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+Project Gutenberg's The Wreckers of Sable Island, by J. Macdonald Oxley
+
+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: The Wreckers of Sable Island
+
+Author: J. Macdonald Oxley
+
+Release Date: September 12, 2010 [EBook #33714]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WRECKERS OF SABLE ISLAND ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Al Haines
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Frontispiece: "So you're not dead after all, my hearty."  _Page 37_]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Title page]
+
+
+
+
+THE WRECKERS
+
+OF
+
+SABLE ISLAND
+
+
+
+BY
+
+J. MACDONALD OXLEY
+
+
+_Author of "Up Among the Ice-Floes," "Diamond Rock," &c._
+
+
+
+
+T. NELSON AND SONS
+
+_London, Edinburgh, and New York_
+
+1897
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+    I.  THE SETTING FORTH
+   II.  IN ROUGH WEATHER
+  III.  THE WRECK
+   IV.  ALONE AMONG STRANGERS
+    V.  ERIC LOOKS ABOUT HIM
+   VI.  BEN HARDEN
+  VII.  A SABLE ISLAND WINTER
+ VIII.  ANXIOUS TIMES
+   IX.  FAREWELL TO SABLE ISLAND
+    X.  RELEASE AND RETRIBUTION
+
+
+
+
+THE WRECKERS OF SABLE ISLAND.
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE SETTING FORTH.
+
+A voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in the year 1799 was not the
+every-day affair that it has come to be at the present time.  There
+were no "ocean greyhounds" then.  The passage was a long and trying one
+in the clumsy craft of those days, and people looked upon it as a more
+serious affair than they now do on a tour round the world.
+
+In the year 1799 few people thought of travelling for mere pleasure.
+North, south, east, and west, the men went on missions of discovery, of
+conquest, or of commerce; but the women and children abode at home,
+save, of course, when they ventured out to seek new homes in that new
+world which was drawing so many to its shores.
+
+It was therefore not to be wondered at that the notion of Eric Copeland
+going out to his father in far-away Nova Scotia should form the subject
+of more than one family council at Oakdene Manor, the beautiful country
+seat of the Copeland family, situated in one of the prettiest parts of
+Warwickshire.
+
+Eric was the only son of Doctor Copeland, surgeon-in-chief of the
+Seventh Fusiliers, the favourite regiment of the Duke of Kent, the
+father of Queen Victoria.  This regiment formed part of the garrison at
+Halifax, then under the command of the royal duke himself; and the
+doctor had written to say that if the squire, Eric's grandfather,
+approved, he would like Eric to come out to him, as his term of service
+had been extended three years beyond what he expected, and he wanted to
+have his boy with him.  At the same time, he left the matter entirely
+in the squire's hands for him to decide.
+
+So far as the old gentleman was concerned, he decided at once.
+
+"Send the boy out there to that wild place, and have him scalped by an
+Indian or gobbled by a bear before he's there a month?  Not a bit of
+it.  I won't hear of it.  He's a hundred times better off here."
+
+The squire, be it observed, held very vague notions about Nova Scotia,
+and indeed the American continent generally, in spite of his son's
+endeavours to enlighten him.  He still firmly believed that there were
+as many wigwams as houses in New York, and that Indians in full
+war-paint and plumes were every day seen on the streets of
+Philadelphia; while as for poor little Nova Scotia, it was more than
+his mind could take in how the Duke of Kent could ever bring himself to
+spend a week in such an outlandish place, not to speak of a number of
+years.
+
+So soon as Eric learned of his father's request, he was not less quick
+in coming to a conclusion, but it was of a precisely opposite kind to
+the squire's.  He was what the Irish would call "a broth of a boy."
+Fifteen last birthday, five feet six inches in height, broad of
+shoulder and stout of limb, yet perfectly proportioned, as nimble on
+his feet as a squirrel, and as quick of eye as a king-bird, entirely
+free from any trace of nervousness or timidity, good-looking in that
+sense of the word which means more than merely handsome, courteous in
+his manners, and quite up to the mark in his books, Eric represented
+the best type of the British boy as he looked about him with his brave
+brown eyes, and longed to be something more than simply a school-boy,
+and to see a little of that great world up and down which his father
+had been travelling ever since he could remember.
+
+"Of course I want to go to father," said he, promptly and decidedly.
+"I don't believe there are any bears or Indians at Halifax; and even if
+there should be, I don't care.  I'm not afraid of them."
+
+He had not the look of a boy that could be easily frightened, or turned
+aside from anything upon which he had set his heart, and the old squire
+felt as though he were seeing a youthful reflection of himself in the
+sturdy spirit of resolution shown by his grandson.
+
+"But, Eric, lad," he began to argue, "whether the Indians and bears are
+plentiful or not, I don't see why you want to leave Oakdene, and go
+away out to a wild place that is only fit for soldiers.  You're quite
+happy with us here, aren't you?"  And the old gentleman's face took on
+rather a reproachful expression as he put the question.
+
+Eric's face flushed crimson, and crossing over to where the squire sat,
+he bent down and kissed his wrinkled forehead tenderly.
+
+"I am quite happy, grandpa.  You and grandma do so much for me that it
+would be strange if I wasn't.  But you know I have been more with you
+than I have with my own father; and now when he wants me to go out to
+him, I want to go too.  You can't blame me, can you?"
+
+What Eric said was true enough.  The doctor's regiment had somehow come
+in for more than its share of foreign service.  It had carried its
+colours with credit over the burning plains of India, upon the
+battle-fields of the Continent, and then, crossing to America, had
+taken its part, however ineffectually, in the struggle which ended so
+happily in the birth of a new nation.  During all of his years Eric had
+remained at Oakdene, seeing nothing of his father save when he came to
+them on leave for a few months at a time.
+
+These home-comings of the doctor were the great events in Eric's life.
+Nothing was allowed to interfere with his enjoyment of his father's
+society.  All studies were laid aside, and one day of happiness
+followed another, as together they rode to hounds, whipped the
+trout-streams, shot over the coverts where pheasants were in plenty, or
+went on delightful excursions to lovely places round about the
+neighbourhood.
+
+Dr. Copeland enjoyed his release from the routine of military duty
+quite as much as Eric did his freedom from school, and it would not
+have been easy to say which of the two went in more heartily for a good
+time.
+
+It was just a year since the doctor had last been home on leave, and a
+year seems a very long time to a boy of fifteen, so that when the
+letter came proposing that Eric should go out to his father (it should
+have been told before that his mother was dead, having been taken away
+from him when he was a very little fellow), and spend three long years
+with him without a break, if the doctor had been in Kamtchatka or
+Tierra del Fuego instead of simply in Nova Scotia, Eric would not have
+hesitated a moment, but have jumped at the offer.
+
+The old squire was very loath to part with his grandson, and it was
+because he knew it would be so that the doctor had not positively asked
+for Eric to be sent out, but had left the question to be decided by the
+squire.
+
+Perhaps Eric might have failed to carry his point but for the help
+given him by Major Maunsell, a brother-officer of Doctor Copeland's,
+who had been home on leave, and in whose charge Eric was to be placed
+if it was decided to let him go.
+
+The major had come to spend a day or two at Oakdene a little while
+before taking his leave of England, and of course the question of
+Eric's returning to Nova Scotia with him came up for discussion.  Eric
+pleaded his case very earnestly.
+
+"Now please listen to me a moment," said he, taking advantage of a
+pause in the conversation.  "I love you, grandpa and grandma, very
+dearly, and am very happy with you here; but I love my father too, and
+I never see him, except just for a little while, when he comes home on
+leave, and it would be lovely to be with him all the time for three
+whole years.  Besides that, I do want to see America, and this is such
+a good chance.  I am nearly sixteen now, and by the time father gets
+back I'll have to be going to college, and then, you know, he says he's
+going to leave the army and settle down here, so that dear knows when I
+can ever get the chance to go again.  Oh! please let me go, grandpa,
+won't you?"
+
+Major Maunsell's eyes glistened as he looked at Eric and listened to
+him.  He was an old bachelor himself, and he could not help envying
+Doctor Copeland for his handsome, manly son.  At once he entered into
+full sympathy with him in his great desire, and determined to use all
+his influence in supporting him.
+
+"There's a great deal of sense in what the boy says," he remarked.  "It
+is such a chance as he may not get again in a hurry.  There's nothing
+to harm him out in Halifax; and his father is longing to have him, for
+he's always talking to me about him, and reading me bits out of his
+letters."
+
+So the end of it was that the major and Eric between them won the day,
+and after taking the night to think over it, the good old squire
+announced the next morning at breakfast that he would make no further
+objections, and that Eric might go.
+
+The troop-ship in which Major Maunsell was going would sail in a week,
+so there was no time to be lost in getting Eric ready for the voyage,
+and for the long sojourn in the distant colony.  Many were the trunks
+of clothing, books, and other things that had to be packed with
+greatest care, and their number would have been doubled if the major
+had not protested against taking the jams, jellies, pickles, medicines,
+and other domestic comforts that the loving old couple wanted Eric to
+take with him, because they felt sure he could get nothing so good out
+in Halifax.
+
+All too quickly for them the day came when they were to say good-bye to
+their grandson, and the parting was a very tearful and trying one.
+Full of joy as Eric felt, he could not keep back the tears when his
+white-haired grandmother hugged him again and again to her heart,
+exclaiming fervently,--
+
+"God bless and keep my boy!  May his almighty arms be underneath and
+round about you, my darling.  Put your trust in him, Eric, no matter
+what may happen."
+
+And the bluff old squire himself was suspiciously moist about the eyes
+as the carriage drove away and Eric was really off to Chatham in charge
+of Major Maunsell, with whom he had by this time got to be on the best
+of terms.
+
+At Chatham they found their ship in the final stage of preparation for
+the voyage.  They were to sail in the _Francis_, a fine, fast gun-brig
+of about three hundred tons, which had in her hold a very valuable
+cargo, consisting of the Duke of Kent's library, together with a
+quantity of very costly furniture, precious wines, and other luxuries
+intended to make as comfortable as possible the lot of his royal
+highness in the garrison at Halifax.  The major and Eric were assigned
+a roomy cabin to themselves, in which they at once proceeded to make
+themselves at home.
+
+During the few days that intervened before the sailing of the
+_Francis_, Eric's enjoyment of the novel scenes around him could hardly
+be put into words.  All he knew about the sea was what he had learned
+from a summer now and then at a watering-place; and the great gathering
+of big ships at Chatham; the unceasing bustle as some came in from long
+voyages and others went forth to take their places upon distant
+stations; the countless sailors and dock-hands swarming like ants
+hither and thither; the important-looking officers strutting about in
+gold-laced coats, and calling out their commands in such hoarse tones
+that Eric felt tempted to ask if they all had very bad colds; the
+shrill sound of the boatswains' whistles that seemed to have no
+particular meaning; the martial music of bands playing apparently for
+no other reason than just because they wanted to,--all this made up a
+wonder-world for Eric in which he found a great deal of delight.
+
+There was just one cloud upon his happiness.  Among his many pets at
+Oakdene his special favourite was a splendid mastiff that the squire
+had given him as a birthday present two years before.  Prince was a
+superb animal, and devoted to his young master.  No sooner had it been
+settled that Eric should go out to his father than the boy at once
+asked if his dog might not go with him.  Major Maunsell had no
+objection himself, but feared that the captain of the _Francis_ would
+not hear of it.  However, he thought that Eric might bring the dog up
+to Chatham, and then if the captain would not let him on board he could
+be sent back to Oakdene.
+
+Prince accordingly accompanied him, and a place having been found for
+him with a friend of the major's, his master had no peace of mind until
+the question was settled.  Some days passed before he got a chance to
+see Captain Reefwell, who was, of course, extremely busy; but at last
+he managed to catch him one day just after lunch, when he seemed in a
+pretty good humour, and without wasting time preferred his request,
+trembling with eager hope as he did so.  The gruff old sailor at first
+bluntly refused him; but Eric bravely returning to the charge, his kind
+heart was moved to the extent of making him say,--
+
+"Well, let me have a look at your dog, anyway."
+
+Hoping for the best, Eric ran off and returned with Prince.  Captain
+Reefwell scanned the noble animal critically, and stretched out his
+hand to pat him, whereupon the mastiff gravely lifted his right paw and
+placed it in the captain's horny palm.
+
+"Shiver my timbers! but the dog's got good manners," said the captain
+in surprise.  "Did you teach him that?" turning to Eric.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Eric proudly; "and he can do other things too."
+And he proceeded to put the big dog through a number of tricks which
+pleased the old sailor so much that finally he said, with a smile,--
+
+"All right, my lad.  You may bring your dog on board.  But, mind you,
+he comes before the mast.  He's not a cabin passenger."
+
+"Oh, thank you, sir! thank you, sir!" cried Eric joyfully.--"I won't
+let you in the cabin, will I, Prince?  Isn't it splendid?  You're to
+come with me after all."  And he hugged the mastiff as though he had
+been his own brother.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+IN ROUGH WEATHER.
+
+It was the first of November when the _Francis_ got off, and Captain
+Reefwell warned his passengers that they might expect a rather rough
+voyage, as they were sure to have a storm or two in crossing at that
+time of year.  Eric protested that he would not mind; he was not afraid
+of a storm.  Indeed, he wanted to see one really good storm at sea,
+such as he had often read about.
+
+But he changed his tune when the _Francis_ began to pitch and toss in
+the chops of the English Channel, and with pale face and piteous voice
+he asked the major "if a real storm were worse than this."  A few days
+later, however, when he got his sea-legs all right, and the _Francis_
+was bowling merrily over the broad Atlantic before a favouring breeze,
+his courage came back to him, and he felt ready for anything.
+
+The _Francis_ was not more than a week out before the captain's
+prediction began to be fulfilled.  One storm succeeded another with but
+little rest between, the wind blowing from all quarters in turn.
+Driven hither and thither before it, the _Francis_ struggled gallantly
+toward her destination.  So long as he was out in mid-Atlantic Captain
+Reefwell seemed quite indifferent to the boisterous weather.  He told
+his passengers that he was sorry for the many discomforts they were
+forced to endure, but otherwise showed no concern.  He was a daring
+sailor, and had crossed the ocean a score of times before.  As they
+approached the American side, however, and the storm still continued,
+he grew very anxious, as his troubled countenance and moody manner
+plainly showed.  The truth was that he had been driven out of his
+course, and had lost his reckoning, owing to sun and stars alike having
+been invisible for so many days.  He had no clear idea of his distance
+from the coast, and unless he could soon secure a satisfactory
+observation the _Francis_ would be in a perilous plight.
+
+The first of December was marked by a storm more violent than any which
+had come before, followed by a dense fog which swathed the ship in
+appalling gloom.  The captain evidently regarded this fog as a very
+grave addition to his difficulties.  He hardly left the quarter-deck,
+and his face grew haggard and his eyes bloodshot with being constantly
+on the look-out.  Realizing that a crisis was at hand, and determined
+to know the worst, Major Maunsell made bold to ask the captain to tell
+him the real state of affairs.  Captain Reefwell hesitated for a
+moment, then muttering something about "might as well out with it," he
+laid his hand upon the major's shoulder, and looking straight into his
+eyes, with a strange expression of sympathy, said in his gravest
+tones,--
+
+"Major, it's just this: unless I'm clean lost, we must now be somewhere
+near Sable Island.  I'm expecting to hear the roar of its breakers any
+minute, and once the _Francis_ gets amongst them, God help us all!
+Sable Island makes sure work."  And he turned away abruptly, as though
+to hide his feelings.
+
+Captain Reefwell's words sent a shudder straight and swift through
+Major Maunsell's heart.  The latter already knew of the bad reputation
+of that strange island which scarcely lifts itself above the level of
+the Atlantic, less than a hundred miles due east from Nova Scotia.
+Stories that chilled the blood had from time to time floated up to
+Halifax--stories of shipwreck following fast upon shipwreck, and no one
+surviving to tell the tale.
+
+But even more appalling than the fury of the storm that scourged the
+lonely island were the deeds said to be done by monsters in human guise
+who plied the wrecker's trade there, and, acting upon the principle
+that dead men tell no tales, had made it their care to put out of the
+way all whom even the cruel billows had spared.
+
+With a heavy heart the major made his way back to the cabin, where he
+found Eric, upon whose bright spirits the long and stormy voyage had
+told heavily, looking very unhappy as he tried to amuse himself with a
+book.  The boy was worn out by the ceaseless pitching and tossing of
+the vessel.  He felt both home-sick and sea-sick, as indeed did many
+another of the passengers, who with one accord were wishing themselves
+safely upon land again.  He looked up eagerly as the major entered.
+
+"What does the captain say, major?" he asked, his big brown eyes open
+their widest.  "Will the storm soon be over, and are we near Halifax?"
+
+Concealing his true feelings, the major replied with well-put-on
+cheerfulness,--
+
+"The captain says that if this fog would only lift, and let him find
+out exactly where we are, Eric, he would be all right.  There is
+nothing to do but to wait, and hope for the best."  And sitting down
+beside Eric, he threw his arm about him in a tender, protecting way
+that showed how strongly he felt.
+
+So intense was the anxiety on board the _Francis_ that none of the
+passengers thought of going to their berths or taking off their clothes
+that night, but all gathered in the cabins, finding what cheer and
+comfort they could in one another's company.
+
+In the main cabin were other officers besides Major Maunsell--namely,
+Captain Sterling of the Fusiliers, Lieutenant Mercer of the Royal
+Artillery, and Lieutenants Sutton, Roebuck, and Moore of the 16th Light
+Dragoons; while in the fore-cabin were household servants of the prince
+and soldiers of the line, bringing the total number of passengers up to
+two hundred.
+
+During the night Captain Reefwell, seeing that it was no longer any use
+to conceal the seriousness of the situation, sent word to all on board
+to prepare for the worst, as the ship might be among the breakers at
+any moment.  The poor passengers hastened to gather their most precious
+possessions into little bundles, and to prepare themselves for the
+approaching struggle with death.
+
+The night wore slowly on, the sturdy brig straining and groaning as the
+billows made a plaything of her, tossing her to and fro as though she
+was no heavier than a chip, while the fierce storm shrieked through the
+rigging in apparent glee at having so rich a prize for the wreckers of
+Sable Island.
+
+It was a brave band that awaited its fate in the main cabin.  The men
+were borne up by the dauntless fortitude of the British soldier, and,
+catching their spirit, Eric manifested a quiet courage well worthy of
+the name he bore.  He had Prince with him now, for the captain had
+himself suggested that he had better have the dog near at hand.  The
+noble creature seemed to have some glimmering of their common peril,
+for he kept very close to his young master, and every now and then laid
+his huge head upon Eric's knee and looked up into his face with an
+expression that said as plainly as words,--
+
+"Nothing but death can ever part us.  You can depend upon me to the
+very uttermost."
+
+And hugging him fondly, Eric answered,--
+
+"Dear old Prince!  You'll help me if we are wrecked, won't you?" at
+which Prince wagged his tail responsively, and did his best to lick his
+master's face.
+
+Now and then some one would creep up on deck, and brave the fury of the
+blast for a few moments, in hope of finding some sign of change for the
+better; and on his return to the cabin the others would eagerly scan
+his countenance and await his words, only to be met with a sorrowful
+shake of the head that rendered words unnecessary.
+
+Eric alone found temporary forgetfulness in sleep.  He was very weary,
+and, though fully alive to the danger so near at hand, could not keep
+from falling into a fitful slumber, as he lay upon the cushioned seat
+that encircled the cabin, Prince stationing himself at his side and
+pillowing his head in his lap.
+
+Poor Prince was by no means so handsome a creature now as when his good
+looks and good manners won the captain's heart.  The long stormy
+passage had been very hard upon him.  He had grown gaunt, and his
+smooth, shiny skin had become rough and unkempt.  Otherwise, however,
+he was not much the worse, and was quite ready for active duty if his
+services should be needed.
+
+Awaking from a light sleep, in which he dreamed that he and Prince were
+having a glorious romp on the lawn at Oakdene, which somehow seemed to
+be undulating in a very curious fashion, Eric caught sight of Major
+Maunsell returning to the cabin after a visit to the upper deck, and at
+once ran up to him and plied him with eager questions.
+
+"Is the storm getting any better, and will it soon be daylight again?"
+
+The major did his best to look cheerful as he answered,--
+
+"Well, the storm is no worse, Eric, at all events, and it will not be
+long before daylight comes."
+
+"But even if we should be wrecked," said Eric, looking pleadingly into
+the major's face, "we might all get ashore all right, mightn't we?
+I've often read of shipwrecks in which everybody was saved."
+
+"Certainly, my boy, certainly," replied the major promptly, although
+deep down in his heart he seemed to hear Captain Reefwell's ominous
+words, "Sable Island makes sure work."
+
+"And, major," continued Eric, "I'm going to keep tight hold of Prince's
+collar if we do get wrecked.  He can swim ever so much better than I
+can, and he'll pull me ashore all right, won't he?"
+
+"That's a capital idea of yours, my boy," said the major, smiling
+tenderly upon him.  "Keep tight hold of Prince, by all means.  You
+couldn't have a better life-preserver."
+
+"I don't want to be wrecked, that's certain; but if we are, I'm very
+glad I've got Prince here to help me--the dear old fellow that he is!"
+And so saying, Eric threw himself down upon his dog and gave him a
+hearty hug, which the mastiff evidently much enjoyed.  Day broke at
+last, if the slow changing of the thick darkness into a dense gray fog
+could rightly be called daybreak.
+
+The _Francis_ still bravely battled with the tempest.  She had proved
+herself a trusty ship, and, with Captain Reefwell on the quarter-deck,
+more than a match for the worst fury of wind and wave.
+
+But no ship that ever has been or ever will be built could possibly
+pass through the ordeal of the Sable Island breakers, whose awful
+thunder might at any moment be heard above the howling of the blast.
+At breakfast-time the worn and weary passengers gathered around the
+table for what would, in all probability, be their last meal on board
+the _Francis_, and perhaps their last on earth.  The fare was not very
+tempting, for what could the cooks do under such circumstances?  But
+the passengers felt no disposition to complain.  Indeed, they had
+little appetite to eat, and were only making a pretence of doing so,
+when a sailor burst into the cabin, his bronzed face blanched with
+fear, as he shouted breathlessly,--
+
+"Captain says for all to come up on deck.  The ship will strike in a
+minute."
+
+Instantly there was wild confusion and a mad rush for the
+companion-way; but Major Maunsell waited to take Eric's hand tightly
+into his before pressing on with the others.  When they reached the
+deck an awful scene met their eyes.  The fog had lifted considerably,
+so that it was possible to see some distance from the ship; and there,
+right across her bows, not more than a quarter of a mile away, a
+tremendous line of breakers stretched as far as eye could see.
+
+Straight into their midst the _Francis_ was helplessly driving at the
+bidding of the storm-fiend.  No possible way of escape!  Not only did
+the breakers extend to right and left until they were lost in the
+shifting fog, but the nearest line was evidently only an advance-guard;
+for beyond it other lines, not less formidable, could be dimly
+descried, rearing their snowy crests of foam as they rolled fiercely
+onward.
+
+"Heaven help us!" cried Major Maunsell, as with one swift glance he
+took in the whole situation; and drawing Eric close to him, he made his
+way through the confusion to the foot of the main-mast, which offered a
+secure hold for the time being.
+
+A few minutes later the _Francis_ struck the first bar with a shock
+that sent everybody who had not something to hold on to tumbling upon
+the deck.  But for the major's forethought, both he and Eric might at
+that moment have been borne off into the boiling surges; for a
+tremendous billow rushed upon the helpless vessel, sweeping her from
+stern to stem, and carrying away a number of the soldiers, who, having
+nothing to hold on by, were picked up like mere chips of wood and
+hurried to their doom.  Their wild cries for the help that could not be
+given them pierced the ears of the others, who did not know but that
+the next billow would treat them in like manner.
+
+Again and again was the ill-starred ship thus swept by the billows,
+each time fresh victims falling to their fell fury.  Then came a wave
+of surpassing size, which, lifting the _Francis_ as though she had been
+a mere feather, bore her over the bar into the deeper water beyond.
+Here, after threatening to go over upon her beam-ends, she righted once
+more, and drove on toward the next bar.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE WRECK.
+
+Major Maunsell gave a great gasp of relief when the brig righted.
+
+"Keep tight hold of your rope, Eric," he cried encouragingly.  "Please
+God, we may reach shore alive yet."
+
+Drenched to the skin and shivering with cold, Eric held tightly on to
+the rope with his right hand and to Prince's collar with his left.
+Prince had crouched close to the foot of the mast, and the waves swept
+by him as though he had been carved in stone.
+
+"All right, sir," Eric replied, as bravely as he could.  "It's pretty
+hard work, but I'll not let go."
+
+Rearing and plunging amid the froth and foam, the _Francis_ charged at
+the second bar, struck full upon it with a force that would have
+crushed in the bow of a less sturdy craft, hung there for a few minutes
+while the breakers, as if greedy for their prey, swept exultantly over
+her, and then, responding to the impulse of another towering wave,
+leaped over the bar into the deeper water beyond.
+
+But she could not stand much more of such buffeting, for she was fast
+becoming a mere hulk.  Both masts had gone by the board at the last
+shock, and poor little Eric certainly would have gone overboard with
+the main-mast but for his prompt rescue by the major from the
+entangling rigging.
+
+"You had a narrow escape that time, Eric," said the major, as he
+dragged the boy round to the other side of the mast, where he was in
+less danger.
+
+The passage over the bars having thus been effected, the few who were
+still left on board the _Francis_ began to cherish hopes of yet
+reaching the shore alive.
+
+Between the bars and the main body of the island was a heavy cross-sea,
+in which the brig pitched and tossed like a bit of cork.  Somewhere
+beyond this wild confusion of waters was the surf which broke upon the
+beach itself, and in that surf the final struggle would take place.
+Whether or not a single one of the soaked, shivering beings clinging to
+the deck would survive it, God alone knew.  The chances of their escape
+were as one in a thousand--and yet they hoped.
+
+There were not many left now.  Captain Sterling was gone, and
+Lieutenants Mercer and Sutton.  Besides the major and Eric, only
+Lieutenants Roebuck and Moore of the cabin passengers were still to be
+seen.  Of the soldiers and crew, almost all had been swept away; but
+Captain Reefwell still held to his post upon the quarter-deck by
+keeping tight hold to a belaying-pin.
+
+The distance between the bars and the beach was soon crossed, and the
+long line of foaming billows became distinct through the driving mist.
+
+"Don't lose your grip on Prince, my boy," called the major to Eric.
+"We'll strike in a second, and then--"
+
+But before he could finish the sentence the ship struck the beach with
+fearful force, and was instantly buried under a vast mountain of water
+that hurled itself upon her as though it had long been waiting for the
+chance to destroy her.  When the billow had spent its force, the decks
+were clear.  Not a human form was visible where a moment before more
+than a score of men had been clinging for dear life.  Hissing and
+seething like things of life, and sending their spray and spume high
+into the mist-laden air, the merciless breakers bore their victims off
+to cast them contemptuously upon the beach.  Then, ere they could
+scramble ashore, they would be caught up again and carried off by the
+recoil of the wave, to be once more dashed back as though they were the
+playthings of the water.
+
+The major and Eric were separated in the wild confusion; but Eric was
+not parted from Prince.  About his brawny neck the mastiff wore a stout
+leathern collar, and to this Eric clung with a grip that not even the
+awful violence of the breakers could unloose.  Rather did it make his
+sturdy fingers but close the tighter upon the leathern band.
+
+Into the boiling flood the boy and dog were plunged together, and
+bravely they battled to make the shore.  The struggle would be a
+tremendous one for them, and the issue only too doubtful.  The slope of
+the beach was very gradual, and there was a long distance between where
+the brig struck and the dry land.  Wholly blinded and half-choked by
+the driving spray, Eric could do nothing to direct his course.  But he
+could have had no better pilot than the great dog, whose unerring
+instinct pointed him straight to the shore.
+
+How long they struggled with the surf Eric could not tell.  But his
+strength had failed, and his senses were fast leaving him, when his
+feet touched something firmer than tossing waves, and presently he and
+Prince were lifted up, and then hurled violently upon the sand.  Had he
+been alone, the recoil of the wave would certainly have carried him
+back again into the surge; but the dog dug his big paws into the soft
+beach, and forced his way up, dragging his master with him.
+
+Dizzy, bewildered, and faint, Eric staggered to his feet, looked about
+him in hope of finding the major near, and then, seeing nobody, fell
+forward upon the sand in a dead faint.
+
+How long he lay unconscious upon the beach Eric had no idea; but when
+he at length came to himself, he found a big, bushy-bearded man bending
+over him with a half-pitying, half-puzzled look, while beside him,
+ready for a spring, was faithful Prince, regarding him with a look that
+said as plainly as words,--
+
+"Attempt to do my master any harm and I will be at your throat."
+
+But the big man seemed to have no evil intent.  He had evidently been
+waiting for Eric to gain consciousness, and as soon as the boy opened
+his eyes, said in a gruff but not unkind voice,---
+
+"So you're not dead after all, my hearty.  More's the pity, maybe.  Old
+Evil-Eye'll be wanting to make a clean job of it, as usual."
+
+Eric did not at all take in the meaning of the stranger's words; his
+senses had not yet fully returned.  He felt a terrible pain in his head
+and a distressing nausea, and when he tried to get upon his feet he
+found the effort too much for him.  He fell back with a cry of pain
+that made the affectionate mastiff run up to him and gently lick his
+face, as though to say,--
+
+"What's the matter, dear master?  Can I do anything for you?"
+
+The man then seemed, for the first time, to take notice of the dog, and
+putting forth a huge, horny hand, he patted him warily, muttering under
+his beard,--
+
+"Sink me straight, but it's a fine beast.  I'll have him for my share,
+if I have to take the boy along with him."
+
+Perceiving by some subtle instinct the policy of being civil, Prince
+permitted himself to be patted by the stranger, and then lay down again
+beside him in a manner that betokened, "When wanted, I'm ready."
+
+Eric was eager to hear about Major Maunsell and the others who had been
+on board the _Francis_.  Were it not for his weakness he would be
+running up and down the beach in search of them.  But the terrible
+struggle with the surf, following upon the long exposure to the storm,
+had completely exhausted him, and he was sorely bruised besides.
+Turning his face up to the strange man, who seemed to have nothing
+further to say on his own account, he asked him anxiously,--
+
+"Where's Major Maunsell?  Is he all right?"
+
+Instead of answering, the man looked away from Eric, and there was an
+expression on his face that somehow sent a chill of dread to the boy's
+heart.
+
+"Please tell me what has happened.  Oh, take me to him, won't you?
+He's looking after me, you know," he pleaded earnestly, the tears
+beginning to well from his eyes.
+
+Still the big man kept silence.  Then as Eric pressed him with
+entreaty, he suddenly wheeled about and spoke in gruffer tones than he
+had so far used,--
+
+"You'd best be still and keep quiet.  You'll never see Major Maunsell,
+as you call him, or any of the rest of them again, and you might just
+as well know it first as last."
+
+At these dreadful words Eric raised himself by a great effort to a
+sitting posture, gazed into the man's face as though hoping to find
+some sign of his not being in earnest, and then with a cry of frantic
+grief flung himself back and buried his face in his hands, while his
+whole frame shook with the violence of his sobbing.
+
+The man stood watching him in silence, although his face, hard and
+stern as it was, gave evidence of his being moved to sympathy with the
+boy.  He seemed to be thinking deeply, and to be in much doubt as to
+what he should do.  He was just about to stoop down and lift Eric up,
+when a harsh, grating voice called out,--
+
+"Hallo, Ben!  What have you got there?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+ALONE AMONG STRANGERS.
+
+Ben started as though he had been caught at some crime, and there was a
+sulky tone in his voice that showed very plainly that he resented the
+appearance of the questioner, as he replied,--
+
+"Only a boy and a dog."
+
+The other man drew near and inspected Eric closely.  Prince at once
+sprang to his feet, and taking up his position between the new-comer
+and his young master, fixed his big eyes upon the former, while his
+teeth showed threateningly, and a deep growl issued from between them.
+
+It was no wonder that the sagacious mastiff's suspicions were aroused,
+for surely never before had his eyes fallen upon so sinister a specimen
+of humanity.  The man was of little more than medium height; but his
+frame showed great strength, combined with unusual activity, and one
+glance was sufficient to mark him out as a man with whom few could
+cope.  His countenance, naturally ugly, had been the playground of the
+strongest and coarsest passions that degrade humanity, and was rendered
+still more hideous by the loss of his left eye, which had been gouged
+out in a drunken _mêlée_, and by a frightful scar that ran clear from
+temple to chin on the right side of his face.  Through the remaining
+eye all the vile nature of the man found expression, and its baleful
+glare, when fixed full upon one, was simply appalling.
+
+To it, perhaps more than to any other quality, Evil-Eye--for so his
+comrades appropriately nicknamed him--owed his influence among them;
+for he was, in some sort, regarded as a leader of the band of wreckers
+to which both he and Ben belonged.
+
+Evil-Eye held in his right hand a cutlass whose sheen was already
+dimmed with suspicious stains.
+
+"Well," he growled, pointing at Eric, who was staring at him
+spell-bound with horror and dread, "that seems to be the last of them.
+Let's finish him off.  We want no tell-tales.--Out of the way, you
+brute."  And he lifted his cutlass as though to strike Prince first.
+
+"Hold!" cried Ben, springing forward and grasping Evil-Eye's arm.  "Let
+the boy alone."
+
+"Let him alone," roared Evil-Eye, with a horrible oath.  "That I won't.
+Let go of me, will you?"  And wrenching himself free by a tremendous
+effort, he swung the cutlass high over his head and rushed upon the
+defenceless boy, who was too terror-stricken to move or cry out.
+
+But quick as Evil-Eye's movements had been, there was another present
+whose movements were quicker still.  With a short, deep growl like a
+distant roll of thunder, Prince launched himself full at the ruffian's
+throat.  His aim was unerring, and utterly unprepared for so sudden an
+onset, the man rolled over upon the sand, the cutlass falling
+harmlessly from his hand.
+
+Content with having brought him to the ground, Prince did not pursue
+his advantage further, but stood over the prostrate scoundrel, who made
+no attempt to move, while he implored Ben to drag the dog off him.  But
+this Ben seemed in no hurry to do.  He evidently enjoyed his
+associate's sudden defeat, and felt little sympathy for him in his
+present predicament.  Then as he looked from the growling mastiff to
+his young master, who had almost forgotten his own fear in his
+admiration for his faithful dog, a happy thought flashed into his mind.
+His face brightened, and there was a half-smile upon it, as, turning to
+Evil-Eye, who scarce dared to breathe lest those great black jaws, so
+close to his throat, would close tight upon it, he said,--
+
+"Look here, Evil-Eye.  I'll take the dog off on one condition.  Will
+you agree?"
+
+"What is that?" groaned Evil-Eye.
+
+"Why, I've taken a fancy to this lad and his dog, and want to keep them
+for a while, anyway.  Now, if you'll promise me that you'll let them
+alone so long as I want them, I'll get the dog off; but if you won't,
+I'll just let you have it out with him."
+
+Evil-Eye did not answer at once.  Twisting his head, he looked around
+to see if any other of his companions were near; but there was not a
+soul in sight, and the storm was still raging.
+
+"All right, Ben, I'll promise," he said sulkily; and then a crafty
+gleam came into his baleful eye as he added, "And say, Ben, will you
+give me half your share of this take if I stand by you for the boy?
+They'll be wanting him finished off, maybe."
+
+Ben was about to say something bitter in reply, but checked himself as
+though second thoughts were best.  Yet he could not entirely conceal
+his contempt in his tone as he replied,--
+
+"As you like.  These two are what I want most this time.  But, mind
+you, Evil-Eye, if any harm comes to either of them through your doing,
+your own blood shall pay for it, so sure as my name's Ben Harden."
+Then, turning to Eric, he said,--
+
+"Here, boy, you can call off your dog now."
+
+Eric obeyed the directions at once.  "Come here, Prince!" he commanded.
+"Come to me, sir!"
+
+Prince wagged his tail to indicate that he heard the order, but was
+evidently in some doubt as to the wisdom of obeying it.  According to
+his way of thinking, the best place for Evil-Eye was just where he had
+him, and he would like to keep him there a while longer, anyway.
+
+But Eric insisted, and at length the dog obeyed, and came over to him,
+turning, however, to glance back at Evil-Eye, as though he was just
+itching to tumble him over again.
+
+Looking very much out of humour, Evil-Eye pulled himself together, and
+put his hand to his throat in order to make sure that Prince's teeth
+had done him no injury.  Fortunately for him, the high collar of the
+greatcoat he wore had been turned up all around to keep out the rain,
+and it had done him still better service by keeping out the mastiff's
+teeth.  So he was really none the worse for the encounter beyond
+feeling sulky at his discomfiture.
+
+He now for the first time took a good look at Eric, who had also risen
+to his feet, the excitement of the encounter having made him forget his
+pain and weakness.
+
+"Humph! rather a likely lad," he grunted.  "But he may give us trouble
+some time.  Have you thought of that, Ben?"
+
+"No; but it doesn't matter," answered Ben.  "I'll warrant for his not
+getting us into trouble.  We can manage that all right when the time
+comes."
+
+"Humph! maybe.  But it's a risk, all the same," returned Evil-Eye.
+"But come, we must be off.  We've lost too much time already."
+
+The all-prevailing gloom of the day was already deepening into the
+early dark of late autumn as the three set off across the sands.  The
+spray that the storm tore from the crests of the billows dashed in
+their faces as they advanced.  Eric could not have gone far had not Ben
+thrown his brawny arm around him, and almost carried him along.  Prince
+trotted quietly at his heels, having quite regained his composure, and
+resigned himself to the situation.
+
+In this fashion they had gone some distance, and Evil-Eye, who had kept
+a little ahead, was about to turn off to the right toward the interior
+of the island, when Prince suddenly sniffed the air eagerly, threw up
+his head with a curious cry, half whine, half bark, and then bounded
+away in the direction of the water.  Eric stopped to watch him, and
+following him closely with his eyes, saw that he ran up to a dark
+object that lay stretched out upon the sand, about fifty yards away.
+The dog touched it with his nose, and then, lifting his head, gave a
+long, weird howl, that so startled Eric as to make him forget his
+weariness.  Breaking away from Ben, who, indeed, made no effort to
+detain him, he hastened over to see what Prince had found.
+
+Darkness was coming on, but before he had got half way to the object he
+could make out that it was a human body, and a few steps nearer made it
+plain that the body was that of Major Maunsell.
+
+Horror-stricken, yet hoping that the major might still be living, Eric
+rushed forward, and throwing himself down beside the motionless form,
+cried passionately,--
+
+"Major Maunsell!  What's the matter?  Can't you look up?  Oh, surely
+you're not dead!"
+
+But the major made no response.  Beyond all doubt his body was cold in
+death, and as Eric looked upon the white, set face, he saw that his
+cries were useless, and that his dear, kind friend had gone from him
+for ever.  He felt as though his heart would break, and glancing around
+through his tears at the two strange, rough-looking men upon whose
+mercy the storm had cast him, his own fate seemed so dark and doubtful
+that he almost wished that, like the major, he too was lying upon the
+sands in the same quiet sleep.
+
+The discovery of the major's death was a greater shock than the boy, in
+his exhausted condition, could stand, and when, at the approach of the
+men, he attempted to rise, faintness overcame him once more, and he
+fell back unconscious.
+
+When his senses returned, he found himself in a sort of bunk in one
+corner of a large room containing a number of men, whose forms and
+faces were made visible by the light from an immense wood-fire that
+roared and crackled at the farther end of the room.  There were at
+least a score of these men, and, so far as he could make out, they were
+all rough, shaggy, wild-looking fellows, like Ben and Evil-Eye.  The
+latter he could see plainly, sitting beside a table with a bottle
+before him, from which he had just taken a deep draught.
+
+The liquor apparently loosened his tongue, for glancing about him with
+his single eye, whose fitful glare was frightful as the firelight
+flashed upon it, he began to talk vigorously to those who were sitting
+near him.  At first Eric paid no attention to what he was saying, but
+when Evil-Eye held up something for the others to admire, he leaned
+forward curiously to see what it was.  There was not sufficient light
+for him to do this, but Evil-Eye came to his assistance by saying, in
+an exultant tone,--
+
+"There's a ring for you, my hearties.  It'll bring a pot of money, I
+wager you.  And it ought to.  I had trouble enough getting it."
+
+"How was that?" inquired a man at his side.
+
+"The thing wouldn't come off--stuck on tight.  Had to chop off the
+finger before I could get it," replied the ruffian, turning the ring
+over so that the diamond which formed its centre might sparkle to the
+best advantage for the benefit of his companions, not one of whom but
+envied him his good luck in getting such a prize.
+
+Eric now saw clearly enough what Evil-Eye was displaying.  It was the
+costly ring which Major Maunsell always wore upon the third finger of
+his left hand, and whose beauty Eric had many a time admired, for it
+held a diamond of unusual size and of the purest water, which the major
+told him had been a sort of heirloom in the Maunsell family for many
+generations.  Eric's blood boiled at the thought of this ring being in
+such a scoundrel's hands, and of the cruel way in which he had obtained
+it, and only his utter weakness prevented him from springing at
+Evil-Eye and snatching the ring out of his hands.
+
+Happily he had not the strength to carry out so rash an impulse, and
+was forced to content himself with making a solemn resolve to get
+possession of that ring in some manner, that it might be returned to
+the major's family.  Determination was one of the boy's most marked
+characteristics.  Nothing short of the conviction that it was certainly
+unattainable could deter him from anything upon which he had once set
+his heart; and immense as the odds against him in the matter of the
+ring might be, he vowed with all the vigour of his brave young heart
+that he would do his utmost to regain his dead friend's precious jewel.
+
+For the present, however, nothing could be done.  He was a captive no
+less than the ring, and, for aught he knew, equally in the power of
+that brute in human form, who was evidently a leading spirit in the
+group of ruffians that occupied the room.  Clearly enough, his one hope
+lay in attracting as little attention as possible.  He looked anxiously
+about the room in search of Ben, but could see nothing of him.  His
+good Prince, however, was stretched out upon the floor beside the bunk,
+sleeping as soundly as though he were in his own cozy quarters at
+Oakdene.  The sight of him comforted Eric not a little.  So lonely did
+he feel that he could not resist the temptation to awake his faithful
+companion, so he called softly,--
+
+"Prince, Prince, come here!"
+
+At first the mastiff did not hear him, but Eric repeating the call, he
+awoke, looked up inquiringly, and then, rising slowly to his feet--for
+he was very tired after the terrible passage through the surf--went
+over and laid his huge head upon his master's breast.
+
+"Dear old dog!" murmured Eric, fondling him lovingly.  "O Prince! what
+is to become of us?  If we were only back in Oakdene again!"  And then,
+as the awful thought rushed in upon his mind that perhaps neither he
+nor Prince would ever see Oakdene again, or find their way to Dr.
+Copeland at Halifax, the tears he had been bravely keeping back could
+no longer be restrained.  Sobbing as though his heart would break, he
+clasped Prince's head tightly in his arms and gave himself up to his
+grief.
