the piece back.
+
+Humpy Dee uttered a furious growl, and made a step forward to recover
+it; but the big black presented the point of the knife at him and
+shouted:
+
+"Ah, what dat?  You back, sah, 'fore set de dog at you."
+
+Humpy growled like one of the beasts, and resumed his place in the line,
+and the black went on calmly dividing the remaining pieces, distributed
+them, and called up the dogs to catch what remained.
+
+The water was then passed round, the blacks went off leaving the
+sentries in position, and the prisoners sat amongst the Indian-corn
+leaves, to eat their breakfast ravenously enough.
+
+Before they had finished, the barking of the dogs announced the coming
+of the overseer, who came in, whip in hand, to run his eye over his
+prisoners, nodding his satisfaction as he saw that he was not going back
+minus any of them, and went out again.
+
+Then, as Nic sat eating the remainder of his bread, the entry was
+darkened a little, and he saw a couple of women peer in--one a
+middle-aged, comely body, the other a young girl.
+
+There was a pitying expression upon their faces; and, obeying a sudden
+impulse, Nic stood up to go to speak to them, for it seemed to him that
+his chance had come.  But at his first movement Humpy Dee leaped up,
+with his fetters clinking, to intercept him, a sour look upon his face,
+and the frightened women ran away.
+
+"No, you don't," growled Humpy; "not if I knows it, m'lad."
+
+"You, sah--you go back and eat your brakfas', sah," came from the door;
+and Humpy turned sharply, to see that their guards were standing, each
+with his musket steadied against a doorpost, taking aim at him and Nic.
+
+"Yah, you old pot and kettle," cried Humpy scornfully; "you couldn't hit
+a haystack;" but he went back to his place and sat down, Nic giving up
+with a sigh and following his example.
+
+Half-an-hour after the overseer was back with the dogs, the order was
+given, and the prisoners marched out, to find the blacks waiting.  Nic
+saw now that there was a roomy log-house, fenced round with a patch of
+garden; and in a group by the rough pine-wood porch a burly-looking man
+was standing with the two women; and half-a-dozen black slaves were at
+the far end of the place, each shouldering a big clumsy hoe, and
+watching, evidently with the greatest interest, the prisoners on their
+way to the boat.
+
+In his hasty glance round, Nic could see that the farm was newly won
+from the wilderness, and encumbered with the stumps of the great trees
+which had been felled, some to be used as logs, others to be cut up into
+planks; but the place had a rough beauty of its own, while the wistful
+glances that fell upon him from the occupants of the porch sent a thrill
+through his breast, and raised a hope that if ever he came that way he
+might find help.
+
+But his heart sank again as his eyes wandered to the black labourers,
+and then to a couple of huge dogs similar to those which followed behind
+with the overseer; for he knew that he was among slave-owners, and in
+his despondency he could not help asking himself what chance he would
+have, an escaped prisoner, if he tried to get away.
+
+He had little time for thought, but he took in the surroundings of the
+place quickly, noting that the house and out-buildings stood well raised
+upon a mound, round one side of which the creek they had turned into
+ran; while through the trees some little distance away there was the
+river, and across it the forest, rising from the farther bank, not black
+and forbidding now, but beautiful in the early morning sunshine.
+
+The overseer shouted a hearty good-bye to the people by the porch, and
+there was a friendly reply, as they marched on to where the boat lay
+fastened to a stump; the dogs sprang in to retake their places, barking
+their farewell to the others which trotted down to look on; a big basket
+of provisions was next put on board by the smith and his assistant, and
+then the prisoners were sent forward to their old places, Pete glancing
+once at Nic, whose eyes were wandering here and there; but Nic avoided
+the glance.
+
+"Now you, sir," cried the overseer; "don't stand staring about.  In with
+you."
+
+Nic obeyed as soon as there was room, and the overseer took his place
+astern.
+
+A minute later they were being poled along the creek, which was here and
+there overarched by the spreading boughs of the trees, and soon after
+they were out in the main stream, with the blacks rowing steadily in
+water which seemed to be very slack; the little settlement was seen as a
+bright spot for a few minutes, and then disappeared behind the trees,
+which began upon the left bank, and became once more a great green wall
+to shut out everything else.
+
+And then hour after hour the boat was rowed onward, the river winding
+far less than on the previous evening, and seeming to form a highroad
+into the interior, upon which they were the only travellers.  It varied
+little in its width at first, but towards afternoon Nic noted that it
+was beginning to narrow considerably; but it ran always through forest.
+As thoughts of escape would intrude, and the poor fellow scanned the
+banks, he quickly grasped the fact that if an attempt were made it must
+be by the river, for the forest on either side seemed to be impassable,
+and how far it ran inland was impossible to say.
+
+A change was made every hour or so, the prisoners taking their turn with
+the oars; and before the morning was far advanced the overseer ordered
+Nic into one of the places, watching him intently as he obeyed and fell
+into stroke at once, rowing hard for a few minutes in the hot sunshine
+without a murmur.  Then all at once the trees on the bank began to sail
+round, the oar slipped from his hand, and he fell backward into Pete's
+arms.
+
+When he opened his eyes again he was sitting forward in the bottom of
+the boat, with one of the blacks supporting him and splashing water from
+over the side in his face, while the overseer stood looking down grimly.
+
+"You needn't take another turn," he said gruffly; "I wanted to see
+whether you could do your share."
+
+The rest of the day Nic sat watching their progress, a good deal of it
+through the gloomy shades of a great swamp, through which the river ran
+at times almost in twilight, the faint current being marked by the
+difference in colour and the freedom from the vegetation which marked
+the waters of the great lagoon spreading away to right and left among
+the trees, which grew and fell and rotted as far as eye could penetrate.
+
+The vegetation, was rich, but it seemed to be that of a dying forest
+which had been inundated by the stream, for bank there was none.  Huge
+cypresses stood out at every angle, many having fallen as far as they
+could, but only to be supported by their fellows.  And as the boat went
+swiftly on in obedience to the sturdily-tugged oars, Nic forgot his
+troubles in wonder at the strangeness of the scene through which he
+passed, for it was dreary, horrible, and beautiful all in one.  Rotting
+vegetation supplied the rich, muddy soil from which rose vine and
+creeper to climb far on high, and then, finding no further support,
+throw themselves into the air, to hang and swing where the bright
+sunshine penetrated.  Wherever it was shadowy the trees were draped with
+hanging curtains of moss; while all around Nic looked down vistas of
+light and shade, whose atmosphere was now golden, now of a score of
+different delicious greens.
+
+There was something so new and strange about the swamp that it had a
+fascination for Nic, and he was leaning over the bows, resting his chin
+upon his hand, when he had his first glance at one of its inhabitants;
+for, as the boat was being steered past a moss-covered, rotting stump,
+the gnarled wood suddenly seemed to become animated, a portion of it
+rising a little and then gliding away with a heavy splash into the
+water.
+
+Before he could realise what it was, there was another movement just
+beyond, and this time he made out plainly enough the gaping mouth,
+prominent eyes, and rugged back of a great alligator, followed by its
+waving tail, as it dived down from a cluster of tree-roots out of sight.
+
+After this the reptiles became common enough, for the swamp swarmed with
+them, and Nic realised that it might be a strangely-perilous task to
+make his way through the forest unless provided with a boat.
+
+The men whispered to themselves as the reptiles scuttled about in their
+eagerness to escape, and shook their heads; and as Nic turned from
+observing them to gaze aft he became conscious of the fact that the
+overseer was watching them with a grim smile upon his lips, reading
+their thoughts respecting the dangers of an attempt to escape.
+
+The dogs were evidently familiar with the sight of the reptiles, rarely
+paying any heed to them save when the boat approached quietly and
+aroused a sleeper, which in its surprise raised its great jaws
+menacingly, when one of the dogs would set up the hair about its neck,
+growl, and make a savage snap at the reptile; and after a while the
+prisoners grew in turn accustomed to the loathsome-looking creatures.
+
+"But we might seize the boat," thought Nic, "in the case of no help
+coming;" and he sat there more and more grasping the fact that after all
+he might be forced to depend upon the aid and companionship of those
+around him, and be compelled to master the dislike and repulsion which
+they inspired.
+
+Another stoppage at a woodland farm for the night, and then on again for
+a fresh day's toil as monotonous as the last.
+
+At the different changes made, the rowers left their oars dripping with
+perspiration, for the swamp seemed breathless and the heat intense; but
+towards evening a faint breeze sprang up, and instead of its growing
+darker there was a lightening in the appearance of the place; the
+setting sun sent a red glow among the trees, and then they passed out of
+the forest into a lovely, dreamy, open country, stretching for miles and
+miles towards where a range of hills ran right across their course,
+beyond which, pale orange by the fading light, another range of greater
+height appeared.  Soon after they passed the mouth of a clear stream,
+and at the end of another mile the boat was turned suddenly off to their
+right into a little river of the clearest water, which ran meandering
+through a lightly-wooded slope rising towards the hills; and as Nic was
+gazing at the fairy-like scene, whose atmospheric effects seemed, even
+in his despondent state, far more beautiful than anything he had ever
+seen at home, the boat swept round a curve whose banks were thickly set
+with trees, and once more there was a human habitation in sight, in the
+shape of a well-built, farm-like house upon a knoll, and the agitation
+amongst the dogs warned the prisoners that here was their resting-place
+for the night.
+
+The next minute, as the dogs were barking, the boat was steered close
+inshore, and the brutes bounded over into the shallow water, to scramble
+up the bank, and set off as fast as they could go towards the house,
+from which figures could be seen issuing; and at last, as Nic scanned
+the signs of cultivation around, the growing crops roughly fenced, and
+the out-buildings, the thought struck him that this might be their
+destination.
+
+While he was wondering whether this were so, the boat was run into a
+little creek only big enough to let it pass for about a couple of
+hundred yards before it grounded where a track came down to some posts;
+and as the boat was secured to one of these the overseer sprang ashore
+to meet a tall, sun-browned, grey-haired man, whose keen eyes were
+directed towards the bows of the boat.
+
+"Back again, then, Saunders!" he said sharply.  "Well, what sort of a
+lot do they seem?"
+
+"Rough, but strong," replied the overseer; "all but one young fellow who
+has been knocked about, but he seems as if he'll soon come round."
+
+"Like so many horses or bullocks," said Nic to himself bitterly, "and I
+am the one with broken knees."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
+
+NIC'S APPEAL.
+
+"This, then, is my owner," thought Nic, scanning the settler narrowly as
+he stood apart talking in a quick, decisive manner to the overseer, who
+seemed to treat him with great respect, while the blacks stood apart
+waiting for their orders.
+
+These were not long in coming, for the man turned sharply upon them.
+
+"Clear the boat," he said; and the blacks ran to the bows, a couple of
+them holding the vessel steady while the prisoners stepped clanking out,
+to stand in a row on the bank, with their new master scanning them
+sharply.
+
+"Here, Saunders," he said, "why is that boy not in irons?"
+
+"That is the sick one, sir.  Weak as a rat."
+
+"Oh!--Here, what's the matter with you, boy?" cried the settler.  "No
+disease, have you?"
+
+"No, sir," said Nic, speaking out firmly, for his time seemed to have
+come.  "I was beaten about the head, and received a wound from a cutlass
+on the night these men were seized during an outrage, and--"
+
+"That will do.  I don't want a sermon," said the settler brutally.
+
+"Nor I to preach one, sir; but I was seized with these men by mistake."
+
+"Ah, yes," said the settler, frowning; "some bad mistakes of this sort
+are made.  That will do."
+
+"But I appeal to you, sir.  I was hurried on board a ship while stunned,
+and I only recovered my senses when I reached this place."
+
+"Then you were a long time without them, my lad; but you are wrong."
+
+"I do not understand you, sir."
+
+"Well, I'll tell you," said the settler, sharply.  "You lost your senses
+before you got into trouble."
+
+"I was only defending my father's property, sir," cried Nic
+passionately.  "I am a gentleman--a gentleman's son."
+
+"Yes, we get a good many over here in the plantation, my lad; they are
+the biggest scamps sent over to rid the old country of a nuisance; but
+we do them good with some honest work and make decent men of them."
+
+"But I assure you, sir, I am speaking the truth.  I appeal to you, men.
+Tell this gentleman I was not one of your party."
+
+"Hor, hor," roared Humpy, derisively.  "What a sneak you are, Nic Revel.
+Take your dose like we do--like a man."
+
+"I appeal to you, Pete Burge.  Tell this gentleman that I was brought
+out here by mistake."
+
+"Yes, it was all a mistake, master," cried the man.
+
+Humpy roared with laughter again.  "Don't you believe him, master," he
+cried; "that there Pete Burge is the biggest liar we have in our parts.
+He'd say anything."
+
+"Men, men!" cried Nic, wildly, to the others; "speak the truth, for
+Heaven's sake."
+
+"Course we will," cried Humpy quickly.  "It's all right, master.  Don't
+you show more favour to one than another.  We was all took together
+after a bit o' poaching and a fight.  Youngster there got a crack on the
+head which knocked him silly, and he's hatched up this here cockamaroo
+story in his fright at being sent out.  Do him good--do all on us good,
+and we're all glad to ha' got with such a good master; aren't we, lads?"
+
+"That will do," said the settler.  "You have got too much grease on your
+tongue, my man."
+
+"But, sir," cried Nic.
+
+"Silence!"
+
+"You will let me write to my friends?"
+
+"We don't want you to write to us, mate," cried Humpy grinning; "we
+can't none on us read.  You can tell us what you want to say."
+
+"Silence, you, sir," said the settler, sternly; "I keep a cat here, and
+that man who saw to your irons knows how to use it.  Hold your tongue,
+once for all."
+
+"Oh, all right master; I on'y--"
+
+"Silence!"
+
+Humpy gave his mouth a slap, as if to shut it, and the settler turned to
+Nic.
+
+"Look here, young man," he said; "I have only your word for your story,
+and it seems likely enough to be as your fellow-prisoner says, something
+hatched up from fear.  You are sent out here for your good."
+
+"You don't believe me, sir?" cried Nic, wildly.
+
+"Not a word of it," replied the settler.  "We get too much of that sort
+of thing out here.  Every man, according to his own account, is as
+innocent as a lamb.  You were sent out of your country, and came in a
+king's ship.  You are assigned to me for a labourer, and if you--and all
+of you," he cried, turning to the others, "behave well, and work well,
+you'll find me a good master.  You shall be well fed, have decent
+quarters and clothes, and though you are slaves I won't make slaves of
+you, but treat you as well as I do my blacks.  Look at them; they're as
+healthy a set of men as you can see."
+
+The blacks grinned and seemed contented enough.
+
+"That's one side of the case--my part," continued the settler; "now for
+the other.  I've had a deal of experience with such men as you are, and
+I know how to treat them.  If you play any pranks with me, there's the
+lash.  If you attack me I'll shoot you down as I would a panther.  If
+you try to escape: out north there are the mountains where you'll
+starve; out south and east there is the swamp, where the 'gators will
+pull you down and eat you, if you are not drowned or stifled in the mud;
+if you take to the open country those bloodhounds will run you to earth
+in no time.  Do you hear?" he said meaningly, "run you to earth; for
+when they have done there'll be nothing to do but for some of my blacks
+to make a hole for you and cover you up.  Now, then, you know what's
+open to you.  Your country has cast you out; but we want labour here;
+and, rough and bad as you are, we take you and make better men of you."
+
+"Thank ye, master," cried Humpy; "that's fair enough, mates."
+
+The settler gave him a look which made the man lower his eyes.
+
+"Now then," said the settler, "I am going to begin, and begin fairly
+with you.--Samson."
+
+"Yes, massa," cried the big black.
+
+"Take off their irons.--And if you all behave yourselves you'll never
+have to wear them again."
+
+The basket was at hand; the assistant brought out the little anvil, and
+the task of filing and then drawing out the rivets began, with the dogs
+looking on.
+
+"As for you, my lad," said the settler, "I can see you look weak and
+ill; you can take it easy for a few days till you get up your strength."
+
+"But you will make some inquiries, sir?" pleaded Nic.
+
+"Not one, boy.  I know enough.  I take the word of the king's people; so
+say no more."
+
+He turned his back upon his white slave, and it was as if the old
+confusion of intellect had suddenly come back: Nic's brain swam, black
+specks danced before his eyes, and he staggered and would have fallen
+but for Pete Burge's arm, as the man caught him and whispered:
+
+"Hold up, Master Nic; never say die!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
+
+PETE'S APPEAL.
+
+"Aren't you a bit hard on me, Master Nic?" said Pete, busy at his task
+in the plantation of hoeing the weeds, which seemed to take root and
+begin to grow again directly they were cut down.
+
+He did not look up, but spoke with his head bent over his work,
+conscious as he was that they might be keenly watched.
+
+"I have said nothing harsh to you," said Nic coldly.
+
+"No, zir; but I thought that when you got a bit better, zeeing as we're
+both in the zame trouble, working together like them niggers, you might
+ha' got a bit more friendly."
+
+"Friendly!" said Nic bitterly.
+
+"I don't mean reg'lar friendly, but ready to say a word to a man now and
+then, seeing how he wants to help you."
+
+"You can't help me," said Nic sadly.  "I seem to be tied down to this
+weary life for always, and for no fault of mine--no fault of mine."
+
+"And it's no fault o' mine, Master Nic.  You don't believe it, but I
+couldn't help coming that night; and I did try all I could to keep Humpy
+Dee from hurtin' you."
+
+"Don't talk about it, please."
+
+"No, zur, I won't; but you're hot and tired.  You haven't got your
+strength up yet, though you are a zight better.  Wish I could do all the
+work for you.  Here, I know."
+
+They were hoeing a couple of rows of corn, and Pete was some feet ahead
+of his companion, who looked at him wonderingly, as, after a quick
+glance round, he stepped across and back to where Nic was toiling.
+
+"Quick," he said, "you get on to my row and keep moving your hoe and
+resting till I ketch up."
+
+"But--" began Nic.
+
+"Quick," growled Pete fiercely; and he gave the lagger a sharp thrust
+with his elbow.  "If they zee us talking and moving, old Zaunders'll
+come across."
+
+That meant a fierce bullying, as Nic knew, and he hesitated no longer,
+but stepped into Pete's row.
+
+"I don't like this; it is too full of deceit," said Nic.  "You will be
+blamed for not doing more work."
+
+"Nay; I shan't," replied Pete, "because I shall work harder.  We're
+a-going to do it this way; they won't notice it, and if I keep pulling
+you up a bit level with me it'll make your work easier."
+
+"But I have no right to let you."
+
+"'Taren't nought to do wi' you; it's for the zake of the old country.
+When you get stronger and more used to the hoeing you'll do more than I
+can, p'raps, and help me."
+
+For the prisoners had been compelled to settle down at the plantation;
+and men who had never been used to regular hard toil, but had lived by
+fishing and salmon-spearing, and any odd task which offered, now slaved
+away among the sugar-canes or the Indian-corn, the rice cultivation
+being allotted to the blacks.
+
+The settler had kept his word as to the behaviour to his white servants,
+treating them with what he considered stern justice; but every effort
+Nic had made to obtain a hearing failed, the last producing threats
+which roused the young man's pride, and determined him to fight out the
+cruel battle as fate seemed to have ordained.
+
+Three months had passed since the boat reached the place that night, and
+there had been little to chronicle, for the prisoners' life had been
+most monotonous, embraced as it was in rising early, toiling in the
+plantation in the hot sunshine all the day, with the regular halts for
+meals, and the barn-like shed at night, with the men's roughly-made
+bunks, a blanket, and a bag of husks of Indian-corn.
+
+The life suited Nic, though, for after the first fortnight he rapidly
+began to gain strength, and soon after he was sent out with the rest of
+the men.
+
+There had been no open trouble; the prisoners shared the same building,
+and their meals were served out to them together; but there was a
+complete division between them which was kept up whenever possible; and
+one day out in the field Pete began about it to Nic, who took no heed of
+either party.
+
+"Zee Humpy Dee look at me, Master Nic?" said Pete.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Know why, don't you?"
+
+"No."
+
+"You do: I telled you.  He zays, as you heered, that I set the zailors
+on 'em to get 'em brought out here."
+
+Nic said nothing.
+
+"He means to kill me one o' these days.  He'll hit me on the head, or
+pitch me into the river, or zomething; and the others won't interfere."
+
+Nic looked up at the speaker quickly.
+
+"Comes hard on me," continued Pete.  "I never done nothing, and they
+keeps me off, and don't speak; and you don't, Master Nic, zo I zeem all
+alone like.  It makes me feel zometimes as if I must make mates o' the
+blacks, but I s'pose they wouldn't care for me.  Wish I'd got drowned."
+
+Nic raised his head to look in the man's face; but the old trouble
+rankled in his breast.  His heart would not go out to him,
+fellow-sufferers though they were.
+
+It was so several times over, Pete trying hard to show what goodwill he
+could under their painful circumstances; but it was not until that day
+out in the corn-rows, when Pete helped him with his work at a time when
+the heat was trying his barely-recovered strength, that Nic felt that
+perhaps there was some truth in the man's story.  At any rate, he was
+showing himself repentant if guilty, and the prisoner recalled how Pete
+had nursed him and without doubt had saved his life.
+
+Pete went on hoeing till he had worked level with Nic, and then he
+worked harder to get as far ahead as he could before slipping back to
+his own row, for Nic to return to his with once more a good start, and a
+feeling of gratitude for his companion's kindness, which softened his
+voice next time he spoke, and delighted Pete, who began talking at once.
+
+"Know where they keep the boat, Master Nic?" he said, as they worked
+away.
+
+"No.  Do you?"
+
+A few hours earlier Nic would have said, "No," and nothing more.
+
+"Think I do," said Pete, brightening up.  "I mean to get it out of the
+niggers zomehow.  We never zee it go after they've been out in it.  They
+tie it up at night, and next morning it's always gone."
+
+"Yes," said Nic; "I have noticed that."
+
+"It's that Zamson and old Xerxes who take it away zomewhere in the
+night, and walk or zwim back."
+
+"Very likely, Pete."
+
+"Yes, Master Nic; that's it; but keep on hoeing.  I've laid awake nights
+thinking about it, for we must have that boat.  I don't mean Humpy Dee
+and his lot when I zay `we,' because you will go off wi' me if I zee a
+chance?"
+
+"I--I think not, Pete."
+
+"Master Nic!"
+
+"Well, yes, then; I will."
+
+"Hab, my lad; you zeem to ha' put life into a man.  There's zummat to
+live for now.  I've thought and thought till I've felt zick; but that's
+the on'y way.  I could risk running for it; but there's the dogs--the
+dogs--Pst! look out!"
+
+The warning was needed, for there were steps coming in their direction,
+and directly after the overseer strode up.
