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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40688 ***
+
+The School Friends
+Nothing New
+By WHG Kingston
+Illustrations by E. Evans
+Published by George Routledge and Sons, London.
+
+The School Friends, by WHG Kingston.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+THE SCHOOL FRIENDS, BY WHG KINGSTON.
+
+BOOK I--THE SCHOOL FRIENDS; NOTHING NEW.
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+Lance Loughton and Emery Dulman were brought up together at Elmerston
+Grammar-School.  They were both in the upper or sixth form; but Lance
+was nearly at the head, while Emery was at the bottom, of the form.
+They were general favourites, though for different causes.  Lance was
+decidedly best liked by the masters.  He was steady, persevering, and
+studious, besides being generous, kind-hearted, and brave--ever ready to
+defend the weak against the strong, while he would never allow a little
+boy to be bullied by a big one if he could help it.  Emery had talents,
+but they were more showy than solid.  He was good-natured and full of
+life and spirits, and having plenty of money, spent it freely.  He was,
+however, easily led, and had in consequence done many foolish things,
+which got him into trouble, though he managed, on the whole, to maintain
+a tolerably good character.
+
+Lance and Emery were on friendly terms; and Lance, who thought he saw
+good qualities in his companion, would gladly have won his confidence,
+but Emery did not like what he called Lance's lectures, and there was
+very little or no interchange of thought between them.  Without it real
+friendship can scarcely be said to exist.  They were, however, looked
+upon as school friends, and certainly Lance would at all times have been
+ready to do a friendly act for Emery.
+
+Emery was somewhat of a fine gentleman in his way.  His father was a
+tradesman in the place, and wished his son to assist him in his
+business, but Emery often spoke of entering the army or one of the
+liberal professions.  He therefore considered himself equal to those
+whose fathers held a higher social grade than his own.  His father's
+style of life encouraged him in this.  Mr Dulman had a handsome house,
+and gave dinners and parties; and at elections took a leading part, and
+entertained the proposed member and his friends, and indeed sometimes
+talked of entering Parliament himself, and altogether did a good deal to
+excite the envy of his less successful fellow-townsmen.
+
+Emery constantly invited Lance to his house, and was really flattered
+when he came; for Lance's father, who had died when he was very young,
+was a lieutenant in the navy; and his widowed mother, though left with
+only her pension to depend on, was a lady by birth and education.
+Lance, however, very frequently refused Emery's pressing invitations.
+
+"I never met such a stay-at-home fellow as you are," exclaimed the
+latter, when on one occasion Lance had declined attending a gay party Mr
+and Mrs Dulman were about to give.  "We shall have half the
+neighbourhood present--Mr Perkins, our member, and I don't know how many
+other grandees--and we want some young fellows like you, who can dance
+and do the polite.  Mother says I must get you, for we don't know what
+to do for proper partners for the young ladies."
+
+"I should have been happy to make myself useful," answered Lance,
+laughing; "but I am no great dancer, and my poor mother is so unwell
+that I cannot leave her."
+
+"Oh, she has got little Maddie Hayward to look after her, so I will come
+and get her to let you off."
+
+"I beg that you will not make the attempt," answered Lance, more gravely
+than he had hitherto spoken.  "My mother is seriously ill; besides I
+have work to do, and any time I can spare I must devote to her."
+
+"Oh, but a little gaiety will do you good, and you can cheer her up with
+an account of the party," persisted Emery.
+
+Lance was, however, firm, and he returned in a thoughtful mood to his
+humble little cottage in the outskirts of the town.
+
+A sweet fair face met him at the jessamine-covered porch--that of a girl
+three or four years younger than himself.  It would not have been
+surprising had he preferred her society to that of the fine ladies his
+friend had spoken of, though he certainly was not conscious that this
+had in any degree influenced him.
+
+Madelene Hayward was indeed a lovely young creature, sweet-tempered and
+good as she was beautiful.  She was the orphan child of a distant
+relative of Lieutenant Loughton.  Having been left, when still an
+infant, utterly destitute, she had been adopted by the kind-hearted
+officer at his wife's earnest wish, and brought up as their daughter,
+although their own scanty means might have excused them in the eyes of
+the world had they declined the responsibility.
+
+Mrs Loughton had devoted herself to Maddie's education, and the young
+girl repaid her with the most tender love.  Some time before this Mrs
+Loughton's old servant had married, and Maddie had persuaded her not to
+engage another in her place, consenting only that a woman should come in
+to light the fires and do the rougher work which she was less able to
+perform.  While Mrs Loughton was well, she herself attending to what was
+necessary, Maddie's duties were not very heavy, but since her illness
+they had of necessity much increased.
+
+Though she tried not to let Lance discover how hard she worked, he knew
+that her attendance on his mother must occupy the chief part of her
+time.  His aim was therefore to relieve her as much as possible.  Where
+there is a will there is a way.  He soon learned to clean his shoes, and
+purchasing needles and thread and worsted, to mend his clothes and darn
+his socks; and Maddie was surprised to find one morning that his bed was
+made and his room set to rights, when she was sure that Dame Judkin had
+not gone into it.  She found him out at last, and reproachfully asked
+why he had not given her his torn coat to mend, and a pair of socks
+which she had discovered darned in a curious fashion.
+
+"I wanted to try if I could not do it," he answered, smiling.  "Just
+look at that sleeve--I defy it to tear again in the same place."
+
+"Perhaps so, but as every one can see that there has been a rent, I
+shall be accused of being a very bad tailoress, and I am afraid you will
+find an uncomfortable lump in the heel of your socks.  Do, dear Lance,
+bring the next pair requiring mending to me, and I will find time to dam
+them."
+
+Few could fail to admire Madelene Hayward.
+
+"How is our mother?" asked Lance, taking her hand, as he found her
+waiting for him in the porch of their little cottage.
+
+"She has at last dropped off to sleep; but she has been in much pain all
+the day," answered Maddie.  "And, O Lance!  I sometimes fear that she
+will not recover.  Yet our lives are in God's hands, and we can together
+pray, if He thinks fit, that hers may be preserved for our sakes--I
+cannot say for her own, as I am sure, resting on the merits of Him who
+died for sinners, she is ready to go hence to enjoy that happiness He
+has prepared for those who love Him."
+
+"But, Maddie, do you really think mother is so ill?" asked Lance, with
+an anxious look.  "I know that when she is taken, the change to her must
+be a blessed one; but, Maddie, what would become of you?"
+
+He spoke in a tone which showed the grief which Madelene's announcement
+had caused him.
+
+"I have not thought about myself," she answered quietly.  "My wish was
+to prepare you for what I dread may occur, and to ask you to join your
+prayer with mine that God will in His mercy allow her to remain longer
+with us.  He can do all things, and the prayer of faith availeth much."
+
+"I am sure it does," said Lance.  "I will pray with you.  I have too
+often prayed as a matter of form, but now I can pray from the bottom of
+my heart."
+
+The young people lifted up their hearts and voices as they stood
+together, hand in hand, in the porch, which was hid by a high hedge from
+the passers-by.
+
+They noiselessly entered the cottage.  Mrs Loughton was still sleeping.
+Perhaps even then Lance realised the fact that Maddie was more to him
+than any other being on earth, and he mentally resolved to exert all his
+energies to procure the means of supporting her, should she be deprived
+of her present guardian.
+
+They sat together in silence lest their voices might awaken Mrs
+Loughton.  Maddie had resumed her work, while Lance had placed his books
+on the table; but his eyes scarcely rested on them--he was thinking of
+the future.
+
+Mrs Loughton at length awoke.  She appeared revived by her sleep, the
+most tranquil she had enjoyed for many a day.  After this, to the joy of
+Maddie and her son, she rapidly got better, and with thankful hearts
+they saw her restored to comparative health.
+
+Lance had no foolish pride, but he had refrained from asking any of his
+schoolfellows, especially those who, like Emery, lived in fine houses,
+to enter his mother's humble cottage.  One day, however, Emery overtook
+him as he was returning from home.  On reaching the cottage, his
+companion pulled out his watch, observing that it was tea-time, and
+saying in an off-hand way, "I daresay your mother will give me a cup,
+for I am fearfully thirsty."
+
+Lance, without downright rudeness, could not refuse to ask him in.
+
+The widow received her guest with the courtesy of a lady, though, more
+acquainted with the world than her son, she saw defects in the manners
+of his companion which he had not discovered.  She was not pleased,
+either, with the undisguised admiration Emery bestowed on Maddie, and
+was very glad when Lance, bringing out his books, observed, "Now, old
+fellow, I have got to study, and you ought to be doing the same, and
+though I don't want to turn you out, you will excuse me if I set to
+work."
+
+Maddie got up to remove the tea-things, and Mrs Loughton took her work;
+so that Emery, finding that the young lady was not likely to listen to
+his fine speeches, at length, greatly to their relief, wished them good
+evening.
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+Emery had certainly not received the slightest encouragement to pay
+another visit to his schoolfellow's abode.  He, however, fancied himself
+desperately smitten with the beauty of Madelene Hayward, and after this
+very frequently sauntered by the cottage, or whenever he could make an
+excuse to accompany Lance, he walked with him towards his home, in the
+hopes of being again invited in.  Lance, however, sturdily refused to
+understand his hints, and managed, generally without churlishness, to
+get rid of him.
+
+Emery, however, met Maddie one day when out walking alone, and with a
+self-assurance of which no gentleman would have been guilty, in spite of
+her evident annoyance, accompanied her till just before she arrived at
+home.
+
+Lance felt more angry than he had ever before been when he heard what
+had occurred, and the next day cautioned Emery not to repeat the
+offence, telling him very plainly that his mother did not wish to see
+him again at her cottage.
+
+Emery, who stood somewhat in awe of Lance, looked foolish; but trying to
+conceal his vexation, muttered a sort of apology, and walked hurriedly
+away.