+
+While poor Eric was thus giving way to his feelings, a number of men
+entered the room, one of them being Ben Harden.  He went up to the
+weeping boy, and sitting down on the edge of the bunk, said in quite a
+kindly tone,--
+
+"What's the matter, my lad?  Feeling homesick, eh?  Well, I can't blame
+you.  It's a poor place you've come to.  But cheer up, and make the
+best of it.  You'll feel better when you get rested."
+
+With a great effort Eric gulped down his sobs and wiped away his
+fast-falling tears.  He felt much relieved at seeing Ben again, and did
+his best to give him a smile of welcome as he said,--
+
+"Oh, I'm so glad you've come.  Everything seems so strange here."
+
+A grim smile broke the habitual sternness of the big man's face.
+
+"Strange!  Yes; no doubt.  It is a strange place.  Perhaps you'll think
+it stranger before you leave it," said he--adding in an undertone to
+himself, so that Eric hardly caught the words, "that is, if you ever do
+leave it."
+
+A large pot hung on a kind of wooden crane before the fire, and
+pointing to it Ben asked Eric if he wouldn't like something to eat.
+Then, without waiting for a reply, he went over to the table, and
+picking up a plate, proceeded to fill it from the pot, and having added
+a spoon, brought it back to Eric.
+
+Now, trouble may take away the appetite of older people, but with a
+hearty, healthy boy hunger may always be trusted to insist upon being
+attended to.  Eric had not tasted food since early morning, and it was
+now approaching midnight.  Could any one who know anything about boys
+find it in his heart to criticise him if the plateful of savoury stew
+vanished rapidly before his dexterous wielding of the spoon?
+
+Ben was highly pleased at his _protégé's_ vigorous appetite.
+
+"Well done, my hearty!" he exclaimed.  "That's the best kind of physic
+for you.  You'll soon be yourself again.  Now, then, just you lie down
+and take a good snooze, and that'll finish the cure."
+
+Eric was just about to throw himself back upon the pillow when he
+caught sight of Prince, who had been watching him with eager eyes while
+he satisfied his hunger.
+
+"My poor Prince!" he cried.  "I was forgetting all about you.--Please,
+can't he have some dinner too?"
+
+"Sartin!" said Ben.  "The brute must be hungry.  I'll give him a good
+square meal."  And filling a tin dish from the pot, he set it before
+the mastiff, who attacked it ravenously.
+
+Eric felt decidedly better for his hearty meal.  A luxurious sense of
+warmth and languor stole over him.  He stretched himself out upon his
+comfortable couch, and in a few moments sank into a deep, dreamless
+sleep.  Prince having licked the dish until it shone again, resumed his
+position beside the bunk, and fell asleep also.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+ERIC LOOKS ABOUT HIM.
+
+It was broad daylight when the boy awoke, and he felt very well pleased
+at finding no one in the room but Ben, who sat by the table, evidently
+waiting for him to open his eyes.  As soon as he did so the latter
+noticed it, and coming up to the bunk, said in his gruff way,--
+
+"Oh, ho!  Awake at last.  Was wondering if you were going to sleep all
+day.  Feel like turning out?"
+
+"Of course," replied Eric, brightly.  "I feel all right now."
+
+On getting out of the bunk, however, he found himself so dreadfully
+stiff and sore that it was positively painful to move, and he had much
+difficulty in dragging himself over to the table, where he found a pile
+of ship's biscuit and a pannikin of tea awaiting him.  He did not feel
+at all so hungry as he had the night before, and this very plain repast
+seemed very unattractive, accustomed as he was to the best of fare.  He
+nibbled at the biscuit, took a sip of the tea, and then pushed the
+things away, saying,--
+
+"I don't want any breakfast, thank you.  I'm not a bit hungry."
+
+Ben was too shrewd not to guess the true reason of the boy's
+indifferent appetite.
+
+"There's not much choice of grub on Sable Island," said he, with one of
+his grim smiles.  "You'll have to take kindly to hard-tack and tea if
+you don't want to starve."
+
+"But really I am not hungry," explained Eric eagerly, afraid of seeming
+not to appreciate his friend's hospitality.  "If I were, I'd eat the
+biscuits fast enough, for I'm quite fond of them."
+
+Ben now proceeded to fill and light a big pipe.
+
+"Do you smoke?" he asked, after he had got it in full blast.
+
+"Oh, no," answered Eric.  "My father doesn't believe in boys smoking,
+and has forbidden me to learn."
+
+"Your father's a sensible man, my boy," said Ben; then added, "Well,
+you'd best stay about the hut to-day, since you feel so stiff.  I've
+got to go off, but I'll be back by mid-day."  He put on his hat and
+went away, leaving Eric and Prince in possession of the establishment.
+
+Eric did not by any means like the idea of being left alone, but he
+naturally shrank from saying so.  He went to the door and regretfully
+looked after the tall figure striding swiftly over the sand until it
+disappeared behind a hillock, beyond which he thought must be the ocean.
+
+Now that he was left entirely to his own resources, Eric's curiosity
+began to assert itself.  Had he but known in what direction to go, and
+felt equal to the task, his first business would certainly have been to
+set forth in search of the scene of the wreck, if haply he might find
+traces of other survivors besides himself.
+
+But neither could he tell where to go, nor was he fit to walk any great
+distance.  For aught he knew, he might be miles from the beach where
+the _Francis_ finally struck.  Anyway, Evil-Eye was certain to be
+there, hunting for more prizes, and he had no wish to encounter him.
+So he proceeded to examine his strange surroundings.
+
+The hut--for, despite its size, it was really nothing more than a
+hut--was a very curious building.  It had evidently been put together
+by many hands, out of the wreckage of many ships, the builders
+apparently being more proficient in ship-carpentry than in
+house-joinery.  Their labours had resulted, through an amazing
+adaptation of knees, planking, stanchions, and bulk-heads, in a long,
+low-ceilinged, but roomy building, something after the shape of a large
+vessel's poop.  For lighting and ventilation it depended upon a number
+of port-holes irregularly put in.  Running around two sides of the room
+was a row of bunks, very much like those in a forecastle, the tier
+being two high.  Eric counted them.  There were just thirty, and he
+wondered if each had an occupant.  If so, he must have slept in Ben's
+last night, and where, then, had Ben himself slept?
+
+Upon the walls of the other two sides of the room hung a great number
+of weapons of various kinds--cutlasses, swords, muskets, dirks,
+daggers, and pistols, a perfect armoury, all carefully burnished and
+ready for use.  They strongly excited Eric's curiosity, and he occupied
+himself examining them one by one.  One pair of pistols especially
+attracted his attention.  They were of the very latest make, and the
+handles were beautifully inlaid with silver.  He took one from the
+wall, and aimed at one of the port-holes with it.  As he did so a
+thought flashed into his mind that gave him an electric thrill, and
+sent the blood bounding wildly through his veins.
+
+What if that port-hole were the repulsive countenance of Evil-Eye, and
+they were alone together?  Would he be able to resist the impulse to
+give with his forefinger the slight pressure upon the finely-balanced
+trigger that would send a bullet crashing into the ruffian's brain?  So
+intense was his excitement that he almost staggered under its
+influence.  For the first time in his life an overmastering passion for
+revenge, for retribution, took possession of him, and carried him out
+of himself.  Smooth, clear, and bright as the lovely stream that
+watered the Oakdene meadows had been the current of his life hitherto.
+To few boys had the lines fallen in pleasanter places.  Yet this happy
+fortune had not rendered him unmanly or irresolute.  He was capable of
+conceiving and carrying out any purpose that lay within the range of a
+boy's powers.  The Copeland courage and the Copeland determination were
+his inheritance.
+
+Now never before had he been brought into contact with any one who had
+so roused his repulsion or hatred as Evil-Eye.  Not only because of his
+hideous appearance and threatened violence, but because of Ben's dark
+hints and his own suspicions as to Evil-Eye being no better than a
+murderer, the very depths of his nature were stirred, and he felt as
+though it would be but right to inflict summary vengeance at the first
+opportunity.
+
+Trembling with these strange, wild thoughts, he held the pistol still
+pointed at the port-hole, and unconsciously pressing upon the trigger,
+there was a sharp report, which caused Prince, dozing comfortably by
+the fire, to spring to his feet with a startled growl, following the
+crash of broken glass, as the bullet pierced the port-lid.
+
+Almost at the same moment the door was thrown roughly open and Evil-Eye
+entered the room.
+
+"What are you doing with my pistols?" he cried, his face aflame with
+rage, as he strode toward Eric.
+
+Scarce knowing what he was doing, Eric snatched up the other pistol and
+darted around the big table, so that it would form a barrier between
+himself and Evil-Eye.  His hand was perfectly steady now, and levelling
+the pistol at his assailant, he said in a firm tone,---
+
+"Let me alone, or I'll shoot you."
+
+With a fearful oath the ruffian drew a pistol from his belt, and in
+another moment blood would undoubtedly have been shed, had not Ben
+Harden rushed in through the open door, and snatching Evil-Eye's pistol
+out of his hand, thrown it to the other end of the room, where it went
+off without harm to any one.
+
+"You scoundrel!" he roared.  "If you don't leave that boy alone, I will
+break every bone in your body."
+
+At first Evil-Eye was so completely taken aback by this unexpected
+interference that he seemed dazed for a moment.  Then his hand went
+again to his belt, as though he would turn his baffled fury upon Ben.
+But evidently a wiser second thought prevailed, and choking down his
+wrath, he growled out contemptuously,--
+
+"Don't be in such a stew.  I'm not going to hurt your baby.  I was only
+teaching him manners, and not to meddle with other people's belongings
+without first asking their leave."
+
+This speech drew Ben's attention to the pistol Eric still held in his
+hand.
+
+"Ah," said he, "you've got one of Evil-Eye's pets there, have you?
+Well, put it back in its place, and don't touch it again."
+
+Feeling very confused, Eric replaced the pistols carefully, their owner
+watching him with a malign glare which boded him no good.  Its meaning
+was not lost upon observant Ben.
+
+"Come, my lad," said he; "a bit of an airing will do you good.  Put on
+your cap, and come out with me."
+
+Only too glad to obey, Eric picked up his cap, and calling to Prince,
+followed Ben out into the open air, leaving Evil-Eye alone in the hut.
+
+The sun was shining brightly, the sky was almost cloudless, and the
+wind blew as softly and innocently from the south as though it had not
+raged with fatal fury but a few hours before.  Eric's spirits, which
+had been wofully depressed by the events of the past two days, began to
+rise a little, and he looked about him with much interest as he trudged
+along through the deep sand.
+
+Ben appeared to be in no mood for talking, and stalked on ahead in
+moody silence, puffing hard at the short black pipe which was hardly
+ever away from his mouth except at meal-time and when he was sleeping.
+Eric therefore did not bother him with questions, and found
+companionship in Prince, who showed lively satisfaction in being
+out-of-doors, frisking about and barking loudly in the exuberance of
+his glee.  One good night's rest and plenty to eat had been sufficient
+to completely restore his strength.  He looked and felt quite equal to
+anything that might be required of him, and was an inexpressible
+comfort to Eric, to whom he seemed much more than a mere dog--a
+protector and friend, who could be trusted to the uttermost.
+
+Half-an-hour's walking brought Ben to the highest point of a
+sand-ridge, where he threw himself, waiting for Eric, who had lagged
+behind a little, to come up.
+
+"Sit ye down, lad," said he, when the boy reached him.  "You're feeling
+tired, no doubt."
+
+Eric was tired, and very glad indeed to seat himself near Ben, who
+continued to puff away at his pipe, as though he had nothing more to
+say.  Thus left to himself, Eric let his eyes wander over the strange
+and striking scene spread out before him.
+
+He was upon the crest of a sand-hill, a hundred feet or more in height,
+which sloped to the beach, upon whose glistening sands the great
+billows were breaking, although the day was clear and calm.  Far out
+beyond the serried lines of white-maned sea-coursers the ocean could be
+seen sleeping peacefully.  Here and there, upon the sand-bars, the
+hulls of vessels in various stages of destruction told plainly how
+common was the fate which had befallen the _Francis_, and how rich a
+field the wreckers had chosen for their dreadful business.
+
+Turning to his right, Eric saw a long narrow lake in the middle of the
+island, its banks densely grown with rushes and lilies.  Upon its
+placid surface flocks of ducks were paddling, while snipes and
+sand-pipers hopped along the margin.  The valley of the lake presented
+a curious contrast to those portions of the island that faced seaward,
+for it was thickly carpeted with coarse grass and wild vines, which
+were still green enough to be grateful to the eye weary of the monotony
+of sand and sea.
+
+Upon the left the island rose and fell, a succession of sand-hills.
+Far in the distance, a faint line of white showed where it once more
+touched the ocean, and gave cause for other lines of roaring surges.
+All this and more had Eric time to take in before Ben broke silence.
+He had been regarding him very thoughtfully for a few moments, and at
+length he spoke,--
+
+"Well, lad," said he, "I've been thinking much about ye.  I've saved
+your life, but I'm not so clear in my mind but what it 'ud have been
+best to have let you go with the others."
+
+Eric gave a start of surprise, and there was an alarmed tone in his
+voice, as he exclaimed,--
+
+"Why, Mr. Ben, what makes you say that?"
+
+"Well, you see, it's just this way," answered Ben slowly, as though he
+were puzzling out the best way to state the case.  "You're in a mighty
+bad box, and no mistake.  Evil-Eye does not fancy you, and will take
+the first chance to do for you, if he can keep his own skin whole.
+Dead men tell no tales is what he goes by; and if the folks over
+there"--jerking his thumb in the direction of the mainland--"only knew
+what goes on here, they'd be pretty sure to want to put a stop to it,
+and make us all smart for it finely.  Now, it's not likely you want to
+join us; and I'm no less sure that Evil-Eye will take precious good
+care not to let you go, for fear you should get his neck into the
+noose.  That's the only thing he's afraid of.  And so it just bothers
+me to make out what's to be the end of the business."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+BEN HARDEN.
+
+As the words fell one by one from Ben's lips, Eric realized more and
+more clearly how critical was his situation.  In his gladness at escape
+from the present peril of the wreck, he had forgotten to take thought
+for the future; but now he was brought face to face with a state of
+affairs by which that future was filled with dark foreboding.  Little
+as he had seen of the men into whose midst he had been so strangely
+thrown, it was enough to make very plain to him that they wanted no
+witness of their doings.
+
+So far they had been too much occupied with their own concerns to take
+much notice of him; but once he became the object of their attention,
+the question as to his disposal must be settled.  The issue was more
+than doubtful, to say the least.
+
+An awful feeling of desolation and despair came upon him.  He seemed
+unable to utter a word, but looked up into Ben's bronzed face with an
+expression in which pathetic appeal was so mingled with harrowing dread
+as to touch this strange man.
+
+He sprang to his feet, dashed his pipe out of his mouth, clenched his
+huge fists, and shouted aloud, as though all the other wreckers were
+there to hear,--
+
+"They had better take care!  I saved ye, and I'm going to stand by ye.
+Whoever wants to do you harm'll have to reckon with Ben Harden first;
+and come what may, I'll get you off this place with a whole skin,
+somehow."
+
+Eric was as much surprised at Ben's sudden display of strong feeling as
+he had been alarmed by his ominous words.  He gazed at him, with
+wide-open mouth, until the wrecker, recovering his self-control by an
+evident effort, threw himself down on the sand again, picked up his
+pipe, carefully relit it, and vigorously resumed puffing forth clouds
+of smoke.
+
+It was some time before he spoke again.  In a quiet, natural tone he
+asked Eric,--
+
+"Have you any notion, my lad, why I troubled myself about ye at all?"
+
+Eric shook his head, and there was something inexpressibly winning in
+his smile as he answered,--
+
+"No, sir.  Unless because you have too kind a heart to let Evil-Eye do
+me any harm."
+
+Ben smiled in return, but it was in a grim sort of a way.
+
+"My heart was softer once than it is now.  There were better days then,
+and never did I think that I'd come to be a wrecker on Sable Island,"
+said he; and the remembrance of those better days evidently gave him
+saddening thoughts, for he relapsed into the moody silence that was his
+wont.  It continued so long that Eric began to feel uncomfortable, and
+was about to move away a little, in order to have a frolic with Prince,
+when Ben roused himself, and motioned him to draw near him.
+
+"Sit ye down in front of me, my lad," said he, "and listen to me a bit,
+and I'll tell you why I couldn't find it in my heart to let any harm
+come to you.  I had a boy of my own once, as trim a lad as ever sat in
+a boat; and many a fine trip we made together, for I was at an honest
+trade then, and wasn't ashamed to take my boy into it.  Ah, lad! those
+were the good times.  We went fishing on the Banks, getting our outfit
+at Halifax, and selling our fare there.  But our home was at Chester,
+where I had a snug cottage, all my own, without a shilling of debt on
+it, and pretty well fitted up too.  The wife--she was the best wife
+that ever I knew--she looked after the cottage, and we looked after the
+little schooner; and after each trip we'd stay at home awhile and have
+a little time together.
+
+"We were mostly always in luck on the Banks, and it was not often the
+_Sea-Slipper_ missed a good fare, if there were any fish to be caught.
+And so it went on, until I lost my lad.  He and his mate were out in
+their dory fishing, and the cod were plentiful, and they were so full
+of catching them that they did not notice the fog coming up and
+creeping all around them.  They lost their bearings, and no man ever
+set eyes on them again.
+
+"I didn't give up hoping I'd find them for months afterwards.  I
+cruised about the Banks, I called at all the ports that sent out
+Bankers, and I tried at Halifax, Boston, New York, and other big
+places, hoping that some ship might have picked them up.  But not a
+word did I hear.  There was a heavy blow right after the fog, and no
+doubt they were lost in that.  I lost a lot of time hunting for my boy,
+and it seemed as though when he went my luck followed him.  Everything
+went wrong.  The fish would hardly touch my hooks, and I never got a
+full fare.  Then the wife died.  She never held up her head after the
+day I came home without our boy.  I took to the drink.  It didn't make
+matters any better, of course, but I couldn't keep from it.
+
+"I got knocking about with a bad lot of chaps; and the end of it was,
+some of us came here.  I don't care how soon it's all over with me.  I
+hate this business, and I hate myself."
+
+Here Ben came to a pause, as though he had said more than he intended;
+and Eric, not knowing what to interpose, looked at him in silent
+sympathy, until he began again.
+
+"But I haven't told ye why I saved ye from Evil-Eye.
+
+"Well, it was just this way.  When I found ye, you were lying on the
+sand like as though you were asleep; and you fairly gave me a start,
+you looked so like my own boy.  He was just about your age when he was
+lost, and you'd be much the same size, and he had brown hair just like
+yours.
+
+"If my boy had been lying half-dead on the beach, I'd have thought any
+man worse than a brute that wouldn't help the lad.  So I just made up
+my mind to take your part, Evil-Eye or no Evil-Eye; and now I'm going
+to stick to it."
+
+Having spoken thus, Ben put his pipe back between his lips, evidently
+having no more to say.  Eric hardly knew how to give expression to his
+feelings.  Sympathy for his rescuer's troubles and gratitude for his
+assurance of safe-keeping filled his heart.  The tears gathered in his
+eyes, and his voice trembled as, turning to the big man beside him, he
+laid his hand upon his knee, and looking up into his face, said,--
+
+"You've been very good to me, Mr. Ben.  You're the only friend I've got
+here except Prince, and I'm sure you won't let any harm come to me, if
+you can help it.  And I'm so sorry about your son.  You see, we've both
+lost somebody: you've lost your boy, and I--I've lost my mother."
+
+His voice sank to a whisper as he uttered the words, and the tears he
+had been bravely keeping back overflowed upon his cheeks.
+
+Ben said not a word.  There was a suspicious glistening about his
+eyelids, and the quite superfluous vigour of his puffing told plainly
+enough that he was deeply moved.  After a moment he rose to his feet,
+knocked the ashes out of his pipe, and putting it into his pocket,
+said,--
+
+"Come, lad, let us go back to the hut."
+
+The two retraced their steps to the wreckers' abode.  Eric now felt
+more at ease than he had since the shipwreck.  With such protectors as
+Ben and Prince he surely had not much to fear, even in the evil company
+among which he had been cast.  As to the future--well, it certainly did
+seem dark.  But he had been taught to put trust in the Heavenly Father
+to whom he prayed, and he looked up to him now for help and guidance.
+
+When they arrived at the hut they found the whole party of wreckers
+there, waiting somewhat impatiently for a huge negro to serve them
+their supper.
+
+This negro did duty as cook; they called him Black Joe.  They took
+little notice of the new-comers, and Eric, going quietly over to his
+bunk, sat down on the edge and looked about him.  This was his first
+opportunity of getting a good look at his strange companions.
+
+By listening to their conversation and studying their countenances he
+made out that the majority of them were English, but that there were a
+few Frenchmen amongst them.  There was only one negro, a stalwart,
+bull-necked, bullet-headed fellow, with a good-natured face, who seemed
+the butt of the others, and a target for their oaths and jeers, as he
+bustled about the fireplace preparing their food.
+
+The whole party appeared to be in excellent humour, the cause thereof
+being plainly enough the fact of the _Francis_ having proved so rich a
+prize.  Each man had been able to secure sufficient plunder to satisfy
+him, so there was no necessity for quarrelling over the division.  They
+each had some precious find to boast of, and they vied with one another
+in relating with great gusto their successful efforts after the
+wreckage.  From what they said, Eric gathered that the _Francis_ did
+not break up after striking.  Her stout oak frame resisted the fiercest
+attempts of the billows to tear it asunder.  The storm subsided during
+the night, and the men were able in the morning to make their way to
+the wreck, and despoil her of whatever took their fancy.
+
+The thousands of valuable books, and the holdful of costly but cumbrous
+furniture, they contemptuously left to the mercy of wind and wave.  The
+great store of gold and silver plate, the casks of finest wines, the
+barrels and cases of delicious biscuits, conserves, pickles, and other
+dainties, together with the racks of muskets, swords, and other
+weapons--these were all very much to their liking.  Moreover, the
+clothing chests had been ransacked, each man helping himself according
+to his fancy.  The result was a display of gorgeous uniforms and
+elegant apparel that would have been quite imposing had not the faces
+and manners of the wearers been so ludicrously out of keeping with
+their costumes.
+
+Little did Prince Edward imagine, when ordering liberal additions to
+his wardrobe, that those resplendent garments were destined to be worn
+to tatters on the backs of the wreckers of Sable Island.  What would
+have been his feelings could he have seen Evil-Eye strutting about as
+proud as a turkey-cock in the superb uniform intended for the commander
+of the forces at Halifax?
+
+Although the profuse profanity of the speakers shocked and sickened
+him, Eric listened attentively to all that was said, in the hope of
+picking up something about his future.  But the wreckers were too much
+occupied with their own affairs to pay any attention to him.  Presently
+Black Joe announced that supper was ready, whereupon they all stopped
+talking, and fell to with ravenous appetites.
+
+The table looked curiously out of keeping with its associations of
+squalid hut and coarse, brutal men.  It was covered with a cloth of
+richest damask that should have adorned a royal dining-room, and set
+out with china, glass, plate, and cutlery of corresponding elegance.
+It filled Eric with indignation and disgust to see the wreckers hacking
+their meat with ivory-handled knives, impaling their potatoes upon
+silver forks, and quenching their thirst by copious draughts out of
+cut-glass goblets, which seemed to be desecrated by their foul touch.
+
+Ben motioned him to a seat beside himself, and helped him bountifully.
+Ill at ease as the boy felt, he was very hungry, and was glad to do
+full justice to the coarse but plentiful fare provided by Black Joe.
+The wine he would not touch.
+
+The hearty supper and the abundant wine put the men in even better
+humour than before, and Ben now saw his opportunity to carry out a plan
+that had been forming in his mind.  Rising to his feet, he secured his
+companions' attention by rapping loudly upon the table with the handle
+of his knife, and then proceeded to surprise them by making a little
+speech; for so chary of his words was he, as a usual thing, that they
+sometimes called him Silent Ben.
+
+"I want a word with you, mates," said he; and at once every face was
+turned toward him.
+
+"You see this boy here.  Now, I've taken a great liking to him, and I'm
+willing that he and his dog shall be counted as part of my share of
+this last prize.  That's all right, ain't it?"
+
+"Ay, ay, Ben; right enough," came from half-a-dozen of them, while some
+of the others looked a little doubtful, as if they didn't know exactly
+what was coming.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+A SABLE ISLAND WINTER.
+
+"Well now, look here, mates," Ben continued; "fair and square's the
+word between us, ain't it?  If I choose to take a notion to these two
+here, it's my own lookout, and it's not for any other chap to be
+interfering with me, any more than I'd be after wanting your things,
+eh?"
+
+They were beginning to see what he was driving at now, and one of them
+said, with a sort of sneer,--
+
+"You're not afraid of any one wanting your boy, or his dog either, are
+you?"
+
+"Not exactly," answered Ben; "but what I've on my mind is this: seeing
+they're my property, I don't want any one to meddle with them or give
+them any trouble--that's only fair, ain't it?"
+
+"Fair enough, Ben; but what are you going to do with the boy when we
+leave here?" asked one.  And there was a murmur of assent to the
+question.
+
+"That'll be all right, mates," replied Ben promptly.  "I'll be surety
+that he doesn't get us into any trouble.  You just leave that to me,
+and I'll warrant you I'll get him away from us quiet enough.  What do
+you say, mates?"
+
+Although by dint of bluster and brutality Evil-Eye had forced his way
+to a sort of leadership among the wreckers, there was really none of
+them with so much influence as Ben.  With the exception of Evil-Eye
+they were all now quite ready to accept his assurances of Eric not
+proving a source of trouble, and to consent to his remaining with them.
+Evil-Eye growled and grumbled a good deal, but could get nobody to heed
+him; and Ben, satisfied that he had carried his point, and that Eric
+and Prince were safe, took his seat again, and lit his pipe for a good
+smoke.  He was perfectly sincere in promising that Eric would not get
+his associates into any trouble.  He certainly never imagined what
+would be the result of his taking him under his protection.  Could he
+have had a peep into the future, perhaps he would have hesitated before
+becoming his champion.  As it was, he gave himself no concern upon the
+point.
+
+Eric felt wonderfully relieved at the result of his protector's appeal.
+It settled his position among his strange, uncongenial companions.
+They might take no notice of him if they chose--indeed, that was just
+what he would prefer--but they had, at all events, not only recognized
+but consented to his presence, and this took a great load off his mind.
+
+Although his objections had been ignored by his companions, Evil-Eye
+was by no means disposed to give up altogether his designs upon Eric.
+There were two reasons why he hungered for the boy's life.  It was
+against his principle of dead men telling no tales that he should be
+spared; and, again, he hated Ben, and the mere fact of his being
+interested in Eric was quite sufficient to cause the innocent lad to
+get a share of that hatred.
+
+In the days that followed, Eric could not fail to be conscious of the
+frequency with which the ruffian's one eye was turned upon him, and of
+the hyena-like look with which it regarded him.  Happy for him was it
+that there was a restraining influence which kept that awful look from
+finding its way into fitting deed.
+
+Though they did not distinctly recognize any leader--their motto being
+each man for himself, and one as good as another--the wreckers regarded
+Ben with a respect accorded no other member of the motley crew.  This
+was in part due to his great size and strength, and in part to his
+taciturn, self-contained ways, which prevented any of that familiarity
+that so quickly breeds contempt.
+
+Evil-Eye feared Ben no less than he hated him, and dared not openly
+attempt anything against him, although the fire of his fury burned
+hotly within his breast.  In this fear of Ben, much more than in the
+decision of the other wreckers, lay Eric's safety.  Ere long, this
+defence was strengthened in a manner most strange, startling, and
+happily most effective.
+
+A week of almost incessant stormy weather had compelled the wreckers to
+spend most of their time in the hut.  Finding the hours hang heavy on
+their hands, many of them had sought solace in drink, of which the
+_Francis's_ fine stock of wines and liquors furnished an unstinted
+supply.  No one drank more deeply than Evil-Eye.  Day after day was
+passed in a state alternating between coarse hilarity and maudlin
+stupor; Ben, on the other hand, hardly touched the liquor, contenting
+himself with sipping a little at his meals.  It was well, indeed, that
+he should be so moderate, for his cool head and strong hand were in
+demand more than once to prevent serious conflicts among his
+intoxicated companions.
+
+Eric, in spite of the stormy weather, kept as much out of doors as
+possible.  He preferred the buffeting of the wintry winds to the close
+atmosphere of the hut, foul with oaths, and reeking with tobacco and
+spirits.
+
+Evil-Eye's carouse had continued several days.  Early one night, after
+he had fallen into a sottish sleep upon his bunk, and the others had,
+later on, one by one turned in for the night, leaving the room in a
+silence broken only by the heavy breathing and stertorous snoring of
+the sleepers, the whole hut was suddenly aroused by an appalling yell
+from Evil-Eye.  Starting up, his companions saw him, by the light of a
+moonbeam that strayed in through one of the portholes, rise to his feet
+with an expression of the most frantic terror upon his hideous
+countenance, as he shrieked at the top of his voice,--
+
+"I will--I swear I will--if you'll only let me alone!"
+
+Then, throwing up his arms, he fell over, foaming, in a fit.
+
+For some minutes the hut was a scene of wild confusion as its
+bewildered inmates, so suddenly aroused from their sleep, stumbled
+about in the darkness trying to find out what was the matter.  But Ben,
+who was not easily frightened, soon restored order by striking a light,
+and showing that whatever may have been the matter with Evil-Eye, there
+was certainly no real cause for alarm.  Thereupon, with many a growl at
+him for disturbing their night's rest, most of them grumblingly went
+back to sleep.
+
+A few thought it worth while to see what was the matter with Evil-Eye,
+and of these Ben took command.  Little as he loved the ruffian, he
+could not find it in his heart to let him die for lack of a little
+care.  So, under his direction, the struggling man was lifted out upon
+the floor.  His face was splashed with water, while his arms and legs
+were chafed by rough hands.  In a little while the patient's struggles
+grew less violent, the purple hue left his face, and his breathing
+became more natural.  Presently, with a great sigh, he fell into a
+heavy sleep, from which he did not awake for many hours.
+
+Although pestered with questions upon his return to consciousness as to
+the cause of his strange behaviour, he refused to give any reason.  But
+there were two changes in him too noticeable not to excite the remark
+of his associates--he was much more moderate in the use of wine, taking
+care not to drink to excess; and his attitude toward Eric became
+curiously different.  Instead of regarding him with his former look of
+hungering hatred, he now seemed to have a feeling of dread.  He shrank
+from being near him, avoiding him in every possible way; treating him,
+in fact, much as a dog would a man who had been especially cruel to him.
+
+Ben and Eric at once noted the change, and were well pleased at it.
+Some time after, they learned the cause.  It seemed that the evening
+Evil-Eye had acted so strangely he had been awakened from his drunken
+sleep about midnight by a startling vision.
+
+It was the form of a tall man in a military uniform dripping with
+sea-water and soiled with sand.  On his face was the pallor of death,
+and his eyes had an awful, far-away expression, as though they were
+looking through the startled sleeper.  Fixing them steadfastly upon
+Evil-Eye, whose blood seemed to freeze in his veins, he held up his
+forefinger as if commanding attention, and pointed to the bunk where
+Eric lay sleeping.  At the same time his face took on a threatening
+look, and his lips moved.
+
+Although no words reached Evil-Eye's ears, he understood.  As the
+spectre stood before him, so intense was his terror that it broke the
+spell which locked his lips, and he shrieked out the words already
+mentioned.  He knew no more until, at broad daylight, he found himself
+weak and miserable in his berth.
+
+Like many men of his kind, Evil-Eye was very superstitious.  After the
+vision he looked upon Eric as being under the protection of some
+ghostly being that would for ever haunt any one who did him any harm.
+Henceforth Eric had nothing to fear from him.
+
+
+Winter on Sable Island is not like winter on the mainland.  The Gulf
+Stream prevents any long continuance of cold.  The snow comes in
+violent storms, and fills the valleys with drifts; but these soon
+vanish.  There is more rain and fog than snow, even in mid-winter; and
+the herds of wild, shaggy, sharp-boned ponies which scamper from end to
+end of the island have no difficulty in finding plenty to eat among the
+grasses which grow rankly in every sheltered spot.
+
+These ponies were a great source of amusement to Eric.  But for them
+and the rabbits, which were even more numerous, the winter, wearisome
+at best, would have been simply intolerable.
+
+The wreckers had captured a score of the ponies, and broken them in
+after a fashion.  They were kept near the hut, in a large corral built
+of driftwood, and there were plenty of saddles and bridles.
+
+Now if there was one manly accomplishment more than another upon which
+Eric prided himself it was his horsemanship.  He had been put upon a
+pony when only five years old, and had been an enthusiastic rider ever
+since.  At Oakdene he had ridden to hounds since he was twice five
+years of age, and there was not a lad in the county with a firmer seat
+in the saddle or a more masterful touch of the reins.  The saddles and
+bridles at Sable Island were poor things compared with those he had
+been accustomed to; and the ponies themselves were about as wicked and
+vicious as animals of that size could be.  But this only lent an
+additional zest to the amusement of riding them.  Their bad behaviour
+did not daunt Eric in the least.  With Ben's assistance a pony would be
+caught in the corral and saddled, and then off he would go for a long,
+lively gallop, Prince, as full of glee as himself, barking and bounding
+along at his side.
+
+Very often Ben would keep him company, for there was an old black
+stallion of unusual size which seemed equal to the task of bearing his
+huge frame.  Then Eric's happiness was complete, for every day he was
+growing fonder of the big man who had saved him from a dreadful death,
+and who now treated him with paternal tenderness.
+
+With the keen wintry air making his cheeks tingle, he would scamper off
+at full speed for mile after mile, while Ben lumbered along more
+slowly, thoroughly enjoying the boy's vigour and daring.  Then, halting
+until Ben overtook him, he would canter on quietly.
+
+An amusement of which Eric never tired was chasing the wild ponies, as
+though he wanted to catch one of them.  Climbing one of the sand-hills,
+he would look about until he sighted a herd grazing quietly in the
+hollows, and guarded as usual by a touzle-maned stallion of mature
+years.  Making a wide detour, and carefully concealing his approach by
+keeping the hillocks between himself and the ponies, he would get as
+near as he possibly could without being seen.  If necessary, he
+dismounted and crept along on his hands and knees, dragging his own
+pony by the bridle, while Prince followed.
+
+When concealment was no longer possible, he would spring into his
+saddle, and with wild shouts charge down upon the startled ponies; and
+they would gallop off in headlong stampede.
+
+One afternoon, while thus amusing himself, he had quite an exciting
+experience, and rather a narrow escape from injury.  He had stampeded a
+herd of ponies, and picking out a sturdy little youngster as his
+particular prey, was pressing him pretty closely, when the pony charged
+straight up the side of a hill.  As it was not steep, Eric followed
+hard after him, taking for granted the slope would be about the same on
+the other side.  Instead of that, the hill fell away abruptly.  Over
+plunged the hunted pony.  Unable to check his own animal, full of the
+spirit of the chase, over plunged Eric too.  For a moment both ponies
+kept their feet; but the treacherous sand giving way beneath them, they
+rolled head over heels.  Eric happily got free from his horse in time
+to save himself from being crushed underneath it; but when they all
+reached the bottom in a heap together, he could not escape the
+frantically pawing hoofs, and one of them struck him such a blow upon
+the head as to stun him.
+
+When he recovered he found himself lying upon the sand, not a pony in
+sight, and Prince licking his face with affectionate anxiety.  His head
+ached sharply, and he felt somewhat sore after his tremendous tumble;
+but not a bone was broken nor a joint sprained.  Thankful at having
+gotten off so well, he made the best of his way back to the hut.
+
+Ben was greatly pleased at the adventure, and regretted he had not been
+there when ponies, boy, and dog rolled down the hill together.
+
+"You ought to let your friends know when you're going to give a
+performance like that, my lad," said he, after a hearty laugh.  "It's
+too good to keep to yourself."
+
+"Perhaps you'd like me to repeat it for you," Eric suggested.
+
+"No indeed, Eric.  You got off all right that time, but you might break
+your precious neck the next.  How would you like to have a try at a
+morse?  The men tell me they saw a lot of them at the west end this
+morning; and as you're so fond of hunting, there's something well worth
+killing."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+ANXIOUS TIMES.
+
+"How would I like it?" cried Eric, his face beaming.  "Why, above all
+things.  I've often seen pictures of the great ugly creatures, and I
+think it would be just splendid to shoot one and get his tusks."
+
+"All right, my boy," replied Ben.  "We'll start the first thing in the
+morning."
+
+Accordingly, the next morning the two set out upon their ponies for the
+west end.  Ben carried a heavy musket that would send a load of slugs
+through a ship's side, and Eric a light smooth-bore, the accuracy of
+which he had proved by frequent practice.  As they would be away all
+day, they took plenty of biscuits with them.  Prince, of course,
+accompanied them, and as soon as they had disposed of breakfast they
+started.
+
+There were many creatures to be found on Sable Island in those days
+which would be vainly sought for now.  Besides the ponies, a large
+number of wild cattle and hogs roamed about the interior, and furnished
+the wreckers with abundant meat; while during the winter the morse, or
+walrus, and the great Greenland seal paid the beaches regular visits.
+The common harbour seal was there all the year round.  Of these
+animals, only the ponies and common seals still remain; the others have
+been all killed off.
+
+When Ben and Eric drew near the end of the island they dismounted and
+tethered the ponies, so that they could not run back to the corral.
+They then made their way cautiously to the edge of the bank thrown up
+by the waves.  Ben was a little ahead of Eric, and the moment he peeped
+over the bank he turned and motioned Eric to follow.
+
+"Look, lad!" said he, in a voice full of excitement, as he pointed to
+the beach in front.  "There they are!  Aren't they beauties?"
+
+Eric looked, and his face showed the surprise he had too much sense to
+put into words.  "Beauties!" he thought to himself.  "Why, they are the
+most hideous monsters I ever saw in my life."
+
+And they certainly were hideous, with their huge, dun-coloured,
+ungainly bodies, their bullet heads, their grizzly beards, their
+terrible tusks, and their bulging eyes.  They looked as ugly as some
+nightmare vision.  Plucky as he was, Eric could not restrain a tremor
+as he gazed at them.  But he had no time to indulge his feelings, for
+Ben said in a hoarse whisper,--
+
+"You take that tusker right in front of you, and I'll take the big
+fellow to the right, and when I say 'Fire!' let drive.  Be sure and aim
+right at the nose."
+
+Eric's heart was beating wildly, and he could scarcely breathe for
+excitement; but his hand was steady as he drew the musket to his
+shoulder, and took careful aim at the nose of the walrus Ben had
+assigned to him.  Giving a quick glance to see that all was ready, Ben
+called "Fire!"
+
+Like the report of one the two muskets cracked together, and the
+marksmen peered eagerly through the smoke to see the result.  Clearly
+enough their aim had been good; for while the remainder of the little
+pack of walruses lumbered off into the water snorting with terror, the
+two that had been picked out as targets did not follow.  Ben's fell
+over on the sand, to all appearance dead; but Eric's plunged madly
+about, seeming to be too bewildered to take refuge in flight.
+
+Hastily reloading, the hunters rushed upon their prey, and Ben, seizing
+a good opportunity, put another charge of slugs into the struggling
+creature's head, just behind the ear, which cut short its sufferings.
+
+"Hurrah!" cried Ben, radiant with pride and satisfaction.  "We've got
+them both, and no mistake.  We'll each have a fine pair of tusks, won't
+we?"
+
+Eric was no less delighted, and all his nervousness having vanished,
+executed a sort of war-dance around the prostrate forms of the
+sea-monsters, which looked all the uglier the closer he got to them.
+Drawing a big knife from his belt, Ben approached his walrus to sever
+the head from the body, Eric standing a little distance off to watch
+him.  They were quite sure the creature was dead; but the instant the
+sharp steel touched its neck it came to life, for it had been only
+stunned.  With a sudden sweep of its fore-flipper, it hurled Ben over
+upon his back, sending the knife flying from his hand.
+
+"Eric! quick! for God's sake!" cried Ben, as he fell.
+
+The infuriated monster was right over him.  In another moment those
+terrible tusks would have been buried in his body, when, with a roar
+like that of a lion, Prince launched himself full at the walrus's head,
+and his great fangs closed tightly in the soft part where the head
+joins the neck.  Uttering a roar quite equal to the dog's, the morse
+turned upon his new assailant; but just as he did so, Eric's rifle
+spoke again.  Its bullet crashed into the monster's brain, and with a
+mad flurry, which loosened even Prince's hold, it rolled over upon the
+sand, this time dead beyond question.
+
+Ben sprang to his feet, and rushing upon Eric flung his arms around
+him, and gave him a hug that fairly squeezed the breath out of him.
+Then, without a word, he turned to Prince, and repeated the operation.
+He then expressed his gratitude in these words,--
+
+"It was a good day for me when I saved your lives.  You've done me good
+ever since; and now you've saved my life, and it's only tit for tat.
+All right, my lad; so long as there's a drop of blood in my body, no
+harm shall come to either of you that Ben Harden can fend off."
+
+The business of beheading, which had been so startlingly interrupted,
+was now resumed.  From the way Ben handled his knife, he was evidently
+quite experienced at the work.  They wanted only the tusks, but to get
+them out in perfect condition, it would be necessary to boil the heads
+until the flesh came off readily; so they had to take them back to the
+hut for that purpose.
+
+Well satisfied with the result of their hunt, they ate their lunch and
+took a good rest before returning to the hut, which they reached early
+in the afternoon.  They both felt that they were now bound to each
+other by ties of peculiar strength.  Eric, uncertain and full of
+difficulty as to the future, somehow felt convinced that Ben would
+bring it out all right for him.  He little imagined how much he would
+help himself in escaping.
+
+Chasing ponies and hunting walruses were not the only amusements Sable
+Island afforded Eric.  As has been already mentioned, the grassy dells
+abounded with rabbits and the marshy lake and ponds with wild fowl.
+The rabbit-shooting was really capital sport.  The bunnies were fine
+big fellows, as lively and wary as any sportsman could wish, and to
+secure a good bag of them meant plenty of hard work.
+
+It was the rabbit-hunting that found Prince in his glory.  Had he been
+a greyhound instead of a mastiff he could not have entered more
+heartily into the chase.  To be sure, he proved, upon the whole, rather
+more of a hindrance than a help; but no suspicion of this fact ever
+dashed his bright spirit, and not for the world would Eric have hinted
+it to him.  His redeeming quality lay in his retrieving, for he had
+been carefully trained to fetch and carry, and he quickly learned to
+hunt out and bring to them the victims of their muskets.  The rabbits
+were not killed in the mere wantonness of sport.  There was always an
+active demand for them at the hut, where Black Joe made them into
+savoury stews.
+
+About the same time as the walruses came great numbers of the Greenland
+seal, which a little later brought forth their funny little whelps.
+These looked like amphibious puppies as they sprawled about the beach
+or scuttled off into the water.  They took Eric's boyish fancy so
+strongly that he longed to have one for a pet.