+
+"I thought so," he said; "I've had my eye on you--you scoundrel!  Every
+now and then your hoe has stopped, and I could tell from your manner
+that you were talking, and wasting your time.  Here are you a good six
+feet behind this weak young fellow.  Get on, and catch up to him."
+
+Nic felt stunned, and he turned to speak and exculpate his fellow-slave;
+but there was such an agonised, imploring look in Pete's eyes that he
+was silent, and felt compelled to join in the little deception.
+
+"Yes," said the overseer, "a good six feet behind you, my lad, when it
+ought to be the other way on.  Get on, you, sir, get on."
+
+"Yes, zur; zoon pull up, zur."
+
+"Zur and zoon!" cried the overseer.  "Bah! what a savage burr you have."
+
+He went on, followed by one of the two dogs which accompanied him, the
+other hanging back to look up at Nic with its tail wagging slowly, till
+its absence was noticed and a shrill whistle rang out, which fetched it
+along with a rush, doubtless caused by recollections of the whip.
+
+"Oh, Pete!" whispered Nic reproachfully.
+
+"It's all right, lad," said the man, laughing merrily.  "What a game it
+was.  I didn't mind a bit."
+
+"I did."
+
+"Then don't, Master Nic, zur.  I can't have you wear yourself out.
+We've got to 'scape, my lad, and the boat's the thing; but if you could
+get t'other two dogs as friendly as that one, we'd make for the woods.
+But anyhow, you've got to grow as strong as me; we can't do nothing
+without.  Master Nic--"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"If it was the last words I'd got to zay, I did fight for you that
+night, and it waren't my fault you was took."
+
+"I begin to believe it now, Pete," was the reply.
+
+"Do, zur: do try hard.  I aren't a bragger, Master Nic, but it's just
+truth what I zay.  I want to get you back again to the old country; and
+I can't think o' nought else night or day.  If I can get you off, and
+come with you, o' course I should like; but if I can't, and I can get
+you off--there, I'll lie down and die to do it, lad.  But look here, we
+must only trust ourselves.  If the other lot, who are making some plan
+of their own, knew it, they'd tell upon us and spoil us.  Master Nic,
+can't you believe in me!"
+
+Nic was silent for a few moments as he turned to look in the man's eyes.
+
+"Yes," he said at last; "I do believe in you."
+
+"And you'll trust me, zur?"
+
+Again there was a momentary hesitation before Nic answered, "Yes."
+
+"Hoe, Master Nic, hoe," whispered Pete excitedly; "he's been watching
+us, and he's sent the dogs at us for not being at work."
+
+As proof thereof the two fierce-looking brutes came rushing down one of
+the rows, open-mouthed, and Pete raised his hoe as if to strike.
+
+"Me first, Master Nic," panted Pete.  "I aren't afeared.  Let him do
+what he likes after; I'll kill one or both on 'em before they shall
+touch you."
+
+At that moment there was a savage growling from the dogs not thirty
+yards away, and they came rushing at the poor fellows as hard as they
+could tear.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
+
+A LURKING PERIL.
+
+In obedience to the order which had despatched them, the two
+well-trained bloodhounds of the overseer tore on till they were about to
+bound upon the prisoners, when a sharp, shrill whistle arrested their
+rush on the instant, and they stopped, growling fiercely, their white
+teeth menacing, and their eyes red, as with a smouldering fire.
+
+The next moment a different note was blown from a distance, a shrill,
+chirruping note which made the dogs turn and bark.  Then one of them set
+off at a steady trot, while the other, as if its duty were done,
+approached Nic in the most friendly way, with its tail waving from side
+to side.
+
+The whistle chirruped again, and the dog gave vent to a sharp bark, as
+much as to say, "All right, I'm coming--" and bounded after its
+companion.
+
+"Well, we're out of that job, Master Nic.  I did wonder at that dog
+coming at you zo fierce."
+
+"Set at me, Pete," said Nic quietly, "and education was stronger than
+nature.  Keep on working now, and pray let me do my hoeing myself."
+
+Pete grunted, and was silent, as he chopped away with his hoe till a
+horn was blown up at the house, when the tools were shouldered, and, hot
+and weary, the two companions trudged back to their barrack, to partake
+of their evening meal together, Humpy Dee and his party sitting quite
+aloof, for the feud was stronger than ever.
+
+From that day a change seemed to have come over Nic.  It was partly due
+to the feeling of returning health, but as much to his growing belief in
+Pete's sincerity, and to the conviction that under the fellow's rough
+shell there was an earnest desire to serve him and help him to escape
+from his terrible position.
+
+The despondency to which he had given way seemed cowardly now, and as
+the days rolled on he worked as one works who is determined to make the
+best of his position.  All the same, though, he joined heart and soul
+with Pete in the plans made for getting away.
+
+Drawn closer together as they were now, the subject was more and more
+discussed, and in the long talks they had in whispers of a night, they
+could not help dwelling on the difficulties they would have to encounter
+even if they did manage to escape.
+
+"But we will, Master Nic; you zee if we don't.  They both talk about
+shooting us, and that zets me up.  I don't want to hurt anybody; but
+when a man zays he's going to fire at me as if I was a wild beast, I
+don't feel to mind what I do to him.  Don't you be downhearted; we shall
+do it yet."
+
+"But," said Nic, "it is the getting taken in a ship if we manage to find
+our way to the coast."
+
+"If we find our way?  We've on'y to get that boat.  The river will show
+us the way down to the zea; and as to getting away then, all we've got
+to do is to try and find a ship that wants men."
+
+"They will not take us, Pete; we shall be looked upon as criminals."
+
+"Not if the skipper wants men," said Pete, laughing softly.  "Long as a
+man can work hard, and is strong, and behaves himself, he won't ask any
+questions."
+
+The time went on, and there seemed to be no likelihood of any captain
+asking questions; for in spite of keeping a sharp watch, neither Nic nor
+Pete could obtain the information they wanted.  The boat seemed to
+disappear in the most mysterious way after being used by the settler or
+his overseer, and Nic grew more and more puzzled, and said so to his
+companion.
+
+"Yes, it gets over me zometimes, Master," said Pete; "but one has no
+chance.  You see, there's always people watching you.  It aren't as if
+it were on'y the masters and the dogs, and the niggers who are ready to
+do anything to please old Zaunders; there's old Humpy Dee and the
+others.  Humpy's always on the lookout to do me a bad turn; and he hates
+you just as much.  He's always thinking we're going to get away, and he
+means to stop it."
+
+"And this all means," said Nic, with a sigh, "that we must be content to
+stay as we are."
+
+"Don't mean nothing o' the kind," said Pete shortly.  "It's a nice
+enough place, and there's nothing I should like better than staying here
+a bit, if we could go about the river and swamp and woods, fishing and
+shooting, and hunting or trapping; but one gets too much zun on one's
+back, and when it's always chopping weeds with a hoe, and the weeds grow
+faster than you can chop, one gets tired of it.  Pretty country, Master
+Nic; most as good as home, only zun is a bit too warm."
+
+Nic sighed.
+
+"That's 'cause you wants to write letters and get 'em sent, Master Nic,
+I know; but don't you worry 'bout that.  You can't send letters here
+like you do at home, so it aren't no use to worry about what you can't
+do.  Worry 'bout finding the boat, dear lad; that's better than
+letters."
+
+"I have worried about it," said Nic, "but it is of no use till we get a
+chance to go and wander about to try and discover where it is kept."
+
+"And that the skipper and old Zaunders won't let us do, you zee," said
+Pete quietly.  "They're a wicked pair, both on 'em.  Might let us loose
+a bit on Zundays; but not they.  Zunday and week-days all the zame.
+They've got us, and they mean to have their penn'orth out on us.  Never
+thought as I should have all my strength turned into sugar for some one
+else to eat.  There, work away; old Humpy's watching us, and he'll go
+and tell the skipper we're hatching eggs."
+
+Nic smiled, for his companion's good temper and patience were
+contagious, but he could not repress a sigh from time to time as he
+thought of home; and the beauty of the country, the waving fields of
+tasselled Indian-corn or beautiful sugar-cane, with the silver river
+beyond, the glorious slopes leading up to the distant blue mountains,
+and the gloomy, green, mysterious attraction of the swampy forest
+enhancing its attractions to an explorer, did not compensate for the
+absence of liberty, though Nic was fain to confess that the plantation
+would have been a glorious place for a few months' visit.
+
+The blacks were not friendly, as Nic soon found; but he attributed it to
+the stern orders they had received; but now and then one or another made
+a little advance, by offering, on the sly, fish or flesh in the shape of
+bird or 'possum which he had caught or trapped during the moonlight
+nights.  For Saunders seemed to pay no heed to the black slaves slipping
+away of a night on some excursion.
+
+"'Nuff to make a man wish for a kettle o' tar, or a pot o' black paint,"
+said Pete one day.  "What for, sir?  Just to put on a coat of it, and
+change the colour of one's skin.  They'd treat us better than they do.
+Makes me wish I was a nigger for a bit, so long as I could wash white
+when I got away."
+
+"Master Nic," said Pete one night when they were alone in their bunks,
+"I aren't going to share that bit o' 'possum."
+
+"What bit of 'possum?" asked Nic, as he lay listening to the low murmur
+arising from where Humpy Dee was talking to his fellow-prisoners, who
+were all chewing some tobacco-leaf which the former had managed to
+secrete.
+
+"Why, you know; that bit old Zamson give me, wrapped up in one o' them
+big leaves."
+
+"Oh yes; I had forgotten.  Eat it, then; I don't mind."
+
+"Likely, aren't it?" grumbled Pete.  "Good as it smells, for them black
+fellows do know how to cook a thing brown and make it smell nice.  Can't
+you zee what I mean?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Want it for the dogs.  I'm going to slip off after that boat as soon as
+it's a bit later."
+
+"Impossible, Pete.  Don't try; you'll be shot at.  There is sure to be
+one of the blacks outside the door with a musket."
+
+"Let him stop there, then.  I aren't going by the door."
+
+"How, then?"
+
+"Climb up here to where I've got a couple o' them split wooden tiles--
+shingles, as they call 'em--loose."
+
+"But you can't climb up there."
+
+"Can't I?  Oh yes, my lad.  There's them knot-holes, and I've got some
+pegs cut as fits into 'em, ready to stand on.  I can get up easy
+enough."
+
+"But the dogs?"
+
+"Well, I smuggled a knife and sharpened it up, and it's tied to my leg
+in a sheath I made out of a bit o' bamboo cane."
+
+"But it would be madness to fight the poor brutes, and the noise would
+bring out Saunders with a gun."
+
+"Just what I thought, my lad," said Pete, laughing softly; "so I went on
+the other tack this month past."
+
+"I don't understand you, Pete."
+
+"I'll tell you, then, my lad," said Pete softly.  "I made up my mind to
+get you back to the old country, and the on'y way to do it seems to be
+to make friends."
+
+"Make friends?"
+
+"That's it.  Way that big dog, Gripper, took to you zet me thinking.  If
+he was zet at you he'd lay hold, 'cause he's been taught to obey orders.
+He wouldn't want to, no more than a soldier might want to shoot a man;
+but if it was orders he'd do it.  Well, I've thought a deal about them
+dogs, and dogs is dogs--eh, Master Nic?"
+
+"Of course," said the young man, smiling to himself.
+
+"And dogs has got zweet tooths, Master Nic; on'y the sugar they likes is
+a bit o' salt."
+
+"You mean you wanted that piece of roast 'possum to give the dogs if
+they came at you."
+
+"That's right, Master Nic.  If old Zaunders was shouting 'em on, they
+wouldn't take no notice of the meat; but if he waren't there they'd be
+friends at once, and eat it.  So I'm ready for 'em if they comes after
+me."
+
+"And you're going to try if you can find where they keep the boat
+to-night?"
+
+"_Sn-n-n-ork_!" said Pete, pinching his arm, and as the deep, low,
+snoring went on, Nic grasped the reason.
+
+For there was a faint rustling of the dry corn-leaves, which stopped,
+and went on again in the utter darkness, while beyond it the low murmur
+of talking continued.
+
+"The talking kept on to cover Humpy's movements," thought Nic.  "He has
+heard us, and is coming to listen."
+
+Pete snored again, moved uneasily, and began to mutter in a low tone:
+
+"Couldn't throw Humpy Dee?" he said.  "Let you see.  Better wrastler
+than him.  _Snore--snurrk_!"
+
+The rustling ceased, and then went on again.
+
+"Where's that there moog o' zyder, lads?" muttered Pete in a dull,
+stupid way.  "Where's the huff-cap?"
+
+Then he smacked his lips, and said "Hah!" softly, turned himself over,
+yawned, and began to snore, keeping it up steadily, while the rustling
+went on; but it sounded now as if the man who made it was retiring.
+
+Nic listened, with every nerve on the strain, while Pete kept on the
+snoring, and a minute later he made out clearly enough that Humpy Dee
+had returned to his companions, and distinctly heard the change in the
+conversation, as the man whispered the result of his investigation.
+
+Pete's snore was lower now, and sounded as if it would last; but it did
+not, for the next moment Nic was conscious that his comrade was leaning
+over him; a pair of lips touched his ear, and a voice whispered:
+
+"He thinks he's clever, but we can be too sharp for him."
+
+"Don't talk any more," whispered Nic softly, "or he'll come back."
+
+"Right," said Pete, and the snoring recommenced.  And as Nic lay there
+in the darkness, thinking over his companion's words, and feeling that
+it would have been madness to have made any attempt to leave the
+barrack-like shed, with watchful enemies both within and without, and
+the certainty in his mind that Humpy Dee's intention was to betray Pete
+so as to get him flogged for attempting to escape, the snoring went on,
+with a strange lulling effect.  He had toiled hard that day in the
+burning sunshine, and had lain down after his supper with that pleasant
+sensation of weariness which comes to the healthy and strong; and he had
+been feeling a glow of satisfaction and thankfulness for the full
+recovery of all his faculties, when Pete had spoken as he did.  It was
+not surprising, then, that the heavy breathing of his companion should
+have the effect it had, and that, just when he was in the midst of
+pleasant thoughts of the possibility of escape, he should suddenly pass
+from extreme wakefulness into deep sleep, in which he saw the red cliffs
+of Devon again, with the sparkling sea, and listened to the soft murmur
+of the falls low down in the combe.  Back home once more.
+
+Then he opened his eyes with a start.
+
+"I've been asleep," he said to himself, as he listened to Pete's heavy
+breathing; "not for many minutes, though," he mused; and then he
+wondered and stared, for he could see the cracks and knot-holes of the
+wooden building against the grey dawn of the rapidly-coming day.
+
+"Why, I must have been asleep for hours and hours!" he mentally
+ejaculated.
+
+Proof came the next moment that it must have been eight hours at least,
+for the dull booming bellow of the great conch shell blown by one of the
+blacks rang out, and Pete started up in his bunk to stare at Nic and rub
+his calf softly.
+
+"Had a good night, Pete?" said the lad.
+
+"Tidy," said the man softly; "but one o' the dogs had me by the leg."
+
+"What!  Surely you didn't go?"
+
+"Ay, but I did.  He let go, though, when he smelt the roast meat.  Smelt
+better than raw."
+
+"Pete!" ejaculated Nic, in his surprise.
+
+"Now then, rouse up, all on you," shouted Humpy Dee, "or they'll be
+sending in the dogs for us, and the cat for some one else."
+
+"Oh," thought Nic, as a pang of agony shot through him; "that wretch
+must have been on the watch."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
+
+PETE THINKS HE HAS FOUND IT.
+
+In the morning, as the eternal hoeing went on, Pete found his
+opportunity for telling of his adventures during the night.  Humpy Dee
+had evidently heard nothing.
+
+"Keep at it, Master Nic," he said; "this here stuff's growed up zo that
+there's no telling when they're coming on to you.  It's all right
+though, now."
+
+"Tell me, then, quickly.  You got out?"
+
+"Zure I did.  I meant to, and had a good long night of it."
+
+"And you're sure the dog hasn't hurt you much?"
+
+"Nay, on'y a pinch; I had the meat ready to shove in his face, But there
+aren't much to tell you."
+
+"I was afraid so.  We must be patient, Pete, and live on hope."
+
+"Can't live on hope, master.  Hope's on'y the salt as makes the rest o'
+life tasty.  Want zome'at else as well.  But don't you be down.  We've
+got to get away, and we'll do it afore we've done."
+
+"Then you found out nothing?"
+
+"Oh yes, I did," said Pete dryly.  "I found out that it didn't matter
+which way I went there waren't what I wanted."
+
+"You mean the boat?"
+
+"That's right, master.  I went as far as I could get along the river one
+way, and it waren't there; and I went as far as I could get t'other way,
+and it waren't there.  Old Zam must get in and paddle it right away
+zomewheres.  There now, if I haven't found it after all!"
+
+"What!  Where it is hidden?"
+
+"I believe I have; zeemed to turn it over and find it under this here
+clod I'm breaking up with the hoe.  Wish I'd looked when we was aboard."
+
+"Looked at what?"
+
+"Her bottom.  She's got a big bung-hole in her zomewhere, and he must
+pole her along into a deep part, and take the bung out, and let her fill
+and zink.  Then he zinks the painter with a stone."
+
+"But she wouldn't sink, Pete."
+
+"Oh yes, she would, with ballast enough, sir; and all we've got to do
+now is to find out where she is."
+
+Nic shook his head sadly, for he was not convinced.
+
+"Don't you do that, my lad; that's not the way to get home.  Maybe I'm
+wrong, but I think I'm right, and I dare zay, if we knowed where to
+look, she's just close handy zomewhere.  Zay, Master Nic, s'pose I get
+old Zamson down and kneel on his chest, and pull out my knife.  I could
+show my teeth and look savage, and pretend I was going to cut his head
+off if he didn't tell me.  That would make him speak--eh?"
+
+"Yes, to Saunders; and you would be punished, and we should be worse off
+than ever."
+
+"That's about it, sir.  I'm afraid I did no good last night."
+
+Pete chopped and broke clods, and muttered to himself in a way which
+suggested that he was by no means satisfied with his investigations.
+Then all at once he said:
+
+"What do you zay to our going quietly down to the water some night,
+dropping in, and zwimming for it?"
+
+"Into the jaws of the great alligators, Pete?"
+
+"Didn't think o' that.  Could hear 'em, too, as I walked along.  One
+whacker went off from just under my feet once.  I 'most fell over him,
+and he roared out like a bull calf.  I thought he meant my legs.  No, we
+couldn't do that, Master Nic.  We must get hold o' that boat.  I'll have
+another try to-night."
+
+"Better not," said Nic.  "Some of the others will hear you."
+
+"And old Humpy be on'y too glad to get me in a row.  Well, I mean to
+have it zomehow."
+
+But Pete did not go upon any nocturnal excursion that night.  Nature was
+too much for him.  He dropped asleep, and did not wake till the conch
+shell sounded its braying note; and Nic rose once more to go to his
+labour in the fields, asking himself if it was not all a dream.
+
+The next time the settler came that way the young man made an appeal to
+him for permission to send off a letter to some one in authority; but
+the angry refusal he received, coupled with a stern order to go on with
+his work, taught him plainly enough not to place any confidence in
+obtaining his liberty through his employer, so he tried to move the
+overseer the next time he came by.
+
+Nic fared worse.
+
+"Look here, my lad," said Saunders; "your country said you were better
+out of it, and we've taken you, and mean to try and make something
+decent of you.  We're going to do it, too."
+
+"But that was all a mistake, sir, as I told you," pleaded Nic.
+
+"And this is a bigger one.  Who is to believe your word?  Get on with
+your work, and if you worry me again with your whining I'll shorten your
+rations, and keep you on the hardest jobs about the plantation."
+
+"It's of no use, Pete," said Nic as soon as he could speak unobserved;
+"there is nothing to hope for here.  We must escape somehow, or else die
+in trying."
+
+"That's sense, Master Nic, all but the last part.  I don't see any fun
+in dying for ever so long.  I'm going out to-night to find that boat,
+and if I do, next thing is to zave up some prog and be off.  There's one
+thing to do, though, 'fore we start."
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"Borrow a couple o' guns and some powder and shot."
+
+"Impossible, Pete.  No; I think I could manage it."
+
+"How, my lad?  It has bothered me."
+
+"There are two ways.  Get at the guns one day when Samson is cleaning
+them; or else creep to the house some hot night, risk all, and climb in
+by one of the windows.  I think in time I shall know whereabouts they
+are kept."
+
+"Risk getting zeen and shot?"
+
+"We must risk something, Pete," said Nic quietly.  "It is for liberty.
+I should leave it to the last moment, and get them when the boat was all
+ready; then, if I were heard there would be somewhere to make for, and
+once afloat we should be safe.  But there, we have not found out where
+the boat is yet."
+
+"And," said Pete thoughtfully, "there's zomething else we haven't took
+count of."
+
+"What's that?" said Nic eagerly.
+
+"The dogs, my lad; the dogs!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.
+
+A FIGHT WITH MORPHEUS.
+
+Nic had no faith in his companion's notions about the boat lying sunk in
+the creek or river; but as the time wore on he could suggest no better
+idea.
+
+Still, he did find out where the guns were kept one day when, in company
+with a man of Humpy Dee's party, he was ordered up to help in stowing
+some bales of tobacco-leaf in a kind of store at the back of the low
+wooden building.
+
+The work was pretty hard, but Nic hardly felt it, for in going to and
+fro he had to pass an open door which led into the place used by the
+settler and Saunders for their dining and sitting room.  It was a very
+rough spot, and the furniture was all home-made--that is to say, it was
+manufactured by the blacks.  But Nic hardly heeded its contents after
+seeing a series of hooks driven into the wall, and upon each pair a
+musket, with powder-flask and bullet-pouch attached.
+
+He could think of nothing else as he walked away, for these weapons
+meant a supply of food if he and Pete took to the woods, and that night
+he communicated the discovery to his companion.
+
+"It ought to be easy to borrow a couple of them," said Pete
+quietly--"zome night when the two gaffers are asleep.  On'y one thing to
+hinder it, as I zee, for I don't believe they shut themselves up,
+feeling as they do that we're under lock and key."
+
+"What is to prevent me creeping in and getting them, Pete?"
+
+"Dogs," said the man quietly.  "Now, if we was at home I could walk into
+Plymouth and go to a druggist's shop, and for twopence buy zomething I
+knows of as would zend those dogs to sleep till we'd done what we
+wanted; but there aren't no shops in the woods here."
+
+"And we haven't found the boat, Pete."
+
+"And we haven't found the boat, my lad.  But here's a little bit of a
+tool here I've got for you at last.  Better one than mine.  One of the
+blacks had been cutting up zome meat with it yesterday, and left it out
+on the bench--forgetted all about it--they're good ones at forgetting;
+and zo I scrambled back and got hold of it, sharpened it up at the
+point, and made a wooden sheath for it, so as you can wear it in your
+belt under your shirt."