+
+Emery had some time before made the acquaintance of a person who had for
+a year or so been residing at Elmerston, where he had acted as one of
+the inferior agents in the last election contest.  Sass Gange had been a
+seaman.  He was a long-tongued fellow, with an assumed sedate manner,
+which gained him the credit of being a respectable man.
+
+Sass having been employed by Mr Dulman, Emery became acquainted with
+him, and he had ever since taken pains to gain the confidence of the
+lad, with considerable success.  Emery always found himself a welcome
+guest at Sass Gange's lodgings, when the old sailor was wont to indulge
+him in a pipe of tobacco and a glass of ale, while he spun long yarns
+about his adventures at sea.
+
+After leaving Lance, Emery made his way to Sass Gange's lodgings.
+
+"What is up now, Master Emery?" asked the old sailor as the lad threw
+himself into an arm-chair before the fire.  "You look out of sorts
+somehow."
+
+"With good reason too, I should think," exclaimed Emery.  "I have taken
+it into my head to admire a beautiful young creature; and though my
+father is rolling in wealth, and I suppose I shall come in for a good
+share of it one of these days, I have just been told that I must keep
+away from the house, and if they had their will, never see her again."
+
+"Well, take a blow, lad, and it will calm your spirits, and we will then
+talk the matter over," said old Sass, handing a pipe which he had just
+charged, and filling up a tumbler with ale.
+
+"Now tell me all about it."
+
+Emery gave his own version of what had just occurred.
+
+"Don't be cast down, Master Emery," said old Sass, "I will help you if I
+can.  I have no reason to love that young Loughton, and he is at the
+bottom of it, depend upon that.  If she was his sister, he would not be
+so very particular; but that's not what I was going to say.  I once
+served under Lieutenant Loughton, and, thanks to him, my back more than
+once got a scoring which it has not forgotten yet.  I vowed vengeance,
+but had no opportunity of getting it; and as the lieutenant is gone,
+why, I shall have a pleasure in paying the son what I owed the father.
+We must bide our time, though; but it will come if we are on the watch,
+depend upon that."
+
+Emery, instead of being shocked at these remarks, listened to them
+eagerly.
+
+The rest of the conversation need not be repeated.
+
+"I must go now," said Emery, "for we have a grand party at our house
+to-night, and I must be at home in time to dress."
+
+Mr Dulman's party was the grandest he had ever given.  The member for
+the borough with all his family was there, and he had persuaded a number
+of his friends to come and honour Mr Dulman, by whose means he had
+gained his election.  All the magnates of the town were also present, so
+that Elmerston had never before seen a more brilliant assemblage.
+
+Mr Dulman exerted himself to the utmost to make the party go off well,
+and poor Mrs Dulman did her best, though she always felt overwhelmed
+with the responsibilities of the new position in which she was placed,
+and awed by the great people.  Emery, though not a bad-looking young
+man, felt too much abashed to appear to advantage, in spite of his
+off-hand manner among his ordinary associates; and though he made many
+efforts to do the polite to his father's guests, he as often failed from
+awkwardness, and would have felt much happier smoking his pipe and
+drinking beer with old Sass.
+
+During the evening, as Mr Dulman went into the hall, a letter was put
+into his hand by a messenger who had been waiting to see him.  He
+retired to a corner to read it.  His usually ruddy countenance turned
+deadly pale.  He hurriedly thrust it into his pocket.
+
+"I will attend to the matter to-morrow," he said, in as firm a voice as
+he could command.  "It's impossible to do so now."
+
+He went to the supper-room, and rapidly drinking off three or four
+glasses of wine, hastened back to his guests.  Many of them, however,
+remarked his agitated and absent manner, while some of his acquaintances
+observed that old Dulman had been over-fortifying himself for his
+arduous duties.
+
+As soon as his guests were gone he shut himself up in his room, and
+spent the remainder of the night, with the fatal letter before him,
+making calculations.  Before the rest of the family were up he had left
+the house, and was off by the first train to London.
+
+The next day it was whispered that Mr Dulman, who was known to have
+speculated largely in railway shares, was ruined.  People said that he
+had only love of ostentation to thank for what had occurred, and few
+pitied him.
+
+His fine house and furniture were sold, but his estate did not yield a
+penny in the pound.
+
+Ashamed of again showing his face at Elmerston, he sailed for Australia,
+leaving his wife and younger children living in a mean cottage in the
+neighbourhood, a small allowance having been made to them by the
+creditors, while Emery was sent to seek his fortune in London.
+
+About the same time Sass Gange, for reasons best known to himself,
+finding it convenient to leave the town, went up also to London, where,
+with the character of a highly respectable and confidential man, through
+the influence of some of his political friends, he obtained a situation
+as porter in the large West End draper's establishment of Messrs Padman
+and Co.  Sass was not a man to allow his talents to remain under a
+bushel.  By means of his persuasive eloquence, he soon induced the
+confiding Mr Padman to place the most unbounded confidence in his
+honesty and devoted attention to business.  When the cash received
+during the day was sent to the bank by one of the clerks, Sass was
+invariably ordered to follow, to be ready to assist him should he be
+waylaid by pickpockets, and to see that he faithfully deposited the
+amount as directed.  Sass did not know how much was carried, but he
+guessed that at times it must be a considerable sum.
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+Sass Gange had been for some time in the employment of Messrs Padman,
+when one day as he entered the shop he saw behind the counter his former
+Elmerston acquaintance, Emery Dulman, busily engaged in serving a
+customer.  Emery did not recognise him, nor did he just then wish to be
+recognised, so he passed quickly on to deliver the parcels he had just
+brought in.  He observed, however, that Emery was even better dressed
+than usual--that he wore a fashionably-cut black suit, a neck-cloth of
+snowy whiteness, a gold ring on his finger, and a somewhat large gold
+watch-chain, ostentatiously exhibited.  As he was repassing, Emery
+looked up, when Sass gave him an almost unperceived wink, and turning
+away his head, hurried on.
+
+"I hope that he will have the sense not to tell any one that we are
+acquainted," he thought.  "I must let him know where I live, and he will
+soon be coming to have a talk over old times."
+
+Sass might have been pretty sure that Emery was not likely to tell any
+one that they were acquainted; indeed, that young gentleman's chief
+pleasure was boasting to his new associates of his highly-connected and
+fashionable friends, and bewailing the hard fate which had compelled him
+to become a draper's assistant.  Some were inclined in consequence to
+treat him with respect, but many of the older hands laughed at his
+folly, and having discovered who his father was, observed that he was
+fortunate in obtaining so good a situation in a business for which he
+ought to be well suited.
+
+Sass soon found an opportunity of letting Emery know where he lived, and
+the next day received a visit from him, when the usual pipe and ale were
+prepared for his entertainment.
+
+"Curious that we should meet again, Master Emery, in this big city,"
+observed Sass.  "We all have our `ups and downs,' and you have had one
+of the `downs' lately, so it appears.  Well, I have had them in my time.
+I never told you that I got my education, such as it is, at Elmerston
+Grammar-School, and I might have been a steady-going burgess, with pink
+cheeks and a fat paunch, if I had stuck to business.  But I had no fancy
+for that sort of life; so one morning, taking French leave of school,
+and father and mother, and brothers and sisters, I went off to sea.
+When I came back some years afterwards, all who were likely to care for
+me were dead or scattered; so I set off again, and knocked about in all
+parts of the world till about two or three years ago, when, having a
+little money in my pocket, and thinking I should like a spell on shore,
+I found my way back to the old place.  I made myself useful, as you
+know, to the grandees; and as I did not wish to go to sea again just
+then, one of them got me this situation.  Though I can't say it's much
+to my taste, I intend to stick to it as long as it suits me."
+
+"I don't see anything very tempting in the life you have led," observed
+Emery.
+
+"I have not told you much about its pleasures, the curious countries I
+have visited, and the strange adventures I have met with," answered
+Sass.  "For my part, I would not have missed them on any account."
+"When you come to hear about them, you will have a fancy for setting off
+too, or I am much mistaken.  With a young companion like you I should
+not mind taking another trip, and enjoying myself for a few years more
+afloat, instead of leading the dull life you and I are doomed to in
+London."
+
+Such was the style of conversation with which the old rogue entertained
+his credulous young guest.  The adventures he described were highly
+entertaining, garnished as they were by his fertile imagination, and
+Emery began to wonder how he could consent to remain on shore when so
+delightful an existence might be led by going off to sea.
+
+Emery, however, had not got over his fancy for trying to assume the airs
+of a fine gentleman.  On Sundays, though he went with his employer's
+family and the rest of the young men in the establishment to church, as
+soon as dinner was over it was his delight to saunter out into the Park,
+and loll over the railings round the drive with a gold-headed cane in
+his hand, watching the gay people as they drove past in their carriages.
+Occasionally he would lift his hat as if returning a bow from a lady,
+or he waved his hand as if recognising a gentleman acquaintance.  Some
+might have considered him only foolish; but he was undoubtedly acting a
+lie, and trying to deceive those around him.  He was besides wasting
+time given for higher purposes.
+
+Unhappily, not only such as he, but many others waste time, without for
+a moment considering their guilt, and that they will some day be called
+to account for the way in which every moment of their lives has been
+spent.
+
+In time Emery formed a number of acquaintances, mostly silly lads like
+himself, and inclined to consider him a remarkably fine fellow; several
+were vicious, and they, as vicious people always wish to make others
+like themselves, tried to induce him to accompany them to see something,
+as they called it, of London life.  He at first feebly declined, but at
+length yielded; and though such scenes, it must be said to his credit,
+were not to his taste, he was over-persuaded again and again, and soon
+found that the greater part of his wages were spent at theatres,
+dancing-rooms, and other places to which he and his companions resorted.