+
+Ben soon gratified him by creeping cautiously upon the pack one day,
+and grasping by the tail a fine, sleek, shiny little fellow.  After a
+couple of weeks' confinement in a pen, that Eric built for him, with
+constant, kind attention, the captive became so contented with his new
+life, and so attached to his young master, that he was allowed his
+liberty.  He showed not the slightest disposition to run away.  Eric
+found him quite as intelligent and docile as a dog, and taught him many
+amusing tricks.
+
+So long as the weather was fine Eric had plenty of cures for low
+spirits.  But in the winter the proportion of fine days to foul is very
+small on Sable Island.  For a whole week at a time the sun would not
+appear, and long storms were frequent.  Happily, there was one resource
+at hand for the stormy weather.
+
+Among the spoils of the _Francis_ was a leather-covered box, so
+handsome and so heavy that one of the wreckers, feeling sure it
+contained something valuable, brought it carefully ashore.  When he
+broke it open he was much disgusted to find that it contained nothing
+but books.  He flung it into a corner, boasting that "he had no book
+larnin', and what's more, didn't want none."
+
+Eric afterwards picked it up, and was delighted to find in it a large
+assortment of interesting books.  He stowed the box carefully away at
+the back of his bunk, and thenceforth, when compelled to stay indoors,
+was never without a book in his hands.  He read over and over those
+well-selected volumes, enriching his mind with their finest passages.
+
+Yet, despite all those exertions, Eric was far from being really happy
+or content.  His one thought was deliverance from his strange
+situation, and he could not disguise from himself how dark his future
+looked.  Ben, of course, could now be relied upon to the uttermost.
+But while his protection availed so long as they remained upon the
+island, matters would, no doubt, be different when the time came to
+leave the place.  Then not only Evil-Eye, but all the other wreckers,
+would undoubtedly see to it that there was no fear of his becoming an
+informer, and placing them in peril of the law.
+
+As the winter wore away, they often talked about going to Boston; and
+Eric gathered from their conversation that with the coming of spring
+they looked for a schooner sent out by confederates to take them and
+their booty home.  This schooner now became the supreme object of his
+concern.  In it he saw his best, if not, indeed, his only hope of
+deliverance.  Many an evening when he seemed deep in his books he was,
+in reality, with strained ears and throbbing pulses, listening to the
+wreckers discussing their plans for the future.  Tax his brains as he
+might, he could invent no satisfactory scheme.
+
+More than once he tried to talk with Ben about the matter.  But whether
+Ben did not wish to confess that he had no plan himself, or whether he
+thought it best not to excite uncertain hope, he always refused to talk
+about it, generally saying,--
+
+"We'll see, my lad, we'll see.  I'll do my best for ye, never you fear."
+
+As spring drew near, signs of excitement and eager expectation became
+visible among the wreckers.  They spent most of the clear days upon the
+highest hills, peering out across the waves in search of the schooner.
+They did not know just when to expect her.  Indeed, had a date been
+fixed, they would not have been any better off, for they were without
+any means of keeping an account of the days, except by observing the
+sun and moon.
+
+The days grew steadily longer and warmer, and yet no schooner appeared.
+Hope long deferred did not make the hot temper of the wreckers any more
+amiable, and Eric, worried as he was with his own troubles, found life
+harder than ever.  Moreover, a new danger presently appeared.
+
+The majority of the wreckers showed entire indifference toward him.  He
+and his big dog were Ben's belongings, and so long as they got in
+nobody's way they were let alone.  But when day after day and week
+after week slipped by, and the schooner did not arrive, the boy began
+to notice a change.  Ugly, suspicious, threatening glances were cast
+upon him, and interchanged.  Beyond a doubt, the peril of his position
+was alarmingly on the increase.
+
+The explanation was simple enough.  Like all men of their class, the
+wreckers were intensely superstitious, and the wily villain Evil-Eye,
+though indirectly, shrewdly seized upon the delay of the schooner to
+strike at Eric.  He suggested to the men that the boy's presence was
+the cause of the vessel's non-appearance.  He had brought them
+ill-luck, for not a wreck had come their way since his life had been
+spared.  Now he was playing them another scurvy trick and, by some
+witchery, interfering with the carrying out of their plans.
+
+The seed so craftily sown took root at once.  Only the curious feeling,
+half-fear, half-admiration, that they held toward Ben saved Eric for a
+time from falling a victim to their superstition.
+
+Even his influence would not have availed much longer, had not, one
+fine morning in May, the welcome cry of "Sail ho! sail ho!" rung out
+lustily from a watcher on the highest hill.  Soon the broad sails of a
+schooner appeared.
+
+Everything else was forgotten in the joy occasioned by this sight.  But
+Evil-Eye, again foiled in his base designs, snarled savagely at Eric,
+and swore that he would have his own way yet.
+
+The water being too shallow, the schooner hove-to about a mile from
+shore, and fired a gun to announce her arrival.  But that was not
+necessary.  All the inhabitants of the island were already on the beach
+to welcome her.  Presently a boat was lowered, and three persons
+getting in, it was rowed swiftly ashore.  The breakers were
+successfully passed with the aid of a number of the wreckers, who
+dashed into the surf, and drew the boat up high and dry upon the beach.
+
+The new-comers were very heartily if somewhat roughly greeted.  After
+the first excitement was over, Eric noticed they were looking at him
+curiously.
+
+Evil-Eye whispered among them, whereupon they shook their heads as
+though to say,--
+
+"Oh no, that can't be done.  We're quite sure that won't do at all."
+
+Eric's heart sank when he saw this, and rightly guessed its meaning.
+There seemed, at best, but two chances for him.  He would either be
+left behind upon the island in helpless solitude, or be taken to
+Boston, and there got rid of somehow--in such a way that he could give
+no trouble to the wreckers.  On the latter, surrounded although it was
+with uncertainties and dangers innumerable, he pinned all his hopes.
+It offered some faint chance of ultimate deliverance.  But would they
+take him on board the schooner?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+FAREWELL TO SABLE ISLAND.
+
+Great was the bustle and excitement at the wreckers' quarters.  The day
+happened to be particularly favourable for embarking--such a day, in
+fact, as might not come once in a month; and everything must be done to
+make the most of it.  But the very beauty of the day gave evidence of
+approaching change.  It was what the seafaring folk call a
+"weather-breeder," because such lovely days are always followed by
+storm.
+
+None knew this better than the wreckers.  They made all haste to
+transfer themselves and their booty to the schooner.  In keen anxiety
+Eric watched the work going on.  No one seemed to notice him, though
+several times he caught Evil-Eye regarding him with such a look of
+fiendish triumph as sent a shiver to his heart.
+
+Ben, who had his own interests to care for, cheered him a little by
+clapping him on the back as he passed, and saying, in his most
+encouraging tone,--
+
+"Keep up your heart, my lad.  We'll manage it somehow."
+
+But the removal of the booty was almost complete, and still he did not
+know his fate.  Only another boat-load of stuff remained to be taken
+off, and in the boat that came for this were Ben, Evil-Eye, and the
+captain of the schooner.  Eric stood near the landing-place with Prince
+beside him.  He knew that his future hung upon what might be decided
+within a few minutes.
+
+The boat was loaded, and the crew stood ready to launch her into the
+breakers.  Now came the critical moment.  How far the matter might have
+been discussed already Eric had no idea.  He saw Ben draw the captain
+aside and engage him in earnest conversation, while Evil-Eye hung about
+as though he burned to put in a word.
+
+His heart almost stopped beating as he watched the captain's face.
+Evidently he was not unmoved by Ben's arguments.  His countenance
+showed he was wavering, and his opposition weakening.
+
+With rising hope, Eric noted this.  Evil-Eye saw it too, but with
+different feelings.  He thought it time to interfere, and, drawing
+nearer, began, in a loud, half-threatening tone,--
+
+"Say, now, captain--"
+
+But before he could get out another word Ben wheeled round, his face
+aflame with anger.  Rising to his utmost height, he drew a pistol from
+his belt, and pointing it straight at Evil-Eye's breast, roared out,--
+
+"Hold that tongue of yours, _I_ say, or I'll put a bullet through your
+heart before you can wink."
+
+With a start of terror the ruffian shrank away from the giant who
+towered above him, and satisfied that he would not venture to interpose
+again, Ben resumed his talk with the captain.  For a little longer the
+dialogue continued.  What the arguments were that Ben used, or what
+inducements he offered, Eric did not learn until afterwards.  But, oh!
+what a bound his heart gave when Ben left the captain and came toward
+him, his face so full of relief as to seem almost radiant.
+
+"It's all right, my lad," said he, grasping him by the shoulder and
+pushing him toward the boat.  "You're to come.  Let's hurry up now and
+get on board."
+
+Too overjoyed to speak, Eric hastened to obey, giving Ben a look of
+unspeakable gratitude as he clasped his hand with passionate fervour.
+Evil-Eye scowled terribly when the boy sprang into the boat, and dared
+only mutter his protests, for clearly enough Ben was in no mood for
+trifling, and the captain was evidently quite on his side.
+
+Without waiting for an invitation, Prince promptly leaped in beside his
+young master, at which the men in the boat laughed, and the captain
+said good-humouredly,--
+
+"Let him come too.  He's too good to leave behind."
+
+In a few minutes more, Eric, with a feeling of glad relief beyond all
+power of words to express, stood upon the schooner's deck and looked
+back at the island which for well nigh half a year had been his
+prison--almost his grave.
+
+The low, broad, weather-beaten hut was easily visible.  "How good God
+was to protect me there!" he thought, as he recalled the many scenes of
+violence he had witnessed.  "I wonder what is to become of me.  Poor
+father must have given me up for dead long ago.  Shall I ever get to
+him?"
+
+With many a "Yo! heave ho!" the sailors set about raising the anchor,
+the schooner's broad wings were hoisted to catch the breeze already
+blowing, and soon she was speeding away southward toward Boston.
+
+They had just got well under way when, happening to glance around,
+Eric, who was standing in the bow enjoying the swift rush of the
+schooner through the foaming water, noticed a number of the wreckers
+and the crew gathered about the captain on the poop.  They were
+examining something very carefully through his telescope.  Following
+the direction of the glass, Eric could make out a dark object rising
+out of the water, several miles away on the port side.  This was
+evidently the cause of the men's concern.  Almost unconsciously he drew
+near the group, in order to hear what they were saying.  The captain
+just then handed the telescope to Evil-Eye.
+
+His face darkened with rage as he said, "It's one of those British
+brigs, and no mistake, and she's running right across our course.  If
+we keep on this way we'll fall right into her clutches.  Look you,
+Evil-Eye, and see if I'm not right."
+
+Evil-Eye took the glass and looked long and carefully.  It was clear
+enough that he came to the same conclusion as the captain, for one of
+his most hideous scowls overspread his countenance as he growled out,--
+
+"It's the brig, and no mistake, and we're running straight into her
+jaws.  We'll have to go about and sail off shore, captain."
+
+At once the captain roared out his orders, and the sailors sprang to
+obey.  There was a rattling of blocks, a creaking of booms, a fierce
+flapping of canvas.  After a moment's hesitation in the eye of the
+wind, the schooner gracefully fell off, and was soon gliding away on
+the other tack, with the brig now almost directly astern.
+
+Whatever doubt there may have been on board the brig as to the
+propriety of pursuing the schooner was dissipated by its sudden change
+of course; and, still distant though she was, a keen eye could make out
+that they were hoisting additional sails and making every effort to
+overtake the schooner.
+
+There were yet three hours of daylight, and the brig was evidently a
+fast sailer.  The schooner's chance of escape lay in keeping her well
+astern until night came on, and then, by a sudden change of course,
+slipping away from her in the darkness.
+
+Every inch of canvas the schooner boasted was clapped on her, and,
+almost buried in foam, she rushed madly through the water.
+
+Eric's first feeling, on seeing the brig, and the fear created among
+his captors, was of intense joy, and he watched its steady growth upon
+the horizon with eager anxiety.  He did not notice the ominous looks
+cast upon him by Evil-Eye and others, until Ben, whose eyes seemed to
+miss nothing, drew him away to his former post near the bows, saying,
+in a deep undertone,--
+
+"Come with me, lad.  I want a word with you."
+
+Ben's countenance showed that he was much troubled, and Eric, full of
+hope though he was at the near prospect of his own deliverance, could
+not help feeling as though it were very selfish of him, for it
+certainly meant that Ben would be placed in danger.  He determined in
+his own mind that if the brig should capture the schooner, he would
+plead so hard for his kind rescuer that no harm would be done him.
+
+"Will the brig catch up to us, Ben?" he asked eagerly.  "Do you think
+it will?"
+
+"It'll be a bad business for you, my lad, if it does," answered Ben, in
+an unusually gruff tone.
+
+"Why, Ben, what do you mean?" asked Eric, in surprise.
+
+"Mean what I say," retorted Ben.  Then, after a moment's silence, he
+went on: "Captain says that brig's been sent from Halifax after us, and
+nobody else; and if she should catch us, you may be sure the wreckers
+ain't going to leave you round to tell the people on the brig all you
+know about them.  Before the brig's alongside they'll drop you over the
+bulwark with a weight that'll prevent your ever showing up on top
+again."
+
+At these words, whose truth Eric realized at once, his heart seemed
+turned to stone.  And now, just as passionately as he had prayed that
+the brig might overtake them, did he pray that the schooner might keep
+out of its reach.
+
+In the meantime, the two vessels were tearing through the water without
+much change in their relative positions.
+
+Darkness was drawing near.  As the sun went down, the change that the
+beauty of the morning foreboded took place.  The sky grew cloudy, the
+wind blew harder, and there was every sign of an approaching storm.
+
+As luck would have it, this state of affairs suited the schooner far
+better than the brig.  With great exultation the wreckers noted that
+their pursuer was shortening sail.  The square-rigged bark could not
+stand a storm as well as could the schooner.
+
+"Hurrah!" the captain shouted gleefully.  "They're taking in some of
+their canvas.  They can't stand this blow with so much top-hamper.
+We'll show them a clean pair of heels yet."
+
+And so it turned out.  With bow buried in foam and decks awash the
+schooner staggered swiftly onward under full press of sail, although
+every moment the canvas threatened to tear itself out of the bolts.
+Before the darkness enveloped her the brig had disappeared behind,
+completely distanced.  Everybody on board breathed more freely.
+Setting a course that, by a wide detour, would bring him in due time to
+Boston, the captain took satisfaction by cursing the brig for causing
+him the loss of a whole day at least.
+
+That night Ben, for the first time, told Eric what had been arranged
+concerning him.  On their arrival in Boston he was to be kept hidden in
+the hold until the time came for the sailing of a ship for England,
+about which the captain knew.  He would be placed on board this ship as
+cabin boy.  When she reached her destination he might make his way to
+his friends the best he could.  By that time the wreckers (none of whom
+intended to return to Sable Island) would have disposed of their booty,
+and scattered beyond all possibility of being caught.
+
+Ben did not add, as he might have done, that in order to effect this
+arrangement he had to bribe the captain, by turning over to him
+one-half of his own interest in the schooner's cargo.
+
+After living in peril of death for so many months, this plan filled
+Eric's heart with joy.  It might mean many more hardships, but it also
+meant return to those who were now mourning him as dead.  He thanked
+Ben over and over again, assuring him he would never forget his
+wonderful kindness; and as Ben listened in silence there was a distinct
+glistening in the corner of his eye that showed he was not unmoved.
+
+The storm blew itself out during the night, and was followed by a
+steady breeze, which bore the schooner along so fast that ere the sun
+went down on the following afternoon she was gliding up Boston Bay,
+looking as innocent as any ordinary fishing schooner.  The anchor
+plunged with a big splash into the still water, the chain rattled
+noisily through the hawse-hole, and the voyage was ended.
+
+Without delay a boat was lowered.  The captain and Evil-Eye got into
+it, inviting Ben to accompany them, but he declined.  He intended to
+watch over Eric until he should be taken to the English ship.  The boat
+rowed off, and before it returned Eric was sound asleep.
+
+He was awakened by the singing of the men as they toiled at the
+windlass, and the sullen rattle of the chain as it rose reluctantly
+link by link from the water.  Then he heard the waves rippling against
+the bow, and he knew that the schooner was moving.
+
+As he rightly guessed, she was making her way to her berth at the
+wharf.  During all that day there was continual motion on the deck, and
+the boy imprisoned in the hold tried to while away the long hours by
+guessing what it meant, and what the sailors were about.  Ben brought
+him a bountiful breakfast, dinner, and tea.  He stayed only while Eric
+ate, and did not seem much disposed to talk.  He could not say exactly
+when the English ship would sail, but thought it would be soon.
+
+The schooner became much quieter by nightfall, for the majority of her
+crew had gone ashore.  Soon there was perfect stillness; the vessel at
+times seemed to be completely deserted.  There was a tower clock not
+far away which rang out the hours loudly, and Eric heard seven, eight,
+and nine struck ere he fell asleep.
+
+How long he had slept he knew not, when he was aroused by two men
+talking in loud tones on the deck just above him.  They were evidently
+the worse for liquor, and had fallen into a dispute about something.
+Presently one of them exclaimed,--
+
+"It is there.  I know it's there.  I'll prove it to you."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+RELEASE AND RETRIBUTION.
+
+Then came the sound of the fore-hatch being unfastened and lifted
+aside, and the light of a lantern flashed into the hold.  Whatever the
+man sought, he soon found it; for he said triumphantly,--
+
+"There, now!  Do you see it?  Didn't I say right?"
+
+He drew the hatch back again, and with his companion went stumbling off
+to the cabin.  As the hatch was opened, Eric shrank back into a corner,
+for he knew not what the man might be about.  But when all was silent
+again, he crept to the spot underneath the hatchway, and looked up.
+
+The instant he did so he saw something that caused his heart to give a
+wild bound.  It was one little star shining brightly into his eye.  The
+sailor had carelessly left the hatch unfastened and drawn a little
+aside.
+
+The way of escape was there!
+
+With bated breath and beating heart, Eric raised himself softly and
+pushed at the hatch.  At first it would not budge, but on his putting
+forth more strength, it slid away a few inches, making no perceptible
+noise.
+
+Little by little he pushed at it, until there was space enough for him
+to pass through.  Then, with extreme caution, he lifted himself until
+he could survey the deck, and peered eagerly into the darkness to see
+if any of the men were about.  There was no moon, but the stars shone
+their brightest; and as the boy's eyes were accustomed to the darkness,
+he could see fairly well.
+
+It was easy for him to swing himself up on the deck.  Then, crouched in
+the deep shadow of the foremast, he looked anxiously about him.  Not a
+soul was in sight.  Not a sound disturbed the still air.  The black
+line of the wharf rose but a few feet above the bulwarks.  Gliding
+noiselessly across, he finally got upon the rail, and thence, with an
+active spring, upon the wharf.  He was free!
+
+The wharf was as deserted and silent as the schooner's deck.  Along one
+side was piled a line of casks and barrels, behind which he crept with
+the quietness of a cat until the tall warehouses were reached; then,
+straightening himself up, he moved more rapidly until he came out upon
+the street, which opened to right and left, leading away into the
+darkness--whither, he knew not.
+
+Taking the right turning, he hastened on, resolved to appeal for
+protection to the first respectable-looking person he might meet.  By
+the dim light of infrequent oil-lamps at the corners, he could make out
+that he was in a street of shops, taverns, and warehouses.
+
+Some of the taverns were still open, but all the other buildings were
+closed.  Very few persons were about, and as these all appeared to be
+seafaring folk he carefully avoided them, keeping in the shadow of
+porches and alley-ways until they passed.  He was in a state of high
+excitement--his anxiety to find some safe refuge contending with joy at
+his escape from the wreckers' clutches.
+
+He must have gone about a quarter of a mile, when, just as he
+approached a tavern that was still in full blast, the door suddenly
+opened, and a broad band of light fell upon the pavement, in the midst
+of which appeared Evil-Eye, roaring out a drunken song as he beckoned
+to others inside to follow him.
+
+For an instant Eric stood rooted to the spot with terror.  His limbs
+seemed powerless.  Then, as quick as a squirrel, he darted into a dark
+alley at his right, and, trembling like an aspen leaf, waited for
+Evil-Eye to pass.  The drunken scoundrel lingered for what seemed an
+hour of agony to the terror-stricken boy; but at length, being joined
+by his companions, staggered off toward the schooner.  The boy, coming
+out from his retreat as soon as the coast was clear, made all haste in
+the other direction.
+
+Following up the street, which turned and twisted in the puzzling
+fashion peculiar to Boston, he was glad to find it leading him to the
+upper part of the city; and after fifteen minutes' smart walking, he
+came out into a broad avenue, lined on both sides with handsome houses.
+Here he would surely meet with some one to whom he could safely tell
+his story.
+
+Weary from excitement and exertion, he sat down upon a broad doorstep,
+which was in the shadow itself, but commanded a stretch of sidewalk
+illuminated by a street lamp.  He thought he would rest there a while,
+and in the meantime some one would surely come along.  Just as he sat
+down, the bell of a church-tower clock near by slowly tolled out the
+midnight hour.
+
+"Oh, gracious! how late it is!" he sighed.  "I do hope I shall not have
+to stay here all the night!"
+
+A few minutes later he heard the sound of approaching steps.  They were
+slow and deliberate, not those of an unsteady reveller.  They came
+nearer and nearer, and then there emerged into the line of light the
+figure of a man, tall and stately, wrapped in a black dress, over whose
+cloak collar fell long locks of snow-white hair.
+
+Not a moment did Eric hesitate.  Springing from his hiding-place with a
+suddenness that caused the passer-by to start in some alarm, he caught
+hold of the ample cloak, and, lifting up his face to the wearer, said
+beseechingly, "Oh, sir, won't you help me?"
+
+Quite reassured on seeing how youthful was this sudden disturber of his
+homeward walk, the gentleman looked down at the eager, pleading face,
+and, attracted at once by its honesty, put his hand kindly upon the
+boy's shoulder, saying,--
+
+"Pray, what is the matter, my son?  I will gladly help you, as may be
+within my power."
+
+The grave, gentle words, with their assurance of protection, wrought a
+quick revulsion in poor Eric's feelings, strained as they had been for
+so long to their highest pitch.  Instead of replying at once, he burst
+into tears; and his new-found friend, seeing that he had no ordinary
+case to deal with, took him by the arm, and soothingly said,--
+
+"Come with me.  My house is near by.  You shall tell me your story
+there."
+
+Directing his steps to a large house, in which lights were still
+burning, he led Eric into a room whose walls were lined with rows of
+portly volumes.
+
+"Now, my son," said he, "be seated; and when you feel more composed,
+tell me your troubles.  I am quite at your service."
+
+With a delicious sense of security, such as he had not felt for many
+months, Eric sank into a big armchair, and proceeded to tell his
+strange story to the grave old gentleman before him.  With intense
+interest and sympathy did Dr. Saltonstall listen to the remarkable
+narrative as it was simply related, putting in a question now and then
+when he wanted fuller details.  As soon as the boy had finished, the
+doctor arose and again put on his hat and cloak.
+
+"Master Copeland," said he, "this is a communication of the utmost
+importance, and it must be laid before the governor this very night,
+that immediate action thereon may be taken.  I had but lately left his
+honour when, in God's good providence, I met you.  We will go at once
+to his mansion.  Haply he has not yet retired for the night."
+
+Forthwith the two set out, and, walking rapidly, were soon at the
+governor's mansion.  Fortunately he was still awake, and at once gave
+audience to his late visitors.  Before him Eric rehearsed his story.
+The Honourable Mr. Strong listened with no less interest than had Dr.
+Saltonstall; nor was he less prompt in taking action.  His secretary
+was summoned, and orders given for a strong posse of constables to be
+despatched without loss of time in search of the schooner.
+
+Eric so fully described her that the finding of her would be an easy
+matter.
+
+But while this was being arranged, a thought flashed into Eric's mind
+which filled him with great concern.  Ben was, no doubt, upon the
+schooner now, and would be captured with the others.  Would he not then
+share their fate, whatever that might be?  And if so, would not Eric
+seem to be wickedly ungrateful if he made no effort to save him?  Then
+there was also his faithful friend Prince, to whom both Ben and himself
+were so much indebted.
+
+To think was to act.  Going manfully up to the austere-looking
+governor, he put in a passionate plea for the big man and the dog, who
+had been such faithful protectors, and but for whom, indeed, he would
+not then be living.  His honour was evidently touched by his loyal
+advocacy.
+
+"Do not distress your mind, my lad," said he kindly.  "I have no doubt
+we can find a way of escape for your friend.  He certainly deserves
+consideration at our hands, and your noble Prince shall be carefully
+sought for."
+
+The remainder of the story is soon told.  The schooner was readily
+found.  The wreckers, surprised in their bunks, proved an easy capture,
+and before daybreak all were safely locked up in jail.  Prince was also
+found and restored to the delighted Eric, who now felt as though his
+cup of rejoicing was full.  The trial of the wreckers excited
+widespread interest, and made Eric the hero of the hour.  Ben, taking
+the advice of Dr. Saltonstall, turned state's evidence, and was
+released.  But the other wreckers--from Evil-Eye to Black Joe--received
+the punishment they had so well merited.
+
+In the meantime Dr. Copeland had been sent for, and, hastening to
+Boston, he had the supreme delight of clasping to his breast the boy
+whom he had all through the long winter been mourning as lost to him
+for ever.  The meeting between father and son was touching.  It seemed
+as though the doctor could never sufficiently assure himself that it
+was really his Eric who stood before him, browner of face and bigger of
+form, but otherwise unchanged by his thrilling experiences among the
+Wreckers of Sable Island.
+
+
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
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+
+
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+End of Project Gutenberg's The Wreckers of Sable Island, by J. Macdonald Oxley
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+<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
+<HTML>
+<HEAD>
+
+<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
+
+<TITLE>
+The Project Gutenberg E-text of The Wreckers of Sable Island,
+by J. Macdonald Oxley
+</TITLE>
+
+<STYLE TYPE="text/css">
+BODY { color: Black;
+       background: White;
+       margin-right: 10%;
+       margin-left: 10%;
+       font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;
+       text-align: justify }
+
+P {text-indent: 4% }
+
+P.noindent {text-indent: 0% }
+
+P.poem {text-indent: 0%;
+        margin-left: 10%; }
+
+P.letter {text-indent: 0%;
+          margin-left: 10% ;
+          margin-right: 10% }
+
+P.finis { font-size: larger ;
+          text-align: center ;
+          text-indent: 0% ;
+          margin-left: 0% ;
+          margin-right: 0% }
+
+H4.h4center { margin-left: 0;
+              margin-right: 0 ;
+              margin-bottom: .5% ;
+              margin-top: 0;
+              float: none ;
+              clear: both ;
+              text-align: center  }
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+<BODY>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's The Wreckers of Sable Island, by J. Macdonald Oxley
+
+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: The Wreckers of Sable Island
+
+Author: J. Macdonald Oxley
+
+Release Date: September 12, 2010 [EBook #33714]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WRECKERS OF SABLE ISLAND ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Al Haines
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="img-front"></A>
+<CENTER>
+<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT="&quot;So you're not dead after all, my hearty.&quot;  <I>Page 37</I>" BORDER="" WIDTH="497" HEIGHT="750">
+<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 497px">
+&quot;So you're not dead after all, my hearty.&quot;  <I>Page 37</I>
+</H4>
+</CENTER>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="img-title"></A>
+<CENTER>
+<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-title.jpg" ALT="Title page" BORDER="" WIDTH="492" HEIGHT="670">
+</CENTER>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H1 ALIGN="center">
+THE WRECKERS
+</H1>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+OF
+</H3>
+
+<H2 ALIGN="center">
+SABLE ISLAND
+</H2>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+BY
+</H4>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+J. MACDONALD OXLEY
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+<I>Author of "Up Among the Ice-Floes," "Diamond Rock," &amp;c.</I>
+</H4>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+T. NELSON AND SONS
+<BR>
+<I>London, Edinburgh, and New York</I>
+<BR>
+1897
+</H4>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H2 ALIGN="center">
+CONTENTS.
+</H2>
+
+<TABLE ALIGN="center" WIDTH="80%">
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap01">THE SETTING FORTH</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap02">IN ROUGH WEATHER</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap03">THE WRECK</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap04">ALONE AMONG STRANGERS</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap05">ERIC LOOKS ABOUT HIM</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap06">BEN HARDEN</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap07">A SABLE ISLAND WINTER</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap08">ANXIOUS TIMES</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap09">FAREWELL TO SABLE ISLAND</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap10">RELEASE AND RETRIBUTION</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+</TABLE>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap01"></A>
+
+<H2 ALIGN="center">
+THE WRECKERS OF SABLE ISLAND.
+</H2>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER I.
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+THE SETTING FORTH.
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+A voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in the year 1799 was not the
+every-day affair that it has come to be at the present time.  There
+were no "ocean greyhounds" then.  The passage was a long and trying one
+in the clumsy craft of those days, and people looked upon it as a more
+serious affair than they now do on a tour round the world.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the year 1799 few people thought of travelling for mere pleasure.
+North, south, east, and west, the men went on missions of discovery, of
+conquest, or of commerce; but the women and children abode at home,
+save, of course, when they ventured out to seek new homes in that new
+world which was drawing so many to its shores.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was therefore not to be wondered at that the notion of Eric Copeland
+going out to his father in far-away Nova Scotia should form the subject
+of more than one family council at Oakdene Manor, the beautiful country
+seat of the Copeland family, situated in one of the prettiest parts of
+Warwickshire.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric was the only son of Doctor Copeland, surgeon-in-chief of the
+Seventh Fusiliers, the favourite regiment of the Duke of Kent, the
+father of Queen Victoria.  This regiment formed part of the garrison at
+Halifax, then under the command of the royal duke himself; and the
+doctor had written to say that if the squire, Eric's grandfather,
+approved, he would like Eric to come out to him, as his term of service
+had been extended three years beyond what he expected, and he wanted to
+have his boy with him.  At the same time, he left the matter entirely
+in the squire's hands for him to decide.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So far as the old gentleman was concerned, he decided at once.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Send the boy out there to that wild place, and have him scalped by an
+Indian or gobbled by a bear before he's there a month?  Not a bit of
+it.  I won't hear of it.  He's a hundred times better off here."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The squire, be it observed, held very vague notions about Nova Scotia,
+and indeed the American continent generally, in spite of his son's
+endeavours to enlighten him.  He still firmly believed that there were
+as many wigwams as houses in New York, and that Indians in full
+war-paint and plumes were every day seen on the streets of
+Philadelphia; while as for poor little Nova Scotia, it was more than
+his mind could take in how the Duke of Kent could ever bring himself to
+spend a week in such an outlandish place, not to speak of a number of
+years.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So soon as Eric learned of his father's request, he was not less quick
+in coming to a conclusion, but it was of a precisely opposite kind to
+the squire's.  He was what the Irish would call "a broth of a boy."
+Fifteen last birthday, five feet six inches in height, broad of
+shoulder and stout of limb, yet perfectly proportioned, as nimble on
+his feet as a squirrel, and as quick of eye as a king-bird, entirely
+free from any trace of nervousness or timidity, good-looking in that
+sense of the word which means more than merely handsome, courteous in
+his manners, and quite up to the mark in his books, Eric represented
+the best type of the British boy as he looked about him with his brave
+brown eyes, and longed to be something more than simply a school-boy,
+and to see a little of that great world up and down which his father
+had been travelling ever since he could remember.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course I want to go to father," said he, promptly and decidedly.
+"I don't believe there are any bears or Indians at Halifax; and even if
+there should be, I don't care.  I'm not afraid of them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He had not the look of a boy that could be easily frightened, or turned
+aside from anything upon which he had set his heart, and the old squire
+felt as though he were seeing a youthful reflection of himself in the
+sturdy spirit of resolution shown by his grandson.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, Eric, lad," he began to argue, "whether the Indians and bears are
+plentiful or not, I don't see why you want to leave Oakdene, and go
+away out to a wild place that is only fit for soldiers.  You're quite
+happy with us here, aren't you?"  And the old gentleman's face took on
+rather a reproachful expression as he put the question.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric's face flushed crimson, and crossing over to where the squire sat,
+he bent down and kissed his wrinkled forehead tenderly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am quite happy, grandpa.  You and grandma do so much for me that it
+would be strange if I wasn't.  But you know I have been more with you
+than I have with my own father; and now when he wants me to go out to
+him, I want to go too.  You can't blame me, can you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+What Eric said was true enough.  The doctor's regiment had somehow come
+in for more than its share of foreign service.  It had carried its
+colours with credit over the burning plains of India, upon the
+battle-fields of the Continent, and then, crossing to America, had
+taken its part, however ineffectually, in the struggle which ended so
+happily in the birth of a new nation.  During all of his years Eric had
+remained at Oakdene, seeing nothing of his father save when he came to
+them on leave for a few months at a time.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+These home-comings of the doctor were the great events in Eric's life.
+Nothing was allowed to interfere with his enjoyment of his father's
+society.  All studies were laid aside, and one day of happiness
+followed another, as together they rode to hounds, whipped the
+trout-streams, shot over the coverts where pheasants were in plenty, or
+went on delightful excursions to lovely places round about the
+neighbourhood.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dr. Copeland enjoyed his release from the routine of military duty
+quite as much as Eric did his freedom from school, and it would not
+have been easy to say which of the two went in more heartily for a good
+time.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was just a year since the doctor had last been home on leave, and a
+year seems a very long time to a boy of fifteen, so that when the
+letter came proposing that Eric should go out to his father (it should
+have been told before that his mother was dead, having been taken away
+from him when he was a very little fellow), and spend three long years
+with him without a break, if the doctor had been in Kamtchatka or
+Tierra del Fuego instead of simply in Nova Scotia, Eric would not have
+hesitated a moment, but have jumped at the offer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The old squire was very loath to part with his grandson, and it was
+because he knew it would be so that the doctor had not positively asked
+for Eric to be sent out, but had left the question to be decided by the
+squire.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Perhaps Eric might have failed to carry his point but for the help
+given him by Major Maunsell, a brother-officer of Doctor Copeland's,
+who had been home on leave, and in whose charge Eric was to be placed
+if it was decided to let him go.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The major had come to spend a day or two at Oakdene a little while
+before taking his leave of England, and of course the question of
+Eric's returning to Nova Scotia with him came up for discussion.  Eric
+pleaded his case very earnestly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now please listen to me a moment," said he, taking advantage of a
+pause in the conversation.  "I love you, grandpa and grandma, very
+dearly, and am very happy with you here; but I love my father too, and
+I never see him, except just for a little while, when he comes home on
+leave, and it would be lovely to be with him all the time for three
+whole years.  Besides that, I do want to see America, and this is such
+a good chance.  I am nearly sixteen now, and by the time father gets
+back I'll have to be going to college, and then, you know, he says he's
+going to leave the army and settle down here, so that dear knows when I
+can ever get the chance to go again.  Oh! please let me go, grandpa,
+won't you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Major Maunsell's eyes glistened as he looked at Eric and listened to
+him.  He was an old bachelor himself, and he could not help envying
+Doctor Copeland for his handsome, manly son.  At once he entered into
+full sympathy with him in his great desire, and determined to use all
+his influence in supporting him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There's a great deal of sense in what the boy says," he remarked.  "It
+is such a chance as he may not get again in a hurry.  There's nothing
+to harm him out in Halifax; and his father is longing to have him, for
+he's always talking to me about him, and reading me bits out of his
+letters."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So the end of it was that the major and Eric between them won the day,
+and after taking the night to think over it, the good old squire
+announced the next morning at breakfast that he would make no further
+objections, and that Eric might go.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The troop-ship in which Major Maunsell was going would sail in a week,
+so there was no time to be lost in getting Eric ready for the voyage,
+and for the long sojourn in the distant colony.  Many were the trunks
+of clothing, books, and other things that had to be packed with
+greatest care, and their number would have been doubled if the major
+had not protested against taking the jams, jellies, pickles, medicines,
+and other domestic comforts that the loving old couple wanted Eric to
+take with him, because they felt sure he could get nothing so good out
+in Halifax.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All too quickly for them the day came when they were to say good-bye to
+their grandson, and the parting was a very tearful and trying one.
+Full of joy as Eric felt, he could not keep back the tears when his
+white-haired grandmother hugged him again and again to her heart,
+exclaiming fervently,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"God bless and keep my boy!  May his almighty arms be underneath and
+round about you, my darling.  Put your trust in him, Eric, no matter
+what may happen."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And the bluff old squire himself was suspiciously moist about the eyes
+as the carriage drove away and Eric was really off to Chatham in charge
+of Major Maunsell, with whom he had by this time got to be on the best
+of terms.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At Chatham they found their ship in the final stage of preparation for
+the voyage.  They were to sail in the <I>Francis</I>, a fine, fast gun-brig
+of about three hundred tons, which had in her hold a very valuable
+cargo, consisting of the Duke of Kent's library, together with a
+quantity of very costly furniture, precious wines, and other luxuries
+intended to make as comfortable as possible the lot of his royal
+highness in the garrison at Halifax.  The major and Eric were assigned
+a roomy cabin to themselves, in which they at once proceeded to make
+themselves at home.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+During the few days that intervened before the sailing of the
+<I>Francis</I>, Eric's enjoyment of the novel scenes around him could hardly
+be put into words.  All he knew about the sea was what he had learned
+from a summer now and then at a watering-place; and the great gathering
+of big ships at Chatham; the unceasing bustle as some came in from long
+voyages and others went forth to take their places upon distant
+stations; the countless sailors and dock-hands swarming like ants
+hither and thither; the important-looking officers strutting about in
+gold-laced coats, and calling out their commands in such hoarse tones
+that Eric felt tempted to ask if they all had very bad colds; the
+shrill sound of the boatswains' whistles that seemed to have no
+particular meaning; the martial music of bands playing apparently for
+no other reason than just because they wanted to,&mdash;all this made up a
+wonder-world for Eric in which he found a great deal of delight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was just one cloud upon his happiness.  Among his many pets at
+Oakdene his special favourite was a splendid mastiff that the squire
+had given him as a birthday present two years before.  Prince was a
+superb animal, and devoted to his young master.  No sooner had it been
+settled that Eric should go out to his father than the boy at once
+asked if his dog might not go with him.  Major Maunsell had no
+objection himself, but feared that the captain of the <I>Francis</I> would
+not hear of it.  However, he thought that Eric might bring the dog up
+to Chatham, and then if the captain would not let him on board he could
+be sent back to Oakdene.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Prince accordingly accompanied him, and a place having been found for
+him with a friend of the major's, his master had no peace of mind until
+the question was settled.  Some days passed before he got a chance to
+see Captain Reefwell, who was, of course, extremely busy; but at last
+he managed to catch him one day just after lunch, when he seemed in a
+pretty good humour, and without wasting time preferred his request,
+trembling with eager hope as he did so.  The gruff old sailor at first
+bluntly refused him; but Eric bravely returning to the charge, his kind
+heart was moved to the extent of making him say,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, let me have a look at your dog, anyway."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Hoping for the best, Eric ran off and returned with Prince.  Captain
+Reefwell scanned the noble animal critically, and stretched out his
+hand to pat him, whereupon the mastiff gravely lifted his right paw and
+placed it in the captain's horny palm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Shiver my timbers! but the dog's got good manners," said the captain
+in surprise.  "Did you teach him that?" turning to Eric.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, sir," replied Eric proudly; "and he can do other things too."
+And he proceeded to put the big dog through a number of tricks which
+pleased the old sailor so much that finally he said, with a smile,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All right, my lad.  You may bring your dog on board.  But, mind you,
+he comes before the mast.  He's not a cabin passenger."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, thank you, sir! thank you, sir!" cried Eric joyfully.&mdash;"I won't
+let you in the cabin, will I, Prince?  Isn't it splendid?  You're to
+come with me after all."  And he hugged the mastiff as though he had
+been his own brother.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap02"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER II.
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+IN ROUGH WEATHER.
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+It was the first of November when the <I>Francis</I> got off, and Captain
+Reefwell warned his passengers that they might expect a rather rough
+voyage, as they were sure to have a storm or two in crossing at that
+time of year.  Eric protested that he would not mind; he was not afraid
+of a storm.  Indeed, he wanted to see one really good storm at sea,
+such as he had often read about.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But he changed his tune when the <I>Francis</I> began to pitch and toss in
+the chops of the English Channel, and with pale face and piteous voice
+he asked the major "if a real storm were worse than this."  A few days
+later, however, when he got his sea-legs all right, and the <I>Francis</I>
+was bowling merrily over the broad Atlantic before a favouring breeze,
+his courage came back to him, and he felt ready for anything.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The <I>Francis</I> was not more than a week out before the captain's
+prediction began to be fulfilled.  One storm succeeded another with but
+little rest between, the wind blowing from all quarters in turn.
+Driven hither and thither before it, the <I>Francis</I> struggled gallantly
+toward her destination.  So long as he was out in mid-Atlantic Captain
+Reefwell seemed quite indifferent to the boisterous weather.  He told
+his passengers that he was sorry for the many discomforts they were
+forced to endure, but otherwise showed no concern.  He was a daring
+sailor, and had crossed the ocean a score of times before.  As they
+approached the American side, however, and the storm still continued,
+he grew very anxious, as his troubled countenance and moody manner
+plainly showed.  The truth was that he had been driven out of his
+course, and had lost his reckoning, owing to sun and stars alike having
+been invisible for so many days.  He had no clear idea of his distance
+from the coast, and unless he could soon secure a satisfactory
+observation the <I>Francis</I> would be in a perilous plight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The first of December was marked by a storm more violent than any which
+had come before, followed by a dense fog which swathed the ship in
+appalling gloom.  The captain evidently regarded this fog as a very
+grave addition to his difficulties.  He hardly left the quarter-deck,
+and his face grew haggard and his eyes bloodshot with being constantly
+on the look-out.  Realizing that a crisis was at hand, and determined
+to know the worst, Major Maunsell made bold to ask the captain to tell
+him the real state of affairs.  Captain Reefwell hesitated for a
+moment, then muttering something about "might as well out with it," he
+laid his hand upon the major's shoulder, and looking straight into his
+eyes, with a strange expression of sympathy, said in his gravest
+tones,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Major, it's just this: unless I'm clean lost, we must now be somewhere
+near Sable Island.  I'm expecting to hear the roar of its breakers any
+minute, and once the <I>Francis</I> gets amongst them, God help us all!
+Sable Island makes sure work."  And he turned away abruptly, as though
+to hide his feelings.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Captain Reefwell's words sent a shudder straight and swift through
+Major Maunsell's heart.  The latter already knew of the bad reputation
+of that strange island which scarcely lifts itself above the level of
+the Atlantic, less than a hundred miles due east from Nova Scotia.