+
+"A knife!" whispered Nic excitedly as Pete thrust the weapon into his
+hand.  "No; I don't want to shed blood."
+
+"I didn't say it was to kill men with, did I?  S'pose one of them dogs
+had you by the throat, wouldn't it be useful then? or to kill a deer out
+in the woods? or skin a 'possum?  Might even be useful to stick into a
+'gator's throat.  Better take it, master."
+
+Nic's hand closed upon the handle of the keen blade, and he transferred
+it to his belt; when, as the hard sheath pressed against his side, he
+felt that, after all, it was one step towards liberty.
+
+The next morning Pete told him that he had had another good hunt by the
+river-side, going as far as he dared, but without result.
+
+"And 'twix' you and me, Master Nic, I suppose it's being a bit of a
+coward, but I dursen't go no more.  I aren't afraid o' things you can
+see; but when you're down by the water o' nights listening to the
+strange birds making queer noises, and the big bats whuzzing round you,
+to say nothing of the 'gators walloping about at the edge, and other
+gashly things zeeming to be lying wait for you, it's a bit too much for
+me."
+
+"It must be very nervous work, Pete."
+
+"Last night about settled me that we must go right up-country or through
+the woods, for I trod on a big snake, and felt it twissen round my leg.
+Ugh!  I don't mind a conger, because, even if he bites you, it's on'y a
+bite, and it gets well; but a snake!  Why, they tell me--leastwise one
+of the blacks did--as a bite from one of the rattlesnakes'll finish you
+off in 'bout an hour."
+
+"But you were not bitten?"
+
+"S'pose not, and I've been thinking since I must ha' trod on the gashly
+thing's head.  Anyhow it did scare me, and I mean to chop every one I
+zee while I'm hoeing.  I have killed four since we've been here."
+
+"You must not try it again, Pete," said Nic.
+
+"Then we shall have to take to the woods, master, for I don't zee any
+chance o' getting the boat."
+
+That day, while the two prisoners were hoeing together, the settler came
+round, stood watching them for a time, and then came nearer and examined
+their work, saw nothing to complain of, but still being dissatisfied, he
+turned upon Pete.
+
+"Here, you get chattering too much with this lad," he cried; "be off
+across to the long corn-field behind the house and join that gang.  Work
+with them, and send black Jupe here to take your place."
+
+"Yes, master," said Pete quietly; and as he shouldered his hoe and the
+settler walked away, he made an offer at him with the hoe, when one of
+the dogs growled savagely.
+
+Suspicious of danger, the settler turned sharply, to see Pete slouching
+away with his eyes on the ground; so, after an angry word or two at the
+dog, the master went on again, leaving Nic hoeing away, thinking how
+dreary the days would pass if he were to have no better companionship
+than that of the black.
+
+Half-an-hour passed before the slave came slowly along the row Nic was
+hoeing--for the waving growth completely shut them from sight--and upon
+reaching his fellow-prisoner's side he made a few scrapes with his hoe
+and then stopped, with his black face shining as he showed his teeth.
+
+"You had better go on with your work," said Nic quietly; "the master
+will be back."
+
+"Not a day, sah," said the black.  "Him going get boat and go up ribber
+'long o' Massa Saunder."
+
+Nic looked at the man sharply as he uttered the word _boat_.  Wouldn't
+it be possible to hear from him where the boat was kept?
+
+"Berry hot.  Take four boy row de boat, and tell Sam and Zerks load de
+gun and shoot ebbery white body who done work."
+
+"Ah!" said Nic.
+
+"Dat so, sah," said the man, laughing.  "No shoot black fellow."
+
+He said no more, but went on chopping away in the hot sunshine far
+faster than Nic could manage, and the intense heat did not seem to
+affect him.  For it was so hot that the prisoner felt exhausted, early
+as it was in the day, the tall growth around keeping off the breeze.
+
+But he worked away, with the perspiration streaming down his face,
+thinking what an opportunity this would be for taking to the woods or
+the open country, but with his heart sinking as he dwelt upon the
+possibility of Humpy Dee and the others fighting against such a plan
+from pure malice.  And besides, Pete was not there to discuss the
+matter.  There were the armed blacks, too, and the dogs.
+
+Nic went to the end of his row, turned, and worked away back, forgetful
+of his black companion, till he was half-way along the return row, when
+a peculiar sound startled him, and stepping aside among the canes, his
+heart gave a big throb, for the black seemed to have fallen from
+exhaustion.  The next minute he smiled, for he realised that the man was
+fast asleep.
+
+And how hot it was!  Nic's throat was dry, his tongue parched, while
+only some three hundred yards from where he toiled there was the green
+band of cane and reed jungle, and just beyond that the bright, cool
+waters of the river.
+
+Oh, if he could only be where he could lie down and take one long, deep
+draught!
+
+The thought of it increased his thirst.
+
+Well, why not?  The black had shown him that there was no danger.  Their
+tyrants had started in the boat by now, or the idle rascal would not
+have lain down so coolly to sleep, and this terrible thirst--
+
+"Oh, I must go and have a drink," muttered Nic wearily; and then, laying
+down his hoe, he walked swiftly to the end of the row, turned at right
+angles along by the ditch which divided the field from the next field,
+and, satisfied that he could not be seen from the house, kept on and on,
+startled more than once by the rustle of a gliding snake, till the
+narrow patch of jungle was reached, and he plunged into it, to force his
+way along to the edge of the river.
+
+The reeds and dense water-growth ended suddenly, and he was about to
+peer out, up and down, to make sure that he was not seen, thinking the
+while of how easy escape seemed, when he drew back and stood watching
+with starting eyes.
+
+But it was not at the alligator six feet long which lay between him and
+the gliding river, nor yet at that other, a dozen yards away, sunning
+itself at the surface of the water; but at the black woolly head of a
+swimmer nearly at the other side, making easily and well for the mouth
+of an overhung creek nearly opposite to where Nic crouched, and quite
+regardless of the dangerous reptiles which might be near.
+
+The feeling of thirst died out as Nic watched, seeing that there was a
+way of escape after all by the river; for if that man dared trust
+himself to swim in open daylight to the other side, surely he and Pete
+might venture, even if the place did swarm with reptiles?
+
+Nic's heart beat with a strange feeling of satisfaction.  Here, then,
+was one of his unfortunate companions taking advantage of the master's
+absence to escape.  Why was not Pete there to join him, and they might
+all get away together?
+
+In another minute Nic would have been on his way back to try and get
+speech with Pete, and tell him what he had seen.  He might, he thought,
+elude Samson's watchfulness, when, to his astonishment, the man reached
+the farther shore, stepped out, and shook himself, when Nic felt that he
+must be dreaming, for it was Samson himself.
+
+The next minute Nic saw him plunge into the thick growth overhanging the
+narrow creek and disappear.
+
+"Left his musket behind because he felt doubtful about getting it
+across," thought Nic, and once more he was about to hurry back, when a
+strange rustling sound caught his ear, followed by the rattle as of a
+pole; and directly after the mystery of the boat's hiding-place was laid
+bare, for it glided out from among the waving canes, and there was
+Samson standing upright, dipping the pole first on one side, then on the
+other, sending the boat across as it glided down with the stream, passed
+the watcher, and evidently was being directed for the other creek.
+
+"Poor old Pete, how glad he'll be!" thought Nic.  "That's it, plain
+enough; kept over there because they think no one would dare to swim
+across; but we dare."
+
+"Dare we?" said Nic to himself the next minute, as he saw an unusually
+large alligator make a swirl in the water and dart by; and he shuddered
+as the thought occurred to him that, though the reptiles might not touch
+the blacks, with a white man it might mean something very different.
+
+"Ugh! you little beast," he muttered, as there was a rustle in the moist
+patch of jungle, and he caught sight of the loathsome blunt muzzle of
+what looked like a monstrous eft staring hard at him, not a couple of
+yards distant.
+
+A quick movement sent the reptile scuffling away; then there was a
+splash, and forgetful entirely of his thirst, Nic hurried back, feeling
+a lingering doubt as to whether the settler or his overseer might not
+have been to the field during his absence, as they were certainly not
+gone.
+
+But upon reaching the place where he had left his hoe, there it lay with
+the handle too hot to hold, and the slave close at hand, shining and
+happy, fast asleep, with his mouth open, and the red lips attracting the
+flies, as if it were some huge ugly red blossom from which they might
+sip.
+
+That day seemed as if it would never come to an end.  But at sunset the
+conch shell was blown, and the black started up, just as Nic
+straightened his weary back, and came slowly towards him down the row he
+had hoed.
+
+"Um tink um been fass 'sleep, sah," said the black, grinning.  "You tell
+Mass' Saunder?  No, you not tell um, and me shut de eye nex' time you go
+'sleep."
+
+"I shan't tell tales," said Nic good-humouredly.  "But I say, do you
+ever think about running away?"
+
+"Run away?  What for?  No use run away.  Set dogs to catch you 'gain.
+An' if dogs not catch um, where run to?  Plantations all alike."
+
+"To you," thought Nic.  "Yes; where could he run to--back to Africa?
+What then?  Only to be caught and sold again.  Poor wretch!  Worse off
+than I.  There is no pleasant Devon for him to reach, as we must and
+will reach it some day.  Yes, there are slaves far worse off than I.
+What can the dear old dad have thought when he found me gone?  There is
+only one answer to that," said Nic, with a weary sigh--"that I was
+drowned in the pool struggle and swept out to sea."
+
+The next minute Pete came into sight, and their eyes met, Nic giving the
+man so long and intent a look that he did not see Humpy Dee watching
+him, only that Pete's face worked a little, as if he grasped the fact
+that his companion had some news to impart.
+
+But they had no chance of communicating then, for Samson and Xerxes were
+ready to count them as they went up to their shed; the dogs looking on
+and trotting about busily, as if helping two black shepherds by rounding
+up their flock.
+
+It was hard work to eat that night, and the evening meal seemed more
+than ever to resemble a mash prepared for fattening cattle such as they
+seemed to be.
+
+But Nic felt that food meant strength when the time for escaping came,
+and he forced himself to devour his portion as if ravenously.
+
+The night soon came there, and they were locked up once more, Nic
+eagerly waiting for the chance to tell all he knew.
+
+As he lay in his bunk listening, it was evident, from the low, guarded
+tone in which their companions talked, that they were in ignorance of
+the fact that their masters were absent, and all was very still outside,
+till one of the men spoke out angrily.  Then a bang on the door from the
+butt of a musket, followed by a burst of deep-toned barking, told
+plainly enough that proper precautions were taken, Samson's voice coming
+loudly and hoarsely with an order to keep quiet and lie down before he
+had to shoot.
+
+"But there's light ahead," thought Nic; and he waited till he thought he
+could communicate his news to Pete; but, to his disgust, the deep, low
+breathing close at hand told that he was asleep.
+
+"Worn out with his weary toil last night," thought Nic.  "Well, I'll
+keep watch to-night until he wakes, and tell him then."
+
+But hour after hour went sluggishly by, with the watcher trying to think
+out the plan by which they could escape in the easiest way.
+
+In spite of the excitement produced by the knowledge that a door was
+open by which they could get away, there was a hindrance to his thoughts
+coming clearly.  That long day's toil in the burning sun made his plans
+run together till they were in a strange confusion; and at last he was
+swimming the river to reach the boat, when a dozen of the reptiles which
+haunted the water seemed to be tugging at him to drag him down, barking
+fiercely the while.  Then he started up, to find that he had been fast
+asleep, and that the dogs were barking loudly because of their master's
+return.
+
+"What's the row about?"  Nic heard Humpy Dee growl.
+
+"Then I was right," said another of the men.  "The gaffers have been off
+somewhere, and have just come back.  I thought so, because neither of
+them showed up in the fields after quite early."
+
+"Why didn't you tell me?" growled Humpy; and he whispered to his
+companions very earnestly.
+
+Just then the voices of the settler and the overseer were heard talking
+to Samson; the dogs came smelling about the door, and the sentry spoke
+loudly to them to get away.  Then by degrees all grew silent again, and
+a rustling sound told Nic that Pete was moving in his bunk.
+
+"Couldn't help it, lad," he whispered; "I was zo worn out, I went off
+fast.  You've got zome'at to tell me?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I knowed it; but if I'd had to save my life I couldn't ha' kep' my eyes
+open.  What is it?"
+
+Nic told him, whispering earnestly in his excitement.
+
+"What a vool--what a vool!" whispered Pete.  "On'y to think o' me never
+thinking o' that.  Then it's all right, Master Nic.  We can just get
+together enough prog to last us, borrow the guns, pick out the night
+that zuits us, and then go quietly off."
+
+"But would you dare to swim across the river--the alligators?"
+
+"Yes," said Pete; "if they was twice as big; and if they touch me--well,
+they'll find out what an edge and point I've given my knife.  It's all
+right, Master Nic, and I'm glad it's you as found out the way."
+
+"Hist!" whispered Nic, laying a hand on the man's mouth.
+
+For there was a rustling not far from where they lay; and Nic felt as if
+a hand were catching at his throat, for the thought came to thrill him
+through and through that Humpy Dee had crept nearer to hear what, in
+their eager excitement, they had said; and if he had heard--
+
+Pete put it this way:
+
+"If he knows, the game's at an end."
+
+Nic slept little more that night; not that he and Pete talked again
+about their plans, but because his brain was full of the momentous
+question:
+
+Had their treacherous companion heard?
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.
+
+THE TIME AT LAST.
+
+It was nervous work during the next few days, neither Nic nor Pete
+daring to take any step towards making their escape, for the feeling was
+strong upon both that they were in their enemy's hands, and that he was
+only waiting his time before betraying them to the overseer.
+
+"That's his way, Master Nic, and it always was.  Once he had a grudge
+agen a man he'd never forgive him," said Pete one night, "and he'd wait
+his chance to serve him out.  I never liked Humpy, and he never liked
+me; zo, after all, it was six o' one and half-a-dozen o' the other."
+
+"I can't help thinking that we are worrying ourselves about nothing,
+Pete," replied Nic.  "It's a case of the guilty conscience needing no
+accuser."
+
+"That it aren't, sir," said the man sturdily.  "I aren't going to
+believe you've got any guilty conscience, and there aren't nothing worse
+on mine than a bit o' zalmon."
+
+Nic smiled in the darkness, and Pete went on:
+
+"Well, if you think like that, Master Nic, let's risk it.  Old Humpy's
+cunning enough, but p'raps two heads'll be better than one, and we can
+beat him.  What do you zay to trying, then?"
+
+"Anything is better than this terrible suspense, Pete," said Nic.  "I
+did manage to bear my fate before, but the thought now of that boat
+lying ready to carry us down the river is too much for me, and there are
+moments when I feel as if I must say to you, `Come on; let's run down to
+the river and dash in, risking everything.'"
+
+"What! and them zee us go, Master Nic?"
+
+"Yes; I am getting desperate with waiting."
+
+"Wouldn't do, my lad.  They'd chivvy us, them and the blacks and Humpy
+and t'others.  Why, bless you, nothing old Humpy would like better."
+
+"I'm afraid so."
+
+"That's it, zir, whether you're 'fraid or whether you bean't.  And
+s'posing we got the boat, what then, zir?  Them seeing us and going
+along by the bank shooting at us."
+
+"We might lie down, Pete."
+
+"Yes; and they'd send in half-a-dozen niggers to zwim to the boat and
+bring it ashore.  What do you say to that, zir?"
+
+"That I'm half-mad to propose such a thing," replied Nic.
+
+"Talk lower, zir.  I can't hear old Humpy; but let's be on the lookout."
+
+"Better give up all thought of getting away," said Nic despondently.
+
+"Bah!  Never zay die, Master Nic.  Why, there's the old place at home
+seeming to hold out its finger to us, beckoning-like, and zaying `Come,'
+and once I do get back, you'll never ketch me meddling with no one's
+zalmon again.  But look here, zir, we thought it all out before, and I
+don't see as we can better it."
+
+"I feel hopeless, Pete."
+
+"And I feel as if I've got 'nough o' that stuff in me for both.  Wish we
+could be hoeing together again, so as we could talk it over."
+
+"I wish so too, Pete."
+
+"It aren't half so pleasant hoeing along with the blacks as it is with
+you, zir."
+
+"Thank you, Pete," said Nic, smiling to himself.
+
+"I aren't got nought agen 'em.  They can't help having black skins and
+them thick lips, and they're wonderful good-tempered.  Just big
+children, that's what they are.  Fancy a man being a zlave and ready to
+zing and dance 'cause the moon zhines, ready to go out hunting the coons
+and 'possums as if there was nothing the matter."
+
+"It's their nature to be light-hearted," said Nic.
+
+"Light-hearted, zir?  Why, there's one o' the gang along with me as
+allus seems as if you were tickling him.  Only to-day he drops hisself
+down and rolls about in the hot sun, and does nothing but laugh, just
+because he's happy.  Why, I couldn't laugh now if I tried."
+
+"Wait, Pete; perhaps you may again some day."
+
+"I want to laugh to-morrow night, zir."
+
+"What?"
+
+"When we've got a couple o' guns aboard that boat, and we're going down
+the river," whispered Pete excitedly.  "I can laugh then."
+
+"We couldn't do it, Pete."
+
+"We could, zir, if we zaid we would."
+
+"There is the risk of that man watching us and telling."
+
+"He'd better!" growled Pete.  "Look here, zir; let's have no more
+shilly-shallying.  Say you'll go to-morrow night, and risk it."
+
+"Why not wait for a good opportunity?"
+
+"'Cause if we do it mayn't never come."
+
+"But food--provisions?" said Nic, whose heart was beginning to throb
+with excitement.
+
+"Eat all we can to-morrow, and chance what we can get in the woods, or
+go without a bit.  I'd starve two days for the sake of getting away.
+Will you risk it, zir?"
+
+For answer Nic stretched out his hand and grasped Pete's, having his own
+half-crushed in return.
+
+"That settles it, then," whispered Pete hoarsely.  "Zave a bit of
+bread-cake if you can.  May come in useful.  To-morrow night, then."
+
+"To-morrow night."
+
+"Are you two going to keep on talking till to-morrow morning?" growled a
+deep voice.  "Zum on us want a bit o' sleep.  Look here, mates; I'm
+going to speak to the gaffer to-morrow, to ax if them two chatterin' old
+women can't be put somewheres else."
+
+Nic turned cold, and Pete uttered a deep sigh, for if this were done
+they would, he knew, have to begin making their plans again.
+
+But hope cheered them both as the next day dawned and passed on without
+incident.  Humpy Dee's was evidently only an empty threat, and as
+evening drew on Nic's excitement increased, and with it came a sensation
+of strength such as he had not enjoyed for months.
+
+It was as if his companion had endowed him with a portion of his own
+elastic temperament, and success was going to attend their efforts.  All
+the weary despondency had passed away, and in imagination Nic saw the
+boat floating down the river towards the sea, where, hope whispered, it
+must be very easy to find some British ship whose captain would be ready
+to listen to their unhappy story, and let them hide on board till he set
+sail, and then let them work their passage home.  "For," argued Nic now
+in his excitement, "no Englishman could be so hardhearted as to refuse
+help to a white slave."
+
+He saw nothing of Pete after they had started for their day's work,
+their duties taking them to different parts of the plantation; but that
+was no more than he expected, and he toiled away with his hoe, telling
+himself that this was the last time he would handle it, for they would--
+they must--escape; and he wondered now that he could have hesitated so
+long, and have let the notion that Humpy Dee was quietly trying to
+undermine them act like a bugbear.
+
+One thing was difficult, though, and that was to eat heartily in
+readiness for what might be a long fast.  Nic ate all he could force
+down, however, and hid away the rest.  But how long that hot day seemed,
+before the darkness closed in and the strange sounds began to rise from
+the woods and river!
+
+Never had all these sounded so loudly before; and when at last Nic lay
+down in his rustling bunk, and the place had been locked and the black
+sentry placed at the door, it seemed to the listener as if the great
+goat-suckers were whirring about just outside, and the bull-frogs had
+come in a body to the very edge of the woods and up the ditches of the
+plantation to croak.
+
+Humpy Dee and his companions were talking together; the black sentry
+yawned, and began to hum an air to himself; and soon after the voices of
+the settler and the overseer passed, discussing some plan in connection
+with the crops; but Nic did not hear either of the dogs bark, neither
+did the one which had shown friendliness towards him come snuffling
+about the entrance of the low shed.
+
+"Why doesn't Pete say something?" thought Nic, who began to wonder at
+the silence of his companion, not a word having passed since they met at
+the rough supper; and now, for the first time that day, Nic's heart sank
+a little, for it seemed to him that his fellow-plotter had shrunk from
+the risks they would have to encounter--risks which might mean being
+shot at, worried by the dogs, dragged down by the alligators to a
+horrible death, perhaps fever and starvation in the swamp, or being
+drowned at sea, if they reached the river's mouth, and were swept away
+by one of the fierce currents along the shore.
+
+It meant waiting two hours at least before they could begin their
+attempt; but still Nic wanted to get rid of the oppression which
+troubled him, and to feel that they really were going to make their
+escape; but the murmuring of their companions' voices went on, and still
+Pete made no sign.
+
+At last Nic could contain himself no longer.  He was all eagerness now;
+and, if they were not going to make the attempt, he wanted to know the
+worst.  He spoke in a whisper:
+
+"Pete, Pete!"
+
+"Phew! how hot--how hot!" muttered the man.
+
+"Pete!" whispered Nic again.
+
+"I wish you wouldn't keep on talking," said Pete loudly.  "You know how
+it set them grumbling last night."
+
+Nic drew a deep breath through his teeth, as he lay there in the hot,
+oppressive darkness.  They were not going, then.  It was the way with a
+man of Pete's class to pick a quarrel upon some other subject when he
+wanted to find an excuse and back out of an arrangement.
+
+"Ay, you had a narrow escape on it," said one of the men surlily.  "Old
+Humpy was pretty nigh going to the gaffer to-day."
+
+"It's all over," thought Nic, as a feeling of bitterness ran through
+him.  Only four-and-twenty hours earlier he had been ready to give up
+and accept his position.  Then Pete had touched the right chord in his
+nature, and roused him up to a readiness to run any risk, and make a
+brave dash for liberty; while now the man seemed to have shrunk back
+into his shell, and to be completely giving up just when the call was
+about to be made upon his energies.
+
+At another time Nic might have argued differently; but, strung up as he
+had been, his companion's surly indifference was crushing, and it seemed
+that the wild, exciting adventures of the night were to give place to a
+cowardly, sordid sleep.