+His employer, finding that he was out late at night, spoke to him on
+the subject.  He excused himself with a falsehood, saying that he had
+gone to visit a friend of his father's, who had just come up to town,
+promising that he would not again break through the rules of the
+establishment.  After this he was very exact in his conduct, and again,
+in consequence, rose in the estimation of his employer.  He had, indeed,
+an attraction to keep him at home.  Mr Padman possessed a daughter, a
+pretty, good-humoured young lady; and though she was considerably older
+than Emery, he took it into his head that she was not insensible to his
+personal appearance and gentlemanly manners.  Whenever he had an
+opportunity, he offered his services to attend on her; and as he made
+himself useful, and he was quiet and well-behaved, they were frequently
+accepted, while Miss Madelene Hayward was, happily perhaps, soon
+forgotten.
+
+Thus a year or more went by.  Poor Emery might under proper guidance
+have become a useful member of society, as all people are who do their
+duty in the station of life for which they are fitted; but he wanted
+what no one can do without--right religious and moral principles.
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+Mr Dulman did not fall alone.  The bank at Elmerston, which had made him
+large advances, got into difficulties, and though its credit was
+bolstered up for some time, it ultimately failed, and many of the people
+in the place suffered.  Among others of small means who had cause to
+mourn the wicked extravagance and folly of their ambitious townsman, was
+Mrs Loughton.  Some cursed him in their hearts, loudly exclaiming
+against his extravagance, which had brought ruin on themselves and their
+families.  Mrs Loughton bore her loss meekly.  The sum of which she had
+been deprived she had saved up, by often depriving herself of
+necessaries, to assist in starting her dear Lance in life.  This was
+indeed a great trial.  Lance entreated her not to mourn on his account.
+He was not even aware that she had saved so much money, and only
+regretted that she should not have it to benefit herself and Maddie.  He
+had for long determined to go forth into the world, trusting, with God's
+help, to his own industry and perseverance to make his way.  He was
+ready to take any situation which offered, or to do anything which was
+thought advisable.  All he desired was to perform his duty in that
+station of life to which he might be called, and to be able to assist
+his mother and Maddie.  To secure their happiness and comfort was his
+great aim; for himself; independent of them, he had no ambition.  He was
+aware that talent, such as his master considered he possessed, with
+honesty, industry, and zeal, must, should he get his foot on the ladder,
+enable him to rise higher.  Still, metaphorically speaking, he was
+content to secure his position on the ground where he stood, while he
+refrained from withdrawing his attention, by looking up at the prize at
+the top.
+
+"By thinking only of the prize, and not duly employing the means to
+obtain it, many a man has slipped off the ladder, and, crushed by his
+fall, has failed again to reach it," the Doctor observed to him one day.
+"Go on as you propose, my boy, and never trouble yourself about the
+result; God blesses honest efforts when His assistance is sought.  I do
+not advise you to remain at Elmerston.  Seek your fortune in London.
+You may have a much harder struggle to endure than you would here, but
+you will come off victorious, and gain ultimately a respectable
+position."
+
+Such was the tenor of the remarks of his late master to Lance, during a
+visit he paid him, after he had left school.  His mother agreed with
+what had been said.
+
+"I should grieve to part with you, Lance; but as I am sure it will be
+for your advantage, it must be done, and we shall have the happiness of
+seeing you down here when you can get a holiday."
+
+"That will indeed be great!" murmured Maddie, who had not before spoken.
+
+She was in the habit of looking at the bright side of things, and
+thought more of the joyful meeting than of the long, long time they must
+be separated.
+
+"I will write to your uncle Durrant, and ask him what he can do,"
+continued Mrs Loughton.  "My brother is kind and generous, and though he
+has a large family, and I fear his salary from the Government office he
+holds is but small, yet I am sure he will do his utmost to assist you."
+
+"I ought to be at work without delay, mother," said Lance; "so pray
+write as you propose to uncle Durrant."  He cast a glance at Maddie, and
+added, "I'll do my best to employ my time profitably while I am at home.
+You know that I am happier here than I can be anywhere else."
+
+"Yes," said Maddie, "I am sure there is no happier place than this."
+
+The letter to Mr Durrant was written, and while waiting for an answer,
+Lance spent much of the time not occupied in study in the garden, very
+frequently with Maddie as his companion.  He had from his boyhood been
+accustomed to cultivate it, and he was anxious to leave it in the most
+perfect order possible.  It was pleasant to sit reading with Maddie by
+his side, but pleasanter still to be working in the fresh air among
+sweet flowers, receiving such assistance as she could give, and talking
+cheerfully all the time.
+
+The expected answer from Mr Durrant came in the course of a few days.
+"I lost no time in looking for a situation for Lance, and I was able,
+from the report I received from the Doctor, to speak confidently of
+him," he wrote.  "I have obtained one in the office of my friend Mr
+Gaisford, a highly respectable solicitor in the city, who, knowing
+Lance's circumstances, will attend to his interests, and advance him
+according to his deserts."
+
+"It appears very satisfactory, and we should be truly grateful to your
+uncle," observed Mrs Loughton.  "You are to go to his house.  You will
+have a long walk into London every day, but that, he says, will be good
+for you.  He does not speak about salary, but as, from what I
+understand, you are to take up your abode with him, I hope that you will
+receive sufficient to repay him."
+
+"I would rather live in a garret on bread and water, than be an expense
+to my uncle, who can with difficulty support his large family," observed
+Lance; "and so I will thankfully take any office where I can get enough
+to maintain myself, even in the most humble way."
+
+"Well, well, dear Lance, your uncle and I will settle that," said Mrs
+Loughton.  "He wishes you to go up the day after to-morrow."
+
+"So soon?" exclaimed Maddie; "his things will scarcely be ready."
+
+"I must not delay a day longer than can be helped," said Lance firmly;
+"I am eager to begin real work, whatever that may be."
+
+"You will always do what is right," said Maddie.  "And I will ask Mrs
+Judkin to come and help me iron your things," and she ran out of the
+room, it might possibly have been to hide the tears rising in her eyes.
+
+Maddie was still very young; she had not before parted from Lance, even
+for a day, and had as yet experienced none of the trials of life.  She
+would have felt the same had Lance been her brother; she scarcely
+recognised the fact that he was not.
+
+The day of parting came.  Mrs Loughton was unable to leave the house.
+She clasped her boy to her heart, and blessed him, committing him to the
+charge of One all able and willing to protect those who confide in His
+love.  Maddie, attended by Mrs Judkin, whose husband wheeled his
+portmanteau, accompanied Lance to the railway station, and her last
+tender, loving glance still seemed following him long after the train
+had rushed off along its iron way.
+
+Perhaps now for the first time he realised how completely his future
+hopes of happiness depended on her.  With manly resolution, and firm
+confidence in the goodness of God, he prepared, as he had often said he
+would, to do his duty.
+
+He safely reached his uncle's house, where he received a kindly welcome
+from his aunt and a number of young cousins.  They looked at him
+approvingly; he was likely to become a favourite with them.
+
+"I think you will get on with Gaisford," said his uncle after the
+conclusion of dinner.  "He is an honest man, and a Christian, and feels
+that he has responsibilities which many are not apt to acknowledge.  I
+will say no more about him.  You tell me you wish to do your duty; and
+therefore all I can say to you is, to try and ascertain what that duty
+is, and to do it."
+
+At an early hour the next morning Mr Durrant accompanied his nephew to
+Mr Gaisford's office.  The principal had not arrived.  His head clerk
+scrutinised Lance from under his spectacles for a few seconds.
+Apparently satisfied, his countenance relaxed.
+
+"We can find work for him," he observed, after Lance had been duly
+introduced; "and as you have to be at your office you can leave him
+here, and the time need not hang heavily on his hand till Mr Gaisford
+arrives."
+
+Mr Durrant, promising to call for his nephew on his way home, hurried
+off.
+
+Lance had at once a draft placed before him to copy.  He wrote a clear,
+bold hand.  Mr Brown, the head clerk, watched him for a minute.
+
+"That will do--go on," he said, and returned to his seat.
+
+The draft was finished just as Mr Gaisford arrived.  The clerk took it
+in his hand, telling Lance to follow him to their principal's room.
+While introducing him, he placed it on the table, and withdrew.
+
+Mr Gaisford, a middle-aged man, slightly grey, with a pleasant
+expression of countenance, having glanced over the paper, turned round
+and addressed Lance kindly.
+
+"Sit down," he said.  "Your uncle has told me something about you, but I
+should like to hear more.  Where were you at school?"
+
+Lance told him.
+
+"You were the head boy, I understand."
+
+He then asked what books he had read, and a variety of other questions,
+to which Lance answered modestly and succinctly.  He then handed the
+paper back to Lance, to give it to Mr Brown, who would find him
+something more to do.
+
+"This is written as well as it could be," he observed.  "I always like
+to have my work well done, and I can depend upon your doing it to the
+best of your ability."
+
+"That is what I wish to do," said Lance, taking the paper and bowing as
+he left the room.
+
+He had plenty of work during the morning.  Mr Brown asked him to come
+out and take a chop with him at one o'clock.
+
+The head clerk was never long absent from the office, as he might be
+wanted, and he made it a rule never to keep clients waiting longer than
+he could help.
+
+"Time is money, my young friend," he observed.  "We should never
+squander other people's time more than our own."
+
+Lance worked hard till his uncle arrived just at the usual hour for
+closing the office.  Mr Gaisford had gone away some time before.
+
+"He has done very well, sir," observed Mr Brown as Mr Durrant entered;
+"and what is more, I feel sure he will do as well every day he is here."
+
+He and his uncle walked home together.  Mr Durrant told him that his
+employer promised to give him a salary at once should the head clerk
+make a favourable report of him.
+
+"That he will do that, I am confident, from what he has said."