+Stories that chilled the blood had from time to time floated up to
+Halifax&mdash;stories of shipwreck following fast upon shipwreck, and no one
+surviving to tell the tale.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But even more appalling than the fury of the storm that scourged the
+lonely island were the deeds said to be done by monsters in human guise
+who plied the wrecker's trade there, and, acting upon the principle
+that dead men tell no tales, had made it their care to put out of the
+way all whom even the cruel billows had spared.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With a heavy heart the major made his way back to the cabin, where he
+found Eric, upon whose bright spirits the long and stormy voyage had
+told heavily, looking very unhappy as he tried to amuse himself with a
+book.  The boy was worn out by the ceaseless pitching and tossing of
+the vessel.  He felt both home-sick and sea-sick, as indeed did many
+another of the passengers, who with one accord were wishing themselves
+safely upon land again.  He looked up eagerly as the major entered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What does the captain say, major?" he asked, his big brown eyes open
+their widest.  "Will the storm soon be over, and are we near Halifax?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Concealing his true feelings, the major replied with well-put-on
+cheerfulness,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The captain says that if this fog would only lift, and let him find
+out exactly where we are, Eric, he would be all right.  There is
+nothing to do but to wait, and hope for the best."  And sitting down
+beside Eric, he threw his arm about him in a tender, protecting way
+that showed how strongly he felt.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So intense was the anxiety on board the <I>Francis</I> that none of the
+passengers thought of going to their berths or taking off their clothes
+that night, but all gathered in the cabins, finding what cheer and
+comfort they could in one another's company.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the main cabin were other officers besides Major Maunsell&mdash;namely,
+Captain Sterling of the Fusiliers, Lieutenant Mercer of the Royal
+Artillery, and Lieutenants Sutton, Roebuck, and Moore of the 16th Light
+Dragoons; while in the fore-cabin were household servants of the prince
+and soldiers of the line, bringing the total number of passengers up to
+two hundred.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+During the night Captain Reefwell, seeing that it was no longer any use
+to conceal the seriousness of the situation, sent word to all on board
+to prepare for the worst, as the ship might be among the breakers at
+any moment.  The poor passengers hastened to gather their most precious
+possessions into little bundles, and to prepare themselves for the
+approaching struggle with death.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The night wore slowly on, the sturdy brig straining and groaning as the
+billows made a plaything of her, tossing her to and fro as though she
+was no heavier than a chip, while the fierce storm shrieked through the
+rigging in apparent glee at having so rich a prize for the wreckers of
+Sable Island.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was a brave band that awaited its fate in the main cabin.  The men
+were borne up by the dauntless fortitude of the British soldier, and,
+catching their spirit, Eric manifested a quiet courage well worthy of
+the name he bore.  He had Prince with him now, for the captain had
+himself suggested that he had better have the dog near at hand.  The
+noble creature seemed to have some glimmering of their common peril,
+for he kept very close to his young master, and every now and then laid
+his huge head upon Eric's knee and looked up into his face with an
+expression that said as plainly as words,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nothing but death can ever part us.  You can depend upon me to the
+very uttermost."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And hugging him fondly, Eric answered,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dear old Prince!  You'll help me if we are wrecked, won't you?" at
+which Prince wagged his tail responsively, and did his best to lick his
+master's face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now and then some one would creep up on deck, and brave the fury of the
+blast for a few moments, in hope of finding some sign of change for the
+better; and on his return to the cabin the others would eagerly scan
+his countenance and await his words, only to be met with a sorrowful
+shake of the head that rendered words unnecessary.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric alone found temporary forgetfulness in sleep.  He was very weary,
+and, though fully alive to the danger so near at hand, could not keep
+from falling into a fitful slumber, as he lay upon the cushioned seat
+that encircled the cabin, Prince stationing himself at his side and
+pillowing his head in his lap.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Poor Prince was by no means so handsome a creature now as when his good
+looks and good manners won the captain's heart.  The long stormy
+passage had been very hard upon him.  He had grown gaunt, and his
+smooth, shiny skin had become rough and unkempt.  Otherwise, however,
+he was not much the worse, and was quite ready for active duty if his
+services should be needed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Awaking from a light sleep, in which he dreamed that he and Prince were
+having a glorious romp on the lawn at Oakdene, which somehow seemed to
+be undulating in a very curious fashion, Eric caught sight of Major
+Maunsell returning to the cabin after a visit to the upper deck, and at
+once ran up to him and plied him with eager questions.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is the storm getting any better, and will it soon be daylight again?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The major did his best to look cheerful as he answered,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, the storm is no worse, Eric, at all events, and it will not be
+long before daylight comes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But even if we should be wrecked," said Eric, looking pleadingly into
+the major's face, "we might all get ashore all right, mightn't we?
+I've often read of shipwrecks in which everybody was saved."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Certainly, my boy, certainly," replied the major promptly, although
+deep down in his heart he seemed to hear Captain Reefwell's ominous
+words, "Sable Island makes sure work."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, major," continued Eric, "I'm going to keep tight hold of Prince's
+collar if we do get wrecked.  He can swim ever so much better than I
+can, and he'll pull me ashore all right, won't he?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's a capital idea of yours, my boy," said the major, smiling
+tenderly upon him.  "Keep tight hold of Prince, by all means.  You
+couldn't have a better life-preserver."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't want to be wrecked, that's certain; but if we are, I'm very
+glad I've got Prince here to help me&mdash;the dear old fellow that he is!"
+And so saying, Eric threw himself down upon his dog and gave him a
+hearty hug, which the mastiff evidently much enjoyed.  Day broke at
+last, if the slow changing of the thick darkness into a dense gray fog
+could rightly be called daybreak.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The <I>Francis</I> still bravely battled with the tempest.  She had proved
+herself a trusty ship, and, with Captain Reefwell on the quarter-deck,
+more than a match for the worst fury of wind and wave.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But no ship that ever has been or ever will be built could possibly
+pass through the ordeal of the Sable Island breakers, whose awful
+thunder might at any moment be heard above the howling of the blast.
+At breakfast-time the worn and weary passengers gathered around the
+table for what would, in all probability, be their last meal on board
+the <I>Francis</I>, and perhaps their last on earth.  The fare was not very
+tempting, for what could the cooks do under such circumstances?  But
+the passengers felt no disposition to complain.  Indeed, they had
+little appetite to eat, and were only making a pretence of doing so,
+when a sailor burst into the cabin, his bronzed face blanched with
+fear, as he shouted breathlessly,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Captain says for all to come up on deck.  The ship will strike in a
+minute."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Instantly there was wild confusion and a mad rush for the
+companion-way; but Major Maunsell waited to take Eric's hand tightly
+into his before pressing on with the others.  When they reached the
+deck an awful scene met their eyes.  The fog had lifted considerably,
+so that it was possible to see some distance from the ship; and there,
+right across her bows, not more than a quarter of a mile away, a
+tremendous line of breakers stretched as far as eye could see.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Straight into their midst the <I>Francis</I> was helplessly driving at the
+bidding of the storm-fiend.  No possible way of escape!  Not only did
+the breakers extend to right and left until they were lost in the
+shifting fog, but the nearest line was evidently only an advance-guard;
+for beyond it other lines, not less formidable, could be dimly
+descried, rearing their snowy crests of foam as they rolled fiercely
+onward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Heaven help us!" cried Major Maunsell, as with one swift glance he
+took in the whole situation; and drawing Eric close to him, he made his
+way through the confusion to the foot of the main-mast, which offered a
+secure hold for the time being.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A few minutes later the <I>Francis</I> struck the first bar with a shock
+that sent everybody who had not something to hold on to tumbling upon
+the deck.  But for the major's forethought, both he and Eric might at
+that moment have been borne off into the boiling surges; for a
+tremendous billow rushed upon the helpless vessel, sweeping her from
+stern to stem, and carrying away a number of the soldiers, who, having
+nothing to hold on by, were picked up like mere chips of wood and
+hurried to their doom.  Their wild cries for the help that could not be
+given them pierced the ears of the others, who did not know but that
+the next billow would treat them in like manner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Again and again was the ill-starred ship thus swept by the billows,
+each time fresh victims falling to their fell fury.  Then came a wave
+of surpassing size, which, lifting the <I>Francis</I> as though she had been
+a mere feather, bore her over the bar into the deeper water beyond.
+Here, after threatening to go over upon her beam-ends, she righted once
+more, and drove on toward the next bar.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap03"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER III.
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+THE WRECK.
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+Major Maunsell gave a great gasp of relief when the brig righted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Keep tight hold of your rope, Eric," he cried encouragingly.  "Please
+God, we may reach shore alive yet."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Drenched to the skin and shivering with cold, Eric held tightly on to
+the rope with his right hand and to Prince's collar with his left.
+Prince had crouched close to the foot of the mast, and the waves swept
+by him as though he had been carved in stone.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All right, sir," Eric replied, as bravely as he could.  "It's pretty
+hard work, but I'll not let go."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Rearing and plunging amid the froth and foam, the <I>Francis</I> charged at
+the second bar, struck full upon it with a force that would have
+crushed in the bow of a less sturdy craft, hung there for a few minutes
+while the breakers, as if greedy for their prey, swept exultantly over
+her, and then, responding to the impulse of another towering wave,
+leaped over the bar into the deeper water beyond.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But she could not stand much more of such buffeting, for she was fast
+becoming a mere hulk.  Both masts had gone by the board at the last
+shock, and poor little Eric certainly would have gone overboard with
+the main-mast but for his prompt rescue by the major from the
+entangling rigging.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You had a narrow escape that time, Eric," said the major, as he
+dragged the boy round to the other side of the mast, where he was in
+less danger.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The passage over the bars having thus been effected, the few who were
+still left on board the <I>Francis</I> began to cherish hopes of yet
+reaching the shore alive.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Between the bars and the main body of the island was a heavy cross-sea,
+in which the brig pitched and tossed like a bit of cork.  Somewhere
+beyond this wild confusion of waters was the surf which broke upon the
+beach itself, and in that surf the final struggle would take place.
+Whether or not a single one of the soaked, shivering beings clinging to
+the deck would survive it, God alone knew.  The chances of their escape
+were as one in a thousand&mdash;and yet they hoped.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There were not many left now.  Captain Sterling was gone, and
+Lieutenants Mercer and Sutton.  Besides the major and Eric, only
+Lieutenants Roebuck and Moore of the cabin passengers were still to be
+seen.  Of the soldiers and crew, almost all had been swept away; but
+Captain Reefwell still held to his post upon the quarter-deck by
+keeping tight hold to a belaying-pin.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The distance between the bars and the beach was soon crossed, and the
+long line of foaming billows became distinct through the driving mist.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't lose your grip on Prince, my boy," called the major to Eric.
+"We'll strike in a second, and then&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But before he could finish the sentence the ship struck the beach with
+fearful force, and was instantly buried under a vast mountain of water
+that hurled itself upon her as though it had long been waiting for the
+chance to destroy her.  When the billow had spent its force, the decks
+were clear.  Not a human form was visible where a moment before more
+than a score of men had been clinging for dear life.  Hissing and
+seething like things of life, and sending their spray and spume high
+into the mist-laden air, the merciless breakers bore their victims off
+to cast them contemptuously upon the beach.  Then, ere they could
+scramble ashore, they would be caught up again and carried off by the
+recoil of the wave, to be once more dashed back as though they were the
+playthings of the water.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The major and Eric were separated in the wild confusion; but Eric was
+not parted from Prince.  About his brawny neck the mastiff wore a stout
+leathern collar, and to this Eric clung with a grip that not even the
+awful violence of the breakers could unloose.  Rather did it make his
+sturdy fingers but close the tighter upon the leathern band.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Into the boiling flood the boy and dog were plunged together, and
+bravely they battled to make the shore.  The struggle would be a
+tremendous one for them, and the issue only too doubtful.  The slope of
+the beach was very gradual, and there was a long distance between where
+the brig struck and the dry land.  Wholly blinded and half-choked by
+the driving spray, Eric could do nothing to direct his course.  But he
+could have had no better pilot than the great dog, whose unerring
+instinct pointed him straight to the shore.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+How long they struggled with the surf Eric could not tell.  But his
+strength had failed, and his senses were fast leaving him, when his
+feet touched something firmer than tossing waves, and presently he and
+Prince were lifted up, and then hurled violently upon the sand.  Had he
+been alone, the recoil of the wave would certainly have carried him
+back again into the surge; but the dog dug his big paws into the soft
+beach, and forced his way up, dragging his master with him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dizzy, bewildered, and faint, Eric staggered to his feet, looked about
+him in hope of finding the major near, and then, seeing nobody, fell
+forward upon the sand in a dead faint.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+How long he lay unconscious upon the beach Eric had no idea; but when
+he at length came to himself, he found a big, bushy-bearded man bending
+over him with a half-pitying, half-puzzled look, while beside him,
+ready for a spring, was faithful Prince, regarding him with a look that
+said as plainly as words,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Attempt to do my master any harm and I will be at your throat."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But the big man seemed to have no evil intent.  He had evidently been
+waiting for Eric to gain consciousness, and as soon as the boy opened
+his eyes, said in a gruff but not unkind voice,&mdash;-
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So you're not dead after all, my hearty.  More's the pity, maybe.  Old
+Evil-Eye'll be wanting to make a clean job of it, as usual."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric did not at all take in the meaning of the stranger's words; his
+senses had not yet fully returned.  He felt a terrible pain in his head
+and a distressing nausea, and when he tried to get upon his feet he
+found the effort too much for him.  He fell back with a cry of pain
+that made the affectionate mastiff run up to him and gently lick his
+face, as though to say,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What's the matter, dear master?  Can I do anything for you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The man then seemed, for the first time, to take notice of the dog, and
+putting forth a huge, horny hand, he patted him warily, muttering under
+his beard,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sink me straight, but it's a fine beast.  I'll have him for my share,
+if I have to take the boy along with him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Perceiving by some subtle instinct the policy of being civil, Prince
+permitted himself to be patted by the stranger, and then lay down again
+beside him in a manner that betokened, "When wanted, I'm ready."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric was eager to hear about Major Maunsell and the others who had been
+on board the <I>Francis</I>.  Were it not for his weakness he would be
+running up and down the beach in search of them.  But the terrible
+struggle with the surf, following upon the long exposure to the storm,
+had completely exhausted him, and he was sorely bruised besides.
+Turning his face up to the strange man, who seemed to have nothing
+further to say on his own account, he asked him anxiously,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Where's Major Maunsell?  Is he all right?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Instead of answering, the man looked away from Eric, and there was an
+expression on his face that somehow sent a chill of dread to the boy's
+heart.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Please tell me what has happened.  Oh, take me to him, won't you?
+He's looking after me, you know," he pleaded earnestly, the tears
+beginning to well from his eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Still the big man kept silence.  Then as Eric pressed him with
+entreaty, he suddenly wheeled about and spoke in gruffer tones than he
+had so far used,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You'd best be still and keep quiet.  You'll never see Major Maunsell,
+as you call him, or any of the rest of them again, and you might just
+as well know it first as last."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At these dreadful words Eric raised himself by a great effort to a
+sitting posture, gazed into the man's face as though hoping to find
+some sign of his not being in earnest, and then with a cry of frantic
+grief flung himself back and buried his face in his hands, while his
+whole frame shook with the violence of his sobbing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The man stood watching him in silence, although his face, hard and
+stern as it was, gave evidence of his being moved to sympathy with the
+boy.  He seemed to be thinking deeply, and to be in much doubt as to
+what he should do.  He was just about to stoop down and lift Eric up,
+when a harsh, grating voice called out,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hallo, Ben!  What have you got there?"
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap04"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER IV.
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+ALONE AMONG STRANGERS.
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+Ben started as though he had been caught at some crime, and there was a
+sulky tone in his voice that showed very plainly that he resented the
+appearance of the questioner, as he replied,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Only a boy and a dog."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The other man drew near and inspected Eric closely.  Prince at once
+sprang to his feet, and taking up his position between the new-comer
+and his young master, fixed his big eyes upon the former, while his
+teeth showed threateningly, and a deep growl issued from between them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was no wonder that the sagacious mastiff's suspicions were aroused,
+for surely never before had his eyes fallen upon so sinister a specimen
+of humanity.  The man was of little more than medium height; but his
+frame showed great strength, combined with unusual activity, and one
+glance was sufficient to mark him out as a man with whom few could
+cope.  His countenance, naturally ugly, had been the playground of the
+strongest and coarsest passions that degrade humanity, and was rendered
+still more hideous by the loss of his left eye, which had been gouged
+out in a drunken <I>mêlée</I>, and by a frightful scar that ran clear from
+temple to chin on the right side of his face.  Through the remaining
+eye all the vile nature of the man found expression, and its baleful
+glare, when fixed full upon one, was simply appalling.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+To it, perhaps more than to any other quality, Evil-Eye&mdash;for so his
+comrades appropriately nicknamed him&mdash;owed his influence among them;
+for he was, in some sort, regarded as a leader of the band of wreckers
+to which both he and Ben belonged.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Evil-Eye held in his right hand a cutlass whose sheen was already
+dimmed with suspicious stains.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," he growled, pointing at Eric, who was staring at him
+spell-bound with horror and dread, "that seems to be the last of them.
+Let's finish him off.  We want no tell-tales.&mdash;Out of the way, you
+brute."  And he lifted his cutlass as though to strike Prince first.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hold!" cried Ben, springing forward and grasping Evil-Eye's arm.  "Let
+the boy alone."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let him alone," roared Evil-Eye, with a horrible oath.  "That I won't.
+Let go of me, will you?"  And wrenching himself free by a tremendous
+effort, he swung the cutlass high over his head and rushed upon the
+defenceless boy, who was too terror-stricken to move or cry out.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But quick as Evil-Eye's movements had been, there was another present
+whose movements were quicker still.  With a short, deep growl like a
+distant roll of thunder, Prince launched himself full at the ruffian's
+throat.  His aim was unerring, and utterly unprepared for so sudden an
+onset, the man rolled over upon the sand, the cutlass falling
+harmlessly from his hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Content with having brought him to the ground, Prince did not pursue
+his advantage further, but stood over the prostrate scoundrel, who made
+no attempt to move, while he implored Ben to drag the dog off him.  But
+this Ben seemed in no hurry to do.  He evidently enjoyed his
+associate's sudden defeat, and felt little sympathy for him in his
+present predicament.  Then as he looked from the growling mastiff to
+his young master, who had almost forgotten his own fear in his
+admiration for his faithful dog, a happy thought flashed into his mind.
+His face brightened, and there was a half-smile upon it, as, turning to
+Evil-Eye, who scarce dared to breathe lest those great black jaws, so
+close to his throat, would close tight upon it, he said,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Look here, Evil-Eye.  I'll take the dog off on one condition.  Will
+you agree?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What is that?" groaned Evil-Eye.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why, I've taken a fancy to this lad and his dog, and want to keep them
+for a while, anyway.  Now, if you'll promise me that you'll let them
+alone so long as I want them, I'll get the dog off; but if you won't,
+I'll just let you have it out with him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Evil-Eye did not answer at once.  Twisting his head, he looked around
+to see if any other of his companions were near; but there was not a
+soul in sight, and the storm was still raging.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All right, Ben, I'll promise," he said sulkily; and then a crafty
+gleam came into his baleful eye as he added, "And say, Ben, will you
+give me half your share of this take if I stand by you for the boy?
+They'll be wanting him finished off, maybe."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ben was about to say something bitter in reply, but checked himself as
+though second thoughts were best.  Yet he could not entirely conceal
+his contempt in his tone as he replied,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As you like.  These two are what I want most this time.  But, mind
+you, Evil-Eye, if any harm comes to either of them through your doing,
+your own blood shall pay for it, so sure as my name's Ben Harden."
+Then, turning to Eric, he said,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Here, boy, you can call off your dog now."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric obeyed the directions at once.  "Come here, Prince!" he commanded.
+"Come to me, sir!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Prince wagged his tail to indicate that he heard the order, but was
+evidently in some doubt as to the wisdom of obeying it.  According to
+his way of thinking, the best place for Evil-Eye was just where he had
+him, and he would like to keep him there a while longer, anyway.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Eric insisted, and at length the dog obeyed, and came over to him,
+turning, however, to glance back at Evil-Eye, as though he was just
+itching to tumble him over again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Looking very much out of humour, Evil-Eye pulled himself together, and
+put his hand to his throat in order to make sure that Prince's teeth
+had done him no injury.  Fortunately for him, the high collar of the
+greatcoat he wore had been turned up all around to keep out the rain,
+and it had done him still better service by keeping out the mastiff's
+teeth.  So he was really none the worse for the encounter beyond
+feeling sulky at his discomfiture.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He now for the first time took a good look at Eric, who had also risen
+to his feet, the excitement of the encounter having made him forget his
+pain and weakness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Humph! rather a likely lad," he grunted.  "But he may give us trouble
+some time.  Have you thought of that, Ben?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No; but it doesn't matter," answered Ben.  "I'll warrant for his not
+getting us into trouble.  We can manage that all right when the time
+comes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Humph! maybe.  But it's a risk, all the same," returned Evil-Eye.
+"But come, we must be off.  We've lost too much time already."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The all-prevailing gloom of the day was already deepening into the
+early dark of late autumn as the three set off across the sands.  The
+spray that the storm tore from the crests of the billows dashed in
+their faces as they advanced.  Eric could not have gone far had not Ben
+thrown his brawny arm around him, and almost carried him along.  Prince
+trotted quietly at his heels, having quite regained his composure, and
+resigned himself to the situation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In this fashion they had gone some distance, and Evil-Eye, who had kept
+a little ahead, was about to turn off to the right toward the interior
+of the island, when Prince suddenly sniffed the air eagerly, threw up
+his head with a curious cry, half whine, half bark, and then bounded
+away in the direction of the water.  Eric stopped to watch him, and
+following him closely with his eyes, saw that he ran up to a dark
+object that lay stretched out upon the sand, about fifty yards away.
+The dog touched it with his nose, and then, lifting his head, gave a
+long, weird howl, that so startled Eric as to make him forget his
+weariness.  Breaking away from Ben, who, indeed, made no effort to
+detain him, he hastened over to see what Prince had found.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Darkness was coming on, but before he had got half way to the object he
+could make out that it was a human body, and a few steps nearer made it
+plain that the body was that of Major Maunsell.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Horror-stricken, yet hoping that the major might still be living, Eric
+rushed forward, and throwing himself down beside the motionless form,
+cried passionately,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Major Maunsell!  What's the matter?  Can't you look up?  Oh, surely
+you're not dead!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But the major made no response.  Beyond all doubt his body was cold in
+death, and as Eric looked upon the white, set face, he saw that his
+cries were useless, and that his dear, kind friend had gone from him
+for ever.  He felt as though his heart would break, and glancing around
+through his tears at the two strange, rough-looking men upon whose
+mercy the storm had cast him, his own fate seemed so dark and doubtful
+that he almost wished that, like the major, he too was lying upon the
+sands in the same quiet sleep.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The discovery of the major's death was a greater shock than the boy, in
+his exhausted condition, could stand, and when, at the approach of the
+men, he attempted to rise, faintness overcame him once more, and he
+fell back unconscious.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When his senses returned, he found himself in a sort of bunk in one
+corner of a large room containing a number of men, whose forms and
+faces were made visible by the light from an immense wood-fire that
+roared and crackled at the farther end of the room.  There were at
+least a score of these men, and, so far as he could make out, they were
+all rough, shaggy, wild-looking fellows, like Ben and Evil-Eye.  The
+latter he could see plainly, sitting beside a table with a bottle
+before him, from which he had just taken a deep draught.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The liquor apparently loosened his tongue, for glancing about him with
+his single eye, whose fitful glare was frightful as the firelight
+flashed upon it, he began to talk vigorously to those who were sitting
+near him.  At first Eric paid no attention to what he was saying, but
+when Evil-Eye held up something for the others to admire, he leaned
+forward curiously to see what it was.  There was not sufficient light
+for him to do this, but Evil-Eye came to his assistance by saying, in
+an exultant tone,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There's a ring for you, my hearties.  It'll bring a pot of money, I
+wager you.  And it ought to.  I had trouble enough getting it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How was that?" inquired a man at his side.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The thing wouldn't come off&mdash;stuck on tight.  Had to chop off the
+finger before I could get it," replied the ruffian, turning the ring
+over so that the diamond which formed its centre might sparkle to the
+best advantage for the benefit of his companions, not one of whom but
+envied him his good luck in getting such a prize.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric now saw clearly enough what Evil-Eye was displaying.  It was the
+costly ring which Major Maunsell always wore upon the third finger of
+his left hand, and whose beauty Eric had many a time admired, for it
+held a diamond of unusual size and of the purest water, which the major
+told him had been a sort of heirloom in the Maunsell family for many
+generations.  Eric's blood boiled at the thought of this ring being in
+such a scoundrel's hands, and of the cruel way in which he had obtained
+it, and only his utter weakness prevented him from springing at
+Evil-Eye and snatching the ring out of his hands.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Happily he had not the strength to carry out so rash an impulse, and
+was forced to content himself with making a solemn resolve to get
+possession of that ring in some manner, that it might be returned to
+the major's family.  Determination was one of the boy's most marked
+characteristics.  Nothing short of the conviction that it was certainly
+unattainable could deter him from anything upon which he had once set
+his heart; and immense as the odds against him in the matter of the
+ring might be, he vowed with all the vigour of his brave young heart
+that he would do his utmost to regain his dead friend's precious jewel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For the present, however, nothing could be done.  He was a captive no
+less than the ring, and, for aught he knew, equally in the power of
+that brute in human form, who was evidently a leading spirit in the
+group of ruffians that occupied the room.  Clearly enough, his one hope
+lay in attracting as little attention as possible.  He looked anxiously
+about the room in search of Ben, but could see nothing of him.  His
+good Prince, however, was stretched out upon the floor beside the bunk,
+sleeping as soundly as though he were in his own cozy quarters at
+Oakdene.  The sight of him comforted Eric not a little.  So lonely did
+he feel that he could not resist the temptation to awake his faithful
+companion, so he called softly,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Prince, Prince, come here!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At first the mastiff did not hear him, but Eric repeating the call, he
+awoke, looked up inquiringly, and then, rising slowly to his feet&mdash;for
+he was very tired after the terrible passage through the surf&mdash;went
+over and laid his huge head upon his master's breast.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dear old dog!" murmured Eric, fondling him lovingly.  "O Prince! what
+is to become of us?  If we were only back in Oakdene again!"  And then,
+as the awful thought rushed in upon his mind that perhaps neither he
+nor Prince would ever see Oakdene again, or find their way to Dr.
+Copeland at Halifax, the tears he had been bravely keeping back could
+no longer be restrained.  Sobbing as though his heart would break, he
+clasped Prince's head tightly in his arms and gave himself up to his
+grief.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+While poor Eric was thus giving way to his feelings, a number of men
+entered the room, one of them being Ben Harden.  He went up to the
+weeping boy, and sitting down on the edge of the bunk, said in quite a
+kindly tone,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What's the matter, my lad?  Feeling homesick, eh?  Well, I can't blame
+you.  It's a poor place you've come to.  But cheer up, and make the
+best of it.  You'll feel better when you get rested."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With a great effort Eric gulped down his sobs and wiped away his
+fast-falling tears.  He felt much relieved at seeing Ben again, and did
+his best to give him a smile of welcome as he said,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, I'm so glad you've come.  Everything seems so strange here."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A grim smile broke the habitual sternness of the big man's face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Strange!  Yes; no doubt.  It is a strange place.  Perhaps you'll think
+it stranger before you leave it," said he&mdash;adding in an undertone to
+himself, so that Eric hardly caught the words, "that is, if you ever do
+leave it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A large pot hung on a kind of wooden crane before the fire, and
+pointing to it Ben asked Eric if he wouldn't like something to eat.
+Then, without waiting for a reply, he went over to the table, and
+picking up a plate, proceeded to fill it from the pot, and having added
+a spoon, brought it back to Eric.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now, trouble may take away the appetite of older people, but with a
+hearty, healthy boy hunger may always be trusted to insist upon being
+attended to.  Eric had not tasted food since early morning, and it was
+now approaching midnight.  Could any one who know anything about boys
+find it in his heart to criticise him if the plateful of savoury stew
+vanished rapidly before his dexterous wielding of the spoon?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ben was highly pleased at his <I>protégé's</I> vigorous appetite.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well done, my hearty!" he exclaimed.  "That's the best kind of physic
+for you.  You'll soon be yourself again.  Now, then, just you lie down
+and take a good snooze, and that'll finish the cure."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric was just about to throw himself back upon the pillow when he
+caught sight of Prince, who had been watching him with eager eyes while
+he satisfied his hunger.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My poor Prince!" he cried.  "I was forgetting all about you.&mdash;Please,
+can't he have some dinner too?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sartin!" said Ben.  "The brute must be hungry.  I'll give him a good
+square meal."  And filling a tin dish from the pot, he set it before
+the mastiff, who attacked it ravenously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric felt decidedly better for his hearty meal.  A luxurious sense of
+warmth and languor stole over him.  He stretched himself out upon his
+comfortable couch, and in a few moments sank into a deep, dreamless
+sleep.  Prince having licked the dish until it shone again, resumed his
+position beside the bunk, and fell asleep also.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap05"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER V.
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+ERIC LOOKS ABOUT HIM.
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+It was broad daylight when the boy awoke, and he felt very well pleased
+at finding no one in the room but Ben, who sat by the table, evidently
+waiting for him to open his eyes.  As soon as he did so the latter
+noticed it, and coming up to the bunk, said in his gruff way,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, ho!  Awake at last.  Was wondering if you were going to sleep all
+day.  Feel like turning out?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course," replied Eric, brightly.  "I feel all right now."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On getting out of the bunk, however, he found himself so dreadfully
+stiff and sore that it was positively painful to move, and he had much
+difficulty in dragging himself over to the table, where he found a pile
+of ship's biscuit and a pannikin of tea awaiting him.  He did not feel
+at all so hungry as he had the night before, and this very plain repast
+seemed very unattractive, accustomed as he was to the best of fare.  He
+nibbled at the biscuit, took a sip of the tea, and then pushed the
+things away, saying,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't want any breakfast, thank you.  I'm not a bit hungry."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ben was too shrewd not to guess the true reason of the boy's
+indifferent appetite.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There's not much choice of grub on Sable Island," said he, with one of
+his grim smiles.  "You'll have to take kindly to hard-tack and tea if
+you don't want to starve."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But really I am not hungry," explained Eric eagerly, afraid of seeming
+not to appreciate his friend's hospitality.  "If I were, I'd eat the
+biscuits fast enough, for I'm quite fond of them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ben now proceeded to fill and light a big pipe.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you smoke?" he asked, after he had got it in full blast.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, no," answered Eric.  "My father doesn't believe in boys smoking,
+and has forbidden me to learn."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your father's a sensible man, my boy," said Ben; then added, "Well,
+you'd best stay about the hut to-day, since you feel so stiff.  I've
+got to go off, but I'll be back by mid-day."  He put on his hat and
+went away, leaving Eric and Prince in possession of the establishment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric did not by any means like the idea of being left alone, but he
+naturally shrank from saying so.  He went to the door and regretfully
+looked after the tall figure striding swiftly over the sand until it
+disappeared behind a hillock, beyond which he thought must be the ocean.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now that he was left entirely to his own resources, Eric's curiosity
+began to assert itself.  Had he but known in what direction to go, and
+felt equal to the task, his first business would certainly have been to
+set forth in search of the scene of the wreck, if haply he might find
+traces of other survivors besides himself.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But neither could he tell where to go, nor was he fit to walk any great
+distance.  For aught he knew, he might be miles from the beach where
+the <I>Francis</I> finally struck.  Anyway, Evil-Eye was certain to be
+there, hunting for more prizes, and he had no wish to encounter him.
+So he proceeded to examine his strange surroundings.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The hut&mdash;for, despite its size, it was really nothing more than a
+hut&mdash;was a very curious building.  It had evidently been put together
+by many hands, out of the wreckage of many ships, the builders
+apparently being more proficient in ship-carpentry than in
+house-joinery.  Their labours had resulted, through an amazing
+adaptation of knees, planking, stanchions, and bulk-heads, in a long,
+low-ceilinged, but roomy building, something after the shape of a large
+vessel's poop.  For lighting and ventilation it depended upon a number
+of port-holes irregularly put in.  Running around two sides of the room
+was a row of bunks, very much like those in a forecastle, the tier
+being two high.  Eric counted them.  There were just thirty, and he
+wondered if each had an occupant.  If so, he must have slept in Ben's
+last night, and where, then, had Ben himself slept?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Upon the walls of the other two sides of the room hung a great number
+of weapons of various kinds&mdash;cutlasses, swords, muskets, dirks,
+daggers, and pistols, a perfect armoury, all carefully burnished and
+ready for use.  They strongly excited Eric's curiosity, and he occupied
+himself examining them one by one.  One pair of pistols especially
+attracted his attention.  They were of the very latest make, and the
+handles were beautifully inlaid with silver.  He took one from the
+wall, and aimed at one of the port-holes with it.  As he did so a
+thought flashed into his mind that gave him an electric thrill, and
+sent the blood bounding wildly through his veins.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+What if that port-hole were the repulsive countenance of Evil-Eye, and
+they were alone together?  Would he be able to resist the impulse to
+give with his forefinger the slight pressure upon the finely-balanced
+trigger that would send a bullet crashing into the ruffian's brain?  So
+intense was his excitement that he almost staggered under its
+influence.  For the first time in his life an overmastering passion for
+revenge, for retribution, took possession of him, and carried him out
+of himself.  Smooth, clear, and bright as the lovely stream that
+watered the Oakdene meadows had been the current of his life hitherto.
+To few boys had the lines fallen in pleasanter places.  Yet this happy
+fortune had not rendered him unmanly or irresolute.  He was capable of
+conceiving and carrying out any purpose that lay within the range of a
+boy's powers.  The Copeland courage and the Copeland determination were
+his inheritance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now never before had he been brought into contact with any one who had
+so roused his repulsion or hatred as Evil-Eye.  Not only because of his
+hideous appearance and threatened violence, but because of Ben's dark
+hints and his own suspicions as to Evil-Eye being no better than a
+murderer, the very depths of his nature were stirred, and he felt as
+though it would be but right to inflict summary vengeance at the first
+opportunity.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Trembling with these strange, wild thoughts, he held the pistol still
+pointed at the port-hole, and unconsciously pressing upon the trigger,
+there was a sharp report, which caused Prince, dozing comfortably by
+the fire, to spring to his feet with a startled growl, following the
+crash of broken glass, as the bullet pierced the port-lid.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Almost at the same moment the door was thrown roughly open and Evil-Eye
+entered the room.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What are you doing with my pistols?" he cried, his face aflame with
+rage, as he strode toward Eric.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Scarce knowing what he was doing, Eric snatched up the other pistol and
+darted around the big table, so that it would form a barrier between
+himself and Evil-Eye.  His hand was perfectly steady now, and levelling
+the pistol at his assailant, he said in a firm tone,&mdash;-
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let me alone, or I'll shoot you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With a fearful oath the ruffian drew a pistol from his belt, and in
+another moment blood would undoubtedly have been shed, had not Ben
+Harden rushed in through the open door, and snatching Evil-Eye's pistol
+out of his hand, thrown it to the other end of the room, where it went
+off without harm to any one.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You scoundrel!" he roared.  "If you don't leave that boy alone, I will
+break every bone in your body."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At first Evil-Eye was so completely taken aback by this unexpected
+interference that he seemed dazed for a moment.  Then his hand went
+again to his belt, as though he would turn his baffled fury upon Ben.
+But evidently a wiser second thought prevailed, and choking down his
+wrath, he growled out contemptuously,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't be in such a stew.  I'm not going to hurt your baby.  I was only
+teaching him manners, and not to meddle with other people's belongings
+without first asking their leave."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This speech drew Ben's attention to the pistol Eric still held in his
+hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah," said he, "you've got one of Evil-Eye's pets there, have you?
+Well, put it back in its place, and don't touch it again."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Feeling very confused, Eric replaced the pistols carefully, their owner
+watching him with a malign glare which boded him no good.  Its meaning
+was not lost upon observant Ben.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, my lad," said he; "a bit of an airing will do you good.  Put on
+your cap, and come out with me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Only too glad to obey, Eric picked up his cap, and calling to Prince,
+followed Ben out into the open air, leaving Evil-Eye alone in the hut.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The sun was shining brightly, the sky was almost cloudless, and the
+wind blew as softly and innocently from the south as though it had not
+raged with fatal fury but a few hours before.  Eric's spirits, which
+had been wofully depressed by the events of the past two days, began to
+rise a little, and he looked about him with much interest as he trudged
+along through the deep sand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ben appeared to be in no mood for talking, and stalked on ahead in
+moody silence, puffing hard at the short black pipe which was hardly
+ever away from his mouth except at meal-time and when he was sleeping.
+Eric therefore did not bother him with questions, and found
+companionship in Prince, who showed lively satisfaction in being
+out-of-doors, frisking about and barking loudly in the exuberance of
+his glee.  One good night's rest and plenty to eat had been sufficient
+to completely restore his strength.  He looked and felt quite equal to
+anything that might be required of him, and was an inexpressible
+comfort to Eric, to whom he seemed much more than a mere dog&mdash;a
+protector and friend, who could be trusted to the uttermost.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Half-an-hour's walking brought Ben to the highest point of a
+sand-ridge, where he threw himself, waiting for Eric, who had lagged
+behind a little, to come up.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sit ye down, lad," said he, when the boy reached him.  "You're feeling
+tired, no doubt."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric was tired, and very glad indeed to seat himself near Ben, who
+continued to puff away at his pipe, as though he had nothing more to
+say.  Thus left to himself, Eric let his eyes wander over the strange
+and striking scene spread out before him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He was upon the crest of a sand-hill, a hundred feet or more in height,
+which sloped to the beach, upon whose glistening sands the great
+billows were breaking, although the day was clear and calm.  Far out
+beyond the serried lines of white-maned sea-coursers the ocean could be
+seen sleeping peacefully.  Here and there, upon the sand-bars, the
+hulls of vessels in various stages of destruction told plainly how
+common was the fate which had befallen the <I>Francis</I>, and how rich a
+field the wreckers had chosen for their dreadful business.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Turning to his right, Eric saw a long narrow lake in the middle of the
+island, its banks densely grown with rushes and lilies.  Upon its
+placid surface flocks of ducks were paddling, while snipes and
+sand-pipers hopped along the margin.  The valley of the lake presented
+a curious contrast to those portions of the island that faced seaward,
+for it was thickly carpeted with coarse grass and wild vines, which
+were still green enough to be grateful to the eye weary of the monotony
+of sand and sea.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Upon the left the island rose and fell, a succession of sand-hills.
+Far in the distance, a faint line of white showed where it once more
+touched the ocean, and gave cause for other lines of roaring surges.
+All this and more had Eric time to take in before Ben broke silence.
+He had been regarding him very thoughtfully for a few moments, and at
+length he spoke,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, lad," said he, "I've been thinking much about ye.  I've saved
+your life, but I'm not so clear in my mind but what it 'ud have been
+best to have let you go with the others."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric gave a start of surprise, and there was an alarmed tone in his
+voice, as he exclaimed,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why, Mr. Ben, what makes you say that?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, you see, it's just this way," answered Ben slowly, as though he
+were puzzling out the best way to state the case.  "You're in a mighty
+bad box, and no mistake.  Evil-Eye does not fancy you, and will take
+the first chance to do for you, if he can keep his own skin whole.
+Dead men tell no tales is what he goes by; and if the folks over
+there"&mdash;jerking his thumb in the direction of the mainland&mdash;"only knew
+what goes on here, they'd be pretty sure to want to put a stop to it,
+and make us all smart for it finely.  Now, it's not likely you want to
+join us; and I'm no less sure that Evil-Eye will take precious good
+care not to let you go, for fear you should get his neck into the
+noose.  That's the only thing he's afraid of.  And so it just bothers
+me to make out what's to be the end of the business."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap06"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER VI.
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+BEN HARDEN.
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+As the words fell one by one from Ben's lips, Eric realized more and
+more clearly how critical was his situation.  In his gladness at escape
+from the present peril of the wreck, he had forgotten to take thought
+for the future; but now he was brought face to face with a state of
+affairs by which that future was filled with dark foreboding.  Little
+as he had seen of the men into whose midst he had been so strangely
+thrown, it was enough to make very plain to him that they wanted no
+witness of their doings.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So far they had been too much occupied with their own concerns to take
+much notice of him; but once he became the object of their attention,
+the question as to his disposal must be settled.  The issue was more
+than doubtful, to say the least.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+An awful feeling of desolation and despair came upon him.  He seemed
+unable to utter a word, but looked up into Ben's bronzed face with an
+expression in which pathetic appeal was so mingled with harrowing dread
+as to touch this strange man.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He sprang to his feet, dashed his pipe out of his mouth, clenched his
+huge fists, and shouted aloud, as though all the other wreckers were
+there to hear,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They had better take care!  I saved ye, and I'm going to stand by ye.
+Whoever wants to do you harm'll have to reckon with Ben Harden first;
+and come what may, I'll get you off this place with a whole skin,
+somehow."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric was as much surprised at Ben's sudden display of strong feeling as
+he had been alarmed by his ominous words.  He gazed at him, with
+wide-open mouth, until the wrecker, recovering his self-control by an
+evident effort, threw himself down on the sand again, picked up his
+pipe, carefully relit it, and vigorously resumed puffing forth clouds
+of smoke.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was some time before he spoke again.  In a quiet, natural tone he
+asked Eric,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Have you any notion, my lad, why I troubled myself about ye at all?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric shook his head, and there was something inexpressibly winning in
+his smile as he answered,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, sir.  Unless because you have too kind a heart to let Evil-Eye do
+me any harm."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ben smiled in return, but it was in a grim sort of a way.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My heart was softer once than it is now.  There were better days then,
+and never did I think that I'd come to be a wrecker on Sable Island,"
+said he; and the remembrance of those better days evidently gave him
+saddening thoughts, for he relapsed into the moody silence that was his
+wont.  It continued so long that Eric began to feel uncomfortable, and
+was about to move away a little, in order to have a frolic with Prince,
+when Ben roused himself, and motioned him to draw near him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sit ye down in front of me, my lad," said he, "and listen to me a bit,
+and I'll tell you why I couldn't find it in my heart to let any harm
+come to you.  I had a boy of my own once, as trim a lad as ever sat in
+a boat; and many a fine trip we made together, for I was at an honest
+trade then, and wasn't ashamed to take my boy into it.  Ah, lad! those
+were the good times.  We went fishing on the Banks, getting our outfit
+at Halifax, and selling our fare there.  But our home was at Chester,
+where I had a snug cottage, all my own, without a shilling of debt on
+it, and pretty well fitted up too.  The wife&mdash;she was the best wife
+that ever I knew&mdash;she looked after the cottage, and we looked after the
+little schooner; and after each trip we'd stay at home awhile and have
+a little time together.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We were mostly always in luck on the Banks, and it was not often the
+<I>Sea-Slipper</I> missed a good fare, if there were any fish to be caught.