+
+"If anything big is to be done, one must depend upon one's-self,"
+thought Nic at last; and, angry with the whole world, bitter at his own
+helplessness, as he felt how mad it would be to attempt the venture
+alone, he turned over in his bunk, throwing out one hand in the
+movement, and it came in contact with Pete's, to be gripped fast.
+
+In an instant the blood was dancing through his veins, and a choking
+sensation as of impending suffocation troubled him; the arteries in his
+temples beat painfully, and he lay breathing hard.
+
+For it was to be after all, and this conduct was his companion's way of
+showing him that it was better to lie in silence, waiting till the time
+arrived for commencing their task.
+
+Nic lay there listening to the low murmur of his fellow-prisoners'
+voices and the chorus of strange sounds from the forest and river; and
+in the stillness of the night, every now and then, a faint splash came
+plainly to where he lay, sending a thrill through him, as he thought
+that, if all went well, before very long he might be swimming across the
+river, running the gauntlet of the horrible-looking reptiles, and his
+left hand stole down to his belt to grasp the handle of the sharpened
+knife, while he wondered whether the skin of the alligators would be
+horny or tough enough to turn the point.
+
+How long, how long it seemed before all was perfectly still in the long,
+low shed, and not a sound could be heard outside but the faint humming
+noise made by the black sentry!
+
+Then all at once there were steps.
+
+Some one had come up, and in a low whisper Nic heard the words:
+
+"All right?"
+
+"Yes, massa."
+
+Then the steps passed away again, and Pete gripped Nic's hand as he lay
+straining his hearing to try and ascertain whether the overseer had
+entered the house; but the barking or croaking of reptiles was the only
+sound.
+
+Another hour must have passed, and then Nic's blood rushed through his
+veins, for a hand touched his again lightly, and seemed to seek for the
+other.  Directly after he felt a hot breath upon his face, and lips to
+his ear, uttering the one word:
+
+"Come!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.
+
+FOR LIFE AND LIBERTY.
+
+Before Nic Revel's mental sight the difficulties rose like a great black
+rock, but he did not shrink.  He rose softly from his bunk, striving
+hard to keep the corn-stalks from crackling, and felt Pete as the man
+took a couple of steps from his sleeping-place and stood with his face
+to the back of the shed.
+
+Then, in the midst of a very faint rustling, Nic knew that his companion
+had thrust a couple of pegs into the knot-holes in the stout planks, and
+raised himself by hand and foot till he could softly draw the wooden
+shingles of the roof aside, and the cool, moist air of the night came
+down.  Then for a moment or two Nic saw a bright star, which was blotted
+out by something dark as the faint rustling continued.
+
+Nic turned to listen, but all was well within the shed.  He could hear
+the deep breathing of sleepers, and the low humming song of the sentry
+outside the door.
+
+"How long will it be?" thought Nic, who was trembling with excitement;
+but the suspense was soon over.  All at once there was a dull sound,
+such as might be made by two bare feet alighting on the earth outside,
+and he knew that his turn had come.
+
+He was lightly enough clothed, merely in short-sleeved, striped cotton
+shirt, and breeches which did not reach the knee, and his feet were
+bare, so that there was nothing to hinder his efforts as he reached up
+till he could place one foot upon the first peg.  Then, seeking for the
+other, he seized it in his hand, and drew himself into a standing
+position upon the first, reached up to the rafters, drew himself farther
+up till he could rest his foot on the second peg and pass his head and
+shoulders through the hole in the roof; then, resting a hand on either
+side, he drew his legs through, turned and lowered himself down, and
+dropped upon the ground almost without a sound.
+
+It was intensely dark, but every step was familiar enough, and there was
+no need for words: their plans had been too well made.  But as they
+moved off towards the house, one thought was in both minds as presenting
+the greatest obstacle they had to dread:
+
+Where were the dogs?  If loose, and their approach were heard, the great
+brutes would set up a fierce baying directly, preliminary to a savage
+attack; and then--
+
+They neither of them cared to reckon more in advance than that, and went
+softly on, to receive proof directly that the dogs were not loose, for
+there came from the back of the house the rattle of a chain being drawn
+over wood, followed by a low, muttering growl, as if one of the animals
+was uneasy.
+
+This ceased directly; and, treading cautiously, Nic went straight up to
+the front of the building, feeling as if, at any moment, he might see
+the flash of a musket and hear its roar.
+
+But the place was dark and still, and the croaking and other sounds
+which came in chorus were quite loud enough to drown their light
+footsteps as they approached.
+
+The door was closed, but the two long, low windows in the veranda proved
+to be open; and, as Nic approached the one upon his right and listened,
+he could distinctly hear the heavy breathing of a sleeper.  He drew
+cautiously back, to come in contact with Pete, who was taken by surprise
+at the sudden movement made.
+
+Then they stood with hearts thumping against their ribs, feeling certain
+that they must have been heard; but not a sound followed.  After waiting
+nearly a minute, a fresh movement was made, Nic stepping softly to the
+window on his left, the perspiration streaming down his face, for the
+heat was intense.
+
+He listened here, with Pete close behind, but all was still, the window
+wide open to admit the air; and he knew that all he had to do was to
+pass softly in, take down a couple of the guns, passing one out at a
+time through the window to Pete, beat a retreat, and then all would be
+as easy as possible.  It was only cool, quiet action--that was all; but
+Nic for a time could not move, only stand there, breathing heavily, in
+the full expectation of hearing his companion say something to urge him
+on.
+
+Pete did not stir: he felt that he must trust to his companion's
+common-sense, and leave him to act as was best.
+
+Then the power to act seemed to come, and Nic softly grasped the
+window-sill, passed one leg in, then the other, and stood upon the bare
+floor, fully expecting to hear a bullet whiz past his head, even if it
+did not strike.
+
+But he could hear nothing; the house might have been unoccupied; and,
+drawing a deep breath, he acted quickly now, turned to his left, raised
+his hands, and pressed forward till they touched one of the weapons
+hanging upon the wall.
+
+A sudden feeling of elation now came over him, for it all seemed to be
+so astonishingly easy, as he stepped softly to the window to pass out a
+musket with its flask and pouch, feeling it taken from his hand
+directly.
+
+The next minute he was in front of the other pieces, and took down a
+second musket, felt that the flask and pouch were attached to it, and,
+with his pulses hard at work, he was about to make for the window when
+every drop of blood in his veins seemed to stand still.  For there was a
+sharp, angry oath, a quick start, and the overseer, who had been
+sleeping upon a rough couch, rose to a sitting position.
+
+It was too dark for Nic to make out anything more than a shadowy figure
+within ten feet of him; and he stood as if petrified, holding the
+musket, meaning to use it as a club at the first attack; one which
+seemed to be strangely deferred, for the figure sat as if staring at him
+in astonishment.
+
+How long this pause lasted it is impossible to say, but to the intruder
+it seemed like minutes before he heard a faint rustling movement as if
+the overseer was about to lie down again.
+
+"He can't see me," thought Nic.  "It is too dark."
+
+Then his heart seemed to stand still again, as the horrible thought
+occurred that the rustling meant getting something out of a pocket, and
+that something must be a pistol.
+
+Instinct taught the listener that to save his life he must spring at his
+enemy before he could take aim, and, nerving himself for a leap forward
+to dash the musket he held upon the man's face, he was almost in the act
+of bounding across the room when there was a low gurgling sound, and his
+nerves and muscles relaxed, for he realised the fact--the overseer had
+awoke suddenly from some nightmare-like dream, and it was no pistol he
+had taken out, but a flask of spirits.
+
+It was plain enough now--the gurgling of the flask, the smack of the
+lips in the darkness, and the long, satisfied breath taken, before the
+bottle was replaced and its owner sank back upon his couch.
+
+In another minute the breathing had grown deeper and sounded stertorous;
+and, without pausing longer, Nic stepped to the window, handed out the
+gun, and felt it taken quickly from his hands.
+
+Just then there was a faint muttering which almost paralysed Nic, who
+turned to meet an attack; but none came, and in another instant or two
+he had slipped out of the window and was following Pete, who had handed
+back one gun, with the warning to beware of the dogs.
+
+Pete's stooping figure was just visible as Nic followed, him in silence
+till they were about a hundred yards away, making for the spot where the
+boat was hidden, when one of the dogs barked loudly.
+
+"Mustn't stop to load," whispered Pete.  "Let's get to the water, and
+then they can't take up the scent."
+
+They hurried on, listening the while; but the dog quieted down again;
+and with his spirits rising, Nic closed up alongside of his companion.
+
+"That was a near touch, master," whispered Pete.  "I waited ready to
+jump in and help you, for I zomehow thought it was too dark in there for
+him to zee you, and you hadn't made any noise.  Lucky for him he lay
+down again."
+
+Nic made no reply, but he thought a great deal; and no more was said
+till they had crossed a couple of the great fields and knew by the
+sounds they heard that they must be close to the long, low band of reedy
+growth which ran by the river-side.
+
+"You lead now, my lad," whispered Pete.  "Get as nigh as you can to
+where you think the creek is on the other side."
+
+"It is so dark," whispered Nic; "but I think we are right."
+
+He went to the front, assailed by a horrible doubt now that he had taken
+the wrong way, and was some distance farther up the river; but, as he
+bent down to part the low growth, to peer through over the dark water,
+there was a scuffle and a splash, telling of some reptile taking flight,
+and he shrank back.
+
+But he hardly heeded it, for he had dimly made out a solitary tree
+across the river, some eighty or a hundred yards away, which he had
+marked down for bearings.
+
+"This is the place, Pete," he whispered.  "If you stand here and look
+across, the creek is a little way up to the right."
+
+"That is good, my lad; I was beginning to be feared that we should have
+to wait for daylight, and be missed.  Now then, take my gun and the
+tackle, and while I'm gone you load both on 'em."
+
+"While you are gone?" whispered Nic excitedly.  "You are not going; I
+know the way, and I'll fetch the boat."
+
+"That you don't, Master Nic," said the man sturdily.  "That there
+water's full o' them great brutes, and one of 'em might pull you down."
+
+"I know it is; and one of them might pull you down."
+
+"He'd be zorry for it if he did, for I'd zoon zend my knife through his
+carcass.  It's my job, zir, and I'm going."
+
+"I tell you I know just where it is, and I'm going to fetch it."
+
+"That you aren't, zir.  I won't have you risk it."
+
+"Then we'll swim the river together, Pete."
+
+"And what about the guns?"
+
+"Leave them on the bank, and come back and fetch them."
+
+"Never find 'em again in the darkness and hurry, my lad.  Now, do be
+zensible."
+
+"I'm master, and I order you to stay."
+
+"Which you aren't master, zir, for we're both zlaves, and if you talk so
+loud you'll be bringing down the dogs and I'm off."
+
+Almost before Nic could realise it, Pete had slipped across the narrow
+space, lowered himself into the water, and swum away, leaving his
+companion horrified at the sounds he heard.  For directly after the man
+had struck out there was a tremendous wallowing splash, which Nic felt
+certain had been caused by some monstrous reptile; and he crouched there
+grasping the guns, with a chilly perspiration breaking out over his
+brow.
+
+It was some minutes before he thought of the loading, and when he did he
+could not follow out his instructions for listening and staring across
+the dark, gliding water, which was full of life, startling him with the
+belief that Pete had been attacked when some louder splash than usual
+came from the direction the man had taken.  Then the horrible thought
+came that the poor fellow had been seized the moment he plunged in, and
+that that loud wallowing noise was when he was dragged underneath.  For,
+though he listened so hard, there was nothing to prove that his comrade
+was still swimming across the river; and his heart sank at the thought
+of what would be a most horrible death.
+
+Everything served to depress him more as he crouched there in the
+enforced inaction; he could hear rustlings in the low water-growth as of
+reptiles creeping along, the splashes in the river, and all about him
+the croaking, hooting, and barking of the nocturnal creatures which made
+the place their home; while, as if these were not sufficient, there was
+the dread of pursuit, with their enemies hounding on the savage dogs,
+which might spring upon him at any moment.
+
+"Not without giving notice, though," he said to himself.  "What a
+nervous coward all this has made me!  Why, the hounds would begin to bay
+as soon as they took up the scent."
+
+He listened again; but all was still save a splash or two, and he
+bitterly repented that they had not thought of some signal--a whistle or
+the like--to give warning that the river had been successfully crossed.
+
+"He would do it," thought Nic, trying to be firm.  "He is a splendid
+swimmer.  Why, it was wonderful what I believe he did when he tried to
+save me--in irons, too."
+
+Nic paused for a few moments longer to listen to the splashing which
+went on; and then, recalling once more his companion's words, he
+prepared to load the muskets.
+
+But the first he tried proved to be loaded, and, on replacing the ramrod
+and opening the pan, he found the priming all right.  The next proved to
+be in the same condition; and, once more laying the pieces down, he
+crouched with his ear near the water to listen to the lapping and
+splashing which went on.  But there was nothing that he could interpret
+to mean the movement of an oar or pole on a boat, and his heart began to
+sink again lower and lower, till wild thoughts arose about his
+companion's fate.
+
+He would not give harbour to the suggestion that he had been dragged
+down by the reptiles, but fancied that the boat might be securely
+padlocked, or that Pete had got it out, and, not knowing the force of
+the stream, had been swept away past where he should have landed, and
+with so big and heavy a boat he might not be able to get back.  If this
+were the case Pete would escape, and he would have to go back to his
+prison.
+
+"No, he would not forsake me," muttered Nic, with a strange glow about
+his heart as he thought of the man's fidelity to his cause; and he had
+just come to this conclusion when he heard a rustling behind him as of
+some creature creeping up.  It was forgotten, though, the next moment,
+for unmistakably there was the sound of an oar whishing about in the
+water, as if someone had it over the stern and, fisherman fashions was
+sculling the boat towards the bank.
+
+Then for a moment Nic was doubtful, for the sound ceased.
+
+"It was one of the alligators," he muttered through his teeth, "and the
+poor fellow--"
+
+There was a faint chirrup off the river, and once more Nic's heart beat
+wildly as he answered the signal.  Then the sculling began again, the
+rustling was repeated somewhere behind where Nic crouched, and he felt
+for the muskets to take them up.
+
+"Whatever it is, I shall be aboard in a moment or two," he thought, with
+a strangely wild feeling of exultation; for he heard the oar drawn in,
+the head of the boat suddenly appeared close at hand, and it was run
+into the muddy, reedy bank a couple of yards away, while Pete leaped
+ashore with the painter.
+
+"Now!" cried a loud voice, when, with a rush, half-a-dozen men sprang
+upon them from the bed of reeds and a fierce struggle began.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY.
+
+MAKING FRIENDS OF ENEMIES.
+
+The struggle was very fierce but short.  Nic fought his best, and, in
+spite of the excitement, wondered at his strength.  He was encouraged,
+too, by Pete, whom he heard raging and tearing about; and, hard pressed
+as he was, he yet had a thought for his companion.
+
+"Never mind me, Master Nic," he shouted.  "Zwim for it--the boat.  Never
+mind me."
+
+Then his voice was smothered, and there was the sound of a heavy fall,
+but the struggle went on.
+
+"Hold on!" came the voice of the overseer, giving his orders; and then
+that of the settler:
+
+"Give in, you scoundrels!" he raged out.  Then fiercely, "Hold their
+heads under water, boys, if they don't give in."
+
+"All done now, sah," panted Samson, with his lips close to Nic's head,
+for he was across his prisoner's chest, and a couple of the blacks were
+holding his legs.
+
+"Yes, we must give up, Master Nic," cried Pete.  "I've got five loads o'
+black stuff sitting on me."
+
+"Have you your whip with you, Saunders?" cried the settler.
+
+"No, sir; I wish I had.  But it is hanging by the door, and we can give
+them a better taste by daylight."
+
+"You use it on him," roared Pete fiercely, "and I'll kill you."
+
+"Silence, you scoundrel!" cried the settler, "or I'll have you gagged as
+well as ironed.  I warned you both of what would happen if you tried to
+escape."
+
+"Lucky for them I let loose the black dogs instead of the brown," cried
+the overseer.  "We should not have had the trouble of taking them back.
+Tie their hands behind their backs, Samson, and have the irons ready as
+soon as we get to the house."
+
+"Got no rope, sah."
+
+"What!" cried the settler.  "Why didn't you bring some, you black fool?"
+
+"No time, sah," said the black humbly.  "Soon as dat ugly ruffyum,
+Humpy, come knock at door and say dey 'scape, Zerk call me quite sharp,
+an' I come tell you, and dey fetch de boy and have 'em back.  Me no
+t'ink 'bout no rope, sah; on'y t'ink dey go swim for de boat and catch
+'em first."
+
+"Quite right," said the settler more calmly.  "There, one of you go in
+front of each man, and two others take fast hold of a wrist on each
+side.  Cock your pistols, Saunders."
+
+There was a sharp clicking sound.
+
+"Walk behind that big scoundrel, and if he makes the slightest attempt
+to escape send a bullet through him.  I'll look after this one.  Pity we
+didn't stop to loose the dogs.  Ready?"
+
+"Iss, sah," came from Samson, as Nic felt a strong hand like a live
+handcuff upon each wrist.
+
+"Lead on, then."
+
+"You be very careful, please, massa; no make mistake and shoot dis boy."
+
+"Oh yes, I'll take care."
+
+The march back began, and at the second step Nic felt that a cold ring
+of iron had been pressed between his shoulders--the pistol-muzzle
+resting upon his skin where the shirt had been torn down from neck to
+waist.
+
+He could not suppress a shiver, for the heat and passion of the struggle
+had passed away, leaving him weary, aching, and depressed.
+
+But in a few minutes the pistol-muzzle was withdrawn, it being awkward
+for the holder to walk over the rough ground and keep it there; and the
+prisoner marched on between his black warders as patiently as Pete in
+front, thinking perhaps the same ideas.
+
+For he felt that they had not taken warning by the hints they had
+received.  Humpy Dee had been on the watch, and, in his malignity, let
+them get away before giving notice to the sentry, that they might be
+caught, ironed, and flogged, or perhaps meet their death in the
+struggle.
+
+But Nic had yet to find that Humpy Dee's designs were deeper than this.
+
+The walk back was not long enough for a hundredth part of the bitter
+thoughts that crowded into Nic Revel's brain; neither would they have
+got a hearing had the distance been a thousand times the length, on
+account of the one dominant horror which filled his brain: "Will they
+flog us?--will they flog us?"  That question was always repeating
+itself, and, when the prisoner heard Pete utter a low groan, he was
+convinced that the poor fellow was possessed by similar thoughts.
+
+Only so short a time before that they had left their quarters, and now
+they were back in the darkness, their plans crushed, and only the
+punishment to look forward to.
+
+"Now, Sam, be sharp with a couple of lanthorns and those irons," cried
+the overseer.
+
+"Iss, sah."
+
+"Prisoners been quiet?" whispered the settler to the sentry.
+
+"Iss, sah, berry quiet; all fass asleep;" and the man let his musket
+fall down upon the ground with an ominous thud as, in obedience to an
+order, he unlocked the shed-door and lowered the huge bar before drawing
+it open.
+
+"Now then," muttered the overseer, "how long is he going to be with that
+lanthorn?  Here, in with them, boys; but don't loose your hold till I
+tell you."
+
+Nic and Pete were hurried on; and, as soon as they were inside, the
+settler and his lieutenant stood in the doorway, pistol in hand, while
+Nic's face was involuntarily turned in the direction of the corner where
+Humpy Dee's bunk lay, in the full expectation of hearing some bantering
+sneer.
+
+But the man made no sign, and directly after the _pad_, _pad_ of
+Samson's feet was heard, and a faint light threw up the figures of those
+at the doorway.  Then Samson's big black face appeared, lit up by the
+lanthorns he swung, one in each hand.
+
+"I take in de light, sah, and den go fetch de irons?"
+
+"Yes; look sharp," cried Saunders.
+
+He made way for the black to pass, and the man raised one of the
+lanthorns to hang it upon a hook.  He did not do this, but raised the
+other lanthorn and hurriedly took a few steps in the direction of the
+bunks, to begin shouting directly:
+
+"Hyah!" he cried, "whar dem oder white fellow?  You, Zerk, what you go
+and done wid de oder man?"
+
+"What!" roared the settler and the overseer in a breath as they rushed
+forward, pistol in hand.
+
+"All gone, sah," cried Samson, beginning to tremble.
+
+"Bah! you 'most fass 'sleep," cried Xerxes, who had come in at the call
+of his companion; "dey all tuck under de corn-'talk."
+
+"You black idiot!" roared the overseer, turning upon the sentry so
+savagely that the man's knees began to knock together; he let go his
+hold of his musket, and it fell on the floor with a thud, followed by a
+flash and an explosion, while the man escaped a knockdown blow by
+ducking.
+
+"Here, quick!" cried the settler, who had seized one of the lanthorns
+from Samson and convinced himself that the other prisoners had taken
+advantage of the hole made by Pete, and, as soon as the chase began,
+climbed quietly out in turn.  "All of you follow.  Pick up that musket
+and load it again, you black fool!"
+
+"No 'top clap irons on dese two, sah?" cried Samson.
+
+"No.  Here, Saunders, fetch another musket.  Samson, you and Nero guard
+these two while we're gone; and if you let them escape I'll shoot you."
+
+"No, no," said Saunders quickly; "I'll manage them.  We want all our
+men.  Here, Sam; go and let loose the dogs."
+
+"But these two?" cried the settler impatiently.
+
+"Well, the dogs will watch them."
+
+"We want them, man, to track the other scoundrels."
+
+"We can do that ourselves.  They followed us, for a hundred pounds, and
+have taken the boat by now."
+
+The settler uttered a furious oath and stamped his foot.
+
+"Sharper than we are," he roared.  "Yes, that is right."
+
+Just then the dogs, newly set at liberty, came bounding up, followed by
+Samson; and the overseer went up to the two prisoners.
+
+"There, lie down in your kennels," he snarled.  "We shall not be long,
+and it depends upon yourselves whether we find you when we come back.  I
+warn you that if you move the hounds will tear you to pieces."
+
+"Saunders!" whispered the settler.
+
+"Their lives will be in their own hands, sir," cried the overseer
+warmly.  "Let me have my own way, please; it is the only thing to do."
+
+The settler shrugged his shoulders, and the blacks all stood there
+round-eyed and staring, while the two unfortunates lay down in their
+bunks, and the overseer called up the dogs and bade them couch.
+
+"Watch," he said fiercely, and a deep-toned growl arose.  "Stay there
+and watch."
+
+"Now, sir," he said coldly, "the sooner we are off the better.  Out with
+you, boys, and bring the lights."
+
+The blacks ran out, the settler followed, and the overseer went to the
+door last.