+
+Lance felt very happy, and wrote home in good spirits, giving a
+satisfactory account of the commencement of his career in London.
+
+He generally accompanied his uncle to and from the office, but he soon
+learned to find the way by himself.  He always went directly there and
+back, refraining from wandering elsewhere to see the great city which to
+him was still an unknown land.  He was very happy in his new home, and
+on his return each day he was greeted by his young cousins with shouts
+of pleasure.  Lance was never tired of trying to amuse them.
+
+With intense satisfaction Lance received his first quarter's salary.  He
+took it immediately to his uncle.
+
+"This should be yours, sir," he said, "though I fear it is not
+sufficient to repay you for the expense to which you have been put on my
+account."
+
+His uncle smiled.
+
+"I think you must settle that with your aunt; and if she finds her
+household expenses much increased, you shall pay the difference: to the
+room you occupy you are welcome."
+
+Lance received back the greater portion of the sum he placed in his
+aunt's hands, and immediately forwarded it to his mother.
+
+The balance from next quarter, however, was somewhat less, as he had to
+pay for a few articles of clothing.  His mother begged that he would not
+send her any more, as she was sure he would soon require considerable
+additions to his wardrobe.  He, however, resolved to be very economical,
+and with the assistance of Mr Brown, who knew where everything was to be
+got the cheapest and best, he found that he still had a fair sum left to
+forward for the use of the loved ones at Elmerston.
+
+"Pay ready money," observed his friend the clerk.  "Owe no man anything;
+it's a golden rule, and assists to give a good digestion in the day, and
+sound sleep at night."
+
+Some time after this Mr Gaisford sent for Lance into his room, and put a
+document into his hand.
+
+"Here, my young friend," he said, "are your articles.  Your mother is a
+widow with limited means, and has, moreover, not only brought you up
+well, but supported an orphan relative, so I understand.  Such as she
+has claims on one like me, who am a bachelor with an ample fortune.
+Such claims I must recognise, for I am sure God does, whatever the rest
+of the world may think.  I say this to set you at your ease about the
+matter.  You have done your duty hitherto, and I am sure you will
+continue to do it.  Your salary will be increased from the commencement
+of this quarter."
+
+Lance's heart was too full to thank his kind benefactor as he wished.
+He tried to express his gratitude; at all events, Mr Gaisford understood
+him.
+
+From that time forward it was evident that he rose still more in the
+estimation of one who was a keen judge of character.
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+Lance had been more than a year in London, and having been frequently
+sent with papers to clients in all directions, he learned his way about
+the City and West End.
+
+During the first autumn vacation, as it was soon after his arrival, he
+had not gone home.  He was looking forward to a visit before the close
+of the following summer.  He kept up, however, a frequent correspondence
+with his mother and Maddie.  His greatest pleasure was receiving their
+letters.
+
+Mr Brown continued his friend, as at first, and took pains to initiate
+him into the mysteries of his profession.
+
+He was one evening in the West End, near the Park, having been sent
+after office hours to a client's house with the draft of a will.  He had
+performed his commission, and had just left the house, when he
+encountered a young man, dressed in the height of the fashion, with a
+gold-headed cane in his hand.  The other stopped and looked at him,
+exclaiming as he did so--
+
+"Upon my word, I believe you are Lance Loughton!" and Lance recognised
+his former schoolfellow.
+
+"What!  Dulman?" he said, unconsciously scanning him from head to foot.
+"I did not know what had become of you; I thought you were engaged in
+business somewhere."
+
+"Hush, hush, my dear fellow! let me ask you not to call me by that
+odious name.  I am Emery Delamere on this side of Temple Bar.  I had
+been sent to call on a lady of fashion about a little affair of my
+employers, and embraced the opportunity of taking a stroll in the Park,
+in the hopes of meeting some of my acquaintances.  You, I conclude, are
+bound eastward; so am I.  We will proceed together, though I wish you
+had got rid of a little more of your rustic appearance.  And now tell me
+all about yourself.  Where are you?  Who are you employed with?  What
+are your prospects?"
+
+As soon as Emery's rattling tongue would allow him to answer, Lance
+briefly gave him the information he asked for.
+
+"Very good, better than I had thought, for I am inclined to envy you.
+At the same time, the dull existence you are compelled to lead would not
+have suited my taste.  However, you were always better adapted to
+plodding work than I am," he answered, with a slight degree of envy in
+his tone.  "But I suppose you have managed to see something of London
+life; if not, let me have the pleasure of initiating you.  What do you
+say, shall we go to the theatre?  I have tickets for the Haymarket, but
+it's a dull house, I prefer Drury Lane; and though I ought to be in at
+ten o'clock according to rule, I can easily explain that I was detained
+by Lady Dorothy, and had to wait for an omnibus."
+
+"I am much obliged to you for your kind intentions, but I have no wish
+to go to a theatre, and beg that you will not on my account be late in
+returning home, and especially that you will not utter a falsehood as
+your excuse."
+
+"Falsehood! that's a good joke," exclaimed Emery; "you use a harsh term.
+We should never be able to enjoy ourselves without the privilege of
+telling a few white lies when necessary, ha! ha! ha!  Why, my dear
+Lance, you seem as ignorant of the world as when you were at Elmerston."
+
+"I knew the difference between right and wrong, as I do now," answered
+Lance gravely, "and I regret to hear you express yourself as you are
+doing.  I was in hopes that the misfortunes you met with would have
+tended to give you more serious thoughts.  Excuse me for saying so, but
+I speak frankly, as an old friend, and I pray that you may see things in
+their true light."
+
+"Really, Lance, you have become graver and more sarcastic than ever,"
+exclaimed Emery, not liking the tenor of his companion's remarks.  "I
+only wished to find some amusement for you; and since you don't wish to
+be amused, I will not press you further to come with me.  I myself do
+not care about going to the theatre, and will walk home with you as far
+as our roads run together."
+
+Lance thanked him, and hoping to be able to speak seriously to him of
+the sin and folly of the conduct he appeared to be pursuing, agreed to
+his proposal.
+
+Though Emery would rather have had a better dressed companion, yet
+recollecting that Lance was a gentleman by birth, he felt some
+satisfaction in being in his society; for notwithstanding his boastings
+of the fashionable friends he possessed, he knew perfectly well that
+none of those whose acquaintance he casually made were real gentlemen.
+
+"You appear to be better off than I am in some respects, Lance," he
+observed.  "For though I stand high in the opinion of my employer, and,
+I flatter myself, still higher in that of his daughter, a very charming
+girl I can assure you, they are not equal in social position to your
+relatives; and as you know, my desire has always been to move in a good
+circle, and maintain a high character among the aristocracy."
+
+Though Lance could not help despising the folly of poor Emery, he felt
+real compassion for him as he continued to talk this sort of nonsense.
+
+"Now, Emery," he said, "we have been schoolfellows, and you will excuse
+me for speaking freely to you.  Would it not be wiser to accept the
+position in which you are placed, to work on steadily to gain a good
+name among those with whom you are associated, instead of aping the
+manners and customs of people who enjoy wealth and undoubtedly belong to
+a higher social grade than you do.  You will be far more respected, even
+by them, if you are known to be looked up to by those of your own
+station in life.  I speak from experience: I am treated with kindness
+and attention, not only by all the clerks in the office, and their
+friends whom I occasionally meet, but by the head clerk himself, not
+because I am the son of a naval officer, but simply because I work hard,
+and try to do whatever work is given me as well as possible.  Besides,
+my old friend, we should have a higher motive for all our actions.
+Remember God sees us; and though we may give our earthly masters
+eye-service, we cannot deceive Him.  Yet we should be influenced by a
+higher motive than that, not by fear alone, but by love and gratitude to
+Him who has given us life and health, and all the blessings we enjoy,
+and the promise of everlasting happiness if we will accept the offer He
+so graciously makes us, and become reconciled to Him, through faith in
+the great sacrifice--His Son offered upon the cross for us, His
+rebellious and disobedient creatures.  Pray seek for grace to realise
+the great fact that we are by nature and conduct rebels, vile and foul--
+that if trusting to our own strength, we are in the power of our great
+enemy Satan, who is always trying to lead us astray--and that we have no
+claim whatever to God's love and protection while here on earth, or to
+enjoy the happiness of heaven when we leave this world--that there is
+but one state of existence for which, if we die in rebellion, we can be
+fitted, that is, to associate for ever with the fallen angels justly
+cast out from His glorious presence."
+
+Lance spoke with deep earnestness, holding Emery lightly by the arm.  He
+might never, he felt, have another opportunity of putting the truth
+before him.
+
+Emery suddenly snatched his arm away.
+
+"I really don't like the sort of things you have been saying," he
+exclaimed, "and I don't know what authority you have for talking to me
+thus.  I did not know what you were driving at when you began to talk,
+or I should not have listened so patiently, I can tell you.  I asked you
+in a friendly way to come and enjoy a little harmless amusement with me,
+and you in return first give me a grave lecture, such as some one might
+expect from a Solon, rather than from a lawyer's clerk, and then preach
+a sermon, which might be all very well if thundered out by the
+Archbishop of Canterbury from the pulpit, but really, when uttered by
+one young fellow to another, is simply ridiculous.  I hope, for your
+sake, that you don't pester your brother scribes, and that head clerk
+you speak of, with such balderdash, or favour your principal with an
+occasional discourse in the same strain.  We are old schoolfellows, as
+you have remarked, so you will not be offended at what I say.  Ah! ah!
+ah!  Good evening to you, friend Solon; should we meet again, I hope you
+will recollect such an address as you have just given me is not to my
+taste.  I have to go south; you go north, I fancy;" and Emery, swinging
+round his cane, and cocking his hat on one side, sauntered off,
+whistling a popular street air to show his unconcern.