+And so it went on, until I lost my lad.  He and his mate were out in
+their dory fishing, and the cod were plentiful, and they were so full
+of catching them that they did not notice the fog coming up and
+creeping all around them.  They lost their bearings, and no man ever
+set eyes on them again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I didn't give up hoping I'd find them for months afterwards.  I
+cruised about the Banks, I called at all the ports that sent out
+Bankers, and I tried at Halifax, Boston, New York, and other big
+places, hoping that some ship might have picked them up.  But not a
+word did I hear.  There was a heavy blow right after the fog, and no
+doubt they were lost in that.  I lost a lot of time hunting for my boy,
+and it seemed as though when he went my luck followed him.  Everything
+went wrong.  The fish would hardly touch my hooks, and I never got a
+full fare.  Then the wife died.  She never held up her head after the
+day I came home without our boy.  I took to the drink.  It didn't make
+matters any better, of course, but I couldn't keep from it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I got knocking about with a bad lot of chaps; and the end of it was,
+some of us came here.  I don't care how soon it's all over with me.  I
+hate this business, and I hate myself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Here Ben came to a pause, as though he had said more than he intended;
+and Eric, not knowing what to interpose, looked at him in silent
+sympathy, until he began again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But I haven't told ye why I saved ye from Evil-Eye.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, it was just this way.  When I found ye, you were lying on the
+sand like as though you were asleep; and you fairly gave me a start,
+you looked so like my own boy.  He was just about your age when he was
+lost, and you'd be much the same size, and he had brown hair just like
+yours.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If my boy had been lying half-dead on the beach, I'd have thought any
+man worse than a brute that wouldn't help the lad.  So I just made up
+my mind to take your part, Evil-Eye or no Evil-Eye; and now I'm going
+to stick to it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Having spoken thus, Ben put his pipe back between his lips, evidently
+having no more to say.  Eric hardly knew how to give expression to his
+feelings.  Sympathy for his rescuer's troubles and gratitude for his
+assurance of safe-keeping filled his heart.  The tears gathered in his
+eyes, and his voice trembled as, turning to the big man beside him, he
+laid his hand upon his knee, and looking up into his face, said,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You've been very good to me, Mr. Ben.  You're the only friend I've got
+here except Prince, and I'm sure you won't let any harm come to me, if
+you can help it.  And I'm so sorry about your son.  You see, we've both
+lost somebody: you've lost your boy, and I&mdash;I've lost my mother."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His voice sank to a whisper as he uttered the words, and the tears he
+had been bravely keeping back overflowed upon his cheeks.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ben said not a word.  There was a suspicious glistening about his
+eyelids, and the quite superfluous vigour of his puffing told plainly
+enough that he was deeply moved.  After a moment he rose to his feet,
+knocked the ashes out of his pipe, and putting it into his pocket,
+said,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, lad, let us go back to the hut."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The two retraced their steps to the wreckers' abode.  Eric now felt
+more at ease than he had since the shipwreck.  With such protectors as
+Ben and Prince he surely had not much to fear, even in the evil company
+among which he had been cast.  As to the future&mdash;well, it certainly did
+seem dark.  But he had been taught to put trust in the Heavenly Father
+to whom he prayed, and he looked up to him now for help and guidance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When they arrived at the hut they found the whole party of wreckers
+there, waiting somewhat impatiently for a huge negro to serve them
+their supper.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This negro did duty as cook; they called him Black Joe.  They took
+little notice of the new-comers, and Eric, going quietly over to his
+bunk, sat down on the edge and looked about him.  This was his first
+opportunity of getting a good look at his strange companions.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By listening to their conversation and studying their countenances he
+made out that the majority of them were English, but that there were a
+few Frenchmen amongst them.  There was only one negro, a stalwart,
+bull-necked, bullet-headed fellow, with a good-natured face, who seemed
+the butt of the others, and a target for their oaths and jeers, as he
+bustled about the fireplace preparing their food.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The whole party appeared to be in excellent humour, the cause thereof
+being plainly enough the fact of the <I>Francis</I> having proved so rich a
+prize.  Each man had been able to secure sufficient plunder to satisfy
+him, so there was no necessity for quarrelling over the division.  They
+each had some precious find to boast of, and they vied with one another
+in relating with great gusto their successful efforts after the
+wreckage.  From what they said, Eric gathered that the <I>Francis</I> did
+not break up after striking.  Her stout oak frame resisted the fiercest
+attempts of the billows to tear it asunder.  The storm subsided during
+the night, and the men were able in the morning to make their way to
+the wreck, and despoil her of whatever took their fancy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The thousands of valuable books, and the holdful of costly but cumbrous
+furniture, they contemptuously left to the mercy of wind and wave.  The
+great store of gold and silver plate, the casks of finest wines, the
+barrels and cases of delicious biscuits, conserves, pickles, and other
+dainties, together with the racks of muskets, swords, and other
+weapons&mdash;these were all very much to their liking.  Moreover, the
+clothing chests had been ransacked, each man helping himself according
+to his fancy.  The result was a display of gorgeous uniforms and
+elegant apparel that would have been quite imposing had not the faces
+and manners of the wearers been so ludicrously out of keeping with
+their costumes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Little did Prince Edward imagine, when ordering liberal additions to
+his wardrobe, that those resplendent garments were destined to be worn
+to tatters on the backs of the wreckers of Sable Island.  What would
+have been his feelings could he have seen Evil-Eye strutting about as
+proud as a turkey-cock in the superb uniform intended for the commander
+of the forces at Halifax?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Although the profuse profanity of the speakers shocked and sickened
+him, Eric listened attentively to all that was said, in the hope of
+picking up something about his future.  But the wreckers were too much
+occupied with their own affairs to pay any attention to him.  Presently
+Black Joe announced that supper was ready, whereupon they all stopped
+talking, and fell to with ravenous appetites.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The table looked curiously out of keeping with its associations of
+squalid hut and coarse, brutal men.  It was covered with a cloth of
+richest damask that should have adorned a royal dining-room, and set
+out with china, glass, plate, and cutlery of corresponding elegance.
+It filled Eric with indignation and disgust to see the wreckers hacking
+their meat with ivory-handled knives, impaling their potatoes upon
+silver forks, and quenching their thirst by copious draughts out of
+cut-glass goblets, which seemed to be desecrated by their foul touch.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ben motioned him to a seat beside himself, and helped him bountifully.
+Ill at ease as the boy felt, he was very hungry, and was glad to do
+full justice to the coarse but plentiful fare provided by Black Joe.
+The wine he would not touch.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The hearty supper and the abundant wine put the men in even better
+humour than before, and Ben now saw his opportunity to carry out a plan
+that had been forming in his mind.  Rising to his feet, he secured his
+companions' attention by rapping loudly upon the table with the handle
+of his knife, and then proceeded to surprise them by making a little
+speech; for so chary of his words was he, as a usual thing, that they
+sometimes called him Silent Ben.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I want a word with you, mates," said he; and at once every face was
+turned toward him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You see this boy here.  Now, I've taken a great liking to him, and I'm
+willing that he and his dog shall be counted as part of my share of
+this last prize.  That's all right, ain't it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ay, ay, Ben; right enough," came from half-a-dozen of them, while some
+of the others looked a little doubtful, as if they didn't know exactly
+what was coming.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap07"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER VII.
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+A SABLE ISLAND WINTER.
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+"Well now, look here, mates," Ben continued; "fair and square's the
+word between us, ain't it?  If I choose to take a notion to these two
+here, it's my own lookout, and it's not for any other chap to be
+interfering with me, any more than I'd be after wanting your things,
+eh?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They were beginning to see what he was driving at now, and one of them
+said, with a sort of sneer,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're not afraid of any one wanting your boy, or his dog either, are
+you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not exactly," answered Ben; "but what I've on my mind is this: seeing
+they're my property, I don't want any one to meddle with them or give
+them any trouble&mdash;that's only fair, ain't it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fair enough, Ben; but what are you going to do with the boy when we
+leave here?" asked one.  And there was a murmur of assent to the
+question.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That'll be all right, mates," replied Ben promptly.  "I'll be surety
+that he doesn't get us into any trouble.  You just leave that to me,
+and I'll warrant you I'll get him away from us quiet enough.  What do
+you say, mates?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Although by dint of bluster and brutality Evil-Eye had forced his way
+to a sort of leadership among the wreckers, there was really none of
+them with so much influence as Ben.  With the exception of Evil-Eye
+they were all now quite ready to accept his assurances of Eric not
+proving a source of trouble, and to consent to his remaining with them.
+Evil-Eye growled and grumbled a good deal, but could get nobody to heed
+him; and Ben, satisfied that he had carried his point, and that Eric
+and Prince were safe, took his seat again, and lit his pipe for a good
+smoke.  He was perfectly sincere in promising that Eric would not get
+his associates into any trouble.  He certainly never imagined what
+would be the result of his taking him under his protection.  Could he
+have had a peep into the future, perhaps he would have hesitated before
+becoming his champion.  As it was, he gave himself no concern upon the
+point.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric felt wonderfully relieved at the result of his protector's appeal.
+It settled his position among his strange, uncongenial companions.
+They might take no notice of him if they chose&mdash;indeed, that was just
+what he would prefer&mdash;but they had, at all events, not only recognized
+but consented to his presence, and this took a great load off his mind.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Although his objections had been ignored by his companions, Evil-Eye
+was by no means disposed to give up altogether his designs upon Eric.
+There were two reasons why he hungered for the boy's life.  It was
+against his principle of dead men telling no tales that he should be
+spared; and, again, he hated Ben, and the mere fact of his being
+interested in Eric was quite sufficient to cause the innocent lad to
+get a share of that hatred.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the days that followed, Eric could not fail to be conscious of the
+frequency with which the ruffian's one eye was turned upon him, and of
+the hyena-like look with which it regarded him.  Happy for him was it
+that there was a restraining influence which kept that awful look from
+finding its way into fitting deed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Though they did not distinctly recognize any leader&mdash;their motto being
+each man for himself, and one as good as another&mdash;the wreckers regarded
+Ben with a respect accorded no other member of the motley crew.  This
+was in part due to his great size and strength, and in part to his
+taciturn, self-contained ways, which prevented any of that familiarity
+that so quickly breeds contempt.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Evil-Eye feared Ben no less than he hated him, and dared not openly
+attempt anything against him, although the fire of his fury burned
+hotly within his breast.  In this fear of Ben, much more than in the
+decision of the other wreckers, lay Eric's safety.  Ere long, this
+defence was strengthened in a manner most strange, startling, and
+happily most effective.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A week of almost incessant stormy weather had compelled the wreckers to
+spend most of their time in the hut.  Finding the hours hang heavy on
+their hands, many of them had sought solace in drink, of which the
+<I>Francis's</I> fine stock of wines and liquors furnished an unstinted
+supply.  No one drank more deeply than Evil-Eye.  Day after day was
+passed in a state alternating between coarse hilarity and maudlin
+stupor; Ben, on the other hand, hardly touched the liquor, contenting
+himself with sipping a little at his meals.  It was well, indeed, that
+he should be so moderate, for his cool head and strong hand were in
+demand more than once to prevent serious conflicts among his
+intoxicated companions.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric, in spite of the stormy weather, kept as much out of doors as
+possible.  He preferred the buffeting of the wintry winds to the close
+atmosphere of the hut, foul with oaths, and reeking with tobacco and
+spirits.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Evil-Eye's carouse had continued several days.  Early one night, after
+he had fallen into a sottish sleep upon his bunk, and the others had,
+later on, one by one turned in for the night, leaving the room in a
+silence broken only by the heavy breathing and stertorous snoring of
+the sleepers, the whole hut was suddenly aroused by an appalling yell
+from Evil-Eye.  Starting up, his companions saw him, by the light of a
+moonbeam that strayed in through one of the portholes, rise to his feet
+with an expression of the most frantic terror upon his hideous
+countenance, as he shrieked at the top of his voice,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I will&mdash;I swear I will&mdash;if you'll only let me alone!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, throwing up his arms, he fell over, foaming, in a fit.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For some minutes the hut was a scene of wild confusion as its
+bewildered inmates, so suddenly aroused from their sleep, stumbled
+about in the darkness trying to find out what was the matter.  But Ben,
+who was not easily frightened, soon restored order by striking a light,
+and showing that whatever may have been the matter with Evil-Eye, there
+was certainly no real cause for alarm.  Thereupon, with many a growl at
+him for disturbing their night's rest, most of them grumblingly went
+back to sleep.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A few thought it worth while to see what was the matter with Evil-Eye,
+and of these Ben took command.  Little as he loved the ruffian, he
+could not find it in his heart to let him die for lack of a little
+care.  So, under his direction, the struggling man was lifted out upon
+the floor.  His face was splashed with water, while his arms and legs
+were chafed by rough hands.  In a little while the patient's struggles
+grew less violent, the purple hue left his face, and his breathing
+became more natural.  Presently, with a great sigh, he fell into a
+heavy sleep, from which he did not awake for many hours.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Although pestered with questions upon his return to consciousness as to
+the cause of his strange behaviour, he refused to give any reason.  But
+there were two changes in him too noticeable not to excite the remark
+of his associates&mdash;he was much more moderate in the use of wine, taking
+care not to drink to excess; and his attitude toward Eric became
+curiously different.  Instead of regarding him with his former look of
+hungering hatred, he now seemed to have a feeling of dread.  He shrank
+from being near him, avoiding him in every possible way; treating him,
+in fact, much as a dog would a man who had been especially cruel to him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ben and Eric at once noted the change, and were well pleased at it.
+Some time after, they learned the cause.  It seemed that the evening
+Evil-Eye had acted so strangely he had been awakened from his drunken
+sleep about midnight by a startling vision.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was the form of a tall man in a military uniform dripping with
+sea-water and soiled with sand.  On his face was the pallor of death,
+and his eyes had an awful, far-away expression, as though they were
+looking through the startled sleeper.  Fixing them steadfastly upon
+Evil-Eye, whose blood seemed to freeze in his veins, he held up his
+forefinger as if commanding attention, and pointed to the bunk where
+Eric lay sleeping.  At the same time his face took on a threatening
+look, and his lips moved.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Although no words reached Evil-Eye's ears, he understood.  As the
+spectre stood before him, so intense was his terror that it broke the
+spell which locked his lips, and he shrieked out the words already
+mentioned.  He knew no more until, at broad daylight, he found himself
+weak and miserable in his berth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Like many men of his kind, Evil-Eye was very superstitious.  After the
+vision he looked upon Eric as being under the protection of some
+ghostly being that would for ever haunt any one who did him any harm.
+Henceforth Eric had nothing to fear from him.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+Winter on Sable Island is not like winter on the mainland.  The Gulf
+Stream prevents any long continuance of cold.  The snow comes in
+violent storms, and fills the valleys with drifts; but these soon
+vanish.  There is more rain and fog than snow, even in mid-winter; and
+the herds of wild, shaggy, sharp-boned ponies which scamper from end to
+end of the island have no difficulty in finding plenty to eat among the
+grasses which grow rankly in every sheltered spot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+These ponies were a great source of amusement to Eric.  But for them
+and the rabbits, which were even more numerous, the winter, wearisome
+at best, would have been simply intolerable.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The wreckers had captured a score of the ponies, and broken them in
+after a fashion.  They were kept near the hut, in a large corral built
+of driftwood, and there were plenty of saddles and bridles.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now if there was one manly accomplishment more than another upon which
+Eric prided himself it was his horsemanship.  He had been put upon a
+pony when only five years old, and had been an enthusiastic rider ever
+since.  At Oakdene he had ridden to hounds since he was twice five
+years of age, and there was not a lad in the county with a firmer seat
+in the saddle or a more masterful touch of the reins.  The saddles and
+bridles at Sable Island were poor things compared with those he had
+been accustomed to; and the ponies themselves were about as wicked and
+vicious as animals of that size could be.  But this only lent an
+additional zest to the amusement of riding them.  Their bad behaviour
+did not daunt Eric in the least.  With Ben's assistance a pony would be
+caught in the corral and saddled, and then off he would go for a long,
+lively gallop, Prince, as full of glee as himself, barking and bounding
+along at his side.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Very often Ben would keep him company, for there was an old black
+stallion of unusual size which seemed equal to the task of bearing his
+huge frame.  Then Eric's happiness was complete, for every day he was
+growing fonder of the big man who had saved him from a dreadful death,
+and who now treated him with paternal tenderness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With the keen wintry air making his cheeks tingle, he would scamper off
+at full speed for mile after mile, while Ben lumbered along more
+slowly, thoroughly enjoying the boy's vigour and daring.  Then, halting
+until Ben overtook him, he would canter on quietly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+An amusement of which Eric never tired was chasing the wild ponies, as
+though he wanted to catch one of them.  Climbing one of the sand-hills,
+he would look about until he sighted a herd grazing quietly in the
+hollows, and guarded as usual by a touzle-maned stallion of mature
+years.  Making a wide detour, and carefully concealing his approach by
+keeping the hillocks between himself and the ponies, he would get as
+near as he possibly could without being seen.  If necessary, he
+dismounted and crept along on his hands and knees, dragging his own
+pony by the bridle, while Prince followed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When concealment was no longer possible, he would spring into his
+saddle, and with wild shouts charge down upon the startled ponies; and
+they would gallop off in headlong stampede.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+One afternoon, while thus amusing himself, he had quite an exciting
+experience, and rather a narrow escape from injury.  He had stampeded a
+herd of ponies, and picking out a sturdy little youngster as his
+particular prey, was pressing him pretty closely, when the pony charged
+straight up the side of a hill.  As it was not steep, Eric followed
+hard after him, taking for granted the slope would be about the same on
+the other side.  Instead of that, the hill fell away abruptly.  Over
+plunged the hunted pony.  Unable to check his own animal, full of the
+spirit of the chase, over plunged Eric too.  For a moment both ponies
+kept their feet; but the treacherous sand giving way beneath them, they
+rolled head over heels.  Eric happily got free from his horse in time
+to save himself from being crushed underneath it; but when they all
+reached the bottom in a heap together, he could not escape the
+frantically pawing hoofs, and one of them struck him such a blow upon
+the head as to stun him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When he recovered he found himself lying upon the sand, not a pony in
+sight, and Prince licking his face with affectionate anxiety.  His head
+ached sharply, and he felt somewhat sore after his tremendous tumble;
+but not a bone was broken nor a joint sprained.  Thankful at having
+gotten off so well, he made the best of his way back to the hut.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ben was greatly pleased at the adventure, and regretted he had not been
+there when ponies, boy, and dog rolled down the hill together.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You ought to let your friends know when you're going to give a
+performance like that, my lad," said he, after a hearty laugh.  "It's
+too good to keep to yourself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Perhaps you'd like me to repeat it for you," Eric suggested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No indeed, Eric.  You got off all right that time, but you might break
+your precious neck the next.  How would you like to have a try at a
+morse?  The men tell me they saw a lot of them at the west end this
+morning; and as you're so fond of hunting, there's something well worth
+killing."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap08"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER VIII.
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+ANXIOUS TIMES.
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+"How would I like it?" cried Eric, his face beaming.  "Why, above all
+things.  I've often seen pictures of the great ugly creatures, and I
+think it would be just splendid to shoot one and get his tusks."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All right, my boy," replied Ben.  "We'll start the first thing in the
+morning."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Accordingly, the next morning the two set out upon their ponies for the
+west end.  Ben carried a heavy musket that would send a load of slugs
+through a ship's side, and Eric a light smooth-bore, the accuracy of
+which he had proved by frequent practice.  As they would be away all
+day, they took plenty of biscuits with them.  Prince, of course,
+accompanied them, and as soon as they had disposed of breakfast they
+started.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There were many creatures to be found on Sable Island in those days
+which would be vainly sought for now.  Besides the ponies, a large
+number of wild cattle and hogs roamed about the interior, and furnished
+the wreckers with abundant meat; while during the winter the morse, or
+walrus, and the great Greenland seal paid the beaches regular visits.
+The common harbour seal was there all the year round.  Of these
+animals, only the ponies and common seals still remain; the others have
+been all killed off.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Ben and Eric drew near the end of the island they dismounted and
+tethered the ponies, so that they could not run back to the corral.
+They then made their way cautiously to the edge of the bank thrown up
+by the waves.  Ben was a little ahead of Eric, and the moment he peeped
+over the bank he turned and motioned Eric to follow.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Look, lad!" said he, in a voice full of excitement, as he pointed to
+the beach in front.  "There they are!  Aren't they beauties?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric looked, and his face showed the surprise he had too much sense to
+put into words.  "Beauties!" he thought to himself.  "Why, they are the
+most hideous monsters I ever saw in my life."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And they certainly were hideous, with their huge, dun-coloured,
+ungainly bodies, their bullet heads, their grizzly beards, their
+terrible tusks, and their bulging eyes.  They looked as ugly as some
+nightmare vision.  Plucky as he was, Eric could not restrain a tremor
+as he gazed at them.  But he had no time to indulge his feelings, for
+Ben said in a hoarse whisper,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You take that tusker right in front of you, and I'll take the big
+fellow to the right, and when I say 'Fire!' let drive.  Be sure and aim
+right at the nose."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric's heart was beating wildly, and he could scarcely breathe for
+excitement; but his hand was steady as he drew the musket to his
+shoulder, and took careful aim at the nose of the walrus Ben had
+assigned to him.  Giving a quick glance to see that all was ready, Ben
+called "Fire!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Like the report of one the two muskets cracked together, and the
+marksmen peered eagerly through the smoke to see the result.  Clearly
+enough their aim had been good; for while the remainder of the little
+pack of walruses lumbered off into the water snorting with terror, the
+two that had been picked out as targets did not follow.  Ben's fell
+over on the sand, to all appearance dead; but Eric's plunged madly
+about, seeming to be too bewildered to take refuge in flight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Hastily reloading, the hunters rushed upon their prey, and Ben, seizing
+a good opportunity, put another charge of slugs into the struggling
+creature's head, just behind the ear, which cut short its sufferings.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hurrah!" cried Ben, radiant with pride and satisfaction.  "We've got
+them both, and no mistake.  We'll each have a fine pair of tusks, won't
+we?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric was no less delighted, and all his nervousness having vanished,
+executed a sort of war-dance around the prostrate forms of the
+sea-monsters, which looked all the uglier the closer he got to them.
+Drawing a big knife from his belt, Ben approached his walrus to sever
+the head from the body, Eric standing a little distance off to watch
+him.  They were quite sure the creature was dead; but the instant the
+sharp steel touched its neck it came to life, for it had been only
+stunned.  With a sudden sweep of its fore-flipper, it hurled Ben over
+upon his back, sending the knife flying from his hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Eric! quick! for God's sake!" cried Ben, as he fell.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The infuriated monster was right over him.  In another moment those
+terrible tusks would have been buried in his body, when, with a roar
+like that of a lion, Prince launched himself full at the walrus's head,
+and his great fangs closed tightly in the soft part where the head
+joins the neck.  Uttering a roar quite equal to the dog's, the morse
+turned upon his new assailant; but just as he did so, Eric's rifle
+spoke again.  Its bullet crashed into the monster's brain, and with a
+mad flurry, which loosened even Prince's hold, it rolled over upon the
+sand, this time dead beyond question.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ben sprang to his feet, and rushing upon Eric flung his arms around
+him, and gave him a hug that fairly squeezed the breath out of him.
+Then, without a word, he turned to Prince, and repeated the operation.
+He then expressed his gratitude in these words,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It was a good day for me when I saved your lives.  You've done me good
+ever since; and now you've saved my life, and it's only tit for tat.
+All right, my lad; so long as there's a drop of blood in my body, no
+harm shall come to either of you that Ben Harden can fend off."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The business of beheading, which had been so startlingly interrupted,
+was now resumed.  From the way Ben handled his knife, he was evidently
+quite experienced at the work.  They wanted only the tusks, but to get
+them out in perfect condition, it would be necessary to boil the heads
+until the flesh came off readily; so they had to take them back to the
+hut for that purpose.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Well satisfied with the result of their hunt, they ate their lunch and
+took a good rest before returning to the hut, which they reached early
+in the afternoon.  They both felt that they were now bound to each
+other by ties of peculiar strength.  Eric, uncertain and full of
+difficulty as to the future, somehow felt convinced that Ben would
+bring it out all right for him.  He little imagined how much he would
+help himself in escaping.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Chasing ponies and hunting walruses were not the only amusements Sable
+Island afforded Eric.  As has been already mentioned, the grassy dells
+abounded with rabbits and the marshy lake and ponds with wild fowl.
+The rabbit-shooting was really capital sport.  The bunnies were fine
+big fellows, as lively and wary as any sportsman could wish, and to
+secure a good bag of them meant plenty of hard work.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was the rabbit-hunting that found Prince in his glory.  Had he been
+a greyhound instead of a mastiff he could not have entered more
+heartily into the chase.  To be sure, he proved, upon the whole, rather
+more of a hindrance than a help; but no suspicion of this fact ever
+dashed his bright spirit, and not for the world would Eric have hinted
+it to him.  His redeeming quality lay in his retrieving, for he had
+been carefully trained to fetch and carry, and he quickly learned to
+hunt out and bring to them the victims of their muskets.  The rabbits
+were not killed in the mere wantonness of sport.  There was always an
+active demand for them at the hut, where Black Joe made them into
+savoury stews.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+About the same time as the walruses came great numbers of the Greenland
+seal, which a little later brought forth their funny little whelps.
+These looked like amphibious puppies as they sprawled about the beach
+or scuttled off into the water.  They took Eric's boyish fancy so
+strongly that he longed to have one for a pet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ben soon gratified him by creeping cautiously upon the pack one day,
+and grasping by the tail a fine, sleek, shiny little fellow.  After a
+couple of weeks' confinement in a pen, that Eric built for him, with
+constant, kind attention, the captive became so contented with his new
+life, and so attached to his young master, that he was allowed his
+liberty.  He showed not the slightest disposition to run away.  Eric
+found him quite as intelligent and docile as a dog, and taught him many
+amusing tricks.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So long as the weather was fine Eric had plenty of cures for low
+spirits.  But in the winter the proportion of fine days to foul is very
+small on Sable Island.  For a whole week at a time the sun would not
+appear, and long storms were frequent.  Happily, there was one resource
+at hand for the stormy weather.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Among the spoils of the <I>Francis</I> was a leather-covered box, so
+handsome and so heavy that one of the wreckers, feeling sure it
+contained something valuable, brought it carefully ashore.  When he
+broke it open he was much disgusted to find that it contained nothing
+but books.  He flung it into a corner, boasting that "he had no book
+larnin', and what's more, didn't want none."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric afterwards picked it up, and was delighted to find in it a large
+assortment of interesting books.  He stowed the box carefully away at
+the back of his bunk, and thenceforth, when compelled to stay indoors,
+was never without a book in his hands.  He read over and over those
+well-selected volumes, enriching his mind with their finest passages.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Yet, despite all those exertions, Eric was far from being really happy
+or content.  His one thought was deliverance from his strange
+situation, and he could not disguise from himself how dark his future
+looked.  Ben, of course, could now be relied upon to the uttermost.
+But while his protection availed so long as they remained upon the
+island, matters would, no doubt, be different when the time came to
+leave the place.  Then not only Evil-Eye, but all the other wreckers,
+would undoubtedly see to it that there was no fear of his becoming an
+informer, and placing them in peril of the law.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As the winter wore away, they often talked about going to Boston; and
+Eric gathered from their conversation that with the coming of spring
+they looked for a schooner sent out by confederates to take them and
+their booty home.  This schooner now became the supreme object of his
+concern.  In it he saw his best, if not, indeed, his only hope of
+deliverance.  Many an evening when he seemed deep in his books he was,
+in reality, with strained ears and throbbing pulses, listening to the
+wreckers discussing their plans for the future.  Tax his brains as he
+might, he could invent no satisfactory scheme.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+More than once he tried to talk with Ben about the matter.  But whether
+Ben did not wish to confess that he had no plan himself, or whether he
+thought it best not to excite uncertain hope, he always refused to talk
+about it, generally saying,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We'll see, my lad, we'll see.  I'll do my best for ye, never you fear."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As spring drew near, signs of excitement and eager expectation became
+visible among the wreckers.  They spent most of the clear days upon the
+highest hills, peering out across the waves in search of the schooner.
+They did not know just when to expect her.  Indeed, had a date been
+fixed, they would not have been any better off, for they were without
+any means of keeping an account of the days, except by observing the
+sun and moon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The days grew steadily longer and warmer, and yet no schooner appeared.
+Hope long deferred did not make the hot temper of the wreckers any more
+amiable, and Eric, worried as he was with his own troubles, found life
+harder than ever.  Moreover, a new danger presently appeared.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The majority of the wreckers showed entire indifference toward him.  He
+and his big dog were Ben's belongings, and so long as they got in
+nobody's way they were let alone.  But when day after day and week
+after week slipped by, and the schooner did not arrive, the boy began
+to notice a change.  Ugly, suspicious, threatening glances were cast
+upon him, and interchanged.  Beyond a doubt, the peril of his position
+was alarmingly on the increase.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The explanation was simple enough.  Like all men of their class, the
+wreckers were intensely superstitious, and the wily villain Evil-Eye,
+though indirectly, shrewdly seized upon the delay of the schooner to
+strike at Eric.  He suggested to the men that the boy's presence was
+the cause of the vessel's non-appearance.  He had brought them
+ill-luck, for not a wreck had come their way since his life had been
+spared.  Now he was playing them another scurvy trick and, by some
+witchery, interfering with the carrying out of their plans.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The seed so craftily sown took root at once.  Only the curious feeling,
+half-fear, half-admiration, that they held toward Ben saved Eric for a
+time from falling a victim to their superstition.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Even his influence would not have availed much longer, had not, one
+fine morning in May, the welcome cry of "Sail ho! sail ho!" rung out
+lustily from a watcher on the highest hill.  Soon the broad sails of a
+schooner appeared.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Everything else was forgotten in the joy occasioned by this sight.  But
+Evil-Eye, again foiled in his base designs, snarled savagely at Eric,
+and swore that he would have his own way yet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The water being too shallow, the schooner hove-to about a mile from
+shore, and fired a gun to announce her arrival.  But that was not
+necessary.  All the inhabitants of the island were already on the beach
+to welcome her.  Presently a boat was lowered, and three persons
+getting in, it was rowed swiftly ashore.  The breakers were
+successfully passed with the aid of a number of the wreckers, who
+dashed into the surf, and drew the boat up high and dry upon the beach.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The new-comers were very heartily if somewhat roughly greeted.  After
+the first excitement was over, Eric noticed they were looking at him
+curiously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Evil-Eye whispered among them, whereupon they shook their heads as
+though to say,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh no, that can't be done.  We're quite sure that won't do at all."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric's heart sank when he saw this, and rightly guessed its meaning.
+There seemed, at best, but two chances for him.  He would either be
+left behind upon the island in helpless solitude, or be taken to
+Boston, and there got rid of somehow&mdash;in such a way that he could give
+no trouble to the wreckers.  On the latter, surrounded although it was
+with uncertainties and dangers innumerable, he pinned all his hopes.
+It offered some faint chance of ultimate deliverance.  But would they
+take him on board the schooner?
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap09"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER IX.
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+FAREWELL TO SABLE ISLAND.
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+Great was the bustle and excitement at the wreckers' quarters.  The day
+happened to be particularly favourable for embarking&mdash;such a day, in
+fact, as might not come once in a month; and everything must be done to
+make the most of it.  But the very beauty of the day gave evidence of
+approaching change.  It was what the seafaring folk call a
+"weather-breeder," because such lovely days are always followed by
+storm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+None knew this better than the wreckers.  They made all haste to
+transfer themselves and their booty to the schooner.  In keen anxiety
+Eric watched the work going on.  No one seemed to notice him, though
+several times he caught Evil-Eye regarding him with such a look of
+fiendish triumph as sent a shiver to his heart.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ben, who had his own interests to care for, cheered him a little by
+clapping him on the back as he passed, and saying, in his most
+encouraging tone,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Keep up your heart, my lad.  We'll manage it somehow."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But the removal of the booty was almost complete, and still he did not
+know his fate.  Only another boat-load of stuff remained to be taken
+off, and in the boat that came for this were Ben, Evil-Eye, and the
+captain of the schooner.  Eric stood near the landing-place with Prince
+beside him.  He knew that his future hung upon what might be decided
+within a few minutes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The boat was loaded, and the crew stood ready to launch her into the
+breakers.  Now came the critical moment.  How far the matter might have
+been discussed already Eric had no idea.  He saw Ben draw the captain
+aside and engage him in earnest conversation, while Evil-Eye hung about
+as though he burned to put in a word.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His heart almost stopped beating as he watched the captain's face.
+Evidently he was not unmoved by Ben's arguments.  His countenance
+showed he was wavering, and his opposition weakening.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With rising hope, Eric noted this.  Evil-Eye saw it too, but with
+different feelings.  He thought it time to interfere, and, drawing
+nearer, began, in a loud, half-threatening tone,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Say, now, captain&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But before he could get out another word Ben wheeled round, his face
+aflame with anger.  Rising to his utmost height, he drew a pistol from
+his belt, and pointing it straight at Evil-Eye's breast, roared out,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hold that tongue of yours, <I>I</I> say, or I'll put a bullet through your
+heart before you can wink."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With a start of terror the ruffian shrank away from the giant who
+towered above him, and satisfied that he would not venture to interpose
+again, Ben resumed his talk with the captain.  For a little longer the
+dialogue continued.  What the arguments were that Ben used, or what
+inducements he offered, Eric did not learn until afterwards.  But, oh!
+what a bound his heart gave when Ben left the captain and came toward
+him, his face so full of relief as to seem almost radiant.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's all right, my lad," said he, grasping him by the shoulder and
+pushing him toward the boat.  "You're to come.  Let's hurry up now and
+get on board."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Too overjoyed to speak, Eric hastened to obey, giving Ben a look of
+unspeakable gratitude as he clasped his hand with passionate fervour.
+Evil-Eye scowled terribly when the boy sprang into the boat, and dared
+only mutter his protests, for clearly enough Ben was in no mood for
+trifling, and the captain was evidently quite on his side.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Without waiting for an invitation, Prince promptly leaped in beside his
+young master, at which the men in the boat laughed, and the captain
+said good-humouredly,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let him come too.  He's too good to leave behind."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In a few minutes more, Eric, with a feeling of glad relief beyond all
+power of words to express, stood upon the schooner's deck and looked
+back at the island which for well nigh half a year had been his
+prison&mdash;almost his grave.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The low, broad, weather-beaten hut was easily visible.  "How good God
+was to protect me there!" he thought, as he recalled the many scenes of
+violence he had witnessed.  "I wonder what is to become of me.  Poor
+father must have given me up for dead long ago.  Shall I ever get to
+him?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With many a "Yo! heave ho!" the sailors set about raising the anchor,
+the schooner's broad wings were hoisted to catch the breeze already
+blowing, and soon she was speeding away southward toward Boston.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They had just got well under way when, happening to glance around,
+Eric, who was standing in the bow enjoying the swift rush of the
+schooner through the foaming water, noticed a number of the wreckers
+and the crew gathered about the captain on the poop.  They were
+examining something very carefully through his telescope.  Following
+the direction of the glass, Eric could make out a dark object rising
+out of the water, several miles away on the port side.  This was
+evidently the cause of the men's concern.  Almost unconsciously he drew
+near the group, in order to hear what they were saying.  The captain
+just then handed the telescope to Evil-Eye.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His face darkened with rage as he said, "It's one of those British
+brigs, and no mistake, and she's running right across our course.  If
+we keep on this way we'll fall right into her clutches.  Look you,
+Evil-Eye, and see if I'm not right."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Evil-Eye took the glass and looked long and carefully.  It was clear
+enough that he came to the same conclusion as the captain, for one of
+his most hideous scowls overspread his countenance as he growled out,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's the brig, and no mistake, and we're running straight into her
+jaws.  We'll have to go about and sail off shore, captain."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At once the captain roared out his orders, and the sailors sprang to
+obey.  There was a rattling of blocks, a creaking of booms, a fierce
+flapping of canvas.  After a moment's hesitation in the eye of the
+wind, the schooner gracefully fell off, and was soon gliding away on
+the other tack, with the brig now almost directly astern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Whatever doubt there may have been on board the brig as to the
+propriety of pursuing the schooner was dissipated by its sudden change
+of course; and, still distant though she was, a keen eye could make out
+that they were hoisting additional sails and making every effort to
+overtake the schooner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There were yet three hours of daylight, and the brig was evidently a
+fast sailer.  The schooner's chance of escape lay in keeping her well
+astern until night came on, and then, by a sudden change of course,
+slipping away from her in the darkness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Every inch of canvas the schooner boasted was clapped on her, and,
+almost buried in foam, she rushed madly through the water.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric's first feeling, on seeing the brig, and the fear created among
+his captors, was of intense joy, and he watched its steady growth upon
+the horizon with eager anxiety.  He did not notice the ominous looks
+cast upon him by Evil-Eye and others, until Ben, whose eyes seemed to
+miss nothing, drew him away to his former post near the bows, saying,
+in a deep undertone,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come with me, lad.  I want a word with you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ben's countenance showed that he was much troubled, and Eric, full of
+hope though he was at the near prospect of his own deliverance, could
+not help feeling as though it were very selfish of him, for it
+certainly meant that Ben would be placed in danger.  He determined in
+his own mind that if the brig should capture the schooner, he would
+plead so hard for his kind rescuer that no harm would be done him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Will the brig catch up to us, Ben?" he asked eagerly.  "Do you think
+it will?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It'll be a bad business for you, my lad, if it does," answered Ben, in
+an unusually gruff tone.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why, Ben, what do you mean?" asked Eric, in surprise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mean what I say," retorted Ben.  Then, after a moment's silence, he
+went on: "Captain says that brig's been sent from Halifax after us, and
+nobody else; and if she should catch us, you may be sure the wreckers
+ain't going to leave you round to tell the people on the brig all you
+know about them.  Before the brig's alongside they'll drop you over the
+bulwark with a weight that'll prevent your ever showing up on top
+again."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At these words, whose truth Eric realized at once, his heart seemed
+turned to stone.  And now, just as passionately as he had prayed that
+the brig might overtake them, did he pray that the schooner might keep
+out of its reach.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the meantime, the two vessels were tearing through the water without
+much change in their relative positions.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Darkness was drawing near.  As the sun went down, the change that the
+beauty of the morning foreboded took place.  The sky grew cloudy, the
+wind blew harder, and there was every sign of an approaching storm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As luck would have it, this state of affairs suited the schooner far
+better than the brig.  With great exultation the wreckers noted that
+their pursuer was shortening sail.  The square-rigged bark could not
+stand a storm as well as could the schooner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hurrah!" the captain shouted gleefully.  "They're taking in some of
+their canvas.  They can't stand this blow with so much top-hamper.
+We'll show them a clean pair of heels yet."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And so it turned out.  With bow buried in foam and decks awash the
+schooner staggered swiftly onward under full press of sail, although
+every moment the canvas threatened to tear itself out of the bolts.
+Before the darkness enveloped her the brig had disappeared behind,
+completely distanced.  Everybody on board breathed more freely.
+Setting a course that, by a wide detour, would bring him in due time to
+Boston, the captain took satisfaction by cursing the brig for causing
+him the loss of a whole day at least.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+That night Ben, for the first time, told Eric what had been arranged
+concerning him.  On their arrival in Boston he was to be kept hidden in
+the hold until the time came for the sailing of a ship for England,
+about which the captain knew.  He would be placed on board this ship as
+cabin boy.  When she reached her destination he might make his way to
+his friends the best he could.  By that time the wreckers (none of whom
+intended to return to Sable Island) would have disposed of their booty,
+and scattered beyond all possibility of being caught.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ben did not add, as he might have done, that in order to effect this
+arrangement he had to bribe the captain, by turning over to him
+one-half of his own interest in the schooner's cargo.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After living in peril of death for so many months, this plan filled
+Eric's heart with joy.  It might mean many more hardships, but it also
+meant return to those who were now mourning him as dead.  He thanked
+Ben over and over again, assuring him he would never forget his
+wonderful kindness; and as Ben listened in silence there was a distinct
+glistening in the corner of his eye that showed he was not unmoved.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The storm blew itself out during the night, and was followed by a
+steady breeze, which bore the schooner along so fast that ere the sun
+went down on the following afternoon she was gliding up Boston Bay,
+looking as innocent as any ordinary fishing schooner.  The anchor
+plunged with a big splash into the still water, the chain rattled
+noisily through the hawse-hole, and the voyage was ended.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Without delay a boat was lowered.  The captain and Evil-Eye got into
+it, inviting Ben to accompany them, but he declined.  He intended to
+watch over Eric until he should be taken to the English ship.  The boat
+rowed off, and before it returned Eric was sound asleep.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He was awakened by the singing of the men as they toiled at the
+windlass, and the sullen rattle of the chain as it rose reluctantly
+link by link from the water.  Then he heard the waves rippling against
+the bow, and he knew that the schooner was moving.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As he rightly guessed, she was making her way to her berth at the
+wharf.  During all that day there was continual motion on the deck, and
+the boy imprisoned in the hold tried to while away the long hours by
+guessing what it meant, and what the sailors were about.  Ben brought
+him a bountiful breakfast, dinner, and tea.  He stayed only while Eric
+ate, and did not seem much disposed to talk.  He could not say exactly
+when the English ship would sail, but thought it would be soon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The schooner became much quieter by nightfall, for the majority of her
+crew had gone ashore.  Soon there was perfect stillness; the vessel at
+times seemed to be completely deserted.  There was a tower clock not
+far away which rang out the hours loudly, and Eric heard seven, eight,
+and nine struck ere he fell asleep.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+How long he had slept he knew not, when he was aroused by two men
+talking in loud tones on the deck just above him.  They were evidently
+the worse for liquor, and had fallen into a dispute about something.
+Presently one of them exclaimed,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is there.  I know it's there.  I'll prove it to you."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap10"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER X.
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+RELEASE AND RETRIBUTION.
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+Then came the sound of the fore-hatch being unfastened and lifted
+aside, and the light of a lantern flashed into the hold.  Whatever the
+man sought, he soon found it; for he said triumphantly,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There, now!  Do you see it?  Didn't I say right?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He drew the hatch back again, and with his companion went stumbling off
+to the cabin.  As the hatch was opened, Eric shrank back into a corner,
+for he knew not what the man might be about.  But when all was silent
+again, he crept to the spot underneath the hatchway, and looked up.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The instant he did so he saw something that caused his heart to give a
+wild bound.  It was one little star shining brightly into his eye.  The
+sailor had carelessly left the hatch unfastened and drawn a little
+aside.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The way of escape was there!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With bated breath and beating heart, Eric raised himself softly and
+pushed at the hatch.  At first it would not budge, but on his putting
+forth more strength, it slid away a few inches, making no perceptible
+noise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Little by little he pushed at it, until there was space enough for him
+to pass through.  Then, with extreme caution, he lifted himself until
+he could survey the deck, and peered eagerly into the darkness to see
+if any of the men were about.  There was no moon, but the stars shone
+their brightest; and as the boy's eyes were accustomed to the darkness,
+he could see fairly well.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was easy for him to swing himself up on the deck.  Then, crouched in
+the deep shadow of the foremast, he looked anxiously about him.  Not a
+soul was in sight.  Not a sound disturbed the still air.  The black
+line of the wharf rose but a few feet above the bulwarks.  Gliding
+noiselessly across, he finally got upon the rail, and thence, with an
+active spring, upon the wharf.  He was free!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The wharf was as deserted and silent as the schooner's deck.  Along one
+side was piled a line of casks and barrels, behind which he crept with
+the quietness of a cat until the tall warehouses were reached; then,
+straightening himself up, he moved more rapidly until he came out upon
+the street, which opened to right and left, leading away into the
+darkness&mdash;whither, he knew not.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Taking the right turning, he hastened on, resolved to appeal for
+protection to the first respectable-looking person he might meet.  By
+the dim light of infrequent oil-lamps at the corners, he could make out
+that he was in a street of shops, taverns, and warehouses.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Some of the taverns were still open, but all the other buildings were
+closed.  Very few persons were about, and as these all appeared to be
+seafaring folk he carefully avoided them, keeping in the shadow of
+porches and alley-ways until they passed.  He was in a state of high
+excitement&mdash;his anxiety to find some safe refuge contending with joy at
+his escape from the wreckers' clutches.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He must have gone about a quarter of a mile, when, just as he
+approached a tavern that was still in full blast, the door suddenly
+opened, and a broad band of light fell upon the pavement, in the midst
+of which appeared Evil-Eye, roaring out a drunken song as he beckoned
+to others inside to follow him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For an instant Eric stood rooted to the spot with terror.  His limbs
+seemed powerless.  Then, as quick as a squirrel, he darted into a dark
+alley at his right, and, trembling like an aspen leaf, waited for
+Evil-Eye to pass.  The drunken scoundrel lingered for what seemed an
+hour of agony to the terror-stricken boy; but at length, being joined
+by his companions, staggered off toward the schooner.  The boy, coming
+out from his retreat as soon as the coast was clear, made all haste in
+the other direction.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Following up the street, which turned and twisted in the puzzling
+fashion peculiar to Boston, he was glad to find it leading him to the
+upper part of the city; and after fifteen minutes' smart walking, he
+came out into a broad avenue, lined on both sides with handsome houses.