+
+"I've warned you," he said fiercely, as he turned to face the prisoners.
+"Make the slightest movement, and those hounds will be at your throats
+and rend you limb from limb.  Good dogs, then--watch," he shouted; then
+he banged the door, locked and barred it, and just then the settler's
+voice was heard at a little distance.
+
+"Here, Saunders," he cried; "two of the loaded muskets have been taken
+from the hooks."
+
+"Hor, hor!" laughed Pete savagely; "just found that out?"
+
+He ceased, for three dogs sprang to their feet, uttering a furious
+barking trio which made his heart seem to leap to his throat.
+
+In the intense desire to save himself, Nic sprang up into a sitting
+position and spoke quickly and gently, calling to the dog which had
+shown a friendly disposition towards him from the first.
+
+"Don't do that, Master Nic," said Pete hoarsely.
+
+But even as the man spoke the dog was upon Nic's bunk, whining, pawing
+at him, and thrusting its great muzzle in his hand, uttering the while a
+low, eager bark.
+
+The others barked too, and, as if in imitation of their companion, made
+at Nic as well, favouring him with their clumsy caresses, and ending by
+sitting close up to him, panting loudly.
+
+"Have they killed you, Master Nic?" whispered Pete hoarsely, eliciting a
+fierce growl from one of the brutes.
+
+"Quiet," cried Nic loudly, and the growling ceased; while the next
+moment from out of the darkness a great head began to nestle upon his
+shoulder.  "Good dog, then!" cried Nic, patting and stroking its head.
+"There, I think you may venture to talk, Pete."
+
+"Do you, zir?  If I waren't beginning to think they'd done for you.
+Aren't you hurt, then?"
+
+"No; they are used to us now, and I don't think there's anything to
+fear.  Look here; do you dare to reach out your hand and pat him?"
+
+"No, zir; I'm too great a coward.  I was always feared of a dog's bite;
+not of the dog."
+
+Nic was silent for a few moments, and then he began to pat first one dog
+and then another heavily, the great brutes submitting to the
+familiarities evidently with satisfaction, one of them beginning to
+bound about the shed, and returning to be caressed again.
+
+"You order me to come close and pat one of 'em, Master Nic, and I will,"
+said Pete hoarsely.
+
+"Come on, then."
+
+The man drew a deep breath and made the venture, with so much success
+attending it that he tried it upon the others.
+
+"Master Nic," he whispered excitedly, "what do you think of that?"
+
+"Of what?"
+
+"Here's one of 'em licking my face.  Oh, I zay, it don't mean tasting me
+first to zee whether I'm good, do it?"
+
+"No; the poor brutes believe we are friends, I suppose, from being shut
+up with us.  But, Pete, they've all gone off after the others.  Couldn't
+we try to escape again?"
+
+"Nay; t'others have got the boat."
+
+"But the high ground yonder, or the woods?"
+
+"Nay; they'd hunt us down with the dogs.  The beggars would go at us if
+they hounded 'em on."
+
+Nic was silenced for a few moments, and he sat with a dog on either side
+and his arms on their necks.
+
+"But we could get out again; the shingles must be off the roof."
+
+"Yes; that's how Humpy and the others got out, zir.  They must ha' known
+all our plans."
+
+"Let's creep out, then; the dogs couldn't follow."
+
+"S'pose not, zir; but they'd make howl enough to bring the gaffers back
+to lay 'em on our scent.  I don't think it's any use to try.  I'd face
+it and the dogs too with my knife; they never took it away from me.  Did
+they take yourn?"
+
+"I don't know, Pete.  No: here it is."
+
+"And it would be too hard on you to have to face 'em.  Best not to try.
+We had our go and missed; p'raps we'd better take what they give us and
+not grumble."
+
+"Impossible, Pete.  I'd rather face the dogs than the lash.  But I don't
+believe they'd hurt us now."
+
+"P'raps not, zir," said Pete sadly.  "This here one's as playful as a
+puppy.  He's 'tending to bite my arm, but he don't hurt a bit."
+
+There was silence again for a few minutes, during which time Nic sat
+with his heart beating hard, listening to the familiar sounds which came
+from the forest, while the passionate desire to flee grew and grew till
+it swept everything before it.
+
+"Pete," he cried at last, "we must escape.  Better starve in the woods
+than lead such a life as this.  We shall be flogged to-morrow, and it
+will kill me, I know."
+
+"The dogs'll hunt us down if we go, lad, and we shall get it worse.
+Better face what we've got to have."
+
+"I will not; I cannot, Pete.  The way is open, man.  Let's try for our
+liberty before these wretches come back."
+
+"Zay the word, then, Master Nic; but the dogs is friends now, as long as
+we're quiet; they won't let us go."
+
+"Ah, I know!" cried Nic wildly.  "Why didn't I think of it before?"
+
+"Think of what, zir?"
+
+"This.  Perhaps they might attack us if they thought they were going to
+be left."
+
+"That's zo."
+
+"And if we got away they'd be laid on our track."
+
+"O' course, zir."
+
+"Then we will not give Saunders the chance."
+
+"I dunno what you mean, zir; but I'm ready for anything you tell me to
+do.  What is it?"
+
+"Take the dogs with us, man.  I believe they'll follow us now."
+
+"Take 'em with us?" panted Pete.  "Why, o' course!  I never thought o'
+that.  But we can't, Master Nic; we're locked in."
+
+"The roof's open.  Look here, Pete; I'm going to climb out at once.  The
+dogs will begin to bay at this, but as soon as I'm on the roof, ready to
+drop down, you get up, put your hands against the boards, and lay
+a-back.  Then I'll call them.  They'll scramble up, and I'll help them
+through.  You come last."
+
+"Think they'll do it?" said Pete, panting like one of the hounds.
+
+"I'm sure they will."
+
+"Be worse than the flogging," cried Pete excitedly; "they'll tear all
+the skin off my back.  But I don't care; I'm ready.  They'll leave the
+bones."
+
+"Ready, then?" cried Nic.  "The moment there's room make a back for the
+dogs."
+
+The eager talking excited the great animals, and they began to sniff at
+the speakers and growl; but Nic's blood was up, and he was ready to risk
+an attack on the chance of his scheme succeeding.
+
+"A dog is a dog, whether it's here or at home, and I know their nature
+pretty well."
+
+The next moment he was proving it by leaping to his feet.
+
+"Hey, boys, then!" he cried loudly; "the woods--a run in the woods!"
+
+The dogs sprang round him, and began leaping up, barking excitedly.
+
+"Come on, then," he shouted, though his heart leaped with a choking
+sensation at his mouth; and, scrambling up to the opening by means of
+the pegs, he was the next minute squeezing himself through, the dogs
+bounding up at him as he went, and nearly causing him to fall.  For one
+moment he felt he was being dragged back, and shuddered at the thought
+of what might happen if the excited animals got him down.
+
+But the dread passed away as quickly as it had come.  He tore off
+another of the shingles to widen the opening, and shouted down into the
+shed:
+
+"Come on, then.  Come on."
+
+Already the hounds were growing savage in their disappointment, and
+baying and growling with tremendous clamour, as they kept on leaping
+over each other and dropping back.
+
+But at the words of encouragement from above one of them awoke to the
+fact that there was a step all ready in the darkness, and, leaping upon
+it, the great creature reached up, got its paws on the sides of the
+opening, scrambled through without help from Nic, as he sat on the roof,
+and leaped down.
+
+That was enough; the others followed quickly, and the next minute Pete
+was up, seated by Nic's side, the dogs now leaping at them from below,
+barking loudly.
+
+"Hurt?" panted Nic.
+
+"Not a bit.  Durst us jump down?"
+
+"We must," cried Nic firmly; and, shouting to the dogs, he lowered
+himself down, dropped to the ground, and was followed by Pete.
+
+"Hie on, boys!  Forward, then!" cried Nic, as the dogs leaped and
+bounded around him, and he began to trot away from the river.
+
+"Which way?" said Pete, who was as excited now as his companion.
+
+"Wherever the dogs lead us," replied Nic.  "Anywhere away from this
+slavery and death.  Forward, then, boys!  Hie on!"
+
+The dogs ceased barking and began dashing on through the plantation
+leading to the nearest wood.  The hunt was up, and Nic had rightly
+weighed their nature.  They were off in chase of something; that was
+enough, and the two men followed, feeling that at last they were on the
+highroad to freedom, with their most dreaded enemies turned to friends.
+
+"Master Nic," said Pete hoarsely as they trotted on, step for step
+following the sound made by the heavy dogs, "I aren't never been a
+'ligious sort of a chap, but would it be any harm if, instead o'
+kneeling down proper, I was to try and say a prayer as we run?"
+
+"Harm, Pete?" cried Nic, with a wild, hysterical ring in his voice; "it
+could not be.  Why, I've been praying for help ever since I leaped down
+among those savage beasts.  I could not have ventured but for that."
+
+Sound travels far during the night, and, though the fugitives were not
+aware of it, their attempt to escape was known.  For, just when the dogs
+were free of the shed and were baying their loudest, the settler, at the
+head of his men, turned to Saunders:
+
+"Hear that?" he said hoarsely.
+
+"Yes.  They've risked it, and the dogs are running them down.  Well,
+they have only themselves to thank; I wash my hands of it all."
+
+The settler shuddered, for his companion's words had brought up a
+thought that was full of horror; and for a moment he was about to order
+his blacks to turn back.  But just then the overseer whispered:
+
+"Keep up, sir; not a sound, please.  We shall have them now."
+
+"No firing," said the settler quickly; "they will be unarmed."
+
+"I don't know that," said the overseer; "but we shall soon know.  Hadn't
+we better deal with them as they deal with us?  Hark! the dogs are quiet
+now.  They've got their prisoners, and, if I'm not wrong, in a few
+minutes we shall have taken ours."
+
+"Heah dat, Zerk?" whispered Samson.
+
+There was a grunt.
+
+"You an' me's gwan to have de arm-ache to-morrow morn' wid all dat lot
+to flog."
+
+"Iss," whispered Xerxes; "and den got to go and bury dem oder one
+bones."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.
+
+A NIGHT'S MUDDLE.
+
+On went the dogs, apparently following the track of some animal; and, as
+they seemed to be leading the fugitives farther and farther away from
+the plantation, nothing Nic felt, could be better.
+
+For, in spite of the long imprisonment at the settler's place, the
+knowledge of the prisoners was confined to the river and the clearings
+about the house.  Certainly they had had a view of the distant hills;
+but all beyond the plantation, save towards the swamp, was unknown land.
+
+"We can't do better than go on, Pete," said Nic, after following the
+dogs for about an hour.
+
+"Don't see as we can, zir.  They're hunting after zomething they've got
+the zmell of, and maybe, if we cross their scent, they may begin hunting
+us; zo I zay let 'em go.  You zee, they're mostly kep' chained up in
+them gashly kennels o' theirs; and they're enjoying a run in the woods.
+Any idee where we be?"
+
+"Not the slightest, Pete; but at any rate we're free."
+
+"Till we're ketched again, Master Nic.  But I zay, you'll show fight if
+they should catch up to uz?"
+
+"Yes, Pete; I should feel so desperate that I should be ready to die
+sooner than give up now."
+
+"That's me all over, lad," said Pete.  "I zay, though; couldn't get to
+be more friends still wi' the dogs, and make 'em fight for uz, could
+we?"
+
+Nic laughed bitterly, and then stopped short, for the yelping had
+ceased.
+
+"Can you hear the hounds now?"
+
+A sharp burst of barking a short distance away told of their direction,
+and after wandering in and out among the trees for a few minutes, they
+found the three great creatures apparently waiting for them to come up
+before starting off again.
+
+This went on for a full hour longer, the dogs leading them on and on,
+evidently getting scent of one of the little animals the blacks hunted
+from time to time; but from their clumsiness, and the activity of the
+little quarry, each run being without result.
+
+"Where are we now?" said Pete at last, after the yelping of the little
+pack had ceased.
+
+"It is impossible to say," replied Nic.  "It is all so much alike here
+in the darkness that I have felt helpless ever since we started; but we
+must be many miles away from the plantation, and I hardly know how the
+night has gone in this excitement; but it must be near morning."
+
+"Must be," said Pete, "for my clothes are quite dry again, and I'm
+getting thirsty.  What are we going to do now?"
+
+"Keep on, and coax the dogs more and more away.  We must not let them go
+back."
+
+"No; that wouldn't do, Master Nic.  On'y if they don't ketch anything
+they'll get hungry, and if they gets hungry they'll grow zavage; and if
+they grow zavage, what's going to happen then?"
+
+"Wait till the trouble comes, Pete," replied Nic; "then we'll see."
+
+"That's good zense, Master Nic; and I b'lieve them brutes are lying down
+and resting zomewhere.  Shall I give a whistle?"
+
+"Yes; it would do no harm."
+
+Pete uttered a low, piping sound such as would be given by a bird, and
+it was answered by a bark which showed the direction; and, on turning
+towards it, a minute had not elapsed before they heard the heavy panting
+of the three animals, which sprang up and came to them, lolling out
+their tongues to be caressed.
+
+"Good old dogs, then," said Nic, patting their heads.  "Go on, and take
+us right away, and when it gets daylight you may all have a good sleep.
+Hie on, then, boys; hie on!  Right away."
+
+The dogs threw up their heads, snuffed about a bit, and then started off
+once more at a steady pace, which soon slowed down, and made the task of
+following them in the darkness much less difficult.  Then all at once
+one of them uttered a low, whining sound and sprang off a little faster.
+
+For the ground was more open here, the trees bigger, and the
+undergrowth--the great hindrance--scarce.
+
+"Better going here, Master Nic, if it waren't for the great roots
+sticking out.  Now, if the day would only break we should be able to zee
+better what we were doing.  My word! if we could only come across a good
+wild-apple orchard it wouldn't be amiss."
+
+"And that we shall not find."
+
+"Never mind, zir; we'll find zum'at else--toadstools on the trees, or
+wild berries, or zomething; and if them dogs don't run down anything
+good for a roast, why, they don't come up to one of our old Devon
+lurchers.  If this was one of our woods we shouldn't be long without
+something between our teeth.  Don't you be downhearted; I'll find
+zome'at we can eat."
+
+"I am not downhearted, Pete; and, if we can do so in safety, we'll go on
+walking all day."
+
+"That's right; on'y we don't want to run upon no more plantations."
+
+"No; we must trust to the wild country, Pete, till we can reach the
+sea."
+
+"And not feel zafe when we get there, zir.  Zay, Master Nic, I don't
+think much of a country where they has zlaves, whether they're white or
+whether they're black."
+
+"Never mind that now, Pete; we have escaped."
+
+"And without my having a chance to thrash Humpy Dee, and giving Master
+Zaunders one for his nob."
+
+"Hist! what's that?" whispered Nic, as a peculiar sound came through the
+trees.
+
+"Water!" said Pete excitedly.  "The dogs lapping.  Come on, zir.  My
+mouth's as if it was full of dust.  The very thing we want."
+
+The next minute the darkness seemed to be less intense, and in another
+they were close to a little stream, where the dogs were drinking deeply;
+but they left the edge as the fugitives came up, shook themselves, and
+stood by while Pete sought for a place a little higher up.
+
+"Here you are, Master Nic," he said.  "They might ha' let uz have first
+go; but I forgive 'em for finding it.  Lie down on your face and drink."
+
+Nic needed no incitement, and Pete followed his example, both enjoying
+the sweetest, most refreshing draught that had ever passed their lips.
+
+"Hall!" ejaculated Pete as he raised himself into a sitting posture.
+"Can't drink any more.  Hope we aren't zwallowed no young 'gators or a
+snake; but if we have, zir, it'll be vittles as well as drink, and do uz
+good."
+
+"Ugh! don't talk about it," said Nic.  "But where are the dogs?"
+
+"Eh?  Gone on, I s'pose; and we must trot on too.  I'm ready for
+anything now."
+
+"Look, Pete.  Yonder's the east."
+
+"That's our way then, zir."
+
+"And the sun will not be long before it's up.  It is getting light fast.
+Come along and find the dogs.  We came up from the left; they will go
+right on to the right.  We should have heard them if they had crossed
+the stream."
+
+"That's right, lad.  What a good--" Pete was going to say poacher, but
+he checked himself--"wood-man you'd have made.  Forward, then.  It's all
+open yonder."
+
+A minute later they had stopped short, to see the three dogs walking
+across a clearing, plainly seen in the grey dawn, while to the left the
+stream had widened out.
+
+It was only a momentary pause, and then the fugitives shrank back into
+cover, chilled to the heart by the dreadful truth.
+
+The dogs, quite at home in the neighbouring forest, had taken them a
+long round, and brought them back to the plantation; and now, wearied
+out, they were making their way to their kennel at the back of the house
+and sheds.
+
+The night's labour seemed to have been all in vain; and Nic laid his
+hand upon his companion's shoulder as he said, with a bitter sigh:
+
+"Pete, Pete, it is hopeless.  We shall never see the old home again."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.
+
+NEVER SAY DIE.
+
+"What zay?" cried Pete sharply.  "Never zay die, lad.  English lads are
+never beat.  Look at that!"
+
+He pointed through the trees at where the streamlet widened into the
+little creek where they had first landed, and Nic rubbed his eyes,
+refusing to believe in what he saw.
+
+But there it was plain enough in the dim, grey dawn--the boat lying tied
+up to the post; and a great sob rose to the poor fellow's lips, while
+for a few moments he could not stir.
+
+Then a thrill of excitement ran through him as he looked round and saw
+that the dogs had passed out of sight beyond the long, low shed which
+had been their jail.
+
+It came like a flash to him now what must have taken place--one of those
+guesses at the truth which hit the mark.  He knew that his enemies had
+dashed off in pursuit of the men who had made for the boat.
+
+They must have been overtaken during the night, brought back, and were
+doubtless at that moment shut up in their old quarters.
+
+Nic hurriedly told Pete his impression, and the latter slapped his leg.
+
+"That's it," he said, "and zarve 'em right, zir.  That's tumbling into
+the hole you made for zomebody else, isn't it?  That's why they've not
+blown the old shell yet and didn't put the boat back.  Been out all
+night."
+
+"Could we make sure by trying to see whether there is any one on guard
+at the barrack-door?"
+
+"Zoon do that, zir," said Pete; and, going down upon hands and knees, he
+crawled away among the bushes, to be back in a few minutes.
+
+"Old Zamson and Zerk both there at the door, zir, with guns."
+
+"Then they have caught them," said Nic excitedly.  "But the blacks are
+both sitting down, fast asleep, zir."
+
+"Worn out with their night's work, Pete; but the prisoners will be well
+ironed and safe enough."
+
+"Ay, zir, or they'd have had the boat by now."
+
+"Now then, can we crawl to it under cover?  We must be off at once."
+
+"Couldn't on'y crawl half-way, zir, and then it's all open, and we might
+be shot at if they zaw us from the house.  Better make a dash for it at
+once and chance it."
+
+"Come on, then," cried Nic; and they ran as quickly as they could down
+by the side of the creek, reached the boat in safety, found that the
+poles and oars were in their places, and jumped in.
+
+There was no stopping to untie the rope which ran across the gunwale.
+Pete's knife flew out and sawed through it in a moment or two.  Then one
+vigorous thrust sent the craft into the stream; but before they had
+cleared the creek there was a shout, followed by the whiz of a bullet
+and the report of a musket.
+
+"All right; fire away.  Shouldn't come back if you was a ridgment of
+zojers," cried Pete, who was sending the boat along vigorously with the
+pole.  "Lie down, Master Nic; they're going to shoot again."
+
+"And leave you there?" cried Nic.  "No."
+
+Instead of screening himself by the boat's side, Nic seized two oars,
+got them over the rowlocks, and as soon as they were in the river he
+began to pull with all his might, watching the figure of Saunders
+limping slowly down after them and stopping from time to time for a
+shot; Samson and Xerxes, wakened by the firing, hurrying up, handing him
+a fresh musket, and reloading each time.
+
+"Don't see nothing of the gaffer," said Pete coolly; "he must have been
+hurt too, or he'd have been after us.  There come the blacks.  Hear
+that?"
+
+Plainly enough, for the whistle was very shrill, and it was answered by
+the dogs, which came tearing round the end of the shed to follow the
+overseer.
+
+"Row faster than they can zwim," said Pete, laying down the pole.
+"Here, give us one oar, Master Nic," he continued; and, taking his seat,
+the oar was handed to him, and, aided by the current, the boat began to
+move more swiftly.
+
+"Why, there's the gaffer," cried Pete suddenly; and Nic saw that the
+settler was coming down from the house by the help of a stick, while the
+dogs stood close by Saunders, barking loudly.
+
+"There must have been a desperate fight in the night, Pete," cried Nic.
+"Look, there are two of the blacks with their heads tied up."
+
+"And jolly glad I am, Master Nic.  I shouldn't have cried much if they'd
+all killed one another and left nothing but the bones.  There, put that
+gun away, stoopid; you can't hit us at this distance."
+
+The overseer seemed to have thought so too, for he lowered the musket,
+and Nic just caught sight of him striking savagely with it at the dogs,
+which began to bay and make rushes at him.  But Nic saw no more, for a
+bend in the river, with a clump of trees thereon, hid the plantation
+from their sight; while Pete began to sing an old West-country ditty,
+something about a clever moneyless adventurer who, no matter what task
+he undertook, always succeeded in getting the best of his adversaries.
+
+The words were absurd and often childish, but there was a ring in the
+familiar old melody that went straight to Nic's heart and brought a
+strange moisture to his eyes, for it thrilled him with hope, and brought
+up memories of the far-away home that he began to feel now he might see
+again.  And that feeling of hope drove away the horrible dread and the
+miserable sensation of weariness, sending vigour through every nerve,
+and making him bend to his oar to take a full grip of the water and
+swing back at the same moment as Pete, making the river ripple and plash
+beneath the bows and driving the boat merrily along, just as if the two
+fugitives were moved by the same spirit.
+
+  "Zome zaid a penny, but I zaid five poun'.
+  The wager was laid, but the money not down.
+  Zinging right fol de ree, fol de riddle
+  lee
+  While I am a-zinging I'd five poun' free,"
+
+chanted Pete in a fine, round, musical bass voice, and the trees on one
+side echoed it back, while the ungreased rowlocks, as the oars swung to
+and fro, seemed to Nic's excited fancy to keep on saying, "Dev-on,
+Dev-on, Dev-on," in cheery reiteration.
+
+"Zinging right fol de ree!" cried Pete.  "Zay, Master Nic, why don't you
+join in chorus?  You know that old zong."
+
+"Ay, Pete, I know it," said Nic; "but my heart's too full for singing."