+
+Lance was too much hurt and astonished at the effect his earnest and
+faithful remarks had produced to say anything.  He stood irresolute for
+a minute, feeling much inclined to run after Emery, and to entreat him
+not to take what he had said thus amiss.  Just then he saw that his old
+schoolfellow was joined by another youth of a similar appearance, and
+the two went into a tobacconist's together.  It would be hopeless, he
+felt, to attempt saying anything more.  He therefore hastened homewards,
+hoping that he might before long have another opportunity of again
+speaking seriously to Emery.
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+Emery had been sent by his employer on a commission of some importance.
+On his return he gave a highly satisfactory account of the way he had
+performed it.  He had risen, in consequence of his address and supposed
+abilities, high in the favour of Mr Padman, who placed perfect
+confidence in his zeal and honesty.  He was always prepared beforehand
+with a sufficient excuse when he intended to be late out, or to break
+through any of the rules of the establishment.  He was utterly
+regardless of the truth Lance had put before him, that God at all times
+sees us, and that those who deceive their fellow-men are sure, misled by
+Satan, to be discovered at last, and left to the consequences of their
+sin.
+
+Emery, proud of what he considered his cleverness, and trusting to the
+confidence Mr Padman placed in him, became bolder in his proceedings.
+"There was no young man," he said to himself, "so much thought of as he
+was;" and believing that Miss Padman also looked on him with a
+favourable eye, he determined to propose to marry her.  He consulted old
+Sass, who, seeing no reason to doubt his success, advised him to try his
+chance.  If he failed, Sass, knowing his secret, thought that he might
+take advantage of it.  If he succeeded, he himself would certainly
+benefit by the influence he had gained over the young gentleman.  Emery
+had to wait some time for the desired opportunity of speaking alone to
+Miss Padman.  That young lady, however, did not hold her father's
+shopman in the high estimation he had flattered himself.  Others had
+taken care to whisper that Emery was not as correct in his conduct as he
+professed to be, and she thought her father unwise in placing so much
+confidence in him.  When, therefore, he at length made her an offer, she
+replied that she considered him very presumptuous, and begged him to
+understand that she had no more regard for him than for the boy who
+swept out the shop, or for any one else in the establishment; and having
+discovered how he deceived her father, she should put Mr Padman on his
+guard.  As the young lady was perfectly cool and decided, Emery had
+discernment enough to perceive that her decision was final, and as is
+often the case with weak natures, any better feeling he might have
+entertained for her was turned into hatred.
+
+As there was no one else to whom he could express his anger and
+vexation, he called as soon as he could leave the shop on Sass Gange.
+
+"Well, it was a toss up, I thought, from the first, and you have lost,"
+observed the old man.  "However, Master Emery, don't be cast down, there
+is as good fish in the sea as out of it.  If the girl threatens you, as
+you say, I would advise you to cut the concern altogether.  You will get
+disrated, depend upon it, and be worse off.  Make hay while the sun
+shines.  Now, my lad, I don't want you to do anything that would get you
+into trouble, but there is nothing worth having without some risk.  You
+have often said you would like a new sort of life instead of the humdrum
+counter-jumping work you have got to do.  What do you say to making a
+start for South America or the Pacific?  You might lead a jolly life
+among the natives, with nothing to do and lots of pretty girls to make
+love to, who would not treat you like Miss Padman, that I can tell you."
+
+Thus the old sailor ran on, describing in overdrawn colours, with a
+large admixture of fable, the life he had himself led in his early days.
+He did not say how he had seen his companions, some murdered, and the
+rest dying of disease, or that he himself had narrowly escaped with his
+life.
+
+Emery listened eagerly.  He had felt how unsatisfactory was the life he
+was trying to lead, the constant rebuffs of those into whose society he
+tried to thrust himself, and the hopelessness of succeeding in his
+foolish aims, and Satan was of course ready to suggest that he might
+find far greater enjoyment in something new.
+
+"It will be capital fun!" he exclaimed at last; "but I have spent every
+shilling of my salary, and am in debt to a pretty considerable amount to
+some who look upon me as Mr Padman's future son-in-law, and to others
+who have taken me to be a young man of fortune; and if I were to sell my
+whole wardrobe, I don't suppose it would fetch enough to pay for a good
+sea outfit and my passage."
+
+"So I thought," said Gange; "and as I have a notion that you have been
+shamefully treated by Miss Padman, if I were you, I would help myself in
+a way I can suggest to you, and the loss will fall upon her more than on
+her father, who is an old donkey, and it will do him no harm either.
+The chances are that he will send you to-morrow to pay the receipts of
+the shop into the bank, and as business is brisk just now, it's likely
+to be a good round sum.  I shall be sure to be sent to look after you,
+to see that no one picks your pockets, or knocks you down, or makes off
+with it.  Now, then will be the time to fill your purse, and have some
+cash to spare for me.  I won't be very hard on you.  To say the truth, I
+have had a little business of my own on hand, and have made up my mind
+to cut and run, so you won't have me here as your friend much longer if
+you stay.  Come, what do you say? a free and independent life, with
+plenty of money in your pocket; or hanging on here, to be snubbed by
+Miss Padman, and jeered at by the other fellows at your ill luck.  She
+is sure to tell them, and the chances are there is some one she likes
+better than you."
+
+The unhappy youth listened to all the old tempter said, instead of at
+once seeking for grace to put away temptation and to say, "Get thee
+behind me, Satan."  He consented to all Sass had proposed.
+
+"That's right!" said the old sailor, "I like your spirit, my boy; I will
+help you, depend on me.  You had better get your portmanteau packed with
+all your best things, and just carry it down the first thing in the
+morning.  You can tell the house-porter that you are going away for a
+day; he will not ask questions, and I will send a man to bring it here."
+
+All other arrangements were speedily made.  Sass had evidently thought
+the matter over, and Emery was impressed by what he fancied the clever
+way all risks had been provided against.
+
+Emery went home.  He felt too nervous to sleep soundly, and rising,
+lighted a candle and packed up his portmanteau, keeping out his best
+things, in which to dress in the morning.  If questions were asked, he
+would say that his mother was ill, and that he intended to ask leave to
+go home in the evening.  The thoughts of the sinfulness of the act he
+was about to commit did not trouble him so much as the fear of possible
+detection.  Still, the plan proposed by Sass was so feasible, and the
+arrangements he had made so perfect, that he had great hopes all would
+go right.  He thought the matter over and over.  Sometimes the remarks
+made by Lance would force themselves upon him, but he put them away,
+muttering, "That's all old women's nonsense, I am not going to be
+prevented from doing what I like by such stuff."  Dressing, and putting
+all the small articles of value he possessed into his pockets, as soon
+as he thought the porter would be opening the house he carried down his
+portmanteau, observing to the man as he did so, that he had had a sad
+letter the previous night, and should be compelled to start for home as
+soon as he could get leave from Mr Padman.  In a short time the porter
+sent by Sass appeared, and he got it sent off without any questions
+being asked.  He then went back to his room, and afraid of going to bed
+again with the risk of oversleeping himself, sat down in a chair by his
+bedside.  Not having slept a wink during the night, his head soon
+dropped on his chest.  His dreams were troubled--he felt a fearful
+pressure round his neck--it seemed that a cap was drawn over his eyes--
+the murmuring sound of numberless voices rang in his ears--he was
+standing on the platform at Newgate, the drop was about to fall beneath
+his feet.  He had once witnessed such a scene, and gazed at it with
+indifference, moving off among the careless throng with the remark "Poor
+wretch! he has got what he deserved."  Could it be possible that he
+himself was now standing where he had seen the unhappy culprit launched
+into eternity.  He awoke with a start, and found to his satisfaction
+that he had been only dreaming.  His eyelids were heavy, his eyes
+bloodshot.  He washed his face in cold water, and endeavoured to laugh
+off the recollection of his dream while he brushed his hair and arranged
+his cravat.  He went down-stairs and joined his companions in the
+breakfast-room.  They rallied him on his rakish look.  He talked in his
+usual affected way, managing, however, to bring in the falsehood he had
+already uttered about his mother's illness.  It would assist, he hoped,
+to account for his not returning from the bank.
+
+After a good breakfast he went with apparent diligence to business,
+waiting with anxious trepidation to be summoned by Mr Padman to convey
+the money received to the bank.  Sometimes, as Lance's words, and the
+recollection of his horrid dream, would intrude, he almost hoped that
+some one else would be selected; then he thought of, his debts, and the
+consequence of Miss Padman's communication to her father, and the sneers
+of his companions, and he resolved to carry out the plan proposed by
+Sass Gange.
+
+The expected summons came.  He received nearly 400 pounds, with the
+usual directions.
+
+"I need not tell you to be careful, Dulman, and keep out of crowds,"
+said Mr Padman as he gave him the money.
+
+Emery, buttoning up his coat, replied, with a forced smile, that he need
+have no fear on that score, though it was with difficulty that he
+prevented his knees from knocking together as he walked away.
+
+He hastened out of the house.  As he expected, before getting far, on
+looking back, he saw Sass Gange following at his heels.  Would it not be
+safer, after all, to pay the money in?  Miss Padman might relent; and
+should he be captured, the dreadful dream of the morning might be
+realised.  "Pooh! they don't hang for such things as that," he said to
+himself.
+
+Directly afterwards he felt Sass's hand laid on his shoulder.
+
+"Have you a goodish sum, my lad?" he asked.
+
+"Seldom have had more at one time," answered Emery.
+
+"Then come along, don't let us lose the chance."  Sass called a cab, and
+forced his dupe into it.  They drove away to Gange's lodgings.
+
+He ran in and brought down Emery's portmanteau, and a sea-bag with his
+own traps.  The cabman was ordered to drive to Euston Square station.
+Sass had a railway guide; he had been consulting it attentively; they
+might catch a train starting for Liverpool.
+
+"Is it most in notes or gold?" asked Sass.