+Here he would surely meet with some one to whom he could safely tell
+his story.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Weary from excitement and exertion, he sat down upon a broad doorstep,
+which was in the shadow itself, but commanded a stretch of sidewalk
+illuminated by a street lamp.  He thought he would rest there a while,
+and in the meantime some one would surely come along.  Just as he sat
+down, the bell of a church-tower clock near by slowly tolled out the
+midnight hour.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, gracious! how late it is!" he sighed.  "I do hope I shall not have
+to stay here all the night!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A few minutes later he heard the sound of approaching steps.  They were
+slow and deliberate, not those of an unsteady reveller.  They came
+nearer and nearer, and then there emerged into the line of light the
+figure of a man, tall and stately, wrapped in a black dress, over whose
+cloak collar fell long locks of snow-white hair.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Not a moment did Eric hesitate.  Springing from his hiding-place with a
+suddenness that caused the passer-by to start in some alarm, he caught
+hold of the ample cloak, and, lifting up his face to the wearer, said
+beseechingly, "Oh, sir, won't you help me?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Quite reassured on seeing how youthful was this sudden disturber of his
+homeward walk, the gentleman looked down at the eager, pleading face,
+and, attracted at once by its honesty, put his hand kindly upon the
+boy's shoulder, saying,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Pray, what is the matter, my son?  I will gladly help you, as may be
+within my power."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The grave, gentle words, with their assurance of protection, wrought a
+quick revulsion in poor Eric's feelings, strained as they had been for
+so long to their highest pitch.  Instead of replying at once, he burst
+into tears; and his new-found friend, seeing that he had no ordinary
+case to deal with, took him by the arm, and soothingly said,&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come with me.  My house is near by.  You shall tell me your story
+there."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Directing his steps to a large house, in which lights were still
+burning, he led Eric into a room whose walls were lined with rows of
+portly volumes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, my son," said he, "be seated; and when you feel more composed,
+tell me your troubles.  I am quite at your service."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With a delicious sense of security, such as he had not felt for many
+months, Eric sank into a big armchair, and proceeded to tell his
+strange story to the grave old gentleman before him.  With intense
+interest and sympathy did Dr. Saltonstall listen to the remarkable
+narrative as it was simply related, putting in a question now and then
+when he wanted fuller details.  As soon as the boy had finished, the
+doctor arose and again put on his hat and cloak.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Master Copeland," said he, "this is a communication of the utmost
+importance, and it must be laid before the governor this very night,
+that immediate action thereon may be taken.  I had but lately left his
+honour when, in God's good providence, I met you.  We will go at once
+to his mansion.  Haply he has not yet retired for the night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Forthwith the two set out, and, walking rapidly, were soon at the
+governor's mansion.  Fortunately he was still awake, and at once gave
+audience to his late visitors.  Before him Eric rehearsed his story.
+The Honourable Mr. Strong listened with no less interest than had Dr.
+Saltonstall; nor was he less prompt in taking action.  His secretary
+was summoned, and orders given for a strong posse of constables to be
+despatched without loss of time in search of the schooner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Eric so fully described her that the finding of her would be an easy
+matter.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But while this was being arranged, a thought flashed into Eric's mind
+which filled him with great concern.  Ben was, no doubt, upon the
+schooner now, and would be captured with the others.  Would he not then
+share their fate, whatever that might be?  And if so, would not Eric
+seem to be wickedly ungrateful if he made no effort to save him?  Then
+there was also his faithful friend Prince, to whom both Ben and himself
+were so much indebted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+To think was to act.  Going manfully up to the austere-looking
+governor, he put in a passionate plea for the big man and the dog, who
+had been such faithful protectors, and but for whom, indeed, he would
+not then be living.  His honour was evidently touched by his loyal
+advocacy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do not distress your mind, my lad," said he kindly.  "I have no doubt
+we can find a way of escape for your friend.  He certainly deserves
+consideration at our hands, and your noble Prince shall be carefully
+sought for."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The remainder of the story is soon told.  The schooner was readily
+found.  The wreckers, surprised in their bunks, proved an easy capture,
+and before daybreak all were safely locked up in jail.  Prince was also
+found and restored to the delighted Eric, who now felt as though his
+cup of rejoicing was full.  The trial of the wreckers excited
+widespread interest, and made Eric the hero of the hour.  Ben, taking
+the advice of Dr. Saltonstall, turned state's evidence, and was
+released.  But the other wreckers&mdash;from Evil-Eye to Black Joe&mdash;received
+the punishment they had so well merited.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the meantime Dr. Copeland had been sent for, and, hastening to
+Boston, he had the supreme delight of clasping to his breast the boy
+whom he had all through the long winter been mourning as lost to him
+for ever.  The meeting between father and son was touching.  It seemed
+as though the doctor could never sufficiently assure himself that it
+was really his Eric who stood before him, browner of face and bigger of
+form, but otherwise unchanged by his thrilling experiences among the
+Wreckers of Sable Island.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<P CLASS="finis">
+THE END
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<HR>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap11"></A>
+
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+<I>BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.</I>
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+
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+In the Wilds of the West Coast.  A Story of North America.  Price 5s.
+</P>
+
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+My Strange Rescue.  And Other Stories of Sport and Adventure in Canada.
+Price 3s. 6d.
+</P>
+
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+</P>
+
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+Up Among the Ice-Floes.  Price 3s. 6d.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Making His Way.  Price 2s.  6d.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+The Young Woodsman; or, Life in the Forests of Canada.  Price 1s. 6d.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+The Wreckers of Sable Island.  Price 1s.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H5 ALIGN="center">
+T. Nelson and Sons, London, Edinburgh, and New York.
+</H5>
+
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+
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+<I>BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.</I>
+</H4>
+
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+Illustrated Books for Boys.
+</H3>
+
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+Every Inch a Sailor.  By GORDON-STABLES, M.D., R.N.  With
+Illustrations.  Price 5s.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+How Jack Mackenzie Won His Epaulettes.  By GORDON-STABLES, M.D., R.N.
+With Six Illustrations by A. PEARCE.  Price 3s. 6d.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Kilgorman.  A Story of Ireland in 1798.  By TALBOT BAINES REED.
+Illustrated by JOHN WILLIAMSON.  Price 6s.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Boris the Bear-Hunter.  A Story of Peter the Great and His Times.  By
+FRED. WHISHAW.  Illustrated by W. S. STACEY.  Price 3s. 6d.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+A Lost Army.  By FRED. WHISHAW.  With Six Illustrations by W. S.
+STACEY.  Price 3s. 6d.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Harold the Norseman.  By FRED. WHISHAW.  With Illustrations.  Price 3s.
+6d.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+The Fugitives.  A Story of Siberia.  By FRED. WHISHAW.  With
+Illustrations.  Price 2s. 6d.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Chris Willoughby; or, Against the Current.  By FLORENCE E. BURCH.
+Price 3s. 6d.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Doing and Daring.  A New Zealand Story.  By ELEANOR STREDDER.  Price
+3s. 6d.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H5 ALIGN="center">
+T. Nelson and Sons, London, Edinburgh, and New York.
+</H5>
+
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+
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+
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+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+<I>BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.</I>
+</H4>
+
+<BR>
+
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+Books for Boys by W. H. G. Kingston.
+</H3>
+
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+
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+<I>Illustrated.  In Crown 8vo Vols., cloth extra, gilt edges.  5s. each.<BR>
+In uniform Binding, cloth.  Price 4s. each.</I>
+</P>
+
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+
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+The Young Rajah.<BR>
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+On the Banks of the Amazon.<BR>
+In the Wilds of Florida.<BR>
+My First Voyage to Southern Seas.<BR>
+Old Jack.<BR>
+A Sea Tale.<BR>
+Saved from the Sea.<BR>
+The South Sea Whaler.<BR>
+Twice Lost.<BR>
+A Voyage Round the World.<BR>
+The Wanderers.<BR>
+The Young Llanero.<BR>
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent" ALIGN="center">
+Illustrated.  In Post 8vo Volumes.  Price 3s. 6d. each.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Afar in the Forest.<BR>
+In New Granada.<BR>
+In the Rocky Mountains.<BR>
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+The Norseland Library.
+</H3>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent" ALIGN="center">
+In Post 8vo Volumes.  Price 2s. 6d.  each.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Norseland Tales.  By H. H. BOYESEN.<BR>
+Leaves from a Middy's Log.  By ARTHUR LEE KNIGHT.<BR>
+Sons of the Vikings.  An Orkney Story.  By JOHN GUNN.<BR>
+The Hermit Princes.  By ELEANOR STREDDER.<BR>
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H5 ALIGN="center">
+T. Nelson and Sons, London, Edinburgh, and New York.
+</H5>
+
+<BR>
+
+<HR>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+<I>BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.</I>
+</H4>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+R. M. Ballantyne's Books for Boys.
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent" ALIGN="center">
+<I>In attractive Binding, from entirely new Designs in Gold and Colours.<BR>
+Cloth extra, gilt edges.  With Illustrations.</I>
+</P>
+
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+<I>Price 3s. 6d. each.</I>
+</P>
+
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+
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+<I>Price 2s. 6d.  each.</I>
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+The Coral Island.  A Tale of the Pacific.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+The Young Fur-Traders; or, Snowflakes and Sunbeams from the Far North.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+The World of Ice.  Adventures in the Polar Regions.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+The Gorilla Hunters.  A Tale of the Wilds of Africa.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Martin Rattler.  A Boy's Adventures in the Forests of Brazil.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Ungava.  A Tale of Esquimau Land.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+The Dog Crusoe and His Master.  A Story of Adventure on the Western
+Prairies.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Hudson Bay; or, Everyday Life in the Wilds of North America, during a
+Six Years' Residence in the Territories of the Hon.  Hudson Bay
+Company.  With short Memoir and Portrait and Twenty-nine Illustrations
+drawn by BAYARD and other Artists, from Sketches by the Author.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H5 ALIGN="center">
+T. Nelson and Sons, London, Edinburgh, and New York.
+</H5>
+
+<BR>
+
+<HR>
+
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+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+<I>BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.</I>
+</H4>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+Illustrated Books for Boys.
+</H3>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent" ALIGN="center">
+<I>In Crown 8vo volumes, cloth extra, gilt edges.  Price 5s, each.</I>
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent" ALIGN="center">
+<I>Cloth extra.  Price 4s.  each.</I>
+</P>
+
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+
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+Jack Hooper.  His Adventures at Sea and in South Africa.  By VERNEY
+LOVETT CAMERON, C.B., D.C.L.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+With Pack and Rifle in the Far South-West.  Adventures in New Mexico,
+Arizona, and Central America.  By ACHILLES DAUNT.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+In Savage Africa; or, The Adventures of Frank Baldwin from the Gold
+Coast to Zanzibar.  By VERNEY LOVETT CAMERON, C.B., D.C.L.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Early English Voyagers; or, The Adventures and Discoveries of Drake,
+Cavendish, and Dampier.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+By Herbert Hayens.
+</H3>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Under the Lone Star.  With Eight Illustrations by W. S. STACEY.  Crown
+8vo, cloth extra, bevelled boards, gilt top.  Price 6s.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Clevely Sahib: A Tale of the Khyber Pass.  With Illustrations.  Crown
+8vo, cloth extra, gilt top.  Price 5s.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
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+</H4>
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+</P>
+
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+Through Forest and Fire.  By EDWARD S. ELLIS.<BR>
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+Across Texas.  By EDWARD S. ELLIS.<BR>
+The Cabin in the Clearing.  A Tale of the Far West.<BR>
+<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1.5em">By EDWARD S. ELLIS.</SPAN><BR>
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H5 ALIGN="center">
+T. Nelson and Sons, London, Edinburgh, and New York.
+</H5>
+
+<BR>
+
+<HR>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+<I>BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.</I>
+</H4>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+Boys' Own Library.
+</H3>
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+
+<P CLASS="noindent" ALIGN="center">
+<I>In Post 8vo Volumes, cloth extra.  Price 2s. each.</I>
+</P>
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+<BR>
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+Across Greenland's Ice-Fields.  The Adventures of Nansen and Peary on
+the Great Ice-Cap.  By M. DOUGLAS.  With Illustrations.
+</P>
+
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+As We Sweep Through the Deep.  A Story of the Stirring Times of Old.
+By GORDON-STABLES, M.D., R.N.  With Illustrations.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+The Battle of the Rafts.  And Other Stories of Boyhood in Norway.  By
+H. H. BOYESEN.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+After Years.  A Story of Trials and Triumphs.  By J. W. BRADLEY.  With
+Illustrations.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Among the Turks.  By VERNEY LOVETT CAMERON, C.B., D.C.L.  With
+Illustrations.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Archie Digby; or, An Eton Boy's Holidays.  By G. E. WYATT.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+At the Black Rocks.  A Story for Boys.  By the Rev. EDWARD A. RAND.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Culm Rock; or, Ready Work for Willing Hands.  A Book for Boys.  By J.
+W. BRADLEY.  With Engravings.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+Lost in the Wilds of Canada.  By ELEANOR STREDDER.
+</P>
+
+<P CLASS="noindent">
+The Willoughby Boys.  By EMILY C. HARTLEY.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H5 ALIGN="center">
+T. Nelson and Sons, London, Edinburgh, and New York.
+</H5>
+
+<BR><BR><BR><BR>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Wreckers of Sable Island, by J. Macdonald Oxley
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+Project Gutenberg's The Wreckers of Sable Island, by J. Macdonald Oxley
+
+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: The Wreckers of Sable Island
+
+Author: J. Macdonald Oxley
+
+Release Date: September 12, 2010 [EBook #33714]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WRECKERS OF SABLE ISLAND ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Al Haines
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Frontispiece: "So you're not dead after all, my hearty."  _Page 37_]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Title page]
+
+
+
+
+THE WRECKERS
+
+OF
+
+SABLE ISLAND
+
+
+
+BY
+
+J. MACDONALD OXLEY
+
+
+_Author of "Up Among the Ice-Floes," "Diamond Rock," &c._
+
+
+
+
+T. NELSON AND SONS
+
+_London, Edinburgh, and New York_
+
+1897
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+    I.  THE SETTING FORTH
+   II.  IN ROUGH WEATHER
+  III.  THE WRECK
+   IV.  ALONE AMONG STRANGERS
+    V.  ERIC LOOKS ABOUT HIM
+   VI.  BEN HARDEN
+  VII.  A SABLE ISLAND WINTER
+ VIII.  ANXIOUS TIMES
+   IX.  FAREWELL TO SABLE ISLAND
+    X.  RELEASE AND RETRIBUTION
+
+
+
+
+THE WRECKERS OF SABLE ISLAND.
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE SETTING FORTH.
+
+A voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in the year 1799 was not the
+every-day affair that it has come to be at the present time.  There
+were no "ocean greyhounds" then.  The passage was a long and trying one
+in the clumsy craft of those days, and people looked upon it as a more
+serious affair than they now do on a tour round the world.
+
+In the year 1799 few people thought of travelling for mere pleasure.
+North, south, east, and west, the men went on missions of discovery, of
+conquest, or of commerce; but the women and children abode at home,
+save, of course, when they ventured out to seek new homes in that new
+world which was drawing so many to its shores.
+
+It was therefore not to be wondered at that the notion of Eric Copeland
+going out to his father in far-away Nova Scotia should form the subject
+of more than one family council at Oakdene Manor, the beautiful country
+seat of the Copeland family, situated in one of the prettiest parts of
+Warwickshire.
+
+Eric was the only son of Doctor Copeland, surgeon-in-chief of the
+Seventh Fusiliers, the favourite regiment of the Duke of Kent, the
+father of Queen Victoria.  This regiment formed part of the garrison at
+Halifax, then under the command of the royal duke himself; and the
+doctor had written to say that if the squire, Eric's grandfather,
+approved, he would like Eric to come out to him, as his term of service
+had been extended three years beyond what he expected, and he wanted to
+have his boy with him.  At the same time, he left the matter entirely
+in the squire's hands for him to decide.
+
+So far as the old gentleman was concerned, he decided at once.
+
+"Send the boy out there to that wild place, and have him scalped by an
+Indian or gobbled by a bear before he's there a month?  Not a bit of
+it.  I won't hear of it.  He's a hundred times better off here."
+
+The squire, be it observed, held very vague notions about Nova Scotia,
+and indeed the American continent generally, in spite of his son's
+endeavours to enlighten him.  He still firmly believed that there were
+as many wigwams as houses in New York, and that Indians in full
+war-paint and plumes were every day seen on the streets of
+Philadelphia; while as for poor little Nova Scotia, it was more than
+his mind could take in how the Duke of Kent could ever bring himself to
+spend a week in such an outlandish place, not to speak of a number of
+years.
+
+So soon as Eric learned of his father's request, he was not less quick
+in coming to a conclusion, but it was of a precisely opposite kind to
+the squire's.  He was what the Irish would call "a broth of a boy."
+Fifteen last birthday, five feet six inches in height, broad of
+shoulder and stout of limb, yet perfectly proportioned, as nimble on
+his feet as a squirrel, and as quick of eye as a king-bird, entirely
+free from any trace of nervousness or timidity, good-looking in that
+sense of the word which means more than merely handsome, courteous in
+his manners, and quite up to the mark in his books, Eric represented
+the best type of the British boy as he looked about him with his brave
+brown eyes, and longed to be something more than simply a school-boy,
+and to see a little of that great world up and down which his father
+had been travelling ever since he could remember.
+
+"Of course I want to go to father," said he, promptly and decidedly.
+"I don't believe there are any bears or Indians at Halifax; and even if
+there should be, I don't care.  I'm not afraid of them."
+
+He had not the look of a boy that could be easily frightened, or turned
+aside from anything upon which he had set his heart, and the old squire
+felt as though he were seeing a youthful reflection of himself in the
+sturdy spirit of resolution shown by his grandson.
+
+"But, Eric, lad," he began to argue, "whether the Indians and bears are
+plentiful or not, I don't see why you want to leave Oakdene, and go
+away out to a wild place that is only fit for soldiers.  You're quite
+happy with us here, aren't you?"  And the old gentleman's face took on
+rather a reproachful expression as he put the question.
+
+Eric's face flushed crimson, and crossing over to where the squire sat,
+he bent down and kissed his wrinkled forehead tenderly.
+
+"I am quite happy, grandpa.  You and grandma do so much for me that it
+would be strange if I wasn't.  But you know I have been more with you
+than I have with my own father; and now when he wants me to go out to
+him, I want to go too.  You can't blame me, can you?"
+
+What Eric said was true enough.  The doctor's regiment had somehow come
+in for more than its share of foreign service.  It had carried its
+colours with credit over the burning plains of India, upon the
+battle-fields of the Continent, and then, crossing to America, had
+taken its part, however ineffectually, in the struggle which ended so
+happily in the birth of a new nation.  During all of his years Eric had
+remained at Oakdene, seeing nothing of his father save when he came to
+them on leave for a few months at a time.
+
+These home-comings of the doctor were the great events in Eric's life.
+Nothing was allowed to interfere with his enjoyment of his father's
+society.  All studies were laid aside, and one day of happiness
+followed another, as together they rode to hounds, whipped the
+trout-streams, shot over the coverts where pheasants were in plenty, or
+went on delightful excursions to lovely places round about the
+neighbourhood.
+
+Dr. Copeland enjoyed his release from the routine of military duty
+quite as much as Eric did his freedom from school, and it would not
+have been easy to say which of the two went in more heartily for a good
+time.
+
+It was just a year since the doctor had last been home on leave, and a
+year seems a very long time to a boy of fifteen, so that when the
+letter came proposing that Eric should go out to his father (it should
+have been told before that his mother was dead, having been taken away
+from him when he was a very little fellow), and spend three long years
+with him without a break, if the doctor had been in Kamtchatka or
+Tierra del Fuego instead of simply in Nova Scotia, Eric would not have
+hesitated a moment, but have jumped at the offer.
+
+The old squire was very loath to part with his grandson, and it was
+because he knew it would be so that the doctor had not positively asked
+for Eric to be sent out, but had left the question to be decided by the
+squire.
+
+Perhaps Eric might have failed to carry his point but for the help
+given him by Major Maunsell, a brother-officer of Doctor Copeland's,
+who had been home on leave, and in whose charge Eric was to be placed
+if it was decided to let him go.
+
+The major had come to spend a day or two at Oakdene a little while
+before taking his leave of England, and of course the question of
+Eric's returning to Nova Scotia with him came up for discussion.  Eric
+pleaded his case very earnestly.
+
+"Now please listen to me a moment," said he, taking advantage of a
+pause in the conversation.  "I love you, grandpa and grandma, very
+dearly, and am very happy with you here; but I love my father too, and
+I never see him, except just for a little while, when he comes home on
+leave, and it would be lovely to be with him all the time for three
+whole years.  Besides that, I do want to see America, and this is such
+a good chance.  I am nearly sixteen now, and by the time father gets
+back I'll have to be going to college, and then, you know, he says he's
+going to leave the army and settle down here, so that dear knows when I
+can ever get the chance to go again.  Oh! please let me go, grandpa,
+won't you?"
+
+Major Maunsell's eyes glistened as he looked at Eric and listened to
+him.  He was an old bachelor himself, and he could not help envying
+Doctor Copeland for his handsome, manly son.  At once he entered into
+full sympathy with him in his great desire, and determined to use all
+his influence in supporting him.
+
+"There's a great deal of sense in what the boy says," he remarked.  "It
+is such a chance as he may not get again in a hurry.  There's nothing
+to harm him out in Halifax; and his father is longing to have him, for
+he's always talking to me about him, and reading me bits out of his
+letters."
+
+So the end of it was that the major and Eric between them won the day,
+and after taking the night to think over it, the good old squire
+announced the next morning at breakfast that he would make no further
+objections, and that Eric might go.
+
+The troop-ship in which Major Maunsell was going would sail in a week,
+so there was no time to be lost in getting Eric ready for the voyage,
+and for the long sojourn in the distant colony.  Many were the trunks
+of clothing, books, and other things that had to be packed with
+greatest care, and their number would have been doubled if the major
+had not protested against taking the jams, jellies, pickles, medicines,
+and other domestic comforts that the loving old couple wanted Eric to
+take with him, because they felt sure he could get nothing so good out
+in Halifax.
+
+All too quickly for them the day came when they were to say good-bye to
+their grandson, and the parting was a very tearful and trying one.
+Full of joy as Eric felt, he could not keep back the tears when his
+white-haired grandmother hugged him again and again to her heart,
+exclaiming fervently,--
+
+"God bless and keep my boy!  May his almighty arms be underneath and
+round about you, my darling.  Put your trust in him, Eric, no matter
+what may happen."
+
+And the bluff old squire himself was suspiciously moist about the eyes
+as the carriage drove away and Eric was really off to Chatham in charge
+of Major Maunsell, with whom he had by this time got to be on the best
+of terms.
+
+At Chatham they found their ship in the final stage of preparation for
+the voyage.  They were to sail in the _Francis_, a fine, fast gun-brig
+of about three hundred tons, which had in her hold a very valuable
+cargo, consisting of the Duke of Kent's library, together with a
+quantity of very costly furniture, precious wines, and other luxuries
+intended to make as comfortable as possible the lot of his royal
+highness in the garrison at Halifax.  The major and Eric were assigned
+a roomy cabin to themselves, in which they at once proceeded to make
+themselves at home.
+
+During the few days that intervened before the sailing of the
+_Francis_, Eric's enjoyment of the novel scenes around him could hardly
+be put into words.  All he knew about the sea was what he had learned
+from a summer now and then at a watering-place; and the great gathering
+of big ships at Chatham; the unceasing bustle as some came in from long
+voyages and others went forth to take their places upon distant
+stations; the countless sailors and dock-hands swarming like ants
+hither and thither; the important-looking officers strutting about in
+gold-laced coats, and calling out their commands in such hoarse tones
+that Eric felt tempted to ask if they all had very bad colds; the
+shrill sound of the boatswains' whistles that seemed to have no
+particular meaning; the martial music of bands playing apparently for
+no other reason than just because they wanted to,--all this made up a
+wonder-world for Eric in which he found a great deal of delight.
+
+There was just one cloud upon his happiness.  Among his many pets at
+Oakdene his special favourite was a splendid mastiff that the squire
+had given him as a birthday present two years before.  Prince was a
+superb animal, and devoted to his young master.  No sooner had it been
+settled that Eric should go out to his father than the boy at once
+asked if his dog might not go with him.  Major Maunsell had no
+objection himself, but feared that the captain of the _Francis_ would
+not hear of it.  However, he thought that Eric might bring the dog up
+to Chatham, and then if the captain would not let him on board he could
+be sent back to Oakdene.
+
+Prince accordingly accompanied him, and a place having been found for
+him with a friend of the major's, his master had no peace of mind until
+the question was settled.  Some days passed before he got a chance to
+see Captain Reefwell, who was, of course, extremely busy; but at last
+he managed to catch him one day just after lunch, when he seemed in a
+pretty good humour, and without wasting time preferred his request,
+trembling with eager hope as he did so.  The gruff old sailor at first
+bluntly refused him; but Eric bravely returning to the charge, his kind
+heart was moved to the extent of making him say,--
+
+"Well, let me have a look at your dog, anyway."
+
+Hoping for the best, Eric ran off and returned with Prince.  Captain
+Reefwell scanned the noble animal critically, and stretched out his
+hand to pat him, whereupon the mastiff gravely lifted his right paw and
+placed it in the captain's horny palm.
+
+"Shiver my timbers! but the dog's got good manners," said the captain
+in surprise.  "Did you teach him that?" turning to Eric.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Eric proudly; "and he can do other things too."
+And he proceeded to put the big dog through a number of tricks which
+pleased the old sailor so much that finally he said, with a smile,--
+
+"All right, my lad.  You may bring your dog on board.  But, mind you,
+he comes before the mast.  He's not a cabin passenger."
+
+"Oh, thank you, sir! thank you, sir!" cried Eric joyfully.--"I won't
+let you in the cabin, will I, Prince?  Isn't it splendid?  You're to
+come with me after all."  And he hugged the mastiff as though he had
+been his own brother.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+IN ROUGH WEATHER.
+
+It was the first of November when the _Francis_ got off, and Captain
+Reefwell warned his passengers that they might expect a rather rough
+voyage, as they were sure to have a storm or two in crossing at that
+time of year.  Eric protested that he would not mind; he was not afraid
+of a storm.  Indeed, he wanted to see one really good storm at sea,
+such as he had often read about.
+
+But he changed his tune when the _Francis_ began to pitch and toss in
+the chops of the English Channel, and with pale face and piteous voice
+he asked the major "if a real storm were worse than this."  A few days
+later, however, when he got his sea-legs all right, and the _Francis_
+was bowling merrily over the broad Atlantic before a favouring breeze,
+his courage came back to him, and he felt ready for anything.
+
+The _Francis_ was not more than a week out before the captain's
+prediction began to be fulfilled.  One storm succeeded another with but
+little rest between, the wind blowing from all quarters in turn.
+Driven hither and thither before it, the _Francis_ struggled gallantly
+toward her destination.  So long as he was out in mid-Atlantic Captain
+Reefwell seemed quite indifferent to the boisterous weather.  He told
+his passengers that he was sorry for the many discomforts they were
+forced to endure, but otherwise showed no concern.  He was a daring
+sailor, and had crossed the ocean a score of times before.  As they
+approached the American side, however, and the storm still continued,
+he grew very anxious, as his troubled countenance and moody manner
+plainly showed.  The truth was that he had been driven out of his
+course, and had lost his reckoning, owing to sun and stars alike having
+been invisible for so many days.  He had no clear idea of his distance
+from the coast, and unless he could soon secure a satisfactory
+observation the _Francis_ would be in a perilous plight.
+
+The first of December was marked by a storm more violent than any which
+had come before, followed by a dense fog which swathed the ship in
+appalling gloom.  The captain evidently regarded this fog as a very
+grave addition to his difficulties.  He hardly left the quarter-deck,
+and his face grew haggard and his eyes bloodshot with being constantly
+on the look-out.  Realizing that a crisis was at hand, and determined
+to know the worst, Major Maunsell made bold to ask the captain to tell
+him the real state of affairs.  Captain Reefwell hesitated for a
+moment, then muttering something about "might as well out with it," he
+laid his hand upon the major's shoulder, and looking straight into his
+eyes, with a strange expression of sympathy, said in his gravest
+tones,--
+
+"Major, it's just this: unless I'm clean lost, we must now be somewhere
+near Sable Island.  I'm expecting to hear the roar of its breakers any
+minute, and once the _Francis_ gets amongst them, God help us all!
+Sable Island makes sure work."  And he turned away abruptly, as though
+to hide his feelings.
+
+Captain Reefwell's words sent a shudder straight and swift through
+Major Maunsell's heart.  The latter already knew of the bad reputation
+of that strange island which scarcely lifts itself above the level of
+the Atlantic, less than a hundred miles due east from Nova Scotia.
+Stories that chilled the blood had from time to time floated up to
+Halifax--stories of shipwreck following fast upon shipwreck, and no one
+surviving to tell the tale.
+
+But even more appalling than the fury of the storm that scourged the
+lonely island were the deeds said to be done by monsters in human guise
+who plied the wrecker's trade there, and, acting upon the principle
+that dead men tell no tales, had made it their care to put out of the
+way all whom even the cruel billows had spared.
+
+With a heavy heart the major made his way back to the cabin, where he
+found Eric, upon whose bright spirits the long and stormy voyage had
+told heavily, looking very unhappy as he tried to amuse himself with a
+book.  The boy was worn out by the ceaseless pitching and tossing of
+the vessel.  He felt both home-sick and sea-sick, as indeed did many
+another of the passengers, who with one accord were wishing themselves
+safely upon land again.  He looked up eagerly as the major entered.
+
+"What does the captain say, major?" he asked, his big brown eyes open
+their widest.  "Will the storm soon be over, and are we near Halifax?"
+
+Concealing his true feelings, the major replied with well-put-on
+cheerfulness,--
+
+"The captain says that if this fog would only lift, and let him find
+out exactly where we are, Eric, he would be all right.  There is
+nothing to do but to wait, and hope for the best."  And sitting down
+beside Eric, he threw his arm about him in a tender, protecting way
+that showed how strongly he felt.
+
+So intense was the anxiety on board the _Francis_ that none of the
+passengers thought of going to their berths or taking off their clothes
+that night, but all gathered in the cabins, finding what cheer and
+comfort they could in one another's company.
+
+In the main cabin were other officers besides Major Maunsell--namely,
+Captain Sterling of the Fusiliers, Lieutenant Mercer of the Royal
+Artillery, and Lieutenants Sutton, Roebuck, and Moore of the 16th Light
+Dragoons; while in the fore-cabin were household servants of the prince
+and soldiers of the line, bringing the total number of passengers up to
+two hundred.
+
+During the night Captain Reefwell, seeing that it was no longer any use
+to conceal the seriousness of the situation, sent word to all on board
+to prepare for the worst, as the ship might be among the breakers at
+any moment.  The poor passengers hastened to gather their most precious
+possessions into little bundles, and to prepare themselves for the
+approaching struggle with death.
+
+The night wore slowly on, the sturdy brig straining and groaning as the
+billows made a plaything of her, tossing her to and fro as though she
+was no heavier than a chip, while the fierce storm shrieked through the
+rigging in apparent glee at having so rich a prize for the wreckers of
+Sable Island.
+
+It was a brave band that awaited its fate in the main cabin.  The men
+were borne up by the dauntless fortitude of the British soldier, and,
+catching their spirit, Eric manifested a quiet courage well worthy of
+the name he bore.  He had Prince with him now, for the captain had
+himself suggested that he had better have the dog near at hand.  The
+noble creature seemed to have some glimmering of their common peril,
+for he kept very close to his young master, and every now and then laid
+his huge head upon Eric's knee and looked up into his face with an
+expression that said as plainly as words,--
+
+"Nothing but death can ever part us.  You can depend upon me to the
+very uttermost."
+
+And hugging him fondly, Eric answered,--
+
+"Dear old Prince!  You'll help me if we are wrecked, won't you?" at
+which Prince wagged his tail responsively, and did his best to lick his
+master's face.
+
+Now and then some one would creep up on deck, and brave the fury of the
+blast for a few moments, in hope of finding some sign of change for the
+better; and on his return to the cabin the others would eagerly scan
+his countenance and await his words, only to be met with a sorrowful
+shake of the head that rendered words unnecessary.
+
+Eric alone found temporary forgetfulness in sleep.  He was very weary,
+and, though fully alive to the danger so near at hand, could not keep
+from falling into a fitful slumber, as he lay upon the cushioned seat
+that encircled the cabin, Prince stationing himself at his side and
+pillowing his head in his lap.
+
+Poor Prince was by no means so handsome a creature now as when his good
+looks and good manners won the captain's heart.  The long stormy
+passage had been very hard upon him.  He had grown gaunt, and his
+smooth, shiny skin had become rough and unkempt.  Otherwise, however,
+he was not much the worse, and was quite ready for active duty if his
+services should be needed.
+
+Awaking from a light sleep, in which he dreamed that he and Prince were
+having a glorious romp on the lawn at Oakdene, which somehow seemed to
+be undulating in a very curious fashion, Eric caught sight of Major
+Maunsell returning to the cabin after a visit to the upper deck, and at
+once ran up to him and plied him with eager questions.
+
+"Is the storm getting any better, and will it soon be daylight again?"
+
+The major did his best to look cheerful as he answered,--
+
+"Well, the storm is no worse, Eric, at all events, and it will not be
+long before daylight comes."
+
+"But even if we should be wrecked," said Eric, looking pleadingly into
+the major's face, "we might all get ashore all right, mightn't we?
+I've often read of shipwrecks in which everybody was saved."
+
+"Certainly, my boy, certainly," replied the major promptly, although
+deep down in his heart he seemed to hear Captain Reefwell's ominous
+words, "Sable Island makes sure work."
+
+"And, major," continued Eric, "I'm going to keep tight hold of Prince's
+collar if we do get wrecked.  He can swim ever so much better than I
+can, and he'll pull me ashore all right, won't he?"
+
+"That's a capital idea of yours, my boy," said the major, smiling
+tenderly upon him.  "Keep tight hold of Prince, by all means.  You
+couldn't have a better life-preserver."
+
+"I don't want to be wrecked, that's certain; but if we are, I'm very
+glad I've got Prince here to help me--the dear old fellow that he is!"
+And so saying, Eric threw himself down upon his dog and gave him a
+hearty hug, which the mastiff evidently much enjoyed.  Day broke at
+last, if the slow changing of the thick darkness into a dense gray fog
+could rightly be called daybreak.
+
+The _Francis_ still bravely battled with the tempest.  She had proved
+herself a trusty ship, and, with Captain Reefwell on the quarter-deck,
+more than a match for the worst fury of wind and wave.
+
+But no ship that ever has been or ever will be built could possibly
+pass through the ordeal of the Sable Island breakers, whose awful
+thunder might at any moment be heard above the howling of the blast.
+At breakfast-time the worn and weary passengers gathered around the
+table for what would, in all probability, be their last meal on board
+the _Francis_, and perhaps their last on earth.  The fare was not very
+tempting, for what could the cooks do under such circumstances?  But
+the passengers felt no disposition to complain.  Indeed, they had
+little appetite to eat, and were only making a pretence of doing so,
+when a sailor burst into the cabin, his bronzed face blanched with
+fear, as he shouted breathlessly,--
+
+"Captain says for all to come up on deck.  The ship will strike in a
+minute."
+
+Instantly there was wild confusion and a mad rush for the
+companion-way; but Major Maunsell waited to take Eric's hand tightly
+into his before pressing on with the others.  When they reached the
+deck an awful scene met their eyes.  The fog had lifted considerably,
+so that it was possible to see some distance from the ship; and there,
+right across her bows, not more than a quarter of a mile away, a
+tremendous line of breakers stretched as far as eye could see.
+
+Straight into their midst the _Francis_ was helplessly driving at the
+bidding of the storm-fiend.  No possible way of escape!  Not only did
+the breakers extend to right and left until they were lost in the
+shifting fog, but the nearest line was evidently only an advance-guard;
+for beyond it other lines, not less formidable, could be dimly
+descried, rearing their snowy crests of foam as they rolled fiercely
+onward.
+
+"Heaven help us!" cried Major Maunsell, as with one swift glance he
+took in the whole situation; and drawing Eric close to him, he made his
+way through the confusion to the foot of the main-mast, which offered a
+secure hold for the time being.
+
+A few minutes later the _Francis_ struck the first bar with a shock
+that sent everybody who had not something to hold on to tumbling upon
+the deck.  But for the major's forethought, both he and Eric might at
+that moment have been borne off into the boiling surges; for a
+tremendous billow rushed upon the helpless vessel, sweeping her from
+stern to stem, and carrying away a number of the soldiers, who, having
+nothing to hold on by, were picked up like mere chips of wood and
+hurried to their doom.  Their wild cries for the help that could not be
+given them pierced the ears of the others, who did not know but that
+the next billow would treat them in like manner.
+
+Again and again was the ill-starred ship thus swept by the billows,
+each time fresh victims falling to their fell fury.  Then came a wave
+of surpassing size, which, lifting the _Francis_ as though she had been
+a mere feather, bore her over the bar into the deeper water beyond.
+Here, after threatening to go over upon her beam-ends, she righted once
+more, and drove on toward the next bar.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE WRECK.
+
+Major Maunsell gave a great gasp of relief when the brig righted.
+
+"Keep tight hold of your rope, Eric," he cried encouragingly.  "Please
+God, we may reach shore alive yet."
+
+Drenched to the skin and shivering with cold, Eric held tightly on to
+the rope with his right hand and to Prince's collar with his left.
+Prince had crouched close to the foot of the mast, and the waves swept
+by him as though he had been carved in stone.
+
+"All right, sir," Eric replied, as bravely as he could.  "It's pretty
+hard work, but I'll not let go."
+
+Rearing and plunging amid the froth and foam, the _Francis_ charged at
+the second bar, struck full upon it with a force that would have
+crushed in the bow of a less sturdy craft, hung there for a few minutes
+while the breakers, as if greedy for their prey, swept exultantly over
+her, and then, responding to the impulse of another towering wave,
+leaped over the bar into the deeper water beyond.
+
+But she could not stand much more of such buffeting, for she was fast
+becoming a mere hulk.  Both masts had gone by the board at the last
+shock, and poor little Eric certainly would have gone overboard with
+the main-mast but for his prompt rescue by the major from the
+entangling rigging.
+
+"You had a narrow escape that time, Eric," said the major, as he
+dragged the boy round to the other side of the mast, where he was in
+less danger.
+
+The passage over the bars having thus been effected, the few who were
+still left on board the _Francis_ began to cherish hopes of yet
+reaching the shore alive.
+
+Between the bars and the main body of the island was a heavy cross-sea,
+in which the brig pitched and tossed like a bit of cork.  Somewhere
+beyond this wild confusion of waters was the surf which broke upon the
+beach itself, and in that surf the final struggle would take place.
+Whether or not a single one of the soaked, shivering beings clinging to
+the deck would survive it, God alone knew.  The chances of their escape
+were as one in a thousand--and yet they hoped.
+
+There were not many left now.  Captain Sterling was gone, and
+Lieutenants Mercer and Sutton.  Besides the major and Eric, only
+Lieutenants Roebuck and Moore of the cabin passengers were still to be
+seen.  Of the soldiers and crew, almost all had been swept away; but
+Captain Reefwell still held to his post upon the quarter-deck by
+keeping tight hold to a belaying-pin.
+
+The distance between the bars and the beach was soon crossed, and the
+long line of foaming billows became distinct through the driving mist.
+
+"Don't lose your grip on Prince, my boy," called the major to Eric.
+"We'll strike in a second, and then--"
+
+But before he could finish the sentence the ship struck the beach with
+fearful force, and was instantly buried under a vast mountain of water
+that hurled itself upon her as though it had long been waiting for the
+chance to destroy her.  When the billow had spent its force, the decks
+were clear.  Not a human form was visible where a moment before more
+than a score of men had been clinging for dear life.  Hissing and
+seething like things of life, and sending their spray and spume high
+into the mist-laden air, the merciless breakers bore their victims off
+to cast them contemptuously upon the beach.  Then, ere they could
+scramble ashore, they would be caught up again and carried off by the
+recoil of the wave, to be once more dashed back as though they were the
+playthings of the water.
+
+The major and Eric were separated in the wild confusion; but Eric was
+not parted from Prince.  About his brawny neck the mastiff wore a stout
+leathern collar, and to this Eric clung with a grip that not even the
+awful violence of the breakers could unloose.  Rather did it make his
+sturdy fingers but close the tighter upon the leathern band.
+
+Into the boiling flood the boy and dog were plunged together, and
+bravely they battled to make the shore.  The struggle would be a
+tremendous one for them, and the issue only too doubtful.  The slope of
+the beach was very gradual, and there was a long distance between where
+the brig struck and the dry land.  Wholly blinded and half-choked by
+the driving spray, Eric could do nothing to direct his course.  But he
+could have had no better pilot than the great dog, whose unerring
+instinct pointed him straight to the shore.
+
+How long they struggled with the surf Eric could not tell.  But his
+strength had failed, and his senses were fast leaving him, when his
+feet touched something firmer than tossing waves, and presently he and
+Prince were lifted up, and then hurled violently upon the sand.  Had he
+been alone, the recoil of the wave would certainly have carried him
+back again into the surge; but the dog dug his big paws into the soft
+beach, and forced his way up, dragging his master with him.
+
+Dizzy, bewildered, and faint, Eric staggered to his feet, looked about
+him in hope of finding the major near, and then, seeing nobody, fell
+forward upon the sand in a dead faint.
+
+How long he lay unconscious upon the beach Eric had no idea; but when
+he at length came to himself, he found a big, bushy-bearded man bending
+over him with a half-pitying, half-puzzled look, while beside him,
+ready for a spring, was faithful Prince, regarding him with a look that
+said as plainly as words,--
+
+"Attempt to do my master any harm and I will be at your throat."