+
+"Nay, not it, lad.  Do you good.  That's why I began.  Mine felt so full
+that it was ready to burst out, and if I hadn't begun to zing I should
+ha' broken zomething.  I zay, Master Nic, get out o' stroke and hit me a
+good whack or two with your oar and fisties, right in the back."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"To waken me up.  I'm dreaming, I'm afraid, and I'd rather be roused up
+than go on in a dream like this.  It's zo hearty, you zee, and makes me
+feel as if I could go on rowing for a month without getting tired."
+
+"So do I now, Pete."
+
+"Well, that's real, Master Nic.  I dunno, though; p'raps it aren't, and
+I want it cut short.  It would be horrid to wake up and find it all
+zleep-hatching; but the longer I go on the worse I shall be.  It's
+dreaming, aren't it, and we didn't get away?"
+
+"You know it is not a dream, Pete," replied Nic.  "We have escaped--I
+mean, we have begun to escape."
+
+"Begun, lad?  Why, we've half-done it," cried Pete, who was wild with
+excitement.  "Pull away, and let's zhow 'em what West-country muscles
+can do.  Pull lad, pull, and keep me at it, or I zhall be getting up and
+dancing zailor's hornpipe all over the boat, and without music.  Music!
+Who wants music?  My heart's full of music and zinging of home again,
+and I don't know what's come to my eyes.  Master Nic, all this river,
+and the trees, and fog rising on each zide through the trees, looks zo
+beautiful that I must be dreaming.  Zay, lad, do tell me I ra-ally am
+awake."
+
+"Yes, Pete, awake--wide awake; and I am feeling just the same.  My
+heart's beating with hope as it never beat before."
+
+"Hooroar for Master Nic's heart!" cried the big fellow wildly.  "Beat
+away, good old heart, for we're going to do it, and it'll be just as
+easy as kissing your hand."
+
+"We mustn't be too sanguine."
+
+"Oh yes, we must, lad.  I don't know what being zangwing is, but if it's
+anything to do with fancying we shall get away, I zay let's be as
+zangwing as we can.  None of your getting into the dumps and `shan't do
+it' now.  We're free, my lad--free; and I should just like to have a cut
+at any one as zays we aren't.  Zlaves, indeed!  White zlaves!  But I
+knowed it couldn't last.  You can't make a zlave of an Englishman,
+Master Nic.  You may call him one, and put irons on him, or shut him up
+like zyder in a cask, and hammer the bung in; but zooner or later he'll
+zend the bung out flying, or burst the hoops and scatter the staves.  It
+was only waiting our chance, and we've got it; and here we are rowing
+down this here river in the boat, and they may hoe the old plantation
+themselves.  Zay, Master Nic."
+
+"Yes, Pete."
+
+"Don't it zeem strange what a differ a black skin makes in a man?"
+
+"What do you mean--in the colour?"
+
+"Nay-ay-ay-ay, lad!  I mean 'bout being a zlave.  Here's these niggers
+brought here and made zlaves of, and they zettles down to it as
+happy-go-lucky as can be.  They don't zeem to mind.  They eat and drink
+all they can, and zleep as much as they can, and they do as little work
+as they can.  Why, I zometimes did three times as much hoeing as one o'
+they in a day; and that aren't bragging."
+
+"No, Pete; they took it very easy."
+
+"I should just think they did, my lad; and then the way they'd laugh!  I
+never zee any one laugh as they could.  I s'pose that's what makes their
+mouths zo big and their teeth zo white.  Gets 'em bleached by opening
+their mouths zo wide."
+
+"Look, Pete!" whispered Nic.  "Wasn't that something moving on the right
+bank?"
+
+"Yes; I zee it, Master Nic.  Dunno what it was, but it waren't a man on
+the watch.  Zay; they aren't got another boat anywhere, have they?"
+
+"Oh no; I feel sure they have not," said Nic sharply.
+
+"Then we're all right.  This water's running zwift, and we're making the
+boat move pretty fast.  They can't zwim half as fast as we're going, and
+they've no horses, and the dogs can't smell on the river, even if they
+made a raft of the trees they've got cut down yonder."
+
+"It would take them a day, Pete."
+
+"Ay, it would, Master Nic; and going on as we're going, we shall be a
+long way on at the end of a day."
+
+"Yes; we shall be some distance towards the mouth.  I begin to think,
+Pete, that we shall really manage to escape."
+
+"Yes, we've done it this time, Master Nic; and we only want a veal-pie,
+a cold zalmon, a couple o' loaves, and a stone bottle o' zyder, to be
+'bout as happy as any one could be."
+
+"But do you think we can reach the mouth of the river without being
+stopped?"
+
+"Don't zee who's to stop uz, zir," said Pete coolly.  "What we've got to
+do is to row a steady stroke till we come to a place where we can get
+zome'at to eat; and then we'll row right out to zea, and get ourselves
+picked up by the first ship we can board.  But we zeem to want that
+there veal-pie, cold zalmon, two loaves, and the stone bottle."
+
+"Yes, we want provisions, Pete.  Are you keeping a good, sharp lookout?"
+
+"I just am, Master Nic.  I'm afraid it's taking zome of the bark off
+when I look among the trees.  But we needn't; nobody can't overtake uz
+unless we tie the boat up to a tree on the bank and lie down to go to
+zleep."
+
+"And that we shall not even think of doing, Pete."
+
+"That's zo, Master Nic.  But by-and-by, when the zun gets hot and you're
+a bit tired, we'll get ashore zomewhere to break off a few good leafy
+boughs and make a bit of a shelter in the stern of the boat, zo as you
+can lie down and have a zleep."
+
+"Or you, Pete."
+
+"When it's my turn, Master Nic.  We'll take watch and watch, as the
+zailors call it, zo as to keep the boat going till we get aboard a ship.
+I zay, how far do you make it to the landing-place where we come aboard
+the boat?"
+
+"I can't say, Pete," replied Nic.  "I was in such a confused state that
+I have lost all count."
+
+"And I aren't much better, zir.  You zee, we landed and slept on the
+road, and that took up time; but I've allowed us three days and nights
+as being plenty to get down to the zea; and that means tying up to the
+bank when the river's again' uz--I mean, when we come to where the tide
+runs, for we should knock ourzelves up trying to pull this heavy,
+lumbering old boat against the stream."
+
+Nic nodded, as he kept on looking anxiously astern; but he said nothing,
+and they rowed steadily on.
+
+"Zay, Master Nic," said Pete suddenly.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Getting hot, aren't it?"
+
+"Terribly."
+
+"Well, I can't zay that, zir, because the zun aren't shining now on a
+zlave's back; it's on a free man's, and that makes all the differ.  But
+what are you thinking about?"
+
+"The possibility of seeing another boat coming round the bend of the
+river."
+
+"It's unpossible, zir.  The gaffer hadn't got no other boat to come in.
+I believe we was the only other planters up the river, and that there'll
+be no boat till we come to the places where we stayed of a night, and
+it's a zight nearer the zea.  I keep on thinking, though, a deal."
+
+"What about--our escaping?"
+
+"Nay.  It's very queer, Master Nic, and I s'pose it's because I'm zo
+empty."
+
+"Thinking of food, Pete?" said Nic sadly.
+
+"Yes, Master Nic.  More I tries not to, more I keeps on 'bout veal-pie,
+cold zalmon, and zyder."
+
+"Ah yes, we must contrive to get some provisions after a bit."
+
+They rowed on in silence for some time, with the sun gathering power and
+beating down upon their heads, and flashing back from the surface of the
+river, till at last Pete said suddenly:
+
+"We must run the boat ashore close to those trees, Master Nic, or we
+shall be going queer in the head for want of cover."
+
+"Yes; I feel giddy now, Pete.  Do you think we could tie a few leaves
+together for hats?"
+
+"You'll zee, my lad," said the man.  "I could do it best with rushes,
+but I'll work zomething to keep off the zun."
+
+The boat was run in under the shade of a tree whose boughs hung down and
+dipped in the running stream; and as Pete laid in his oar he glanced
+down over the side and saw fish gliding away, deep down in the
+transparent water.
+
+"Zee um, zir?" said Pete.
+
+"Yes; there are some good-sized fish, Pete."
+
+"And either of 'em would make uz a dinner if we'd got a line."
+
+"And bait, Pete."
+
+"Oh, I'll manage a bait, Master Nic.  Dessay they'd take a fly, a
+beetle, or a berry, or a worm, but I aren't got neither hook nor line.
+I'm going to have one, though, zoon, for the way I'm thinking o' cold
+zalmon is just horrid.  I could eat it raw, or live even, without
+waiting for it to be cooked.  These aren't zalmon, but they're vish."
+
+Nic said little, for he could think of nothing but the overseer coming
+into sight with musket and dogs, and his eyes were constantly directed
+up the river.
+
+But Pete took it all more calmly.  He had dragged the boat beneath the
+shade of the overhanging tree, secured it to one of the boughs with the
+remains of the rope, several feet having fortunately been passed through
+the ring-bolt to lie loose in the bottom; and while Nic kept watch he
+roughed out something in the shape of a couple of basket-like caps, wove
+in and out a few leaves, and ended by placing them before his companion.
+
+"They aren't very han'some, Master Nic," he said, "but they'll keep the
+zun off.  What do you zay now to lying down and having a nap while I
+take the watch?"
+
+"No, no," cried Nic excitedly; "let's go on at once."
+
+"I'm ready, Master Nic, but, if you could take both oars, I've been
+thinking that I could cut off one sleeve of my shirt, loosen and pull
+out the threads, and then twissen 'em up into a sort o' fishing-line,
+paying it over with some of the soft pitch here at the bottom of the
+boat, so as it would hold together a bit."
+
+"And what about a fish-hook?" asked Nic.
+
+"Ah, that's what bothers me, master.  I've been thinking that when we
+get on into that great big marsh of a place where the river runs through
+the trees we might stop and vish, for there must be plenty there, or
+else the 'gators wouldn't be so plentiful.  I did zee one big fellow,
+close to the top, in the clear water where it looked like wine.  I
+thought it was a pike as we come up, and I felt as if I should like to
+try for him; but how to do it without a hook's more than I can tell.
+But we must have zomething to eat, Master Nic, or we shall be starved,
+and never get away after all."
+
+"Go on making your line," said Nic thoughtfully.  "I'll row."
+
+As Nic took both oars Pete unfastened the piece of rope, and the boat
+began to glide along with the stream, while the latter burst into a low
+and hearty laugh.
+
+"On'y think o' that now, Master Nic.  There's no need for me to spoil my
+shirt when there's a vishing-line half-made, and a hook waiting to be
+finished."
+
+"Where?  What do you mean?" cried Nic excitedly.  "Why, here in the
+bows, lad.  I've on'y got to unlay this piece o' rope--it's nearly new--
+and then I can twist up yards o' line."
+
+"But the hook, man--the hook?"
+
+"There it be, Master Nic--the ring in the bolt.  I've on'y got to zaw it
+through with my knife, bend it to get it out, and then hammer one part
+out straight, ready to tie on to the line, and there you are."
+
+"But--"
+
+"Oh, I know; it won't be as good as a cod-hook, because it won't have no
+point nor no barb, but I'll tie a big frog or a bit o' zomething on to
+it, and if I don't yank a vish out with it afore night I never caught a
+zalmon."
+
+Nic winced a little at the word "salmon," but he kept his thoughts to
+himself and went on rowing; while Pete set to work with such goodwill
+that he soon had plenty of the rope unlaid, and began to plait the
+hempen threads into a coarse line, which grew rapidly between his clever
+fingers.  But many hours had passed, and they were gliding through the
+interminable shades of the cypress swamp before he prepared to saw at
+the ring.
+
+It was Nic who made the next suggestion.
+
+"Pete," he said quickly, "why not take the head off the pole?  It is
+very small for a boat-hook, and it is quite bright.  There's a hole for
+you to fasten the line to, and a big pike-like fish might run at it as
+it is drawn through the water."
+
+"Of course it might, lad.  Well, that is a good idea.  Why waren't I
+born clever?"
+
+Pete set to work at once, and after a great deal of hard work he managed
+to cut away the wood from the nail-like rivet which held the head on to
+the shaft, after which a few blows sufficed to break the iron hook away,
+with the cross rivet still in place, ready to serve as a hold for the
+newly-made line.
+
+"Wonder whether a vish'll take it, Master Nic," said Pete as he stood up
+in the boat.  "Now if it was one o' them 'gators I could lash my knife
+on to the end of the pole and spear a little un, but I s'pose it
+wouldn't be good to eat."
+
+Nic shook his head.
+
+"Might manage one to-morrow, zir, if we don't ketch a vish."
+
+Nic shook his head again.
+
+"I mean, zir, when we're nex' door to starvation-point.  Don't feel as
+if I could touch one to-day."
+
+"Don't talk about the horrible reptiles, Pete," said Nic, with a
+shudder.
+
+"Right, Master Nic, I won't, for horrid they be; and I don't mind
+telling you that when I zwimmed across to get this boat I was in such a
+fright all the time that I felt all of a zweat.  I don't know whether I
+was, for it don't zeem nat'ral-like for a man to come all over wet when
+he's all wet already; but that's how I felt.  There we are, then.  I'm
+ready, Master Nic, if you'll go on steady, on'y taking a dip now and
+then to keep her head straight."
+
+He held up the iron hook, which began to spin round, and he chuckled
+aloud.
+
+"I wouldn't be zuch a vool as to throw a thing like that into the water
+at home, Master Nic," he said, "for no vish would be zuch a vool as to
+run at it; but out here the vish are only zavages, and don't know any
+better.  That's what I hopes."
+
+Nic began to dip an oar now and then, so as to avoid the rotten stumps,
+snags, and half-fallen trees, as the stream carried them on, so that he
+had little opportunity for noting the occupants of this dismal swamp;
+but Pete's eyes were sharp, and he saw a good deal of the hideous, great
+lizard-like creatures lying about on the mud or upon rotten trunks, with
+their horny sides glistening in the pencils of light which pierced the
+foliage overhead, or made sunny patches where, for the most part, all
+was a dim twilight, terribly suggestive of what a man's fate might be if
+he overbalanced himself and fell out of the boat.
+
+"I believe them great 'gators are zo hungry," said Pete to himself,
+"that they'd rush at one altogether and finish a fellow, bones and all."
+
+At last: "Looks a reg'lar vishy place, Master Nic; zo here goes."
+
+Pete gave the bright hook a swing and cast it half-a-dozen yards from
+the boat to where it fell with a splash, which was followed by a curious
+movement of the amber-hued water; and then he began to snatch with the
+line, so as to make the bright iron play about.
+
+Then there was a sudden check.
+
+"Back water, Master Nic," cried Pete.  "I'm fast in zomething."
+
+"Yes," said Nic, obeying his order; "you're caught in a sunken tree.
+Mind, or you'll break your line."
+
+"That's what I'm feared on, Master Nic, but it's 'bout the liveliest
+tree I ever felt.  Look where the line's going.  I'm feared it's gone."
+
+The line was cutting the water and gliding through Pete's fingers till
+he checked it at the end, when a black tail rose above the surface and
+fell with a splash, and the line slackened and was hauled in.
+
+"Hook aren't gone, zir," said Pete as he drew it over the side.  "Rum
+vishing that there.  Why, it were one o' them 'gators, five or six foot
+long.  Let's try lower down."
+
+They tried as Pete suggested, and there was another boil in the water,
+but the hook was drawn in without a touch; and Pete tried again and
+again, till he felt the glistening iron seized by something which held
+on fast.
+
+"Got him this time, zir," said Pete, with his face lighting up.  "It's a
+vish now.  One o' they pike things, and not zo very big."
+
+"Haul in quick," cried Nic.
+
+It was an unnecessary order, for the line was rapidly drawn close
+inboard, and Pete lowered one hand to take a short grip and swing his
+captive out of the water.  But he put too much vigour into the effort,
+and flung his prize right over just as it shook itself clear of the
+hook, and fell upon the gunwale before glancing off back into the water.
+No fish, but an alligator about thirty inches long.
+
+"Ugh!" ejaculated Pete; "and I thought I'd got a vish.  Never mind,
+Master Nic.  We'll have zomething good yet."
+
+His companion did not feel hopeful.  It was evident that the water
+swarmed with the reptiles, and in spite of the terribly faint sensation
+of hunger that was increasing fast, Nic felt disposed to tell his
+companion to give up trying, when suddenly there was a fierce rush after
+the glistening hook as it was being dragged through the water, a sudden
+check, and the water boiled again as Pete hauled in the line, sea
+fishing fashion, to get his captive into the boat before it could
+struggle free from the clumsy hook.
+
+This time success attended Pete's efforts.  He got hold of the line
+close to the iron, and with a vigorous swing threw his prize into the
+boat just as the hook came away, leaving the fish to begin leaping
+about, till Nic stunned it with a heavy blow from the boat-hook pole.
+
+"I knowed we should do it, Master Nic," said Pete triumphantly.  "There
+now, aren't it zummat like one of our big pike at home?  Now, that's
+good to eat; and the next game's tie up to the zhore where there's some
+dry wood, and we'll light a fire."
+
+"Yes," said Nic as he bent over their prize.  "I suppose it's what they
+call the alligator-gar, Pete."
+
+"Dessay it is, zir; but I don't care what they calls it--Ah, would you?"
+cried Pete, stamping his bare foot upon the great fish as it made a leap
+to escape.  Nic too was on the alert, and he thrust the ragged head of
+the pole between the teeth-armed, gaping jaws, which closed upon it
+fiercely and held on.
+
+But Pete's knife was out next moment, and a well-directed cut put the
+savage creature beyond the power to do mischief.
+
+"A twenty-pounder, Master Nic.  Wish it were one o' your zalmon.  There,
+I'll zoon clean him, while you run the boat in at a good place."
+
+"But how are we to get a fire, Pete?" said Nic anxiously, for an intense
+feeling of hunger now set in.
+
+"I'll zoon show you that, lad," replied Pete; and he did.  In a very
+short time after, by means of a little flint he carried in company with
+his pocket-knife, the back of the blade, and some dry touchwood from a
+rotting tree, he soon had a fire glowing, then blazing, for there was
+dead-wood enough to make campfires for an army.
+
+Another quarter of an hour passed, and the big fish was hissing and
+spluttering on a wooden spit over the glowing embers; and at last they
+were able to fall to and eat of the whitest, juiciest flesh--as it
+seemed to them--that they had ever tasted.
+
+"Bit o' zalt'd be worth anything now, Master Nic, and I wouldn't turn up
+my nose at a good thick bit o' bread and butter, and a drop o' zyder'd
+be better than river water; but, take it all together, I zay as zalmon's
+nothing to this here, and we've got enough to last uz for a couple or
+three days to come."
+
+"Now for a few big leaves to wrap the rest in," said Nic at last, after
+they had thoroughly satisfied their hunger.
+
+"Right, Master Nic; but I must have a good drink o' water first."
+
+"Yes," said Nic, suddenly awakening to the fact that he was extremely
+thirsty, and he rose to his feet to utter a cry of horror.
+
+"Pete--Pete!  The boat! the boat!"
+
+Pete leaped up and stared aghast, for the action of the running stream
+had loosened the thin remnants of the rope with which they had moored
+their boat.  These had parted, and the craft was gliding rapidly away, a
+quarter of a mile down the river.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.
+
+A STERN-CHASE.
+
+"Oh, why didn't I watch it?" groaned Pete, in agony; and his next glance
+was along the bank of the river, with the idea of running till opposite
+the boat.
+
+He groaned again as he grasped the fact that he could not run, only walk
+for two or three yards before the dense tangle of the forest commenced,
+and progress through that was impossible.
+
+"Means zwim for it, Master Nic," he cried, with an attempt at being
+cheery; "but look here, lad, if you zee me pulled down by them 'gators
+or vish, let it be a lesson to you.  Don't you try the water."
+
+Then to himself, as he plunged in:
+
+"Why, o' course he wouldn't.  What's the good o' saying that?"
+
+The water was deep and clear close in to the overhanging bank, and Pete
+dived out of sight, scaring some occupant of the river, which swept
+itself away with as much commotion in the water as was caused by the
+man's dive; but when he rose to the surface, yards away, shook his head,
+and glanced back over his left shoulder, it was to see Nic's head rise a
+short distance behind him, for the younger man had followed on the
+instant.
+
+Pete ceased swimming, to allow his companion to come abreast.
+
+"Oh, Master Nic!" he cried, "you zhouldn't ha' done that;" and he
+glanced wildly about him as if expecting to see the rugged head of an
+alligator rise close by.  "Go back, lad; go back.  It's on'y one man's
+work."
+
+"Go back?  No," said Nic firmly.  "We must fight it out, shoulders
+together, Pete.  Come on."
+
+Pete gave vent to something like a sob, and his face grew wrinkled; but
+the next moment he forced a smile.
+
+"Well, you're master," he said cheerily; "zo now for it, zir.  You zwim
+lighter than I do, but I'll race you down to the boat.  Virst to lay a
+hand on gunwale wins."
+
+"Come on," said Nic, fighting hard to master the horrible feeling that
+at any moment they might be attacked from beneath by one or other of the
+fierce creatures which inhabited the stream--Nic's dread being mostly
+respecting the shark-like gar-fish, which he knew must be abundant.
+
+Pete shared his dread, but they both kept their thoughts to themselves
+as they swam on with strong, steady strokes, their light clothing of
+shirt and short drawers impeding them but slightly.  Life from childhood
+on the seashore had conduced to making them expert swimmers; the swift
+stream helped them famously; and, keeping well away towards the middle
+to avoid the eddies near the shore, they went on steadily after the
+boat.
+
+But this, in its light state, was being swept rapidly on, and had so
+good a start that for some time the swimmers did not seem to gain upon
+it in the least, and at last, as the distance still remained about the
+same, a feeling of despair began to attack them.
+
+Pete saw the change in his fellow-swimmer's countenance.
+
+"Take it easy, Master Nic.  Long ztroke and zlow.  We could keep this up
+all day.  On'y got to zwim steady: river does all the work."
+
+"We must swim faster, Pete, or we shall never reach the boat," cried
+Nic.
+
+"Nay, lad; if we zwim hard we shall get tired out, and lose ground then.
+Easy as you can.  She may get closer in and be caught by zome of the
+branches."
+
+Nic said no more, but swam on, keeping his straining eyes fixed upon the
+ever-distant boat, till at last hope began to rise again, for the craft
+did happen to be taken by the eddy formed by a stream which joined the
+river, and directly after they saw it being driven towards one of the
+huge trees which dipped its pendent boughs far out in the water.
+
+The feeling of excitement made Nic's breath come thick and fast as he
+saw the boat brush against the leafage, pause for a few moments, and the
+young man was ready to utter a cry of joy, but it died out in a low
+groan, for the boat continued its progress, the twigs swept over it, and
+the power of the stream mastered.  But it was caught again, and they saw
+it heel over a little, free itself, and then, swaying a little, it
+seemed to bound on faster than ever.