+
+"About a third in gold, the rest in bank-notes, with a few cheques,"
+said Emery.
+
+"Hand me out the gold, then, it will suit me best," said Sass.  "I will
+be content with that as my share.  You can get rid of the notes better
+than I can."
+
+Sass promised double fare to the cabman if he would drive faster.
+
+Emery wanted to keep some of the gold for himself, but Sass insisted on
+having the whole of it.  He made Emery pay the fare.  They had three
+minutes to spare.
+
+"You take our tickets," said Sass, "second class for me, there are no
+third, and a first for yourself.  We had better be separate; and if by
+any chance we are traced thus far, it will help to put them off the
+scent."
+
+Emery having no gold, took out a bank-note for ten pounds.  He felt
+somewhat nervous as the booking-clerk examined it.  It was all right,
+however, and he received his change, and going on to the next shutter
+took a ticket for his companion.
+
+"All right," said Gange, "get in, and sit at the further side, and
+pretend to be sleepy or drunk, only keep your face away from the light.
+Your portmanteau is ticketed for Liverpool.  Good-bye, my lad, till we
+stop on the road, and I will come and have a look at you."
+
+Gange disappeared.  Off went the train, and Emery's brain whirled round
+and round, even faster than the carriage seemed to be moving.  He tried
+not to think, but in vain.
+
+The other seats were filled, but he had not dared to look at his
+companions.  He heard them laughing and talking.  A board was opened,
+and dice rattled, still he did not look up.  Cards were produced.
+
+"Will any other gentleman join us?" asked a man sitting opposite to the
+seat, next to him.  He caught Emery's eye.  "Will you, sir," he added in
+a bland voice.  "We play for very moderate stakes."
+
+Emery knew something about the game proposed.  It would have been better
+for him had he been ignorant of it altogether.  A game of cards would
+enable him to turn his thoughts from himself.  He agreed to play.  He
+knew that he did not play well, but to his surprise he found himself
+winning.  The stakes were doubled.  He still won.  He thought that his
+companions were very bad players.  Again the stakes were increased, he
+still occasionally won, but oftener lost.  He had soon paid away all his
+gold, and was compelled to take out one of the notes which he had
+stolen; that quickly went, and another, and another.  He felt irritated,
+and eager to get back the money he had lost; he had won at first, why
+should he not again?  His companions looked calm and indifferent, as if
+it mattered very little if the luck turned against them.
+
+When they came to a station, they shut up the board, and put the cards
+under their railway rugs.
+
+Emery had lost fifty pounds of the stolen money.  He felt ready for any
+desperate deed.  Two of the men got out at the next large station.
+Could he have been certain that the money was in the possession of the
+remaining man, he would have seized him by the throat, and tried to get
+it back.
+
+The man kept eyeing him sternly, as if aware of his thoughts.  Just
+before the train started, he also stepped out, carrying the board
+concealed in his rug.
+
+"You have been a heavy loser, I fear," said a gentleman in the seat near
+the door.  "I would have warned you had I thought you would have lost so
+much, but it will be a lesson to you in future.  I am convinced, by
+their movements, that those were regular card-sharpers.  It's too late
+now, but you may telegraph from the next station to try and stop them."
+
+As this remark was made, it flashed into Emery's mind that some one
+might telegraph to Liverpool to stop him.  He scarcely thought about his
+loss, but dreaded that his agitation might betray him.  The gentleman
+naturally thought it arose from his being cheated of so much money.
+Emery tried to look unconcerned.
+
+"A mere trifle," he said, forcing a laugh, "I will try and catch the
+rogues, though."
+
+However, when he reached the next station, remembering Sass Gange's
+caution, he was afraid to leave his seat.
+
+"I might lose the train," he said, "and business of importance takes me
+to Liverpool."
+
+"As you think fit," observed the gentleman, "but you will now have
+little chance of recovering your money."
+
+Emery was thankful when the train again moved on.
+
+Sass Gange had not appeared at either of the stations.
+
+Liverpool was at length reached.  He looked about expecting to see Sass,
+but he was nowhere to be found.  His own portmanteau was in the
+luggage-van, but the sailor's bag was not with it.
+
+Where to go he could not tell.  His eye caught the name of a hotel.  He
+took a cab and drove to it.
+
+It was too late to change any notes that night; but he determined in the
+morning, as early as possible, to get rid of those evidences of his
+guilt.  In the meantime, he went to bed utterly miserable.
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+Mr Padman became anxious when neither Emery nor Sass Gange returned at
+the expected time.  On sending to the bank he found that no money had
+been paid in.  He made inquiries if they had been seen, and learned that
+Emery had sent for his portmanteau in the morning.  He at once
+despatched a messenger to Gange's lodgings.  Gange had left with his bag
+in the afternoon.  Mr Padman immediately suspected the truth.  He sent
+to the police, and to each of the railway stations.  Lance's master, Mr
+Gaisford, was his lawyer.  He hurried to consult him as to what other
+steps it would be advisable to take.  Lance was in the room receiving
+instructions about a draft, and not being told to withdraw, remained.
+With sincere grief he heard of Emery's guilt.
+
+"He comes from Elmerston, do you know him?" asked Mr Gaisford, turning
+to Lance.
+
+"Yes," said Lance, "he was a schoolfellow, and I saw him but a few days
+ago.  I have also frequently seen the man who is supposed to have
+accompanied him."
+
+"If we can find out where they have gone to I will send you down with an
+officer and a warrant.  It will save much trouble, and you will be able
+at once to identify them, and the sooner they are captured the less
+money they will have spent."
+
+The number of the cab happened to consist but of two figures; a
+fellow-lodger of Sass had remarked it, and heard him order the cabman to
+drive to Euston Square station.  A clue was obtained in the course of a
+few hours, and a telegraph message sent to stop the fugitives.  Before
+Emery had reached Liverpool, Lance and the officer, having warrants for
+his and Gange's apprehension, were on their way.
+
+The cunning old sailor, however, having obtained all the gold as his
+share, had quitted the train and gone off to Hull, leaving his unhappy
+dupe to follow his own devices.  The Liverpool police being on the
+look-out for an old man and a young one allowed Emery to pass, though
+not altogether unnoticed; and when Lance and the London officer arrived,
+the latter, suspecting the true state of the case, inquired if a young
+man of Emery's appearance had arrived alone.  The hotel which he had
+driven to was at once discovered, and he was still in bed when the
+officer, followed by Lance, entered the room.  He awoke as the door
+opened.  As the officer, turning to Lance, asked, "Is that the man?"
+Emery gazed at Lance with a look of the most abject terror, unable to
+utter a word.
+
+"Yes, I am sorry to say he is Emery Dulman," said Lance, his voice
+choking with emotion.
+
+The usual form of arrest was gone through.  The officer examined his
+clothes, and found the pocket-book with the remainder of the stolen
+notes.
+
+"Is this your doing, Lance?" asked Emery, at length making an effort to
+speak.
+
+"No, it is not; I wish that I could have prevented you from committing
+the crime, and I am anxious, to serve you as far as I have the power,"
+answered Lance; "I advise you to confess everything, and to restore the
+money to your employer."
+
+The unhappy youth was allowed to dress, and while at breakfast told
+Lance everything that had occurred.  Of Sass Gange he could say nothing,
+except that he believed he had entered a second-class carriage.
+
+The wretched Emery, instead of enjoying the liberty and pleasure he had
+anticipated, as he sat waiting for the train, with his hands between his
+knees and his head bent down, looked the very picture of misery and
+despair.
+
+"I have been befooled and deceived by every one--right and left!" he
+murmured, evidently wishing to throw blame on others rather than to
+condemn himself.  "Mr Padman shouldn't have given the money to me to
+carry to the bank, and he ought to have known what an old rascal that
+Sass Gange is.  To think that the villain should have played me so
+scurvy a trick, and have gone off and left me in the lurch!  Then to
+have lost so much money to these cheating card-sharpers.  I expected
+only to meet gentlemen in a first-class carriage.  I would punish them
+for robbing me if I could catch them--that I would, and they would
+deserve it!  And now to have you, Lance, whom I looked upon as a friend,
+ferret me out and assist to hand me over to prison, and for what you can
+tell to the contrary, to the hangman's noose, if the matter is proved
+against me.  I wish that I was dead, that I do.  If I had a pistol, I'd
+shoot myself, and get the affair settled at once!" he exclaimed, jumping
+up and dashing his fists against his forehead.
+
+Lance did his utmost to calm the unhappy youth.  "My poor Emery, Satan
+has duped you as he dupes all those who listen to his agents, or to the
+evil suggestions of their own wicked hearts.  `All our hearts are
+deceitful, and desperately wicked above all things,' the Bible tells us.
+Notwithstanding which, had you sought for strength from God's Holy
+Spirit, you would assuredly have resisted the temptations thrown in your
+way.  I have ever been your friend, and I wish to remain so.  You
+remember the line in our Latin Grammar--`A true friend is tried in a
+doubtful matter.'  As a friend, I rejoice that through God's mercy you
+have been arrested in the downward course you had commenced.  It must
+have led to your utter destruction.  Think what you would have become
+old Sass Gange as your counsellor and guide.  You will have much that is
+painful to go through--from that you cannot escape; but thank our loving
+Father in heaven for it.  Far better is it to suffer a light affliction
+here for a short season, than to be eternally cast out.  Never--let me
+entreat you--again utter the impious threat of rushing into the presence
+of your Maker; but turn to Him with a penitent heart, seeking
+forgiveness for all your sins through the one only way He has
+appointed--faith in our crucified Saviour: and oh! believe me, He will
+not deny you, for He has promised to receive all who thus come to Him.