+
+But the big man seemed to have no evil intent.  He had evidently been
+waiting for Eric to gain consciousness, and as soon as the boy opened
+his eyes, said in a gruff but not unkind voice,---
+
+"So you're not dead after all, my hearty.  More's the pity, maybe.  Old
+Evil-Eye'll be wanting to make a clean job of it, as usual."
+
+Eric did not at all take in the meaning of the stranger's words; his
+senses had not yet fully returned.  He felt a terrible pain in his head
+and a distressing nausea, and when he tried to get upon his feet he
+found the effort too much for him.  He fell back with a cry of pain
+that made the affectionate mastiff run up to him and gently lick his
+face, as though to say,--
+
+"What's the matter, dear master?  Can I do anything for you?"
+
+The man then seemed, for the first time, to take notice of the dog, and
+putting forth a huge, horny hand, he patted him warily, muttering under
+his beard,--
+
+"Sink me straight, but it's a fine beast.  I'll have him for my share,
+if I have to take the boy along with him."
+
+Perceiving by some subtle instinct the policy of being civil, Prince
+permitted himself to be patted by the stranger, and then lay down again
+beside him in a manner that betokened, "When wanted, I'm ready."
+
+Eric was eager to hear about Major Maunsell and the others who had been
+on board the _Francis_.  Were it not for his weakness he would be
+running up and down the beach in search of them.  But the terrible
+struggle with the surf, following upon the long exposure to the storm,
+had completely exhausted him, and he was sorely bruised besides.
+Turning his face up to the strange man, who seemed to have nothing
+further to say on his own account, he asked him anxiously,--
+
+"Where's Major Maunsell?  Is he all right?"
+
+Instead of answering, the man looked away from Eric, and there was an
+expression on his face that somehow sent a chill of dread to the boy's
+heart.
+
+"Please tell me what has happened.  Oh, take me to him, won't you?
+He's looking after me, you know," he pleaded earnestly, the tears
+beginning to well from his eyes.
+
+Still the big man kept silence.  Then as Eric pressed him with
+entreaty, he suddenly wheeled about and spoke in gruffer tones than he
+had so far used,--
+
+"You'd best be still and keep quiet.  You'll never see Major Maunsell,
+as you call him, or any of the rest of them again, and you might just
+as well know it first as last."
+
+At these dreadful words Eric raised himself by a great effort to a
+sitting posture, gazed into the man's face as though hoping to find
+some sign of his not being in earnest, and then with a cry of frantic
+grief flung himself back and buried his face in his hands, while his
+whole frame shook with the violence of his sobbing.
+
+The man stood watching him in silence, although his face, hard and
+stern as it was, gave evidence of his being moved to sympathy with the
+boy.  He seemed to be thinking deeply, and to be in much doubt as to
+what he should do.  He was just about to stoop down and lift Eric up,
+when a harsh, grating voice called out,--
+
+"Hallo, Ben!  What have you got there?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+ALONE AMONG STRANGERS.
+
+Ben started as though he had been caught at some crime, and there was a
+sulky tone in his voice that showed very plainly that he resented the
+appearance of the questioner, as he replied,--
+
+"Only a boy and a dog."
+
+The other man drew near and inspected Eric closely.  Prince at once
+sprang to his feet, and taking up his position between the new-comer
+and his young master, fixed his big eyes upon the former, while his
+teeth showed threateningly, and a deep growl issued from between them.
+
+It was no wonder that the sagacious mastiff's suspicions were aroused,
+for surely never before had his eyes fallen upon so sinister a specimen
+of humanity.  The man was of little more than medium height; but his
+frame showed great strength, combined with unusual activity, and one
+glance was sufficient to mark him out as a man with whom few could
+cope.  His countenance, naturally ugly, had been the playground of the
+strongest and coarsest passions that degrade humanity, and was rendered
+still more hideous by the loss of his left eye, which had been gouged
+out in a drunken _melee_, and by a frightful scar that ran clear from
+temple to chin on the right side of his face.  Through the remaining
+eye all the vile nature of the man found expression, and its baleful
+glare, when fixed full upon one, was simply appalling.
+
+To it, perhaps more than to any other quality, Evil-Eye--for so his
+comrades appropriately nicknamed him--owed his influence among them;
+for he was, in some sort, regarded as a leader of the band of wreckers
+to which both he and Ben belonged.
+
+Evil-Eye held in his right hand a cutlass whose sheen was already
+dimmed with suspicious stains.
+
+"Well," he growled, pointing at Eric, who was staring at him
+spell-bound with horror and dread, "that seems to be the last of them.
+Let's finish him off.  We want no tell-tales.--Out of the way, you
+brute."  And he lifted his cutlass as though to strike Prince first.
+
+"Hold!" cried Ben, springing forward and grasping Evil-Eye's arm.  "Let
+the boy alone."
+
+"Let him alone," roared Evil-Eye, with a horrible oath.  "That I won't.
+Let go of me, will you?"  And wrenching himself free by a tremendous
+effort, he swung the cutlass high over his head and rushed upon the
+defenceless boy, who was too terror-stricken to move or cry out.
+
+But quick as Evil-Eye's movements had been, there was another present
+whose movements were quicker still.  With a short, deep growl like a
+distant roll of thunder, Prince launched himself full at the ruffian's
+throat.  His aim was unerring, and utterly unprepared for so sudden an
+onset, the man rolled over upon the sand, the cutlass falling
+harmlessly from his hand.
+
+Content with having brought him to the ground, Prince did not pursue
+his advantage further, but stood over the prostrate scoundrel, who made
+no attempt to move, while he implored Ben to drag the dog off him.  But
+this Ben seemed in no hurry to do.  He evidently enjoyed his
+associate's sudden defeat, and felt little sympathy for him in his
+present predicament.  Then as he looked from the growling mastiff to
+his young master, who had almost forgotten his own fear in his
+admiration for his faithful dog, a happy thought flashed into his mind.
+His face brightened, and there was a half-smile upon it, as, turning to
+Evil-Eye, who scarce dared to breathe lest those great black jaws, so
+close to his throat, would close tight upon it, he said,--
+
+"Look here, Evil-Eye.  I'll take the dog off on one condition.  Will
+you agree?"
+
+"What is that?" groaned Evil-Eye.
+
+"Why, I've taken a fancy to this lad and his dog, and want to keep them
+for a while, anyway.  Now, if you'll promise me that you'll let them
+alone so long as I want them, I'll get the dog off; but if you won't,
+I'll just let you have it out with him."
+
+Evil-Eye did not answer at once.  Twisting his head, he looked around
+to see if any other of his companions were near; but there was not a
+soul in sight, and the storm was still raging.
+
+"All right, Ben, I'll promise," he said sulkily; and then a crafty
+gleam came into his baleful eye as he added, "And say, Ben, will you
+give me half your share of this take if I stand by you for the boy?
+They'll be wanting him finished off, maybe."
+
+Ben was about to say something bitter in reply, but checked himself as
+though second thoughts were best.  Yet he could not entirely conceal
+his contempt in his tone as he replied,--
+
+"As you like.  These two are what I want most this time.  But, mind
+you, Evil-Eye, if any harm comes to either of them through your doing,
+your own blood shall pay for it, so sure as my name's Ben Harden."
+Then, turning to Eric, he said,--
+
+"Here, boy, you can call off your dog now."
+
+Eric obeyed the directions at once.  "Come here, Prince!" he commanded.
+"Come to me, sir!"
+
+Prince wagged his tail to indicate that he heard the order, but was
+evidently in some doubt as to the wisdom of obeying it.  According to
+his way of thinking, the best place for Evil-Eye was just where he had
+him, and he would like to keep him there a while longer, anyway.
+
+But Eric insisted, and at length the dog obeyed, and came over to him,
+turning, however, to glance back at Evil-Eye, as though he was just
+itching to tumble him over again.
+
+Looking very much out of humour, Evil-Eye pulled himself together, and
+put his hand to his throat in order to make sure that Prince's teeth
+had done him no injury.  Fortunately for him, the high collar of the
+greatcoat he wore had been turned up all around to keep out the rain,
+and it had done him still better service by keeping out the mastiff's
+teeth.  So he was really none the worse for the encounter beyond
+feeling sulky at his discomfiture.
+
+He now for the first time took a good look at Eric, who had also risen
+to his feet, the excitement of the encounter having made him forget his
+pain and weakness.
+
+"Humph! rather a likely lad," he grunted.  "But he may give us trouble
+some time.  Have you thought of that, Ben?"
+
+"No; but it doesn't matter," answered Ben.  "I'll warrant for his not
+getting us into trouble.  We can manage that all right when the time
+comes."
+
+"Humph! maybe.  But it's a risk, all the same," returned Evil-Eye.
+"But come, we must be off.  We've lost too much time already."
+
+The all-prevailing gloom of the day was already deepening into the
+early dark of late autumn as the three set off across the sands.  The
+spray that the storm tore from the crests of the billows dashed in
+their faces as they advanced.  Eric could not have gone far had not Ben
+thrown his brawny arm around him, and almost carried him along.  Prince
+trotted quietly at his heels, having quite regained his composure, and
+resigned himself to the situation.
+
+In this fashion they had gone some distance, and Evil-Eye, who had kept
+a little ahead, was about to turn off to the right toward the interior
+of the island, when Prince suddenly sniffed the air eagerly, threw up
+his head with a curious cry, half whine, half bark, and then bounded
+away in the direction of the water.  Eric stopped to watch him, and
+following him closely with his eyes, saw that he ran up to a dark
+object that lay stretched out upon the sand, about fifty yards away.
+The dog touched it with his nose, and then, lifting his head, gave a
+long, weird howl, that so startled Eric as to make him forget his
+weariness.  Breaking away from Ben, who, indeed, made no effort to
+detain him, he hastened over to see what Prince had found.
+
+Darkness was coming on, but before he had got half way to the object he
+could make out that it was a human body, and a few steps nearer made it
+plain that the body was that of Major Maunsell.
+
+Horror-stricken, yet hoping that the major might still be living, Eric
+rushed forward, and throwing himself down beside the motionless form,
+cried passionately,--
+
+"Major Maunsell!  What's the matter?  Can't you look up?  Oh, surely
+you're not dead!"
+
+But the major made no response.  Beyond all doubt his body was cold in
+death, and as Eric looked upon the white, set face, he saw that his
+cries were useless, and that his dear, kind friend had gone from him
+for ever.  He felt as though his heart would break, and glancing around
+through his tears at the two strange, rough-looking men upon whose
+mercy the storm had cast him, his own fate seemed so dark and doubtful
+that he almost wished that, like the major, he too was lying upon the
+sands in the same quiet sleep.
+
+The discovery of the major's death was a greater shock than the boy, in
+his exhausted condition, could stand, and when, at the approach of the
+men, he attempted to rise, faintness overcame him once more, and he
+fell back unconscious.
+
+When his senses returned, he found himself in a sort of bunk in one
+corner of a large room containing a number of men, whose forms and
+faces were made visible by the light from an immense wood-fire that
+roared and crackled at the farther end of the room.  There were at
+least a score of these men, and, so far as he could make out, they were
+all rough, shaggy, wild-looking fellows, like Ben and Evil-Eye.  The
+latter he could see plainly, sitting beside a table with a bottle
+before him, from which he had just taken a deep draught.
+
+The liquor apparently loosened his tongue, for glancing about him with
+his single eye, whose fitful glare was frightful as the firelight
+flashed upon it, he began to talk vigorously to those who were sitting
+near him.  At first Eric paid no attention to what he was saying, but
+when Evil-Eye held up something for the others to admire, he leaned
+forward curiously to see what it was.  There was not sufficient light
+for him to do this, but Evil-Eye came to his assistance by saying, in
+an exultant tone,--
+
+"There's a ring for you, my hearties.  It'll bring a pot of money, I
+wager you.  And it ought to.  I had trouble enough getting it."
+
+"How was that?" inquired a man at his side.
+
+"The thing wouldn't come off--stuck on tight.  Had to chop off the
+finger before I could get it," replied the ruffian, turning the ring
+over so that the diamond which formed its centre might sparkle to the
+best advantage for the benefit of his companions, not one of whom but
+envied him his good luck in getting such a prize.
+
+Eric now saw clearly enough what Evil-Eye was displaying.  It was the
+costly ring which Major Maunsell always wore upon the third finger of
+his left hand, and whose beauty Eric had many a time admired, for it
+held a diamond of unusual size and of the purest water, which the major
+told him had been a sort of heirloom in the Maunsell family for many
+generations.  Eric's blood boiled at the thought of this ring being in
+such a scoundrel's hands, and of the cruel way in which he had obtained
+it, and only his utter weakness prevented him from springing at
+Evil-Eye and snatching the ring out of his hands.
+
+Happily he had not the strength to carry out so rash an impulse, and
+was forced to content himself with making a solemn resolve to get
+possession of that ring in some manner, that it might be returned to
+the major's family.  Determination was one of the boy's most marked
+characteristics.  Nothing short of the conviction that it was certainly
+unattainable could deter him from anything upon which he had once set
+his heart; and immense as the odds against him in the matter of the
+ring might be, he vowed with all the vigour of his brave young heart
+that he would do his utmost to regain his dead friend's precious jewel.
+
+For the present, however, nothing could be done.  He was a captive no
+less than the ring, and, for aught he knew, equally in the power of
+that brute in human form, who was evidently a leading spirit in the
+group of ruffians that occupied the room.  Clearly enough, his one hope
+lay in attracting as little attention as possible.  He looked anxiously
+about the room in search of Ben, but could see nothing of him.  His
+good Prince, however, was stretched out upon the floor beside the bunk,
+sleeping as soundly as though he were in his own cozy quarters at
+Oakdene.  The sight of him comforted Eric not a little.  So lonely did
+he feel that he could not resist the temptation to awake his faithful
+companion, so he called softly,--
+
+"Prince, Prince, come here!"
+
+At first the mastiff did not hear him, but Eric repeating the call, he
+awoke, looked up inquiringly, and then, rising slowly to his feet--for
+he was very tired after the terrible passage through the surf--went
+over and laid his huge head upon his master's breast.
+
+"Dear old dog!" murmured Eric, fondling him lovingly.  "O Prince! what
+is to become of us?  If we were only back in Oakdene again!"  And then,
+as the awful thought rushed in upon his mind that perhaps neither he
+nor Prince would ever see Oakdene again, or find their way to Dr.
+Copeland at Halifax, the tears he had been bravely keeping back could
+no longer be restrained.  Sobbing as though his heart would break, he
+clasped Prince's head tightly in his arms and gave himself up to his
+grief.
+
+While poor Eric was thus giving way to his feelings, a number of men
+entered the room, one of them being Ben Harden.  He went up to the
+weeping boy, and sitting down on the edge of the bunk, said in quite a
+kindly tone,--
+
+"What's the matter, my lad?  Feeling homesick, eh?  Well, I can't blame
+you.  It's a poor place you've come to.  But cheer up, and make the
+best of it.  You'll feel better when you get rested."
+
+With a great effort Eric gulped down his sobs and wiped away his
+fast-falling tears.  He felt much relieved at seeing Ben again, and did
+his best to give him a smile of welcome as he said,--
+
+"Oh, I'm so glad you've come.  Everything seems so strange here."
+
+A grim smile broke the habitual sternness of the big man's face.
+
+"Strange!  Yes; no doubt.  It is a strange place.  Perhaps you'll think
+it stranger before you leave it," said he--adding in an undertone to
+himself, so that Eric hardly caught the words, "that is, if you ever do
+leave it."
+
+A large pot hung on a kind of wooden crane before the fire, and
+pointing to it Ben asked Eric if he wouldn't like something to eat.
+Then, without waiting for a reply, he went over to the table, and
+picking up a plate, proceeded to fill it from the pot, and having added
+a spoon, brought it back to Eric.
+
+Now, trouble may take away the appetite of older people, but with a
+hearty, healthy boy hunger may always be trusted to insist upon being
+attended to.  Eric had not tasted food since early morning, and it was
+now approaching midnight.  Could any one who know anything about boys
+find it in his heart to criticise him if the plateful of savoury stew
+vanished rapidly before his dexterous wielding of the spoon?
+
+Ben was highly pleased at his _protege's_ vigorous appetite.
+
+"Well done, my hearty!" he exclaimed.  "That's the best kind of physic
+for you.  You'll soon be yourself again.  Now, then, just you lie down
+and take a good snooze, and that'll finish the cure."
+
+Eric was just about to throw himself back upon the pillow when he
+caught sight of Prince, who had been watching him with eager eyes while
+he satisfied his hunger.
+
+"My poor Prince!" he cried.  "I was forgetting all about you.--Please,
+can't he have some dinner too?"
+
+"Sartin!" said Ben.  "The brute must be hungry.  I'll give him a good
+square meal."  And filling a tin dish from the pot, he set it before
+the mastiff, who attacked it ravenously.
+
+Eric felt decidedly better for his hearty meal.  A luxurious sense of
+warmth and languor stole over him.  He stretched himself out upon his
+comfortable couch, and in a few moments sank into a deep, dreamless
+sleep.  Prince having licked the dish until it shone again, resumed his
+position beside the bunk, and fell asleep also.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+ERIC LOOKS ABOUT HIM.
+
+It was broad daylight when the boy awoke, and he felt very well pleased
+at finding no one in the room but Ben, who sat by the table, evidently
+waiting for him to open his eyes.  As soon as he did so the latter
+noticed it, and coming up to the bunk, said in his gruff way,--
+
+"Oh, ho!  Awake at last.  Was wondering if you were going to sleep all
+day.  Feel like turning out?"
+
+"Of course," replied Eric, brightly.  "I feel all right now."
+
+On getting out of the bunk, however, he found himself so dreadfully
+stiff and sore that it was positively painful to move, and he had much
+difficulty in dragging himself over to the table, where he found a pile
+of ship's biscuit and a pannikin of tea awaiting him.  He did not feel
+at all so hungry as he had the night before, and this very plain repast
+seemed very unattractive, accustomed as he was to the best of fare.  He
+nibbled at the biscuit, took a sip of the tea, and then pushed the
+things away, saying,--
+
+"I don't want any breakfast, thank you.  I'm not a bit hungry."
+
+Ben was too shrewd not to guess the true reason of the boy's
+indifferent appetite.
+
+"There's not much choice of grub on Sable Island," said he, with one of
+his grim smiles.  "You'll have to take kindly to hard-tack and tea if
+you don't want to starve."
+
+"But really I am not hungry," explained Eric eagerly, afraid of seeming
+not to appreciate his friend's hospitality.  "If I were, I'd eat the
+biscuits fast enough, for I'm quite fond of them."
+
+Ben now proceeded to fill and light a big pipe.
+
+"Do you smoke?" he asked, after he had got it in full blast.
+
+"Oh, no," answered Eric.  "My father doesn't believe in boys smoking,
+and has forbidden me to learn."
+
+"Your father's a sensible man, my boy," said Ben; then added, "Well,
+you'd best stay about the hut to-day, since you feel so stiff.  I've
+got to go off, but I'll be back by mid-day."  He put on his hat and
+went away, leaving Eric and Prince in possession of the establishment.
+
+Eric did not by any means like the idea of being left alone, but he
+naturally shrank from saying so.  He went to the door and regretfully
+looked after the tall figure striding swiftly over the sand until it
+disappeared behind a hillock, beyond which he thought must be the ocean.
+
+Now that he was left entirely to his own resources, Eric's curiosity
+began to assert itself.  Had he but known in what direction to go, and
+felt equal to the task, his first business would certainly have been to
+set forth in search of the scene of the wreck, if haply he might find
+traces of other survivors besides himself.
+
+But neither could he tell where to go, nor was he fit to walk any great
+distance.  For aught he knew, he might be miles from the beach where
+the _Francis_ finally struck.  Anyway, Evil-Eye was certain to be
+there, hunting for more prizes, and he had no wish to encounter him.
+So he proceeded to examine his strange surroundings.
+
+The hut--for, despite its size, it was really nothing more than a
+hut--was a very curious building.  It had evidently been put together
+by many hands, out of the wreckage of many ships, the builders
+apparently being more proficient in ship-carpentry than in
+house-joinery.  Their labours had resulted, through an amazing
+adaptation of knees, planking, stanchions, and bulk-heads, in a long,
+low-ceilinged, but roomy building, something after the shape of a large
+vessel's poop.  For lighting and ventilation it depended upon a number
+of port-holes irregularly put in.  Running around two sides of the room
+was a row of bunks, very much like those in a forecastle, the tier
+being two high.  Eric counted them.  There were just thirty, and he
+wondered if each had an occupant.  If so, he must have slept in Ben's
+last night, and where, then, had Ben himself slept?
+
+Upon the walls of the other two sides of the room hung a great number
+of weapons of various kinds--cutlasses, swords, muskets, dirks,
+daggers, and pistols, a perfect armoury, all carefully burnished and
+ready for use.  They strongly excited Eric's curiosity, and he occupied
+himself examining them one by one.  One pair of pistols especially
+attracted his attention.  They were of the very latest make, and the
+handles were beautifully inlaid with silver.  He took one from the
+wall, and aimed at one of the port-holes with it.  As he did so a
+thought flashed into his mind that gave him an electric thrill, and
+sent the blood bounding wildly through his veins.
+
+What if that port-hole were the repulsive countenance of Evil-Eye, and
+they were alone together?  Would he be able to resist the impulse to
+give with his forefinger the slight pressure upon the finely-balanced
+trigger that would send a bullet crashing into the ruffian's brain?  So
+intense was his excitement that he almost staggered under its
+influence.  For the first time in his life an overmastering passion for
+revenge, for retribution, took possession of him, and carried him out
+of himself.  Smooth, clear, and bright as the lovely stream that
+watered the Oakdene meadows had been the current of his life hitherto.
+To few boys had the lines fallen in pleasanter places.  Yet this happy
+fortune had not rendered him unmanly or irresolute.  He was capable of
+conceiving and carrying out any purpose that lay within the range of a
+boy's powers.  The Copeland courage and the Copeland determination were
+his inheritance.
+
+Now never before had he been brought into contact with any one who had
+so roused his repulsion or hatred as Evil-Eye.  Not only because of his
+hideous appearance and threatened violence, but because of Ben's dark
+hints and his own suspicions as to Evil-Eye being no better than a
+murderer, the very depths of his nature were stirred, and he felt as
+though it would be but right to inflict summary vengeance at the first
+opportunity.
+
+Trembling with these strange, wild thoughts, he held the pistol still
+pointed at the port-hole, and unconsciously pressing upon the trigger,
+there was a sharp report, which caused Prince, dozing comfortably by
+the fire, to spring to his feet with a startled growl, following the
+crash of broken glass, as the bullet pierced the port-lid.
+
+Almost at the same moment the door was thrown roughly open and Evil-Eye
+entered the room.
+
+"What are you doing with my pistols?" he cried, his face aflame with
+rage, as he strode toward Eric.
+
+Scarce knowing what he was doing, Eric snatched up the other pistol and
+darted around the big table, so that it would form a barrier between
+himself and Evil-Eye.  His hand was perfectly steady now, and levelling
+the pistol at his assailant, he said in a firm tone,---
+
+"Let me alone, or I'll shoot you."
+
+With a fearful oath the ruffian drew a pistol from his belt, and in
+another moment blood would undoubtedly have been shed, had not Ben
+Harden rushed in through the open door, and snatching Evil-Eye's pistol
+out of his hand, thrown it to the other end of the room, where it went
+off without harm to any one.
+
+"You scoundrel!" he roared.  "If you don't leave that boy alone, I will
+break every bone in your body."
+
+At first Evil-Eye was so completely taken aback by this unexpected
+interference that he seemed dazed for a moment.  Then his hand went
+again to his belt, as though he would turn his baffled fury upon Ben.
+But evidently a wiser second thought prevailed, and choking down his
+wrath, he growled out contemptuously,--
+
+"Don't be in such a stew.  I'm not going to hurt your baby.  I was only
+teaching him manners, and not to meddle with other people's belongings
+without first asking their leave."
+
+This speech drew Ben's attention to the pistol Eric still held in his
+hand.
+
+"Ah," said he, "you've got one of Evil-Eye's pets there, have you?
+Well, put it back in its place, and don't touch it again."
+
+Feeling very confused, Eric replaced the pistols carefully, their owner
+watching him with a malign glare which boded him no good.  Its meaning
+was not lost upon observant Ben.
+
+"Come, my lad," said he; "a bit of an airing will do you good.  Put on
+your cap, and come out with me."
+
+Only too glad to obey, Eric picked up his cap, and calling to Prince,
+followed Ben out into the open air, leaving Evil-Eye alone in the hut.
+
+The sun was shining brightly, the sky was almost cloudless, and the
+wind blew as softly and innocently from the south as though it had not
+raged with fatal fury but a few hours before.  Eric's spirits, which
+had been wofully depressed by the events of the past two days, began to
+rise a little, and he looked about him with much interest as he trudged
+along through the deep sand.
+
+Ben appeared to be in no mood for talking, and stalked on ahead in
+moody silence, puffing hard at the short black pipe which was hardly
+ever away from his mouth except at meal-time and when he was sleeping.
+Eric therefore did not bother him with questions, and found
+companionship in Prince, who showed lively satisfaction in being
+out-of-doors, frisking about and barking loudly in the exuberance of
+his glee.  One good night's rest and plenty to eat had been sufficient
+to completely restore his strength.  He looked and felt quite equal to
+anything that might be required of him, and was an inexpressible
+comfort to Eric, to whom he seemed much more than a mere dog--a
+protector and friend, who could be trusted to the uttermost.
+
+Half-an-hour's walking brought Ben to the highest point of a
+sand-ridge, where he threw himself, waiting for Eric, who had lagged
+behind a little, to come up.
+
+"Sit ye down, lad," said he, when the boy reached him.  "You're feeling
+tired, no doubt."
+
+Eric was tired, and very glad indeed to seat himself near Ben, who
+continued to puff away at his pipe, as though he had nothing more to
+say.  Thus left to himself, Eric let his eyes wander over the strange
+and striking scene spread out before him.
+
+He was upon the crest of a sand-hill, a hundred feet or more in height,
+which sloped to the beach, upon whose glistening sands the great
+billows were breaking, although the day was clear and calm.  Far out
+beyond the serried lines of white-maned sea-coursers the ocean could be
+seen sleeping peacefully.  Here and there, upon the sand-bars, the
+hulls of vessels in various stages of destruction told plainly how
+common was the fate which had befallen the _Francis_, and how rich a
+field the wreckers had chosen for their dreadful business.
+
+Turning to his right, Eric saw a long narrow lake in the middle of the
+island, its banks densely grown with rushes and lilies.  Upon its
+placid surface flocks of ducks were paddling, while snipes and
+sand-pipers hopped along the margin.  The valley of the lake presented
+a curious contrast to those portions of the island that faced seaward,
+for it was thickly carpeted with coarse grass and wild vines, which
+were still green enough to be grateful to the eye weary of the monotony
+of sand and sea.
+
+Upon the left the island rose and fell, a succession of sand-hills.
+Far in the distance, a faint line of white showed where it once more
+touched the ocean, and gave cause for other lines of roaring surges.
+All this and more had Eric time to take in before Ben broke silence.
+He had been regarding him very thoughtfully for a few moments, and at
+length he spoke,--
+
+"Well, lad," said he, "I've been thinking much about ye.  I've saved
+your life, but I'm not so clear in my mind but what it 'ud have been
+best to have let you go with the others."
+
+Eric gave a start of surprise, and there was an alarmed tone in his
+voice, as he exclaimed,--
+
+"Why, Mr. Ben, what makes you say that?"
+
+"Well, you see, it's just this way," answered Ben slowly, as though he
+were puzzling out the best way to state the case.  "You're in a mighty
+bad box, and no mistake.  Evil-Eye does not fancy you, and will take
+the first chance to do for you, if he can keep his own skin whole.
+Dead men tell no tales is what he goes by; and if the folks over
+there"--jerking his thumb in the direction of the mainland--"only knew
+what goes on here, they'd be pretty sure to want to put a stop to it,
+and make us all smart for it finely.  Now, it's not likely you want to
+join us; and I'm no less sure that Evil-Eye will take precious good
+care not to let you go, for fear you should get his neck into the
+noose.  That's the only thing he's afraid of.  And so it just bothers
+me to make out what's to be the end of the business."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+BEN HARDEN.
+
+As the words fell one by one from Ben's lips, Eric realized more and
+more clearly how critical was his situation.  In his gladness at escape
+from the present peril of the wreck, he had forgotten to take thought
+for the future; but now he was brought face to face with a state of
+affairs by which that future was filled with dark foreboding.  Little
+as he had seen of the men into whose midst he had been so strangely
+thrown, it was enough to make very plain to him that they wanted no
+witness of their doings.
+
+So far they had been too much occupied with their own concerns to take
+much notice of him; but once he became the object of their attention,
+the question as to his disposal must be settled.  The issue was more
+than doubtful, to say the least.
+
+An awful feeling of desolation and despair came upon him.  He seemed
+unable to utter a word, but looked up into Ben's bronzed face with an
+expression in which pathetic appeal was so mingled with harrowing dread
+as to touch this strange man.
+
+He sprang to his feet, dashed his pipe out of his mouth, clenched his
+huge fists, and shouted aloud, as though all the other wreckers were
+there to hear,--
+
+"They had better take care!  I saved ye, and I'm going to stand by ye.
+Whoever wants to do you harm'll have to reckon with Ben Harden first;
+and come what may, I'll get you off this place with a whole skin,
+somehow."
+
+Eric was as much surprised at Ben's sudden display of strong feeling as
+he had been alarmed by his ominous words.  He gazed at him, with
+wide-open mouth, until the wrecker, recovering his self-control by an
+evident effort, threw himself down on the sand again, picked up his
+pipe, carefully relit it, and vigorously resumed puffing forth clouds
+of smoke.
+
+It was some time before he spoke again.  In a quiet, natural tone he
+asked Eric,--
+
+"Have you any notion, my lad, why I troubled myself about ye at all?"
+
+Eric shook his head, and there was something inexpressibly winning in
+his smile as he answered,--
+
+"No, sir.  Unless because you have too kind a heart to let Evil-Eye do
+me any harm."
+
+Ben smiled in return, but it was in a grim sort of a way.
+
+"My heart was softer once than it is now.  There were better days then,
+and never did I think that I'd come to be a wrecker on Sable Island,"
+said he; and the remembrance of those better days evidently gave him
+saddening thoughts, for he relapsed into the moody silence that was his
+wont.  It continued so long that Eric began to feel uncomfortable, and
+was about to move away a little, in order to have a frolic with Prince,
+when Ben roused himself, and motioned him to draw near him.
+
+"Sit ye down in front of me, my lad," said he, "and listen to me a bit,
+and I'll tell you why I couldn't find it in my heart to let any harm
+come to you.  I had a boy of my own once, as trim a lad as ever sat in
+a boat; and many a fine trip we made together, for I was at an honest
+trade then, and wasn't ashamed to take my boy into it.  Ah, lad! those
+were the good times.  We went fishing on the Banks, getting our outfit
+at Halifax, and selling our fare there.  But our home was at Chester,
+where I had a snug cottage, all my own, without a shilling of debt on
+it, and pretty well fitted up too.  The wife--she was the best wife
+that ever I knew--she looked after the cottage, and we looked after the
+little schooner; and after each trip we'd stay at home awhile and have
+a little time together.
+
+"We were mostly always in luck on the Banks, and it was not often the
+_Sea-Slipper_ missed a good fare, if there were any fish to be caught.
+And so it went on, until I lost my lad.  He and his mate were out in
+their dory fishing, and the cod were plentiful, and they were so full
+of catching them that they did not notice the fog coming up and
+creeping all around them.  They lost their bearings, and no man ever
+set eyes on them again.
+
+"I didn't give up hoping I'd find them for months afterwards.  I
+cruised about the Banks, I called at all the ports that sent out
+Bankers, and I tried at Halifax, Boston, New York, and other big
+places, hoping that some ship might have picked them up.  But not a
+word did I hear.  There was a heavy blow right after the fog, and no
+doubt they were lost in that.  I lost a lot of time hunting for my boy,
+and it seemed as though when he went my luck followed him.  Everything
+went wrong.  The fish would hardly touch my hooks, and I never got a
+full fare.  Then the wife died.  She never held up her head after the
+day I came home without our boy.  I took to the drink.  It didn't make
+matters any better, of course, but I couldn't keep from it.
+
+"I got knocking about with a bad lot of chaps; and the end of it was,
+some of us came here.  I don't care how soon it's all over with me.  I
+hate this business, and I hate myself."
+
+Here Ben came to a pause, as though he had said more than he intended;
+and Eric, not knowing what to interpose, looked at him in silent
+sympathy, until he began again.
+
+"But I haven't told ye why I saved ye from Evil-Eye.
+
+"Well, it was just this way.  When I found ye, you were lying on the
+sand like as though you were asleep; and you fairly gave me a start,
+you looked so like my own boy.  He was just about your age when he was
+lost, and you'd be much the same size, and he had brown hair just like
+yours.
+
+"If my boy had been lying half-dead on the beach, I'd have thought any
+man worse than a brute that wouldn't help the lad.  So I just made up
+my mind to take your part, Evil-Eye or no Evil-Eye; and now I'm going
+to stick to it."
+
+Having spoken thus, Ben put his pipe back between his lips, evidently
+having no more to say.  Eric hardly knew how to give expression to his
+feelings.  Sympathy for his rescuer's troubles and gratitude for his
+assurance of safe-keeping filled his heart.  The tears gathered in his
+eyes, and his voice trembled as, turning to the big man beside him, he
+laid his hand upon his knee, and looking up into his face, said,--
+
+"You've been very good to me, Mr. Ben.  You're the only friend I've got
+here except Prince, and I'm sure you won't let any harm come to me, if
+you can help it.  And I'm so sorry about your son.  You see, we've both
+lost somebody: you've lost your boy, and I--I've lost my mother."
+
+His voice sank to a whisper as he uttered the words, and the tears he
+had been bravely keeping back overflowed upon his cheeks.
+
+Ben said not a word.  There was a suspicious glistening about his
+eyelids, and the quite superfluous vigour of his puffing told plainly
+enough that he was deeply moved.  After a moment he rose to his feet,
+knocked the ashes out of his pipe, and putting it into his pocket,
+said,--
+
+"Come, lad, let us go back to the hut."
+
+The two retraced their steps to the wreckers' abode.  Eric now felt
+more at ease than he had since the shipwreck.  With such protectors as
+Ben and Prince he surely had not much to fear, even in the evil company
+among which he had been cast.  As to the future--well, it certainly did
+seem dark.  But he had been taught to put trust in the Heavenly Father
+to whom he prayed, and he looked up to him now for help and guidance.
+
+When they arrived at the hut they found the whole party of wreckers
+there, waiting somewhat impatiently for a huge negro to serve them
+their supper.
+
+This negro did duty as cook; they called him Black Joe.  They took
+little notice of the new-comers, and Eric, going quietly over to his
+bunk, sat down on the edge and looked about him.  This was his first
+opportunity of getting a good look at his strange companions.
+
+By listening to their conversation and studying their countenances he
+made out that the majority of them were English, but that there were a
+few Frenchmen amongst them.  There was only one negro, a stalwart,
+bull-necked, bullet-headed fellow, with a good-natured face, who seemed
+the butt of the others, and a target for their oaths and jeers, as he
+bustled about the fireplace preparing their food.
+
+The whole party appeared to be in excellent humour, the cause thereof
+being plainly enough the fact of the _Francis_ having proved so rich a
+prize.  Each man had been able to secure sufficient plunder to satisfy
+him, so there was no necessity for quarrelling over the division.  They
+each had some precious find to boast of, and they vied with one another
+in relating with great gusto their successful efforts after the
+wreckage.  From what they said, Eric gathered that the _Francis_ did
+not break up after striking.  Her stout oak frame resisted the fiercest
+attempts of the billows to tear it asunder.  The storm subsided during
+the night, and the men were able in the morning to make their way to
+the wreck, and despoil her of whatever took their fancy.
+
+The thousands of valuable books, and the holdful of costly but cumbrous
+furniture, they contemptuously left to the mercy of wind and wave.  The
+great store of gold and silver plate, the casks of finest wines, the
+barrels and cases of delicious biscuits, conserves, pickles, and other
+dainties, together with the racks of muskets, swords, and other
+weapons--these were all very much to their liking.  Moreover, the
+clothing chests had been ransacked, each man helping himself according
+to his fancy.  The result was a display of gorgeous uniforms and
+elegant apparel that would have been quite imposing had not the faces
+and manners of the wearers been so ludicrously out of keeping with
+their costumes.
+
+Little did Prince Edward imagine, when ordering liberal additions to
+his wardrobe, that those resplendent garments were destined to be worn
+to tatters on the backs of the wreckers of Sable Island.  What would
+have been his feelings could he have seen Evil-Eye strutting about as
+proud as a turkey-cock in the superb uniform intended for the commander
+of the forces at Halifax?
+
+Although the profuse profanity of the speakers shocked and sickened
+him, Eric listened attentively to all that was said, in the hope of
+picking up something about his future.  But the wreckers were too much
+occupied with their own affairs to pay any attention to him.  Presently
+Black Joe announced that supper was ready, whereupon they all stopped
+talking, and fell to with ravenous appetites.
+
+The table looked curiously out of keeping with its associations of
+squalid hut and coarse, brutal men.  It was covered with a cloth of
+richest damask that should have adorned a royal dining-room, and set
+out with china, glass, plate, and cutlery of corresponding elegance.
+It filled Eric with indignation and disgust to see the wreckers hacking
+their meat with ivory-handled knives, impaling their potatoes upon
+silver forks, and quenching their thirst by copious draughts out of
+cut-glass goblets, which seemed to be desecrated by their foul touch.
+
+Ben motioned him to a seat beside himself, and helped him bountifully.
+Ill at ease as the boy felt, he was very hungry, and was glad to do
+full justice to the coarse but plentiful fare provided by Black Joe.
+The wine he would not touch.
+
+The hearty supper and the abundant wine put the men in even better
+humour than before, and Ben now saw his opportunity to carry out a plan
+that had been forming in his mind.  Rising to his feet, he secured his
+companions' attention by rapping loudly upon the table with the handle
+of his knife, and then proceeded to surprise them by making a little
+speech; for so chary of his words was he, as a usual thing, that they
+sometimes called him Silent Ben.
+
+"I want a word with you, mates," said he; and at once every face was
+turned toward him.
+
+"You see this boy here.  Now, I've taken a great liking to him, and I'm
+willing that he and his dog shall be counted as part of my share of
+this last prize.  That's all right, ain't it?"
+
+"Ay, ay, Ben; right enough," came from half-a-dozen of them, while some
+of the others looked a little doubtful, as if they didn't know exactly
+what was coming.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+A SABLE ISLAND WINTER.
+
+"Well now, look here, mates," Ben continued; "fair and square's the
+word between us, ain't it?  If I choose to take a notion to these two
+here, it's my own lookout, and it's not for any other chap to be
+interfering with me, any more than I'd be after wanting your things,
+eh?"
+
+They were beginning to see what he was driving at now, and one of them
+said, with a sort of sneer,--
+
+"You're not afraid of any one wanting your boy, or his dog either, are
+you?"
+
+"Not exactly," answered Ben; "but what I've on my mind is this: seeing
+they're my property, I don't want any one to meddle with them or give
+them any trouble--that's only fair, ain't it?"
+
+"Fair enough, Ben; but what are you going to do with the boy when we
+leave here?" asked one.  And there was a murmur of assent to the
+question.
+
+"That'll be all right, mates," replied Ben promptly.  "I'll be surety
+that he doesn't get us into any trouble.  You just leave that to me,
+and I'll warrant you I'll get him away from us quiet enough.  What do
+you say, mates?"
+
+Although by dint of bluster and brutality Evil-Eye had forced his way
+to a sort of leadership among the wreckers, there was really none of
+them with so much influence as Ben.  With the exception of Evil-Eye
+they were all now quite ready to accept his assurances of Eric not
+proving a source of trouble, and to consent to his remaining with them.
+Evil-Eye growled and grumbled a good deal, but could get nobody to heed
+him; and Ben, satisfied that he had carried his point, and that Eric
+and Prince were safe, took his seat again, and lit his pipe for a good
+smoke.  He was perfectly sincere in promising that Eric would not get
+his associates into any trouble.  He certainly never imagined what
+would be the result of his taking him under his protection.  Could he
+have had a peep into the future, perhaps he would have hesitated before
+becoming his champion.  As it was, he gave himself no concern upon the
+point.
+
+Eric felt wonderfully relieved at the result of his protector's appeal.
+It settled his position among his strange, uncongenial companions.
+They might take no notice of him if they chose--indeed, that was just
+what he would prefer--but they had, at all events, not only recognized
+but consented to his presence, and this took a great load off his mind.
+
+Although his objections had been ignored by his companions, Evil-Eye
+was by no means disposed to give up altogether his designs upon Eric.
+There were two reasons why he hungered for the boy's life.  It was
+against his principle of dead men telling no tales that he should be
+spared; and, again, he hated Ben, and the mere fact of his being
+interested in Eric was quite sufficient to cause the innocent lad to
+get a share of that hatred.
+
+In the days that followed, Eric could not fail to be conscious of the
+frequency with which the ruffian's one eye was turned upon him, and of
+the hyena-like look with which it regarded him.  Happy for him was it
+that there was a restraining influence which kept that awful look from
+finding its way into fitting deed.
+
+Though they did not distinctly recognize any leader--their motto being
+each man for himself, and one as good as another--the wreckers regarded
+Ben with a respect accorded no other member of the motley crew.  This
+was in part due to his great size and strength, and in part to his
+taciturn, self-contained ways, which prevented any of that familiarity
+that so quickly breeds contempt.
+
+Evil-Eye feared Ben no less than he hated him, and dared not openly
+attempt anything against him, although the fire of his fury burned
+hotly within his breast.  In this fear of Ben, much more than in the
+decision of the other wreckers, lay Eric's safety.  Ere long, this
+defence was strengthened in a manner most strange, startling, and
+happily most effective.
+
+A week of almost incessant stormy weather had compelled the wreckers to
+spend most of their time in the hut.  Finding the hours hang heavy on
+their hands, many of them had sought solace in drink, of which the
+_Francis's_ fine stock of wines and liquors furnished an unstinted
+supply.  No one drank more deeply than Evil-Eye.  Day after day was
+passed in a state alternating between coarse hilarity and maudlin
+stupor; Ben, on the other hand, hardly touched the liquor, contenting
+himself with sipping a little at his meals.  It was well, indeed, that
+he should be so moderate, for his cool head and strong hand were in
+demand more than once to prevent serious conflicts among his
+intoxicated companions.
+
+Eric, in spite of the stormy weather, kept as much out of doors as
+possible.  He preferred the buffeting of the wintry winds to the close
+atmosphere of the hut, foul with oaths, and reeking with tobacco and
+spirits.