+
+"Never mind, lad," said Pete coolly; "it'll catch again soon."
+
+Pete was right; the boat was nearer to the wall of verdure, and it once
+more seemed to be entangled in some boughs which dipped below the
+surface and hung there, while the swimmers reduced the distance between
+them and the boat forty or fifty yards.  Then, with a swift gliding
+motion, it was off again.
+
+"That's twice," cried Pete.  "Third time does it.  Zay, Master Nic,
+aren't the water nice and cold?"
+
+The look which Nic gave the speaker in his despair checked Pete's
+efforts to make the best of things.
+
+"A beast!" he muttered to himself.  "I should like to drive my hoof
+through her planks.  Heavy boat?  Why, she dances over the water like a
+cork."
+
+At that moment Nic could not suppress a sharp cry, and he made a
+spasmodic dash through the water.
+
+"Eh, my lad, what is it?" cried Pete, who was startled.
+
+"One of the great fishes or reptiles made a dash at me and struck me on
+the leg," gasped Nic.
+
+"Nay, nay, don't zay that, lad.  You kicked again a floating log.
+There's hunderds allus going down to the zea."
+
+Nic shook his head, and Pete felt that he was right, for the next minute
+he was swimming on with his keen-edged knife held in his teeth, ready
+for the emergency which he felt might come; but they suffered no further
+alarm.  Disappointment followed disappointment, and weariness steadily
+set in; but they swam steadily on, till Nic's strength began to fail.
+He would not speak, though, till, feeling that he had done all that was
+possible, he turned his despairing eyes to Pete.
+
+Before he could speak the latter cried:
+
+"I knowed it, Master Nic, and expected it ever so long past.  Now, you
+just turn inshore along with me; then you shall lie down and rest while
+I go on and ketch the boat.  But how I'm to pull her back again' this
+zwiff stream, back to you, my lad, is more'n I know."
+
+Nic made no reply, but, breathing hard, he swam with Pete to an open
+spot at the side, and had just strength to draw himself out by a hanging
+branch, and then drop down exhausted, with the water streaming from him.
+
+"No, no; don't leave me, Pete," he cried hoarsely.
+
+"Must, my lad, must;" cried the man, preparing to turn and swim away.
+"You stop there, and I can zee you when I come back."
+
+"It is impossible to overtake it.  We must try and get down through the
+trees.  You can't do it, I tell you."
+
+"Must, and will, my lad," cried Pete.  "Never zay die."
+
+Nic sank back and watched the brave fellow as he swam away more
+vigorously than ever.  At every stroke Pete's shoulders rose well above
+the surface, and, to all appearance, he was as fresh as when he started.
+
+But there was the boat gliding down the stream, far enough away now, and
+beginning to look small between the towering trees rising on either side
+of the straight reach along which Nic gazed; and the watcher's agony
+grew intense.
+
+"He'll swim till he gives up and sinks," said Nic to himself; "or else
+one of those horrid reptiles will drag him down."
+
+He drew breath a little more hopefully, though, as he saw a bright flash
+of light glance from where Pete was swimming, for it told that the keen
+knife was held ready in the strong man's teeth; and he knew that the arm
+was vigorous that would deliver thrust after thrust at any enemy which
+attempted to drag him down.
+
+With the cessation of his exertion, Nic's breath began to come more
+easily, and he sat up to watch the head of the swimmer getting rapidly
+farther away, feeling that he had been a hindrance to the brave fellow,
+who had been studying his companion's powers all the time.  But how much
+farther off the boat seemed still!--far enough to make Nic's heart sink
+lower and lower, and the loneliness of his situation to grow so terrible
+that it seemed more than he could bear.
+
+For a full half-hour he sat watching the dazzling water, from which the
+sun flashed, while he was in the shade.  Pete had not reached the boat,
+but he seemed now to be getting very near, though Nic knew how deceptive
+the distance was, and gazed on, with a pain coming behind his eyes, till
+all at once his heart leaped with joy, as now he could just make out
+that the boat was very near the shore, apparently touching some drooping
+boughs.  Then his heart sank again, for he told himself that it was only
+fancy; and he shivered again as he felt how utterly exhausted Pete must
+be.  Every moment he felt sure that he would see that little, dark speck
+disappear, but still it was there; and at last the watcher's heart began
+to throb, for the boat must have caught against those boughs.  It was
+not moving.
+
+The watcher would not believe this for a long time, but at last he
+uttered a cry of joy, followed by a groan; for, though the boat was
+there, the dark speck which represented Pete's head had disappeared;
+and, to make the watcher's despair more profound, the boat began to move
+once more, unmistakably gliding from beside the trees.  All was over
+now, for Nic felt that to struggle longer was hopeless: there was
+nothing more to be done but lie down and die.
+
+He held his hands over his brows, straining his failing, aching eyes to
+keep the boat in sight as long as he could; and then a strange choking
+sensation came into his throat, and he rose to his knees, for there was
+a flash of light from the water close to the boat, and another, and
+another.  There was a strange, indistinct something, too, above the tiny
+line made by the gunwale, and it could only mean one thing: Pete had
+overtaken it, climbed in, and the flashes of light came from the
+disturbed surface of the river.
+
+Pete must be trying to row her back to take him up.
+
+The intense sensation of relief at knowing that the brave fellow was
+alive and safe seemed more than Nic could bear.  He was already upon his
+knees.  His face was bowed down upon his hands, and for a few minutes he
+did not stir.
+
+At last, with a wave of strength and confidence seeming to run through
+every fibre of his body, Nic rose up, feeling fully rested; and, as he
+shaded his eyes once more to gaze down the river at the boat, the cloud
+of despair had floated away, and the long reach of glistening water
+looked like the way back to the bright world of hope and love--the way
+to home; while the thought of lying down there to die was but the filmy
+vapour of some fevered dream.
+
+Pete was coming back to him: there could be no mistake about that, for
+Nic could see more clearly now, and there were moments when he could
+distinctly see the flashing of the water when the oars were dipped.
+
+"Oh!" cried Nic, with his excitement rising now to the highest pitch,
+"and there was a time when I looked upon that brave, true-hearted fellow
+with contempt and disgust.  How he is slaving there to send the great,
+heavy boat along!"
+
+Nic watched till his eyes ached; and once more his heart began to sink,
+for the truth was rapidly being forced upon him that, in spite of Pete's
+efforts, the boat remained nearly motionless--the poor fellow was
+exhausting himself in his efforts to achieve the impossible.
+
+What to do?
+
+Nic was not long in making up his mind.  He knew that Pete would try
+till he dropped back in the boat, and it would have been all in vain.
+The pair of them could hardly have rowed that heavy boat up-stream, and
+they were as yet far above the reach of the tide, or Pete might have
+waited and then come up.  There was only one thing to do--go down to
+him.
+
+A minute or two's trial proved to Nic that he could not tear his way
+through the dense growth on the bank till he was opposite his companion
+and could hail him to come ashore.  There was only one thing to be
+done--swim down, and that he dared not do without help.
+
+But the help was near, and he set to work.
+
+He still had his keen knife, and the next moment he was hewing away at a
+patch of stout canes growing in the water, and as he attacked them he
+shuddered, for there was a wallowing rush, and he caught a glimpse of a
+small alligator's tail.
+
+He did not stop, though.  He knew that he had frightened the reptile,
+and this knowledge that the creatures did fear men gave him
+encouragement, making him work hard till he had cut a great bundle,
+ample to sustain him in the water.  This he firmly bound with cane, and
+when this was done he once more gazed at the distant boat, which did not
+seem to have moved an inch.
+
+How to make Pete grasp the fact that he was coming to join him?  For
+even if he saw something floating down he would never think that it was
+his companion.
+
+This task too was easy.
+
+Cutting the longest cane he could reach, he cut off the leafy top, made
+a notch in what was left, and then inserting the point of his knife in
+the remaining sleeve of his shirt, he tore it off, ripped up the seam,
+and after dragging one end down through the knot and slit in the cane,
+he bound up the end with a strip of cotton, stuck the base firmly in the
+bundle or truss he had bound together, and so formed a little white
+flag.
+
+"If he sees that he'll know," said Nic triumphantly; and without a
+moment's hesitation he thrust off from the bank with his cane bundle
+under one arm, and struck out with the other, finding plenty of support,
+and nothing more to do than fight his way out to where the stream ran
+most swiftly.
+
+The scrap of white cotton fluttered bravely now and then, as, forcing
+himself not to think of the dangers that might be around, Nic watched
+and watched.  He soon began to see the boat more distinctly, and in good
+time made out that his companion in misfortune grasped the position,
+rowing himself to the nearest drooping tree, making fast to a bough, and
+then laying in one oar and fixing the other up astern as a signal for
+his companion's guidance.
+
+How short the time seemed then, and how easily Nic glided down, till he
+became aware of the fact that Pete was leaning over the side, knife in
+hand, watching eagerly.  This sent a shudder through the swimmer,
+setting him thinking again of the perils that might be near, and how
+unlikely any effort of Pete's would be to save him should one of the
+reptiles attack.
+
+The dread, however, soon passed off, for Nic's every nerve was strained
+to force the bundle of canes across the stream, so that it might drift
+right down upon the boat.
+
+He could only succeed in part, and it soon became evident that he would
+float by yards away; but Pete was on the alert.  He cast the boat adrift
+from where he had secured it to a drooping bough, and giving a few
+vigorous pulls with one oar, in another minute he had leaned over the
+bows, grasped his companion's hands, dragged him into the boat, and
+then, as the buoyant bundle of canes floated away, the poor fellow sank
+back in the bottom of the boat and lay staring helplessly.
+
+"Don't you take no notice o' me, Master Nic," he said hoarsely.  "Just
+put an oar over the ztarn and keep her head ztraight.  Zhe'll go down
+fast enough.  We ought to row up to fetch that fish we left, but we
+couldn't do it, zir; for I'm dead beat trying to get to you--just dead
+beat."
+
+He closed his eyes, and then opened them again as he felt the warm grasp
+of Nic's hand, smiled at him, till his eyelids dropped again, and then
+sank into a deep stupor more than sleep.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.
+
+WOMAN'S PITY.
+
+The sun sank lower and disappeared behind the trees straight away as the
+boat drifted on; the sky turned of a glorious amber, darkened quickly,
+and then it was black night, with the eerie cries of the birds rising on
+either side, and the margins of the swift river waking up into life with
+the hoarse bellowings and croakings of the reptiles which swarmed upon
+the banks.  Every now and then there was a rush or a splash, or the
+heavy beating of the water, as some noisome creature sought its prey;
+and Nic sat there watching and listening, wakeful enough, and always on
+the alert to catch the breathing of his companion, who for hours had not
+stirred.
+
+"Beat out," said Nic to himself; "utterly exhausted, poor fellow!  If I
+could only feel that it was a natural sleep."
+
+He was thoroughly done-up himself, and in spite of his efforts to keep
+awake, and the dread inspired by the movements of the strange creatures
+splashing about in the water, and often enough apparently close at hand,
+he could not keep from dozing off time after time, but only to start up
+in an agony of fear.  He hardly lost consciousness, and at such times
+the startling noises and movements around him in the darkness seemed to
+be continued in the wild dreams which instantly commenced.
+
+Now in imagination he saw through the transparent darkness some huge
+alligator making for the boat, where it reared itself up, curved over,
+and seemed about to seize upon Pete, when he raised the oar with which
+he was keeping the boat's head straight and struck at the monster with
+all his might, and in the act awoke.
+
+Another time Nic dropped off, to imagine that they were slowly gliding
+beneath the far-spreading boughs of a gigantic forest tree; and, as they
+swept on, something soft and heavy suddenly hung down into the boat,
+began crawling about, and at last stopped its progress by coiling itself
+round one of the thwarts, and then raising its head high in the air and
+beginning to dart its tongue, now at Nic, now at the motionless body of
+Pete, who still lay sleeping soundly.
+
+Nic felt powerless, and lay watching the approach of the huge boa,
+seeing it plainly in spite of the darkness and suffering an agony of
+horror as he felt that he could not move, but must lie there, quite at
+the mercy of the powerful reptile, which drew the boat over so much on
+one side that the water, as it rippled by, rose apparently higher and
+higher till it was about to pour in.
+
+Ripple, ripple, ripple, against the sides, while the boughs of a tree
+swept over his face, the touch awakening the dreamer, who uttered a low
+gasp of relief as he realised how much the water and the brushing of the
+leaves over his face had had to do with the dream from which he had just
+been roused.
+
+Morning at last, with the east all aglow, and the beauties of river and
+tree sweeping away the horrors of the black night.
+
+Pete awoke as if by instinct, and started into a sitting position, to
+stare hard at his companion.
+
+"Why, Master Nic, you aren't never gone and let me sleep all night?"
+
+"Indeed, but I have, Pete," replied Nic.  "Feel better?"
+
+"No, zir.  Never felt so 'shamed of myself in my life.  Oh dear! oh
+dear!  To think of my doing that!  Where are we, zir?  'Most got to that
+t'other zattlement, aren't uz?"
+
+"What! where we rested for the night, Pete?  No; I don't think we are
+near that yet."
+
+"Then get nigh we must," cried Pete, putting out his oar.  "We've got to
+find some braxfuss there.  What we had yes'day don't zeem to count a
+bit.  I zay, though, you don't think they got another boat and passed us
+while we were asleep, do you?"
+
+"No, Pete," replied Nic, smiling; "and I don't think that we shall dare
+to land at that plantation lower down.  The man there would know we are
+escaped slaves, and stop us."
+
+"He'd better not," said Pete, with a curious look in his eyes.  "He's
+the only man there."
+
+"There are several blacks."
+
+"Blacks!" cried Pete contemptuously.  "I'm not afraid o' them.  It's o'
+no use, Master Nic; I've tried hard to bear it, and I can bear a deal,
+but when it comes to starvation it's again' my natur'.  I must eat, and
+if he calls twenty blacks to stop me I mean to have zomething, and zo
+shall you.  Why, lad, you look as if you're half-dead wi' want o' zleep
+and a morsel o' food.  Nay, nay; you leave that oar alone, and cover
+your head up with those leaves while you have a good rest.  By that time
+p'raps we may get a bit o' braxfuss."
+
+"I'm not sleepy, Pete," said Nic sadly.
+
+"P'raps not, zir; but man must eat and he must zleep, so you lie back in
+the bottom of the boat.  Now, no fighting agen it, zir; you worked all
+night, zo I must work all day."
+
+"Well, I'll lie down for an hour, Pete, for I do feel very weary.  As
+soon as you think an hour's gone, you wake me up."
+
+"Right, Master Nic, I will," cried Pete heartily; and after a glance up
+and down the river, the young man sank back in the bottom of the boat,
+settled the leafy cap and veil in one over his face to shield it from
+the sun, and the next minute--to him--he unclosed his eyes to find that
+Pete was kneeling beside him with a hand on each shoulder as if he had
+been shaking the sleeper.
+
+"Hullo!  Yes; all right, Pete, I've had such a sleep.  Why, Pete, it
+must be getting on for noon."
+
+"Ay, that it is, my lad; noon to-morrow.  But don't bully me, zir; you
+was zleeping just lovely, and I couldn't waken you.  Here we are at that
+farm-place, and I don't zee the man about, but yonder's the two women."
+
+"And the dogs, Pete?"
+
+"Nay, don't zee no dogs.  Maybe they're gone along wi' the master.  Come
+on, lad; I've tied the boat up to this post, and we'll go up and ask the
+women yonder to give us a bit o' zomething to eat."
+
+The place looked very familiar as Nic glanced round and recalled the
+time when he reached there, and their departure the next morning, with
+the looks of sympathy the two women had bestowed.
+
+Just as he recalled this he caught sight of the younger woman, who came
+from the door of the roughly-built house, darted back and returned with
+her mother, both standing gazing at their visitors as they landed from
+the boat.
+
+"Must go up to the house quiet-like, Master Nic, or we shall scare 'em,"
+said Pete.  "Just you wave your hand a bit to show 'em you know 'em.
+Dessay they 'members we."
+
+Nic slowly waved his hand, and then shrugged his shoulders as he glanced
+down at his thin cotton rags; and his piteous plight made him ready to
+groan.
+
+"We must go up to them as beggars, Pete," he said.
+
+"That's right enough for me, Master Nic; but you're a gentleman, zir,
+and they'll know it soon as you begin to speak.  Let's go on, zir.  I'm
+that hungry I could almost eat you."
+
+Nic said nothing, but began to walk on towards the house by his
+companion's side, anxiously watching the two women the while, in the
+full expectation that they would retreat and shut the door against their
+visitors.
+
+But neither stirred, and the fugitives were half-way to the house, when
+suddenly there was a growl and a rush.
+
+"Knives, Master Nic," cried Pete, for three great dogs came charging
+from the back of the low shed which had given the slaves shelter on
+their journey up the river.  The dogs had evidently been basking in the
+sunshine till they had caught sight of the strangers, and came on baying
+furiously.
+
+Nic followed his companion's example and drew his knife, feeling excited
+by the coming encounter; but before the dogs reached them the two women
+came running from the door, crying out angrily at the fierce beasts,
+whose loud barking dropped into angry growls as they obeyed the calls of
+their mistresses--the younger woman coming up first, apron in hand, to
+beat off the pack and drive them before her, back to one of the
+out-buildings, while her mother remained gazing compassionately at the
+visitors.
+
+"Thank you," said Nic, putting back his knife.  "Your dogs took us for
+thieves.  We are only beggars, madam, asking for a little bread."
+
+"Have you--have you escaped from up yonder?" said the woman, sinking her
+voice.
+
+"Yes," said Nic frankly.  "I was forced away from home for no cause
+whatever.  I am trying to get back."
+
+"It is very shocking," said the woman sadly, as her daughter came
+running up breathlessly.  "Some of the men they have there are bad and
+wicked, and I suppose they deserve it; but Ann and I felt so sorry for
+you when you came that night months ago.  You seemed so different."
+
+"You remember us, then?" said Nic, smiling sadly.
+
+"Oh yes," cried the younger woman eagerly.  "But they are hungry,
+mother.  Bring them up to the house; I've shut-in the dogs."
+
+"I don't know what your father would say if he knew what we did," said
+the woman sadly.  "It's against the law to help slaves to escape."
+
+"It isn't against the law to give starving people something to eat,
+mother."
+
+"It can't be; can it, dear?" said the woman.  "And we needn't help them
+to escape."
+
+"No," said Pete; "we can manage that if you'll give us a bit o' bread.
+I won't ask for meat, missus; but if you give us a bit, too, I'd thank
+you kindly."
+
+"Bring them up, mother," said the girl; "and if father ever knows I'll
+say it was all my fault."
+
+"Yes; come up to the house," said the elder woman.  "I can't bear to see
+you poor white men taken for slaves."
+
+"God bless you for that!" cried Nic, catching at the woman's hand; but
+his action was so sudden that she started away in alarm.
+
+"Oh mother!" cried the girl; "can't you see what he meant?"
+
+The woman held out her hand directly, and Nic caught it.  The next
+moment he had clasped the girl's hands, which were extended to him; but
+she snatched them away directly with a sob, and ran into the house,
+while the mother bade the pair sit down on a rough bench to rest.
+
+The girl was not long absent; but when she returned with a big loaf and
+a piece of bacon her eyes looked very red.
+
+"There," she said, setting the provisions before them; "you'd better
+take this and go, in case father should come back and see you.  Don't,
+please, tell us which way you're going, and we won't look; for we
+shouldn't like to know and be obliged to tell.  Oh!"
+
+The girl finished her speech with a cry of horror; for how he had
+approached no one could have said, but the planter suddenly came up with
+a gun over his shoulder, and stood looking on as, with a quick movement,
+Pete snatched at the loaf and thrust it under one arm.
+
+"Hullo!" said the man quietly as he looked from one to the other; "where
+are the dogs?"
+
+"I shut 'em up, father, so as they shouldn't hurt these two poor men."
+
+"An' s'pose these two poor men wanted to hurt you; what then?"
+
+"But they didn't, father," said the girl, as the mother stood shivering.
+"They were hungry, and only wanted something to eat."
+
+"Yes, that's right, master," said Pete stoutly.  "We shouldn't hurt no
+one."
+
+"Let's see," said the planter; "I've seen you both before.  My neighbour
+brought you up months ago."
+
+"Yes," said Nic firmly; "but he had no right to detain us as slaves."
+
+"Humph!  S'pose not," said the planter, glancing sharply from one to the
+other.  "So you're both runaways?"
+
+"We are trying for our liberty," replied Nic, who was well upon his
+guard; but the man's reply disarmed him.
+
+"Well, it's quite nat'ral," said the planter, with a chuckle.  "Hot work
+hoeing the rows, eh?  Took the boat, I s'pose, and rowed down?"
+
+"Yes," said Pete gruffly.
+
+"Hungry too, eh?"
+
+"Yes," said Pete again.
+
+"Course you would be.  Quite nat'ral.  They've give you a bit to eat, I
+see.  Well, then, you'd better come and sit down out o' the sun and eat
+it, and then be off, for your overseer won't be long before he's down
+here after you.  He's a sharp un, Master Saunders, aren't he?"
+
+"Yes; he's sharp enough," said Pete quietly.
+
+"He'll be down after you with his dogs, and then, if he catches you,
+there'll be a big row and a fight, and I don't want nothing o' that
+sort, my lads.  Come on, and bring your bread and meat in here.--Ann, my
+gal, get 'em a pitcher o' cool, fresh water."
+
+"Yes, father," said the girl; and, as the planter turned off to lead the
+way, Nic caught the lass's eyes; for she began to make quick movements
+of her lips, and her eyes almost spoke as she pointed towards the river
+and signed to them to go.
+
+Nic gave her an intelligent nod, and followed Pete after the planter
+into the great, barn-like place which had been their prison for the
+night when they were there before; but as he passed the door he noticed
+the great wooden bar turning upon a bolt, and fully realised that the
+girl's signs were those of warning, for treachery was meant.
+
+"Nice and cool in here," said the man.  "Sit ye down on the corn-husks
+there.  My gal will soon be back with the water; and I wouldn't be long,
+if I were you, in case Master Saunders should come down the river, for
+when he asked me if you two was here I couldn't tell a lie about it,
+could I?"
+
+"No," growled Pete.  "That would be a pity."
+
+"Ay; it would.  But he'd know you was both here by the boat.  Where did
+you tie it up?"
+
+"Just at the bottom there, by the trees," said Nic, to whom these words
+were addressed.
+
+"Ah, 'tis the best place," said the man, halting by the door, and
+standing aside to make room for the young men to pass.  "In with you.