+He has said, `Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as
+snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.'  Text
+upon text I might bring forward to prove God's readiness to forgive the
+greatest of sinners.  Trust Him.  Throw yourself upon His mercy.  Do not
+fear what man can do to you.  Submit willingly to any punishment the
+just laws of our country may demand you should suffer.  Not that
+imprisonment or any other punishment you may receive can atone for the
+sin you have committed in God's sight--not if you were to refund every
+farthing of the sum you stole.  As the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth
+from all sin, so through that precious blood alone can the slightest as
+well as the deepest shade of sin be washed away.  I say this now, Emery,
+in case I should be prevented from speaking again to you on the subject.
+Reflect, too, on the condition in which you would have been placed had
+you committed this crime a few years ago, for then an ignominious death
+on the scaffold would have been your inevitable doom, and bless God that
+you will now be spared to prove the sincerity of your repentance in some
+new sphere of life."
+
+Happy would it be for criminals if they had, when placed as Emery Dulman
+now was, faithful friends like Lance Loughton to speak to them.  Emery
+now and then, as Lance was addressing him, looked up, but again turned
+aside his head with an expression of scorn on his lips.  Lance, however,
+was too true a Christian, and too sincerely desirous of benefiting his
+former acquaintance, to be defeated in his efforts to do so.  Again and
+again he spoke to him so lovingly and gently that at length Emery burst
+into tears.  "I wish that I had listened to you long ago, when you
+warned me of my folly, and it would not have come to this," he
+exclaimed.  "I will plead guilty at once, and throw myself on the mercy
+of my employer whom I have robbed."
+
+"I do not know whether he will be inclined to treat you mercifully.  It
+may be considered necessary, as a warning to others, to punish you
+severely," answered Lance.  "But, my dear Emery, I am very sure that our
+Father in heaven, whom you have far more grievously offended, will, if
+you come to Him in His own appointed way, through faith in the Great
+Sacrifice, with sincere repentance, not only abundantly pardon you, but
+will inflict no punishment, because the punishment justly your due has
+been already borne by the Just and Holy One when He died on the Cross
+for sinners."
+
+The officer, looking at his watch, interrupted Lance by saying that it
+was time to start.  Emery was conveyed to the station, and in a short
+time they were on their way back to London.
+
+The officer made inquiries at the different stations, and at length
+discovered the one at which Gange had left the train.  He sent to London
+for another officer to follow on his track.
+
+Emery was conveyed to prison.  He was tried, convicted, and sent to gaol
+for twelve months' imprisonment.  Old Sass, however, was too cunning to
+be caught, and got off to sea.
+
+Lance obtained leave frequently to visit his unhappy schoolfellow, who,
+now left to his own reflections, listened to him attentively when with
+gentle words he impressed on him the truths he had hitherto derided.
+Before he left the prison Emery became thoroughly and deeply convinced
+that he was an utterly lost sinner, and that so he would have been, had
+he not been guilty of the crime for which he was suffering, or the
+countless others he had committed which his memory conjured up.  Often
+had he cried, "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner!"  That prayer had been
+heard, and he now knew that God is merciful, and that He has given good
+proof of His mercy by sending Jesus, the pure and sinless One, to suffer
+on the cross for every one who will trust to that sufficient atonement
+which He thus made for sin.
+
+"God as a Sovereign with free grace offers pardon to rebellious man,"
+said Lance.  "He leaves us with loving gratitude to accept it, and if we
+reject His mercy, justly to suffer the consequence of that rejection,
+and to be cast out for ever from His presence."
+
+"I see it!--I understand!--I do accept His gracious offer, and from
+henceforth, and with the aid of His Holy Spirit, will seek to obey and
+serve Him," said Emery.  "And I feel thankful that all this has come
+upon me, for I might never otherwise have learned to know Him in whom I
+can now place all my trust and love."
+
+At the end of Emery's term of imprisonment, with the help of Mr
+Gaisford, Lance was able to procure him a passage to Australia, where he
+had in the meantime learned that his father had obtained a situation of
+trust, and would be able to find employment for his son.
+
+Lance went on as he had begun, and as soon as he was out of his articles
+his loving and faithful Maddie became his wife, his mother having the
+happiness of seeing him the partner of his former employer before she
+was called to her rest.
+
+He heard frequently from Emery, who, ever thankful for the mercies shown
+him by his heavenly Father, continued with steady industry to labour in
+the humble situation he had obtained.
+
+A decrepit beggar one day came to Lance's door with a piteous tale of
+the miseries he had endured, and Lance, ever ready to relieve distress,
+visited him at the wretched lodging where a few days afterwards he lay
+dying.  He there learned that the unhappy man was Sass Gange.  Lance
+told him that he knew him.  Sass inquired for Emery.
+
+"I'm thankful I did not help to bring him to the gallows," he murmured.
+"The way I tempted the lad has laid heavier on my conscience than
+anything I ever did, and I've done a good many things I don't like to
+think about."
+
+Lance endeavoured to place the gospel before the old man, but his heart
+was hard, his mind dull.  In a few days he died.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The End.
+
+BOOK II--ALONE ON AN ISLAND.
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain
+Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface
+of the Pacific.  The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck,
+compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails
+afforded.  Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting,
+splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the
+guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in
+the shade.  The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning
+over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of
+seeing signs of a coming breeze.  Their countenances betrayed ill-humour
+and dissatisfaction; and if they spoke to each other, it was in gruff,
+surly tones.  They had had a long course of ill luck, as they called it,
+having taken no prizes of value.  The crew, too, had for some time
+exhibited a discontented and mutinous spirit, which Captain Deason, from
+his bad temper, was ill fitted to quell.  While he vexed and insulted
+the officers, they bullied and tyrannised over the men.  The crew,
+though often quarrelling among themselves, were united in the common
+hatred to their superiors, till that little floating world became a
+perfect pandemonium.
+
+Among those who paced her deck, anxiously looking out for a breeze, was
+Humphry Gurton, a fine lad of fifteen, who had joined the _Wolf_ as a
+midshipman.  This was his first trip to sea.  He had intended to enter
+the Navy, but just as he was about to do so his father, a merchant at
+Liverpool, failed, and, broken-hearted at his losses, soon afterwards
+died, leaving his wife and only son but scantily provided for.
+
+Tenderly had that wife, though suffering herself from a fatal disease,
+watched over him in his sickness, and Humphry had often sat by his
+father's bedside while his mother was reading from God's Word, and
+listened as with tender earnestness she explained the simple plan of
+salvation to his father.  She had shown him from the Bible that all men
+are by nature sinful, and incapable, by anything they can do, of making
+themselves fit to enter a pure and holy heaven, however respectable or
+excellent they may be in the sight of their fellow-men, and that the
+only way the best of human beings can come to God is by imitating the
+publican in the parable, and acknowledging themselves worthless, outcast
+sinners, and seeking to be reconciled to Him according to the one way He
+has appointed--through a living faith in the all-atoning sacrifice of
+His dear Son.  Humphry had heard his father exclaim, "I believe that
+Jesus died for me; O Lord, help my unbelief!  I have no merits of my
+own; I trust to Him, and Him alone."  He had witnessed the joy which had
+lighted up his mother's countenance as she pressed his father's hand,
+and bending down, whispered, "We shall be parted but for a short time;
+and, oh! may our loving Father grant that this our son may too be
+brought to love the Saviour, and join us when he is summoned to leave
+this world of pain and sorrow."
+
+Humphry had felt very sad; and though he had wept when his father's eyes
+were closed in death, and his mother had pressed him--now the only being
+on earth for whom she desired to live--to her heart, yet the impression
+he had received had soon worn off.
+
+In a few months after his father died, she too was taken from him, and
+Humphry was left an orphan.
+
+The kind and pious minister, Mr Faithful, who frequently visited Mrs
+Gurton during the last weeks of her illness, had promised her to watch
+over her boy, but he had no legal power.  Humphry's guardian was a
+worldly man, and finding that there was but a very small sum for his
+support, was annoyed at the task imposed on him.
+
+Humphry had expressed his wish to go to sea.  A lad whose acquaintance
+he had lately made, Tom Matcham, was just about to join the _Wolf_, and,
+persuading him that they should meet with all sorts of adventures,
+offered to assist him in getting a berth on board her.  Humphry's
+guardian, to save himself trouble, was perfectly willing to agree to the
+proposed plan, and, without difficulty, arranged for his being received
+on board as a midshipman.
+
+"We shall have a jovial life of it, depend upon that!" exclaimed Matcham
+when the matter was settled.  "I intend to enjoy myself.  The officers
+are rather wild blades, but that will suit me all the better."  Harry
+went to bid farewell to Mr Faithful.
+
+"I pray that God will prosper and protect you, my lad," he said.  "I
+trust that your young companion is a right principled youth, who will
+assist you as you will be ready to help him, and that the captain and
+officers are Christian men."
+
+"I have not been long enough acquainted with Tom Matcham to know much
+about him," answered Humphry.  "I very much doubt that the captain and
+officers are the sort of people you describe.  However, I daresay I
+shall get on very well with them."
+
+"My dear Humphry," exclaimed Mr Faithful, "I am deeply grieved to hear
+that you can give no better account of your future associates.  Those
+who willingly mix with worldly or evil-disposed persons are very sure to
+suffer.  Our constant prayer is that we may be kept out of temptation,
+and we are mocking God if we willingly throw ourselves into it.  I would
+urge you, if you are not satisfied with the character of those who are
+to be your companions for so many years, to give up the appointment
+while there is time.  I would accompany you, and endeavour to get your
+agreement cancelled.  It will be better to do so at any cost, rather
+than run the risk of becoming like them."
+
+"Oh, I daresay that they are not bad fellows after all!" exclaimed
+Humphry.  "You know I need not do wrong, even though they do."
+
+The minister sighed.  In vain he urged Humphry to consider the matter
+seriously.