+
+Evil-Eye's carouse had continued several days.  Early one night, after
+he had fallen into a sottish sleep upon his bunk, and the others had,
+later on, one by one turned in for the night, leaving the room in a
+silence broken only by the heavy breathing and stertorous snoring of
+the sleepers, the whole hut was suddenly aroused by an appalling yell
+from Evil-Eye.  Starting up, his companions saw him, by the light of a
+moonbeam that strayed in through one of the portholes, rise to his feet
+with an expression of the most frantic terror upon his hideous
+countenance, as he shrieked at the top of his voice,--
+
+"I will--I swear I will--if you'll only let me alone!"
+
+Then, throwing up his arms, he fell over, foaming, in a fit.
+
+For some minutes the hut was a scene of wild confusion as its
+bewildered inmates, so suddenly aroused from their sleep, stumbled
+about in the darkness trying to find out what was the matter.  But Ben,
+who was not easily frightened, soon restored order by striking a light,
+and showing that whatever may have been the matter with Evil-Eye, there
+was certainly no real cause for alarm.  Thereupon, with many a growl at
+him for disturbing their night's rest, most of them grumblingly went
+back to sleep.
+
+A few thought it worth while to see what was the matter with Evil-Eye,
+and of these Ben took command.  Little as he loved the ruffian, he
+could not find it in his heart to let him die for lack of a little
+care.  So, under his direction, the struggling man was lifted out upon
+the floor.  His face was splashed with water, while his arms and legs
+were chafed by rough hands.  In a little while the patient's struggles
+grew less violent, the purple hue left his face, and his breathing
+became more natural.  Presently, with a great sigh, he fell into a
+heavy sleep, from which he did not awake for many hours.
+
+Although pestered with questions upon his return to consciousness as to
+the cause of his strange behaviour, he refused to give any reason.  But
+there were two changes in him too noticeable not to excite the remark
+of his associates--he was much more moderate in the use of wine, taking
+care not to drink to excess; and his attitude toward Eric became
+curiously different.  Instead of regarding him with his former look of
+hungering hatred, he now seemed to have a feeling of dread.  He shrank
+from being near him, avoiding him in every possible way; treating him,
+in fact, much as a dog would a man who had been especially cruel to him.
+
+Ben and Eric at once noted the change, and were well pleased at it.
+Some time after, they learned the cause.  It seemed that the evening
+Evil-Eye had acted so strangely he had been awakened from his drunken
+sleep about midnight by a startling vision.
+
+It was the form of a tall man in a military uniform dripping with
+sea-water and soiled with sand.  On his face was the pallor of death,
+and his eyes had an awful, far-away expression, as though they were
+looking through the startled sleeper.  Fixing them steadfastly upon
+Evil-Eye, whose blood seemed to freeze in his veins, he held up his
+forefinger as if commanding attention, and pointed to the bunk where
+Eric lay sleeping.  At the same time his face took on a threatening
+look, and his lips moved.
+
+Although no words reached Evil-Eye's ears, he understood.  As the
+spectre stood before him, so intense was his terror that it broke the
+spell which locked his lips, and he shrieked out the words already
+mentioned.  He knew no more until, at broad daylight, he found himself
+weak and miserable in his berth.
+
+Like many men of his kind, Evil-Eye was very superstitious.  After the
+vision he looked upon Eric as being under the protection of some
+ghostly being that would for ever haunt any one who did him any harm.
+Henceforth Eric had nothing to fear from him.
+
+
+Winter on Sable Island is not like winter on the mainland.  The Gulf
+Stream prevents any long continuance of cold.  The snow comes in
+violent storms, and fills the valleys with drifts; but these soon
+vanish.  There is more rain and fog than snow, even in mid-winter; and
+the herds of wild, shaggy, sharp-boned ponies which scamper from end to
+end of the island have no difficulty in finding plenty to eat among the
+grasses which grow rankly in every sheltered spot.
+
+These ponies were a great source of amusement to Eric.  But for them
+and the rabbits, which were even more numerous, the winter, wearisome
+at best, would have been simply intolerable.
+
+The wreckers had captured a score of the ponies, and broken them in
+after a fashion.  They were kept near the hut, in a large corral built
+of driftwood, and there were plenty of saddles and bridles.
+
+Now if there was one manly accomplishment more than another upon which
+Eric prided himself it was his horsemanship.  He had been put upon a
+pony when only five years old, and had been an enthusiastic rider ever
+since.  At Oakdene he had ridden to hounds since he was twice five
+years of age, and there was not a lad in the county with a firmer seat
+in the saddle or a more masterful touch of the reins.  The saddles and
+bridles at Sable Island were poor things compared with those he had
+been accustomed to; and the ponies themselves were about as wicked and
+vicious as animals of that size could be.  But this only lent an
+additional zest to the amusement of riding them.  Their bad behaviour
+did not daunt Eric in the least.  With Ben's assistance a pony would be
+caught in the corral and saddled, and then off he would go for a long,
+lively gallop, Prince, as full of glee as himself, barking and bounding
+along at his side.
+
+Very often Ben would keep him company, for there was an old black
+stallion of unusual size which seemed equal to the task of bearing his
+huge frame.  Then Eric's happiness was complete, for every day he was
+growing fonder of the big man who had saved him from a dreadful death,
+and who now treated him with paternal tenderness.
+
+With the keen wintry air making his cheeks tingle, he would scamper off
+at full speed for mile after mile, while Ben lumbered along more
+slowly, thoroughly enjoying the boy's vigour and daring.  Then, halting
+until Ben overtook him, he would canter on quietly.
+
+An amusement of which Eric never tired was chasing the wild ponies, as
+though he wanted to catch one of them.  Climbing one of the sand-hills,
+he would look about until he sighted a herd grazing quietly in the
+hollows, and guarded as usual by a touzle-maned stallion of mature
+years.  Making a wide detour, and carefully concealing his approach by
+keeping the hillocks between himself and the ponies, he would get as
+near as he possibly could without being seen.  If necessary, he
+dismounted and crept along on his hands and knees, dragging his own
+pony by the bridle, while Prince followed.
+
+When concealment was no longer possible, he would spring into his
+saddle, and with wild shouts charge down upon the startled ponies; and
+they would gallop off in headlong stampede.
+
+One afternoon, while thus amusing himself, he had quite an exciting
+experience, and rather a narrow escape from injury.  He had stampeded a
+herd of ponies, and picking out a sturdy little youngster as his
+particular prey, was pressing him pretty closely, when the pony charged
+straight up the side of a hill.  As it was not steep, Eric followed
+hard after him, taking for granted the slope would be about the same on
+the other side.  Instead of that, the hill fell away abruptly.  Over
+plunged the hunted pony.  Unable to check his own animal, full of the
+spirit of the chase, over plunged Eric too.  For a moment both ponies
+kept their feet; but the treacherous sand giving way beneath them, they
+rolled head over heels.  Eric happily got free from his horse in time
+to save himself from being crushed underneath it; but when they all
+reached the bottom in a heap together, he could not escape the
+frantically pawing hoofs, and one of them struck him such a blow upon
+the head as to stun him.
+
+When he recovered he found himself lying upon the sand, not a pony in
+sight, and Prince licking his face with affectionate anxiety.  His head
+ached sharply, and he felt somewhat sore after his tremendous tumble;
+but not a bone was broken nor a joint sprained.  Thankful at having
+gotten off so well, he made the best of his way back to the hut.
+
+Ben was greatly pleased at the adventure, and regretted he had not been
+there when ponies, boy, and dog rolled down the hill together.
+
+"You ought to let your friends know when you're going to give a
+performance like that, my lad," said he, after a hearty laugh.  "It's
+too good to keep to yourself."
+
+"Perhaps you'd like me to repeat it for you," Eric suggested.
+
+"No indeed, Eric.  You got off all right that time, but you might break
+your precious neck the next.  How would you like to have a try at a
+morse?  The men tell me they saw a lot of them at the west end this
+morning; and as you're so fond of hunting, there's something well worth
+killing."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+ANXIOUS TIMES.
+
+"How would I like it?" cried Eric, his face beaming.  "Why, above all
+things.  I've often seen pictures of the great ugly creatures, and I
+think it would be just splendid to shoot one and get his tusks."
+
+"All right, my boy," replied Ben.  "We'll start the first thing in the
+morning."
+
+Accordingly, the next morning the two set out upon their ponies for the
+west end.  Ben carried a heavy musket that would send a load of slugs
+through a ship's side, and Eric a light smooth-bore, the accuracy of
+which he had proved by frequent practice.  As they would be away all
+day, they took plenty of biscuits with them.  Prince, of course,
+accompanied them, and as soon as they had disposed of breakfast they
+started.
+
+There were many creatures to be found on Sable Island in those days
+which would be vainly sought for now.  Besides the ponies, a large
+number of wild cattle and hogs roamed about the interior, and furnished
+the wreckers with abundant meat; while during the winter the morse, or
+walrus, and the great Greenland seal paid the beaches regular visits.
+The common harbour seal was there all the year round.  Of these
+animals, only the ponies and common seals still remain; the others have
+been all killed off.
+
+When Ben and Eric drew near the end of the island they dismounted and
+tethered the ponies, so that they could not run back to the corral.
+They then made their way cautiously to the edge of the bank thrown up
+by the waves.  Ben was a little ahead of Eric, and the moment he peeped
+over the bank he turned and motioned Eric to follow.
+
+"Look, lad!" said he, in a voice full of excitement, as he pointed to
+the beach in front.  "There they are!  Aren't they beauties?"
+
+Eric looked, and his face showed the surprise he had too much sense to
+put into words.  "Beauties!" he thought to himself.  "Why, they are the
+most hideous monsters I ever saw in my life."
+
+And they certainly were hideous, with their huge, dun-coloured,
+ungainly bodies, their bullet heads, their grizzly beards, their
+terrible tusks, and their bulging eyes.  They looked as ugly as some
+nightmare vision.  Plucky as he was, Eric could not restrain a tremor
+as he gazed at them.  But he had no time to indulge his feelings, for
+Ben said in a hoarse whisper,--
+
+"You take that tusker right in front of you, and I'll take the big
+fellow to the right, and when I say 'Fire!' let drive.  Be sure and aim
+right at the nose."
+
+Eric's heart was beating wildly, and he could scarcely breathe for
+excitement; but his hand was steady as he drew the musket to his
+shoulder, and took careful aim at the nose of the walrus Ben had
+assigned to him.  Giving a quick glance to see that all was ready, Ben
+called "Fire!"
+
+Like the report of one the two muskets cracked together, and the
+marksmen peered eagerly through the smoke to see the result.  Clearly
+enough their aim had been good; for while the remainder of the little
+pack of walruses lumbered off into the water snorting with terror, the
+two that had been picked out as targets did not follow.  Ben's fell
+over on the sand, to all appearance dead; but Eric's plunged madly
+about, seeming to be too bewildered to take refuge in flight.
+
+Hastily reloading, the hunters rushed upon their prey, and Ben, seizing
+a good opportunity, put another charge of slugs into the struggling
+creature's head, just behind the ear, which cut short its sufferings.
+
+"Hurrah!" cried Ben, radiant with pride and satisfaction.  "We've got
+them both, and no mistake.  We'll each have a fine pair of tusks, won't
+we?"
+
+Eric was no less delighted, and all his nervousness having vanished,
+executed a sort of war-dance around the prostrate forms of the
+sea-monsters, which looked all the uglier the closer he got to them.
+Drawing a big knife from his belt, Ben approached his walrus to sever
+the head from the body, Eric standing a little distance off to watch
+him.  They were quite sure the creature was dead; but the instant the
+sharp steel touched its neck it came to life, for it had been only
+stunned.  With a sudden sweep of its fore-flipper, it hurled Ben over
+upon his back, sending the knife flying from his hand.
+
+"Eric! quick! for God's sake!" cried Ben, as he fell.
+
+The infuriated monster was right over him.  In another moment those
+terrible tusks would have been buried in his body, when, with a roar
+like that of a lion, Prince launched himself full at the walrus's head,
+and his great fangs closed tightly in the soft part where the head
+joins the neck.  Uttering a roar quite equal to the dog's, the morse
+turned upon his new assailant; but just as he did so, Eric's rifle
+spoke again.  Its bullet crashed into the monster's brain, and with a
+mad flurry, which loosened even Prince's hold, it rolled over upon the
+sand, this time dead beyond question.
+
+Ben sprang to his feet, and rushing upon Eric flung his arms around
+him, and gave him a hug that fairly squeezed the breath out of him.
+Then, without a word, he turned to Prince, and repeated the operation.
+He then expressed his gratitude in these words,--
+
+"It was a good day for me when I saved your lives.  You've done me good
+ever since; and now you've saved my life, and it's only tit for tat.
+All right, my lad; so long as there's a drop of blood in my body, no
+harm shall come to either of you that Ben Harden can fend off."
+
+The business of beheading, which had been so startlingly interrupted,
+was now resumed.  From the way Ben handled his knife, he was evidently
+quite experienced at the work.  They wanted only the tusks, but to get
+them out in perfect condition, it would be necessary to boil the heads
+until the flesh came off readily; so they had to take them back to the
+hut for that purpose.
+
+Well satisfied with the result of their hunt, they ate their lunch and
+took a good rest before returning to the hut, which they reached early
+in the afternoon.  They both felt that they were now bound to each
+other by ties of peculiar strength.  Eric, uncertain and full of
+difficulty as to the future, somehow felt convinced that Ben would
+bring it out all right for him.  He little imagined how much he would
+help himself in escaping.
+
+Chasing ponies and hunting walruses were not the only amusements Sable
+Island afforded Eric.  As has been already mentioned, the grassy dells
+abounded with rabbits and the marshy lake and ponds with wild fowl.
+The rabbit-shooting was really capital sport.  The bunnies were fine
+big fellows, as lively and wary as any sportsman could wish, and to
+secure a good bag of them meant plenty of hard work.
+
+It was the rabbit-hunting that found Prince in his glory.  Had he been
+a greyhound instead of a mastiff he could not have entered more
+heartily into the chase.  To be sure, he proved, upon the whole, rather
+more of a hindrance than a help; but no suspicion of this fact ever
+dashed his bright spirit, and not for the world would Eric have hinted
+it to him.  His redeeming quality lay in his retrieving, for he had
+been carefully trained to fetch and carry, and he quickly learned to
+hunt out and bring to them the victims of their muskets.  The rabbits
+were not killed in the mere wantonness of sport.  There was always an
+active demand for them at the hut, where Black Joe made them into
+savoury stews.
+
+About the same time as the walruses came great numbers of the Greenland
+seal, which a little later brought forth their funny little whelps.
+These looked like amphibious puppies as they sprawled about the beach
+or scuttled off into the water.  They took Eric's boyish fancy so
+strongly that he longed to have one for a pet.
+
+Ben soon gratified him by creeping cautiously upon the pack one day,
+and grasping by the tail a fine, sleek, shiny little fellow.  After a
+couple of weeks' confinement in a pen, that Eric built for him, with
+constant, kind attention, the captive became so contented with his new
+life, and so attached to his young master, that he was allowed his
+liberty.  He showed not the slightest disposition to run away.  Eric
+found him quite as intelligent and docile as a dog, and taught him many
+amusing tricks.
+
+So long as the weather was fine Eric had plenty of cures for low
+spirits.  But in the winter the proportion of fine days to foul is very
+small on Sable Island.  For a whole week at a time the sun would not
+appear, and long storms were frequent.  Happily, there was one resource
+at hand for the stormy weather.
+
+Among the spoils of the _Francis_ was a leather-covered box, so
+handsome and so heavy that one of the wreckers, feeling sure it
+contained something valuable, brought it carefully ashore.  When he
+broke it open he was much disgusted to find that it contained nothing
+but books.  He flung it into a corner, boasting that "he had no book
+larnin', and what's more, didn't want none."
+
+Eric afterwards picked it up, and was delighted to find in it a large
+assortment of interesting books.  He stowed the box carefully away at
+the back of his bunk, and thenceforth, when compelled to stay indoors,
+was never without a book in his hands.  He read over and over those
+well-selected volumes, enriching his mind with their finest passages.
+
+Yet, despite all those exertions, Eric was far from being really happy
+or content.  His one thought was deliverance from his strange
+situation, and he could not disguise from himself how dark his future
+looked.  Ben, of course, could now be relied upon to the uttermost.
+But while his protection availed so long as they remained upon the
+island, matters would, no doubt, be different when the time came to
+leave the place.  Then not only Evil-Eye, but all the other wreckers,
+would undoubtedly see to it that there was no fear of his becoming an
+informer, and placing them in peril of the law.
+
+As the winter wore away, they often talked about going to Boston; and
+Eric gathered from their conversation that with the coming of spring
+they looked for a schooner sent out by confederates to take them and
+their booty home.  This schooner now became the supreme object of his
+concern.  In it he saw his best, if not, indeed, his only hope of
+deliverance.  Many an evening when he seemed deep in his books he was,
+in reality, with strained ears and throbbing pulses, listening to the
+wreckers discussing their plans for the future.  Tax his brains as he
+might, he could invent no satisfactory scheme.
+
+More than once he tried to talk with Ben about the matter.  But whether
+Ben did not wish to confess that he had no plan himself, or whether he
+thought it best not to excite uncertain hope, he always refused to talk
+about it, generally saying,--
+
+"We'll see, my lad, we'll see.  I'll do my best for ye, never you fear."
+
+As spring drew near, signs of excitement and eager expectation became
+visible among the wreckers.  They spent most of the clear days upon the
+highest hills, peering out across the waves in search of the schooner.
+They did not know just when to expect her.  Indeed, had a date been
+fixed, they would not have been any better off, for they were without
+any means of keeping an account of the days, except by observing the
+sun and moon.
+
+The days grew steadily longer and warmer, and yet no schooner appeared.
+Hope long deferred did not make the hot temper of the wreckers any more
+amiable, and Eric, worried as he was with his own troubles, found life
+harder than ever.  Moreover, a new danger presently appeared.
+
+The majority of the wreckers showed entire indifference toward him.  He
+and his big dog were Ben's belongings, and so long as they got in
+nobody's way they were let alone.  But when day after day and week
+after week slipped by, and the schooner did not arrive, the boy began
+to notice a change.  Ugly, suspicious, threatening glances were cast
+upon him, and interchanged.  Beyond a doubt, the peril of his position
+was alarmingly on the increase.
+
+The explanation was simple enough.  Like all men of their class, the
+wreckers were intensely superstitious, and the wily villain Evil-Eye,
+though indirectly, shrewdly seized upon the delay of the schooner to
+strike at Eric.  He suggested to the men that the boy's presence was
+the cause of the vessel's non-appearance.  He had brought them
+ill-luck, for not a wreck had come their way since his life had been
+spared.  Now he was playing them another scurvy trick and, by some
+witchery, interfering with the carrying out of their plans.
+
+The seed so craftily sown took root at once.  Only the curious feeling,
+half-fear, half-admiration, that they held toward Ben saved Eric for a
+time from falling a victim to their superstition.
+
+Even his influence would not have availed much longer, had not, one
+fine morning in May, the welcome cry of "Sail ho! sail ho!" rung out
+lustily from a watcher on the highest hill.  Soon the broad sails of a
+schooner appeared.
+
+Everything else was forgotten in the joy occasioned by this sight.  But
+Evil-Eye, again foiled in his base designs, snarled savagely at Eric,
+and swore that he would have his own way yet.
+
+The water being too shallow, the schooner hove-to about a mile from
+shore, and fired a gun to announce her arrival.  But that was not
+necessary.  All the inhabitants of the island were already on the beach
+to welcome her.  Presently a boat was lowered, and three persons
+getting in, it was rowed swiftly ashore.  The breakers were
+successfully passed with the aid of a number of the wreckers, who
+dashed into the surf, and drew the boat up high and dry upon the beach.
+
+The new-comers were very heartily if somewhat roughly greeted.  After
+the first excitement was over, Eric noticed they were looking at him
+curiously.
+
+Evil-Eye whispered among them, whereupon they shook their heads as
+though to say,--
+
+"Oh no, that can't be done.  We're quite sure that won't do at all."
+
+Eric's heart sank when he saw this, and rightly guessed its meaning.
+There seemed, at best, but two chances for him.  He would either be
+left behind upon the island in helpless solitude, or be taken to
+Boston, and there got rid of somehow--in such a way that he could give
+no trouble to the wreckers.  On the latter, surrounded although it was
+with uncertainties and dangers innumerable, he pinned all his hopes.
+It offered some faint chance of ultimate deliverance.  But would they
+take him on board the schooner?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+FAREWELL TO SABLE ISLAND.
+
+Great was the bustle and excitement at the wreckers' quarters.  The day
+happened to be particularly favourable for embarking--such a day, in
+fact, as might not come once in a month; and everything must be done to
+make the most of it.  But the very beauty of the day gave evidence of
+approaching change.  It was what the seafaring folk call a
+"weather-breeder," because such lovely days are always followed by
+storm.
+
+None knew this better than the wreckers.  They made all haste to
+transfer themselves and their booty to the schooner.  In keen anxiety
+Eric watched the work going on.  No one seemed to notice him, though
+several times he caught Evil-Eye regarding him with such a look of
+fiendish triumph as sent a shiver to his heart.
+
+Ben, who had his own interests to care for, cheered him a little by
+clapping him on the back as he passed, and saying, in his most
+encouraging tone,--
+
+"Keep up your heart, my lad.  We'll manage it somehow."
+
+But the removal of the booty was almost complete, and still he did not
+know his fate.  Only another boat-load of stuff remained to be taken
+off, and in the boat that came for this were Ben, Evil-Eye, and the
+captain of the schooner.  Eric stood near the landing-place with Prince
+beside him.  He knew that his future hung upon what might be decided
+within a few minutes.
+
+The boat was loaded, and the crew stood ready to launch her into the
+breakers.  Now came the critical moment.  How far the matter might have
+been discussed already Eric had no idea.  He saw Ben draw the captain
+aside and engage him in earnest conversation, while Evil-Eye hung about
+as though he burned to put in a word.
+
+His heart almost stopped beating as he watched the captain's face.
+Evidently he was not unmoved by Ben's arguments.  His countenance
+showed he was wavering, and his opposition weakening.
+
+With rising hope, Eric noted this.  Evil-Eye saw it too, but with
+different feelings.  He thought it time to interfere, and, drawing
+nearer, began, in a loud, half-threatening tone,--
+
+"Say, now, captain--"
+
+But before he could get out another word Ben wheeled round, his face
+aflame with anger.  Rising to his utmost height, he drew a pistol from
+his belt, and pointing it straight at Evil-Eye's breast, roared out,--
+
+"Hold that tongue of yours, _I_ say, or I'll put a bullet through your
+heart before you can wink."
+
+With a start of terror the ruffian shrank away from the giant who
+towered above him, and satisfied that he would not venture to interpose
+again, Ben resumed his talk with the captain.  For a little longer the
+dialogue continued.  What the arguments were that Ben used, or what
+inducements he offered, Eric did not learn until afterwards.  But, oh!
+what a bound his heart gave when Ben left the captain and came toward
+him, his face so full of relief as to seem almost radiant.
+
+"It's all right, my lad," said he, grasping him by the shoulder and
+pushing him toward the boat.  "You're to come.  Let's hurry up now and
+get on board."
+
+Too overjoyed to speak, Eric hastened to obey, giving Ben a look of
+unspeakable gratitude as he clasped his hand with passionate fervour.
+Evil-Eye scowled terribly when the boy sprang into the boat, and dared
+only mutter his protests, for clearly enough Ben was in no mood for
+trifling, and the captain was evidently quite on his side.
+
+Without waiting for an invitation, Prince promptly leaped in beside his
+young master, at which the men in the boat laughed, and the captain
+said good-humouredly,--
+
+"Let him come too.  He's too good to leave behind."
+
+In a few minutes more, Eric, with a feeling of glad relief beyond all
+power of words to express, stood upon the schooner's deck and looked
+back at the island which for well nigh half a year had been his
+prison--almost his grave.
+
+The low, broad, weather-beaten hut was easily visible.  "How good God
+was to protect me there!" he thought, as he recalled the many scenes of
+violence he had witnessed.  "I wonder what is to become of me.  Poor
+father must have given me up for dead long ago.  Shall I ever get to
+him?"
+
+With many a "Yo! heave ho!" the sailors set about raising the anchor,
+the schooner's broad wings were hoisted to catch the breeze already
+blowing, and soon she was speeding away southward toward Boston.
+
+They had just got well under way when, happening to glance around,
+Eric, who was standing in the bow enjoying the swift rush of the
+schooner through the foaming water, noticed a number of the wreckers
+and the crew gathered about the captain on the poop.  They were
+examining something very carefully through his telescope.  Following
+the direction of the glass, Eric could make out a dark object rising
+out of the water, several miles away on the port side.  This was
+evidently the cause of the men's concern.  Almost unconsciously he drew
+near the group, in order to hear what they were saying.  The captain
+just then handed the telescope to Evil-Eye.
+
+His face darkened with rage as he said, "It's one of those British
+brigs, and no mistake, and she's running right across our course.  If
+we keep on this way we'll fall right into her clutches.  Look you,
+Evil-Eye, and see if I'm not right."
+
+Evil-Eye took the glass and looked long and carefully.  It was clear
+enough that he came to the same conclusion as the captain, for one of
+his most hideous scowls overspread his countenance as he growled out,--
+
+"It's the brig, and no mistake, and we're running straight into her
+jaws.  We'll have to go about and sail off shore, captain."
+
+At once the captain roared out his orders, and the sailors sprang to
+obey.  There was a rattling of blocks, a creaking of booms, a fierce
+flapping of canvas.  After a moment's hesitation in the eye of the
+wind, the schooner gracefully fell off, and was soon gliding away on
+the other tack, with the brig now almost directly astern.
+
+Whatever doubt there may have been on board the brig as to the
+propriety of pursuing the schooner was dissipated by its sudden change
+of course; and, still distant though she was, a keen eye could make out
+that they were hoisting additional sails and making every effort to
+overtake the schooner.
+
+There were yet three hours of daylight, and the brig was evidently a
+fast sailer.  The schooner's chance of escape lay in keeping her well
+astern until night came on, and then, by a sudden change of course,
+slipping away from her in the darkness.
+
+Every inch of canvas the schooner boasted was clapped on her, and,
+almost buried in foam, she rushed madly through the water.
+
+Eric's first feeling, on seeing the brig, and the fear created among
+his captors, was of intense joy, and he watched its steady growth upon
+the horizon with eager anxiety.  He did not notice the ominous looks
+cast upon him by Evil-Eye and others, until Ben, whose eyes seemed to
+miss nothing, drew him away to his former post near the bows, saying,
+in a deep undertone,--
+
+"Come with me, lad.  I want a word with you."
+
+Ben's countenance showed that he was much troubled, and Eric, full of
+hope though he was at the near prospect of his own deliverance, could
+not help feeling as though it were very selfish of him, for it
+certainly meant that Ben would be placed in danger.  He determined in
+his own mind that if the brig should capture the schooner, he would
+plead so hard for his kind rescuer that no harm would be done him.
+
+"Will the brig catch up to us, Ben?" he asked eagerly.  "Do you think
+it will?"
+
+"It'll be a bad business for you, my lad, if it does," answered Ben, in
+an unusually gruff tone.
+
+"Why, Ben, what do you mean?" asked Eric, in surprise.
+
+"Mean what I say," retorted Ben.  Then, after a moment's silence, he
+went on: "Captain says that brig's been sent from Halifax after us, and
+nobody else; and if she should catch us, you may be sure the wreckers
+ain't going to leave you round to tell the people on the brig all you
+know about them.  Before the brig's alongside they'll drop you over the
+bulwark with a weight that'll prevent your ever showing up on top
+again."
+
+At these words, whose truth Eric realized at once, his heart seemed
+turned to stone.  And now, just as passionately as he had prayed that
+the brig might overtake them, did he pray that the schooner might keep
+out of its reach.
+
+In the meantime, the two vessels were tearing through the water without
+much change in their relative positions.
+
+Darkness was drawing near.  As the sun went down, the change that the
+beauty of the morning foreboded took place.  The sky grew cloudy, the
+wind blew harder, and there was every sign of an approaching storm.
+
+As luck would have it, this state of affairs suited the schooner far
+better than the brig.  With great exultation the wreckers noted that
+their pursuer was shortening sail.  The square-rigged bark could not
+stand a storm as well as could the schooner.
+
+"Hurrah!" the captain shouted gleefully.  "They're taking in some of
+their canvas.  They can't stand this blow with so much top-hamper.
+We'll show them a clean pair of heels yet."
+
+And so it turned out.  With bow buried in foam and decks awash the
+schooner staggered swiftly onward under full press of sail, although
+every moment the canvas threatened to tear itself out of the bolts.
+Before the darkness enveloped her the brig had disappeared behind,
+completely distanced.  Everybody on board breathed more freely.
+Setting a course that, by a wide detour, would bring him in due time to
+Boston, the captain took satisfaction by cursing the brig for causing
+him the loss of a whole day at least.
+
+That night Ben, for the first time, told Eric what had been arranged
+concerning him.  On their arrival in Boston he was to be kept hidden in
+the hold until the time came for the sailing of a ship for England,
+about which the captain knew.  He would be placed on board this ship as
+cabin boy.  When she reached her destination he might make his way to
+his friends the best he could.  By that time the wreckers (none of whom
+intended to return to Sable Island) would have disposed of their booty,
+and scattered beyond all possibility of being caught.
+
+Ben did not add, as he might have done, that in order to effect this
+arrangement he had to bribe the captain, by turning over to him
+one-half of his own interest in the schooner's cargo.
+
+After living in peril of death for so many months, this plan filled
+Eric's heart with joy.  It might mean many more hardships, but it also
+meant return to those who were now mourning him as dead.  He thanked
+Ben over and over again, assuring him he would never forget his
+wonderful kindness; and as Ben listened in silence there was a distinct
+glistening in the corner of his eye that showed he was not unmoved.
+
+The storm blew itself out during the night, and was followed by a
+steady breeze, which bore the schooner along so fast that ere the sun
+went down on the following afternoon she was gliding up Boston Bay,
+looking as innocent as any ordinary fishing schooner.  The anchor
+plunged with a big splash into the still water, the chain rattled
+noisily through the hawse-hole, and the voyage was ended.
+
+Without delay a boat was lowered.  The captain and Evil-Eye got into
+it, inviting Ben to accompany them, but he declined.  He intended to
+watch over Eric until he should be taken to the English ship.  The boat
+rowed off, and before it returned Eric was sound asleep.
+
+He was awakened by the singing of the men as they toiled at the
+windlass, and the sullen rattle of the chain as it rose reluctantly
+link by link from the water.  Then he heard the waves rippling against
+the bow, and he knew that the schooner was moving.
+
+As he rightly guessed, she was making her way to her berth at the
+wharf.  During all that day there was continual motion on the deck, and
+the boy imprisoned in the hold tried to while away the long hours by
+guessing what it meant, and what the sailors were about.  Ben brought
+him a bountiful breakfast, dinner, and tea.  He stayed only while Eric
+ate, and did not seem much disposed to talk.  He could not say exactly
+when the English ship would sail, but thought it would be soon.
+
+The schooner became much quieter by nightfall, for the majority of her
+crew had gone ashore.  Soon there was perfect stillness; the vessel at
+times seemed to be completely deserted.  There was a tower clock not
+far away which rang out the hours loudly, and Eric heard seven, eight,
+and nine struck ere he fell asleep.
+
+How long he had slept he knew not, when he was aroused by two men
+talking in loud tones on the deck just above him.  They were evidently
+the worse for liquor, and had fallen into a dispute about something.
+Presently one of them exclaimed,--
+
+"It is there.  I know it's there.  I'll prove it to you."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+RELEASE AND RETRIBUTION.
+
+Then came the sound of the fore-hatch being unfastened and lifted
+aside, and the light of a lantern flashed into the hold.  Whatever the
+man sought, he soon found it; for he said triumphantly,--
+
+"There, now!  Do you see it?  Didn't I say right?"
+
+He drew the hatch back again, and with his companion went stumbling off
+to the cabin.  As the hatch was opened, Eric shrank back into a corner,
+for he knew not what the man might be about.  But when all was silent
+again, he crept to the spot underneath the hatchway, and looked up.
+
+The instant he did so he saw something that caused his heart to give a
+wild bound.  It was one little star shining brightly into his eye.  The
+sailor had carelessly left the hatch unfastened and drawn a little
+aside.
+
+The way of escape was there!
+
+With bated breath and beating heart, Eric raised himself softly and
+pushed at the hatch.  At first it would not budge, but on his putting
+forth more strength, it slid away a few inches, making no perceptible
+noise.
+
+Little by little he pushed at it, until there was space enough for him
+to pass through.  Then, with extreme caution, he lifted himself until
+he could survey the deck, and peered eagerly into the darkness to see
+if any of the men were about.  There was no moon, but the stars shone
+their brightest; and as the boy's eyes were accustomed to the darkness,
+he could see fairly well.
+
+It was easy for him to swing himself up on the deck.  Then, crouched in
+the deep shadow of the foremast, he looked anxiously about him.  Not a
+soul was in sight.  Not a sound disturbed the still air.  The black
+line of the wharf rose but a few feet above the bulwarks.  Gliding
+noiselessly across, he finally got upon the rail, and thence, with an
+active spring, upon the wharf.  He was free!
+
+The wharf was as deserted and silent as the schooner's deck.  Along one
+side was piled a line of casks and barrels, behind which he crept with
+the quietness of a cat until the tall warehouses were reached; then,
+straightening himself up, he moved more rapidly until he came out upon
+the street, which opened to right and left, leading away into the
+darkness--whither, he knew not.
+
+Taking the right turning, he hastened on, resolved to appeal for
+protection to the first respectable-looking person he might meet.  By
+the dim light of infrequent oil-lamps at the corners, he could make out
+that he was in a street of shops, taverns, and warehouses.
+
+Some of the taverns were still open, but all the other buildings were
+closed.  Very few persons were about, and as these all appeared to be
+seafaring folk he carefully avoided them, keeping in the shadow of
+porches and alley-ways until they passed.  He was in a state of high
+excitement--his anxiety to find some safe refuge contending with joy at
+his escape from the wreckers' clutches.
+
+He must have gone about a quarter of a mile, when, just as he
+approached a tavern that was still in full blast, the door suddenly
+opened, and a broad band of light fell upon the pavement, in the midst
+of which appeared Evil-Eye, roaring out a drunken song as he beckoned
+to others inside to follow him.
+
+For an instant Eric stood rooted to the spot with terror.  His limbs
+seemed powerless.  Then, as quick as a squirrel, he darted into a dark
+alley at his right, and, trembling like an aspen leaf, waited for
+Evil-Eye to pass.  The drunken scoundrel lingered for what seemed an
+hour of agony to the terror-stricken boy; but at length, being joined
+by his companions, staggered off toward the schooner.  The boy, coming
+out from his retreat as soon as the coast was clear, made all haste in
+the other direction.
+
+Following up the street, which turned and twisted in the puzzling
+fashion peculiar to Boston, he was glad to find it leading him to the
+upper part of the city; and after fifteen minutes' smart walking, he
+came out into a broad avenue, lined on both sides with handsome houses.
+Here he would surely meet with some one to whom he could safely tell
+his story.
+
+Weary from excitement and exertion, he sat down upon a broad doorstep,
+which was in the shadow itself, but commanded a stretch of sidewalk
+illuminated by a street lamp.  He thought he would rest there a while,
+and in the meantime some one would surely come along.  Just as he sat
+down, the bell of a church-tower clock near by slowly tolled out the
+midnight hour.
+
+"Oh, gracious! how late it is!" he sighed.  "I do hope I shall not have
+to stay here all the night!"
+
+A few minutes later he heard the sound of approaching steps.  They were
+slow and deliberate, not those of an unsteady reveller.  They came
+nearer and nearer, and then there emerged into the line of light the
+figure of a man, tall and stately, wrapped in a black dress, over whose
+cloak collar fell long locks of snow-white hair.
+
+Not a moment did Eric hesitate.  Springing from his hiding-place with a
+suddenness that caused the passer-by to start in some alarm, he caught
+hold of the ample cloak, and, lifting up his face to the wearer, said
+beseechingly, "Oh, sir, won't you help me?"
+
+Quite reassured on seeing how youthful was this sudden disturber of his
+homeward walk, the gentleman looked down at the eager, pleading face,
+and, attracted at once by its honesty, put his hand kindly upon the
+boy's shoulder, saying,--
+
+"Pray, what is the matter, my son?  I will gladly help you, as may be
+within my power."
+
+The grave, gentle words, with their assurance of protection, wrought a
+quick revulsion in poor Eric's feelings, strained as they had been for
+so long to their highest pitch.  Instead of replying at once, he burst
+into tears; and his new-found friend, seeing that he had no ordinary
+case to deal with, took him by the arm, and soothingly said,--
+
+"Come with me.  My house is near by.  You shall tell me your story
+there."
+
+Directing his steps to a large house, in which lights were still
+burning, he led Eric into a room whose walls were lined with rows of
+portly volumes.
+
+"Now, my son," said he, "be seated; and when you feel more composed,
+tell me your troubles.  I am quite at your service."
+
+With a delicious sense of security, such as he had not felt for many
+months, Eric sank into a big armchair, and proceeded to tell his
+strange story to the grave old gentleman before him.  With intense
+interest and sympathy did Dr. Saltonstall listen to the remarkable
+narrative as it was simply related, putting in a question now and then
+when he wanted fuller details.  As soon as the boy had finished, the
+doctor arose and again put on his hat and cloak.
+
+"Master Copeland," said he, "this is a communication of the utmost
+importance, and it must be laid before the governor this very night,
+that immediate action thereon may be taken.  I had but lately left his
+honour when, in God's good providence, I met you.  We will go at once
+to his mansion.  Haply he has not yet retired for the night."
+
+Forthwith the two set out, and, walking rapidly, were soon at the
+governor's mansion.  Fortunately he was still awake, and at once gave
+audience to his late visitors.  Before him Eric rehearsed his story.
+The Honourable Mr. Strong listened with no less interest than had Dr.
+Saltonstall; nor was he less prompt in taking action.  His secretary
+was summoned, and orders given for a strong posse of constables to be
+despatched without loss of time in search of the schooner.
+
+Eric so fully described her that the finding of her would be an easy
+matter.
+
+But while this was being arranged, a thought flashed into Eric's mind
+which filled him with great concern.  Ben was, no doubt, upon the
+schooner now, and would be captured with the others.  Would he not then
+share their fate, whatever that might be?  And if so, would not Eric
+seem to be wickedly ungrateful if he made no effort to save him?  Then
+there was also his faithful friend Prince, to whom both Ben and himself
+were so much indebted.
+
+To think was to act.  Going manfully up to the austere-looking
+governor, he put in a passionate plea for the big man and the dog, who
+had been such faithful protectors, and but for whom, indeed, he would
+not then be living.  His honour was evidently touched by his loyal
+advocacy.
+
+"Do not distress your mind, my lad," said he kindly.  "I have no doubt
+we can find a way of escape for your friend.  He certainly deserves
+consideration at our hands, and your noble Prince shall be carefully
+sought for."
+
+The remainder of the story is soon told.  The schooner was readily
+found.  The wreckers, surprised in their bunks, proved an easy capture,
+and before daybreak all were safely locked up in jail.  Prince was also
+found and restored to the delighted Eric, who now felt as though his
+cup of rejoicing was full.  The trial of the wreckers excited
+widespread interest, and made Eric the hero of the hour.  Ben, taking
+the advice of Dr. Saltonstall, turned state's evidence, and was
+released.  But the other wreckers--from Evil-Eye to Black Joe--received
+the punishment they had so well merited.
+
+In the meantime Dr. Copeland had been sent for, and, hastening to
+Boston, he had the supreme delight of clasping to his breast the boy
+whom he had all through the long winter been mourning as lost to him
+for ever.  The meeting between father and son was touching.  It seemed
+as though the doctor could never sufficiently assure himself that it
+was really his Eric who stood before him, browner of face and bigger of
+form, but otherwise unchanged by his thrilling experiences among the
+Wreckers of Sable Island.
+
+
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+_BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE._
+
+
+Books for Boys by J. Macdonald Oxley.
+
+
+In the Wilds of the West Coast.  A Story of North America.  Price 5s.
+
+Baffling the Blockade.  Price 3s. 6d.
+
+My Strange Rescue.  And Other Stories of Sport and Adventure in Canada.
+Price 3s. 6d.
+
+Diamond Rock; or, On the Right Track.  Price 3s. 6d.
+
+Up Among the Ice-Floes.  Price 3s. 6d.
+
+Making His Way.  Price 2s.  6d.
+
+The Young Woodsman; or, Life in the Forests of Canada.  Price 1s. 6d.
+
+The Wreckers of Sable Island.  Price 1s.
+
+
+T. Nelson and Sons, London, Edinburgh, and New York.
+
+
+      *      *      *      *      *
+
+
+_BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE._
+
+
+Illustrated Books for Boys.
+
+
+Every Inch a Sailor.  By GORDON-STABLES, M.D., R.N.  With
+Illustrations.  Price 5s.
+
+How Jack Mackenzie Won His Epaulettes.  By GORDON-STABLES, M.D., R.N.
+With Six Illustrations by A. PEARCE.  Price 3s. 6d.
+
+Kilgorman.  A Story of Ireland in 1798.  By TALBOT BAINES REED.
+Illustrated by JOHN WILLIAMSON.  Price 6s.
+
+Boris the Bear-Hunter.  A Story of Peter the Great and His Times.  By
+FRED. WHISHAW.  Illustrated by W. S. STACEY.  Price 3s. 6d.
+
+A Lost Army.  By FRED. WHISHAW.  With Six Illustrations by W. S.
+STACEY.  Price 3s. 6d.
+
+Harold the Norseman.  By FRED. WHISHAW.  With Illustrations.  Price 3s.
+6d.
+
+The Fugitives.  A Story of Siberia.  By FRED. WHISHAW.  With
+Illustrations.  Price 2s. 6d.
+
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+Price 3s. 6d.
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+Doing and Daring.  A New Zealand Story.  By ELEANOR STREDDER.  Price
+3s. 6d.
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+
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+  The Young Rajah.
+  In the Eastern Seas.
+  On the Banks of the Amazon.
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+  My First Voyage to Southern Seas.
+  Old Jack.
+  A Sea Tale.
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+Illustrated.  In Post 8vo Volumes.  Price 3s. 6d. each.
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+
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+  Leaves from a Middy's Log.  By ARTHUR LEE KNIGHT.
+  Sons of the Vikings.  An Orkney Story.  By JOHN GUNN.
+  The Hermit Princes.  By ELEANOR STREDDER.
+
+
+T. Nelson and Sons, London, Edinburgh, and New York.
+
+
+      *      *      *      *      *
+
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+
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+Martin Rattler.  A Boy's Adventures in the Forests of Brazil.
+
+Ungava.  A Tale of Esquimau Land.
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+The Dog Crusoe and His Master.  A Story of Adventure on the Western
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+Company.  With short Memoir and Portrait and Twenty-nine Illustrations
+drawn by BAYARD and other Artists, from Sketches by the Author.
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+Archie Digby; or, An Eton Boy's Holidays.  By G. E. WYATT.
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+The Willoughby Boys.  By EMILY C. HARTLEY.
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+T. Nelson and Sons, London, Edinburgh, and New York.
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