+It's better than being in the hot sun.  Seems a bit dark; but it's
+cooler to have your dinner there.  Well," he continued, "why don't you
+go in?  The dogs are not here."
+
+"Because it looks like a trap, sir," said Nic firmly.  "Do you want to
+shut us up there, and keep us prisoners till your neighbour comes?"
+
+"Yes, I do," cried the planter fiercely as he stepped back, and with one
+motion brought down and cocked his piece, which he presented at the
+young man's breast.  "In with you both, or I'll shoot you like dogs!"
+
+He raised his gun to his shoulder and drew the trigger; but it was too
+late.  Nic had sprung forward, striking up the barrel; and, as the
+mother and daughter shrieked aloud from the house door, there was a
+sharp report, which set the dogs baying furiously from the shed in which
+they were fastened.
+
+A short struggle followed, in which the gun was wrested from the
+planter's hands by Nic, and the next moment Pete had joined in the fray,
+securing the planter's arms, and then with Nic's help he was dragged and
+thrown into the great barn.  Then the door was banged to and fastened
+with the bar; and the prisoner began to call and threaten what he would
+do if his people did not let loose the dogs.
+
+What followed would have seemed almost comic to a spectator, for the two
+women came hurrying up with their fingers stuck in their ears.
+
+"Run--run to your boat!" they whispered.  "We can't hear what he says
+now, but we must soon, and then we shall be obliged to let out the
+dogs."
+
+"Oh, mother!" cried the girl, "the blacks will be here directly."
+
+"Yes, yes," cried the elder woman, who somehow seemed to have heard
+that.  "Run, then, run, and get away before it is too late."
+
+"God bless you both for what you have done for us!" cried Nic.  "I pray
+that you may not get into more trouble on our account."
+
+"Oh, father won't hurt me," said the girl; "and he shan't hurt mother.
+Serve him right for being so cruel.  You never did him any harm."
+
+"Oh, run, run!" cried the woman, with her fingers still in her ears; and
+the two young men dashed off to the boat and leapt in, Nic's next
+action, as Pete unfastened the slight cord, being to fling the gun as
+far out into the river as he could.
+
+"Oh!" cried Pete, "what did you do that for?" as the gun fell with a
+splash and disappeared.
+
+"I was not going to steal the scoundrel's gun," said Nic, seizing an
+oar.
+
+"Well, it wouldn't ha' been any use without powder and zhot," said Pete
+as he thrust the boat out into the stream.  "Good-bye to you both," he
+shouted, waving his hand to the two women, who stood waving their
+aprons.
+
+"But it seems cowardly, Pete, to go and leave them in the lurch."
+
+"Ay, it do, Master Nic; but it only means a rowing for them, and it's
+life and liberty for us."
+
+There was another wave of a white apron as the boat glided out into
+mid-stream, and Nic responded with his hand.  Then trees interposed and
+hid the house and sheds from view, and the fugitives went on straining
+at their oars till they felt that their safety was assured, when they
+relaxed their efforts.
+
+"That was close, Master Nic," said Pete.  "Treacherous martal.  Wish I'd
+give him a good topper before we zhut the door."
+
+"I'm glad you did not, for his wife and daughter's sake," replied Nic.
+"Poor things! they will suffer for their gentle, womanly compassion
+towards a pair of poor escaped slaves."
+
+"Ay, it was good of 'em, Master Nic.  Zees how hungry we were, and
+fetches that fresh brown loaf, and all that pink-and-white bacon as
+looks d'licious.  Zo, as we're going gently on, and not likely for him
+to take boat after us, what do you say to staying all that horrid
+gnawing of our insides with a good bite and sup?  But--I say, Master
+Nic, what did you do with that bacon and bread?"
+
+Nic looked sharply up at Pete, and the latter uttered a dismal groan.
+The bread and bacon had gone, neither knew where, in the struggle, and
+the landing and encounter had all been for nothing.
+
+"Not quite," Nic said later on.  They had learned how much gentle
+compassion existed for the poor white slaves, even in a district where
+the sight of them was so common.
+
+"P'raps so, Master Nic; but I'd give all the compassion in the world
+just now for a zlice of that bacon and a hunk of bread.  What's to be
+done now, zir?"
+
+"Row, Pete, row; and let's try and forget our hunger in the knowledge
+that we are so far free."
+
+"Right, zir; we will.  But what about that treacherous hound?  Think
+he's got a boat?"
+
+"Sure to have," replied Nic.
+
+"Then he'll come after as zoon as he can get help; and if he do--Well, I
+should be sorry to hurt him, on account of them as was kind to us; but
+if he does ketch it, mind, Master Nic, it's his fault and not mine."
+
+There was no more talking, for both felt morose and weak, their growing
+sense of hunger making them more and more silent and disinclined to
+speak.
+
+Still, fortune favoured them to a certain extent, for there had been
+rain somewhere inland, and the stream ran as if it were in flood higher
+up, so that their rate of progress was swift.
+
+As the hours went on and there was no sign of pursuit--no enemies who
+had made a short cut to the river-bank waiting to fire at them from
+among the trees--the fugitives grew more and more confident; and when at
+last they reached another swamp, the alligators appeared to be less
+monstrous and the gloomy place lost half its forbidding aspect.
+
+At last, after endless difficulties, and nearly starved, the tidal part
+of the river was reached, and, to the delight of both, they found that
+they had hit exactly the right moment, for the tide was at its height,
+and stood as if waiting to bear them onward towards the sea.
+
+Excitement had kept off all thought of food; but when, after a long
+journey, they approached the straggling town at nightfall and saw the
+twinkling lights, an intense desire seized upon both to land as soon as
+possible and satisfy their needs.
+
+"You see, we lost everything, Master Nic, in that struggle.  What you
+looking at, zir?"
+
+"You, Pete.  I was thinking."
+
+"What about, zir?"
+
+"About this place.  If we land we must go to some house for food; and
+when we two half-naked, miserable, starved wretches have obtained what
+we want we shall be asked to pay."
+
+"My word!" gasped Pete, ceasing to row.  "I never thought of that.  And
+we aren't got any money."
+
+"Not a coin."
+
+"And they'd want it here just the same as they would at home, though it
+is a foreign country?"
+
+"Of course."
+
+"Then I tell you what, Master Nic," said Pete after a long pause; "we
+must go straight to zomebody and tell 'em how we've been zarved, and ask
+him to help us."
+
+"We should have to tell them everything, Pete."
+
+"Of course, zir; downright honest."
+
+"And who would believe us at a place like this, where we know that poor
+wretches are brought to go up to the plantations?"
+
+"Oh, hark at him!" sighed Pete.  "And I'd been thinking our troubles
+were over, and we'd got nothing to do but get plenty to eat and a good
+ship to take us home.  You're right, zir; it would be as mad as March
+hares to go ashore.  They'd put us in prison and keep us there till old
+Zaunders come again with his dogs and guns and niggers to take us back;
+and when we got to the plantation it would be the lash and short
+commons, and the hoe again out in the hot sun."
+
+"Yes, Pete," said Nic sadly; "that is what I fear."
+
+"And you're a deal longer-headed than me, master.  It's going and giving
+ourselves up for the sake of a good dinner.  Master Nic!"
+
+"Yes, Pete."
+
+"Just buckle your belt a bit tighter, two or three holes, like this.
+That's the way.  Now then, take hold of your oar again.  We can hold out
+another day or two on what we can find, while we coast along till we see
+a ship outward bound somewhere.  Sure to be lots.  Then we'll row till
+they see us and pick us up.  They won't bring us back, that's for
+sartain, but to the port they're going to; and of course they can't
+starve us.  Then they'll hand us over to a judge o' some kind, and as
+soon as he hears your story you'll be all right; and--and--"
+
+"Yes, Pete?"
+
+"I know I've been a bad un; Master Nic; but I'm going to turn over a new
+leaf, zir, and never meddle wi' the zalmon again.  You'll put in a good
+word for a poor fellow, won't you?"
+
+"A good word for you--for one who has been ready to risk his life again
+and again to help me?  Pete, we have been brothers in our great
+misfortune, and we must hold together, come what may."
+
+"Then take a good grip of your oar, Master Nic, and let's forget being
+empty by taking our fill of work.  Pull away, my lad, right out, and I
+dessay the tide'll run us along the shore, as it does at home.  When the
+day comes again we shall zoon zee a zhip.  We can't give up now.
+Ready?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then pull."
+
+And in their desperate strait, feeling as they did that they would
+starve sooner than go back to slavery, those two bent to their oars in
+the darkness that closed them in, and rowed on with the swift tide.  The
+lights on the shore grew fainter, the tide swifter, and the water became
+rough; but they rowed on, hungry, exhausted: on and on, ignorant of the
+set of the tides, of the trend of the coast, and without a drop of fresh
+water to satisfy their thirst.  A mad, mad attempt; but it was for
+liberty--for all that man holds dear.  What wonder that when the day
+dawned both had sunk forward over their oars and were sleeping heavily,
+to wake at last with the southern sun beating down upon their heads, and
+that they gazed at each other in a half-delirious, stupefied way,
+wondering what had happened and where they were.
+
+There was a faint appearance as of a cloud low down on the water
+far-away, but no cloud overhead, nothing but the burning, blistering sun
+to send a fierce energy through Nic's veins, which made him keep calling
+wildly upon Pete to row, row hard, before they were overtaken and
+dragged back to a white slave's life.
+
+Pete's eyes were staring fiercely, and looked bloodshot, while his
+throat was hot and dry, his brain felt as if on fire; but at every order
+from Nic he bent down over his oar and pulled and pulled, till his
+strokes grew more and more wild, and at last, as he made one more
+desperate than ever, he did not dip the blade, but fell backward from
+the thwart.  Then, after vainly trying to pull with both oars himself,
+Nic turned to face his companion in misfortune, wondering in his
+delirium why he was there.
+
+The sun went down like a ball of fire on his left, and directly after,
+as it seemed, rose like a ball of fire on his right.  It was that, he
+felt, which caused all his suffering, and in his rage and indignation he
+turned upon it fiercely, and then bent down to lap up the sparkling
+water which tempted him and seemed to promise to allay his awful thirst.
+
+He reached down and dipped his hand, but the attitude seemed to send the
+blood like molten lead running to his brain, and with a weary groan he
+fell sidewise and rolled over in the bottom of the boat.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.
+
+SAFE AT LAST.
+
+"Looks like a ship's longboat, sir; but she's right under the sun, and I
+can't make her out."
+
+"Any one in her?"
+
+"No, sir; not a soul."
+
+The conversation was between the captain and one of the foremast men of
+the good ship _Sultan_, bound from a western city with passengers and
+sugar to the port of Bristol.  The wind was very light, and men were up
+aloft, setting the main top-gallant sail, when the boat was sighted only
+a little way out of the vessel's course.
+
+Then the captain argued, as he took a look at her from the main-top,
+that a boat like that might be battered, and not worth the trouble of
+picking up; but, on the other hand, she might; and finally, after taking
+the first-mate into debate, it was decided to steer a point or two to
+the west and pick her up.
+
+"For who knows what she may have aboard, or what good ship may have been
+wrecked?" the skipper said to one of the passengers brought on deck by
+the news of a boat in sight, for such an event broke the monotony of the
+tedious voyage.
+
+As the news spread through the ship the rest of the passengers came on
+deck, and when the boat was neared, the captain, as he stood inspecting
+the object through his glass, began to be satisfied that the find was in
+good condition, and then the announcement came from aloft that there
+were two bodies lying in the bottom.
+
+The excitement now became fierce; one of the ship's boats was swung out
+on the davits ready for lowering, manned, and dropped, and finally the
+prize was brought alongside, with its freight still alive, but
+apparently at their last gasp.
+
+Fortunately the captain was a man of old experience in the tropics, and
+noting that there was neither food nor water on board, he put the right
+construction upon the poor fellows' condition--that they were dying of
+hunger and thirst, after escaping from some wrecked or sinking vessel.
+
+Merchant captains have a smattering of knowledge, and a medicine chest
+on board, and there were willing hands to take charge of "the poor
+shipwrecked men;" but it was a hard fight with the raging fever and
+delirium from which both suffered, and again and again they were given
+over, and were still too weak to answer questions when Bristol port was
+reached, and they were taken to hospital ashore.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+It was quite a month before the journey home could be taken in the old
+stage-coach bound from Bristol to Plymouth.
+
+But Nic bore it well, for Captain Revel was seated by his side, holding
+his hand as if afraid that after all his son might slip from his grasp
+and the old suffering recommence.
+
+"It nearly killed me before, my boy," he said piteously, as he urged his
+son to be careful not to exert himself in the least.  "I gave you up for
+dead, and I was following you fast, Nic, for I don't believe I should
+have lived another year."
+
+"I'll take care, father; never fear," said the young man cheerily, for,
+though thin and worn, his eyes were brightening, and there were signs of
+returning health in his cheeks.  "I only need a good, quiet rest in the
+old place, where I can lie and watch the sea, or go down the shady old
+combe, to listen to the falls and watch the salmon leap."
+
+"Ugh! don't talk about the fish," cried the Captain, with a shudder;
+"they were the cause of all this suffering."
+
+"Oh no," said Nic, smiling.  "It was all that terrible mistake."
+
+"Well, don't let's talk about the past," said the Captain hurriedly; "or
+only about one thing, my boy.  I did want to consult you about that
+fellow who's up aloft with William Solly."
+
+"About Pete, father?"
+
+"Yes, the scoundrel!  He was as bad as the salmon."
+
+"Poor old Pete!" said Nic, smiling.  "He saved my life over and over
+again, father.  I want you to take him into your service."
+
+"What! that poacher who used to defy us all?"
+
+"Poachers make the best keepers, father, when they reform; and Pete has
+proved himself a good man and true.  Will you tell him he is to stay?"
+
+"I'll keep a dozen of such fellows if you'll only get strong and well
+again, my boy," said the old sailor eagerly.  "I'll tell him next time
+we change horses.  But I shall never forgive Lawrence."
+
+"What, father!" cried Nic, smiling.  "Why?"
+
+"An old comrade like he has always been, to have such a stupid blunder
+made by those under his command."
+
+"A terrible mistake, father; but, to be quite fair, it was all my doing,
+and I was hoist with my own petard."
+
+"No, no, Nic; you're wrong," said the old man, "and William Solly--an
+impudent rascal!--was right."
+
+"How, father?"
+
+"Well, my boy, it was all my fault for making such a fuss about a few
+salmon.  William Solly had the insolence to tell me I made a trouble
+about nothing, and wanted a real one to do me good.  This has been a
+real one, Nic, and I've suffered bitterly."
+
+"But there's fair weather ahead, father."
+
+"Please God, my boy," said the old man piously, and with his voice
+trembling, "and--and there, Nic, I've got you back again, and you will
+get well, my boy--you will get well, won't you?"
+
+"Fast, father," replied Nic, pressing the old man's hand.
+
+Nic did mend rapidly in the rest and quiet of his old home, where one
+day Captain Lawrence, newly returned from a long voyage, came to see his
+old friend, and heard Nic's adventures to the end.
+
+"A bitter experience, my dear boy," he said; "but let's look to the
+future now: never mind the past."
+
+But one day, when the convalescents had been for two months drinking in
+the grand old Devon air, Nic was rambling through the combe with Pete,
+both pretty well strong again, when the latter said:
+
+"I want to be zet to work now, Master Nic, or to be zent away; for I
+feel as if I ought to be doing zomething, instead of idling about here."
+
+"You've talked like that before, Pete," said Nic, smiling.  "Have a
+little patience, and then you shall begin."
+
+"But it zeems zo long, zir.  I zay, though, it's rather queer, isn't it,
+for me to be water bailiff and keeper over the vish as I used to take.
+Think Humpy Dee and them others will get away and come back again?"
+
+"I hope so," said Nic slowly and thoughtfully.  "They deserved their
+punishment, but they will have had enough by now."
+
+"Nay, you're a bit too easy, Master Nic.  Humpy's a down bad one, and I
+should like the others to have one year more out yonder, and Humpy too."
+
+"Too long for white slaves, Pete," said Nic.  "We have suffered with
+them, and know what the sufferings are; so I forgive them.  What say
+you?"
+
+"Zame as you do, Master Nic; o' course, that is, if they don't come back
+and meddle with our zalmon again--_our zalmon_!  That zounds queer,
+Master Nic, don't it?  I can't quite feel as if it's all true."
+
+"But it is true, Pete; and we are here safe in the good old home, after
+what seems now like an ugly dream."
+
+"Dinner-bell's rung twice, Master Nic," said William Solly, coming upon
+them suddenly from behind the trees; "and you can't 'spect to get your
+strength up proper if you aren't reg'lar at the mess.  I run out to look
+for you, to keep the skipper from--Well, there now--if he aren't come to
+look for you hisself!  Give him a shout, and say you're coming."
+
+Nic hailed, and hurried back to meet the old officer, while William
+Solly turned to Pete:
+
+"Come along, messmet; the beef and soft tack's waiting.  And so you're
+going to stop here altogether!"
+
+"I s'pose so," said Pete.
+
+"And we're to be messmets reg'lar sarving under Captain Revel and Master
+Nic?"
+
+"That's it," said Pete sturdily.
+
+"Well," said Solly, "I aren't jealous, for you did the right thing by
+the young master; so let's shake hands."
+
+This was solemnly done, and Solly went on:
+
+"As good a skipper as ever stepped a deck, and as fine a boy as ever
+breathed.  Pete, messmet, you've dropped into a snug thing."
+
+"Which that zame I know," said Pete gruffly.
+
+"But you saved Master Nic's life, and the skipper's too, by bringing the
+young master back; and I'm glad you're going to stay.  So suppose we
+shakes hands agen?"
+
+They did, as if they meant it, too.
+
+They did mean it, and somehow a great attachment sprang up between those
+two men, while as time rolled on Nic smiled more than once on meeting
+them consulting together about matters connected with the estate, and
+made Solly wince.
+
+At last, after a good deal of hesitation, Solly turned upon his young
+master.
+
+"Beg pardon, sir," he said; "speaking respeckful like--"
+
+"What is it?" said Nic, for the man stopped.
+
+"Well, sir, you know; and it goes hard on a chap as is doing his dooty
+and wants to keep things straight."
+
+"I still don't understand you, Solly," said Nic.
+
+"Well, sir, it's all along o' that there chap, Pete: you never ketch me
+a-talking to him, and giving him a bit o' good advice about what the
+skipper likes done, but you grins."
+
+"Grins?"
+
+"Oh, it's no use to make believe, Master Nic, because you do, and it
+hurts."
+
+"They were not grins," said Nic.  "I only smiled because I was glad to
+see you two such good friends."
+
+"Ho!" ejaculated Solly; "that was it, sir?  I thought you was grinning
+and thinking what an old fool I was."
+
+"Nothing of the sort."
+
+"Well, I'm glad o' that, Master Nic, though it do seem a bit queer that
+I should take a lot o' notice of a feller as fought agen us as he did.
+But we aren't friends, sir."
+
+"Indeed!" said Nic.
+
+"It's on'y that I can't help taking a bit to a man as stood by you as he
+did over yonder in furren abroad.  You see, a man like that's got the
+making of a good true mate in him."
+
+"Yes, Solly, of as good a man as ever stepped."
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Two years had passed, when one day Solly watched his opportunity of
+catching Nic alone in the grounds, and followed him.
+
+"Master Nic!" he whispered hoarsely.
+
+The young man turned round, and Solly "made a face" at him.  That is to
+say, he shut his left eye very slowly and screwed up the whole of his
+countenance till it was a maze of wrinkles.
+
+"What is it, Solly?"
+
+"Pete's over yonder, sir, by the combo, and wants to speak to you."
+
+"Oh, very well, I'll go," said Nic, and the old sailor nodded, looked
+mysterious, slapped his mouth to indicate that it was a secret mission,
+and hurried away.
+
+"What does it all mean?" said Nic to himself.  "Why, I do believe Pete
+is going to tell me that he wants to be married, and to ask if my father
+will object."
+
+He reached the combe, to find Pete, now a fine sturdy-looking Devon man
+in brown velveteen jacket and leather gaiters, counting the salmon in
+the pool.
+
+Pete turned sharply directly he heard Nic approach, and the serious look
+in the man's face told that something unusual had occurred.
+
+"Morn', Master Nic, zir."
+
+"What is it, Pete?  Surely you don't mean that we've had poachers
+again?"
+
+"Poachers it be, zir," said the man mysteriously; "but they won't come
+here again.  Master Nic, there's three on 'em come back, and I've zeen
+'em."
+
+"What!  From the plantation?"
+
+"Yes, zir; after a long spell of it they managed to give the dogs zome
+poison stuff they got out of the woods.  The blacks told 'em of it.
+Manshy something it was."
+
+"Manchioneel!  I know," said Nic.
+
+"That's it, zir, and it killed 'em.  They got away in a boat--a new un,
+I s'pose."
+
+"I'm glad they escaped, poor fellows," said Nic; "but is that scoundrel
+Dee with them?"
+
+Pete was silent.
+
+"Dead, Pete?"
+
+"Yes, zir, 'fore we'd been gone two months," said the man gravely.  "He
+went at Zaunders one day with his hoe, and nearly killed him; but the
+dogs heard the fight, and rushed down."
+
+"Ah! the dogs!" cried Nic.
+
+"Yes, zir, and what with their worrying and a shot he'd had from
+Zaunders, it meant a couple o' the blacks with spades, and a grave in
+the woods."
+
+"Horrible!" ejaculated Nic.
+
+"Yes, zir, horrible.  Humpy allus hated me, and I s'pose I never liked
+him; but if I'd been there, zir, I'd ha' helped him fight for his life
+agen them zavage dogs."
+
+"I know you would, Pete," cried Nic warmly.  "But what about these men--
+are they going to stay in the neighbourhood?"
+
+"Not they, zir.  They belong to the crew of a ship in Plymouth harbour;
+and zomehow they got to know that I was here.  They walked all the way
+o' purpose to wish me luck and zhake hands and zay they hadn't aught
+agen me, for they'd found out how it was they was took.  It was poor
+Humpy as made 'em believe it was me.  They went back lars night."
+
+"Poor Humpy!" said Nic wonderingly.
+
+"Well, yes, zir.  You zee, he waren't like other men," said Pete simply.
+"He was born all crooked and out o' shape and ugly, and got teased and
+kicked about when he was a boy; and I zuppose it made him zour and
+evil-tempered.  Then he grew up stronger than other men, and he got to
+love getting the better of them as had knocked him about.  I dunno, but
+it allus zeemed zo to me.  Well, poor chap, he's dead, and there's an
+end on it."
+
+"Yes," said Nic, gravely repeating the man's words, "there's an end of
+it."
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Nic Revel, by George Manville Fenn
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