+
+"All I can do, then, my young friend, is to pray for you," said Mr
+Faithful, as he wrung Harry's hand, "and I beg you, as a parting gift,
+to accept these small books.  One is a book above all price, of a size
+which you may keep in your pocket, and I trust that you will read it as
+you can make opportunities, even though others may attempt to interrupt
+you, or to persuade you to leave it neglected in your chest."
+
+It was a small Testament, and Harry, to please the minister, promised to
+carry it in his pocket, and to read from it as often as he Could.
+
+Humphry having parted from his friend, went down at once to join the
+ship.
+
+Next day she sailed.  Humphry at first felt shocked at hearing the oaths
+and foul language used, both by the crew and officers.  The captain, who
+on shore appeared a grave, quiet sort of man, swore louder and oftener
+than any one.  Scarcely an order was issued without an accompaniment of
+oaths; indeed blasphemy resounded throughout the ship.
+
+Matcham only laughed at Humphry when he expressed his annoyance.
+
+"You will soon get accustomed to it," he observed.  "I confess that I
+myself was rather astonished when I first heard the sort of thing, but I
+don't mind it now a bit."
+
+So Humphry thought, for Matcham interlarded his own conversation with
+the expressions used by the rest on board; indeed, swearing had become
+so habitual to him, that he seemed scarcely aware of the fearful
+language which escaped his lips.
+
+By degrees, as Matcham had foretold, Humphry did get accustomed to the
+language used by all around, which had at first so greatly shocked him.
+Though he kept his promise to the minister, and carried the little
+Testament in his pocket, he seldom found time to read it.
+
+He wished to become a sailor, and he applied himself diligently to learn
+his profession; and as he was always in a good temper and ready to
+oblige, the captain and officers treated him with more respect than they
+did Matcham, who was careless and indifferent, and ready to shirk duty
+whenever he could do so.  Matcham, finding himself constantly abused,
+chose to consider that it was owing to Humphry, and, growing jealous,
+took every opportunity of annoying him.  Humphry, however, gained the
+good-will of the men by never swearing at them, or using the rope's-end:
+this the officers were accustomed to do on all occasions, and Matcham
+imitated them by constantly thrashing the boys, often without the
+slightest excuse.
+
+As the ship sailed on her voyage, the state of affairs on board became
+worse and worse.  On one occasion the crew came aft, complaining that
+their provisions were bad, and then that the water was undrinkable, when
+the captain, appearing with pistols in his hands, ordered them to go
+forward, refusing to listen to what they had to say.  Another time they
+complained that they were stinted in their allowance of spirits, when he
+treated them in the same way.  They retired, casting looks of defiance
+at him and the officers.  On several occasions, when some of the men did
+not obey orders with sufficient promptitude, Humphry saw them struck to
+the deck by the first and second mates without any notice being taken by
+the captain.  The officers, too, quarrelled among themselves; the first
+officer and the second refused to speak to each other; and the surgeon,
+who considered that he had been insulted, declined intercourse with
+either of them.  The younger officers followed their bad example, and
+often and often Humphry wished that he had listened to the advice of his
+friend Mr Faithful, and had inquired the character of his intended
+companions before he joined the ship.
+
+At the first port in South America at which the _Wolf_ touched, the
+surgeon, carrying his chest with him, went on shore, and refused to
+return till the mates had apologised.  As this they would not do, she
+sailed without him; and although the men might be wounded, or sickness
+break out, there was now no one on board capable of attending to them.
+Such was the condition of the _Wolf_ at the time she was thus floating
+becalmed and alone on the wide ocean.
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+Harry Gurton stood gazing on the glassy sea till his eyes ached with the
+bright glare, his thoughts wandering back to the days of his happy
+childhood, when he was the pride and delight of his beloved father and
+mother.  He had come on deck only to breathe a purer air than was to be
+found below.
+
+Soon after leaving the coast of South America a fever had broken out on
+board, and several of the crew lay sick in their berths.  Their
+heartless shipmates, afraid of catching the complaint, took little care
+of them.  Humphry could not bear to see them suffer without help, and
+from the first had done his best to attend on them.  He constantly went
+round, taking them water and such food as he could induce the cook to
+prepare.
+
+Tom Matcham was the only officer who had as yet been struck down by the
+fever.  He lay in his berth tossing and groaning, complaining of his
+hard lot.  The officers, who were annoyed by his cries, often abused
+him, telling him roughly not to disturb them.
+
+"The cruel brutes!  I will be revenged on them if I ever get well,"
+exclaimed Matcham.
+
+In vain Humphry tried to pacify him.
+
+"Don't mind what they say, Tom," he observed.  "I hope you may get well;
+but if you were to die, it would be dreadful to go out of the world with
+such feelings in your heart.  I remember enough about religion to know
+that we should forgive those who injure us.  If you will let me, I will
+try to say some of the prayers which my mother taught me when I was a
+child, and I will pray with you.  I have got a Testament, and I should
+like to read to you out of it."
+
+"I can't pray, and I don't want to hear anything from the Testament,"
+answered Tom gloomily.
+
+"It would be very dreadful if you were to go out of the world feeling as
+you now do," urged Humphry.
+
+"What! you don't mean to say you think I am going to die!" exclaimed Tom
+in an agitated voice.
+
+"I tell you honestly, Tom, that you seem as bad as the two poor fellows
+who died last week," said Humphry.
+
+"Oh, you are croaking," groaned Tom, though his voice faltered as he
+spoke.
+
+After talking for some time longer without being able to move him,
+Humphry was compelled to go forward to attend to some of the other men.
+
+In the first hammock he came to lay Ned Hadow, one of the oldest, and
+apparently one of the most ruffianly of the crew.  He seemed, however,
+to be grateful to Humphry for his kindness; and he acknowledged that if
+it had not been for him, he should have been fathoms down in the deep
+before then.
+
+"I hope, however, that you are getting better now," said Humphry.
+
+"Thanks to you, sir, I think I am," answered Ned.  "I don't want to die,
+though I cannot say I have much to live for, nor has any one else aboard
+this ship, except to be abused and knocked about without any chance of
+gaining any good by the cruise."
+
+"Perhaps we may do better by and by," observed Humphry.
+
+"I have no hopes of that while such men as the captain and his mates
+have charge of the ship.  Take my advice, Mr Gurton, if you have a
+chance, get out of her as fast as you can.  You will thank me for
+warning you--it is the only way I have to show that I am grateful to you
+for your kindness."
+
+Hadow's remarks made no deep impression upon Humphry, but he could not
+help occasionally recollecting them.
+
+After visiting the other sick men, he went on deck to keep his proper
+watch; then, weary with his exertions, he turned into his berth to
+obtain the rest he so much needed.
+
+He was awakened by hearing the cry of "All hands shorten sail!"  He
+quickly sprang on deck.
+
+A gale had suddenly sprung up.  The ship was heeling over, and ploughing
+her way through the seething waters.  The crew flew aloft.  The loftier
+sails were taken in, and the top-sails were being closely reefed, when
+another blast, more furious than the former, struck the ship, and two
+poor fellows were hurled from the lee-yard-arm into the foaming waters.
+There was a cry from the crew, and several rushed to lower a boat--
+Humphry among them.
+
+"Hold fast!" cried the captain; "let the fellows drown; you will only
+lose your lives if you attempt to save them."
+
+Still the men persisted, showing more humanity than they had exhibited
+in attending to their sick shipmates, when the captain swore that he
+would shoot any one who disobeyed him.  Though spare spars and
+everything that could float had been hove overboard, the poor fellows in
+the water could no longer be seen.
+
+The crew, with gloomy looks, assembled forward, muttering threats which
+did not reach the officers' ears.
+
+The change of weather had the effect of restoring some of the sick men
+to health, though several died.  Among the first to appear on deck was
+Ned Hadow.  He still looked weak and ill--the shadow of his former self.
+He was changed in other respects, and Humphry observed that he was
+quiet in his behaviour, and no longer swore in the way he had been
+accustomed to do.
+
+Matcham remained in his berth.  He seemed a little better, though he
+still refused to listen to Humphry when he offered to read the Bible to
+him, and when asked the reason, replied, "Because I am not going to let
+those fellows suppose that I am afraid to die.  They would be sneering
+at me, and calling me a Methodist; and I don't intend to die either, so
+I don't see why I should bother myself by having religion thrust down my
+throat."
+
+"If you are not going to die, I suppose the case is different," answered
+Humphry.  "Still, I know that if you were, the Bible is the best book to
+read.  I wish that I had read it oftener myself."
+
+"If I can get hold of it, I will take care that neither you nor I am
+troubled with it in future," answered Matcham.  "You have teased me too
+much about it already.  I wish you would just try what the captain or
+mates would say to you if you were to bother them."
+
+Humphry put his little Testament into his pocket, determining that his
+messmate should not get hold of it.  Still, much as he valued the book
+as a gift from his old friend, he looked upon it, as many other people
+do, as a book to be reverenced, and to be read in times of sickness or
+trouble; but he had little notion of the value of an open Bible, to be
+studied with prayer every day in the week, to serve as a light to his
+feet and a lamp to his path, and to guide him in the everyday affairs of
+life.
+
+Humphry, wishing Matcham good evening, went on deck.
+
+As he looked ahead, he saw in the distance a small island rising like a
+rock out of the blue ocean.  The ship was standing towards it.  The sun,
+however, was just then setting, and in a short time it was concealed
+from sight by the mists of night.  As he was to keep the first watch
+with the third mate, he went down and took some supper.  When he
+returned on deck, he found that the sky was overcast with clouds, and
+that the night was excessively dark.  He could scarcely distinguish the
+man at the helm or the officer of the watch.
+
+"Is that you, Gurton?" asked the third mate.  "The orders are to heave
+to in an hour, so as not to run past the island we saw at sunset, as the
+captain wishes to examine it to-morrow morning.  Go forward, and see
+that the look-outs are keeping their eyes open; the reefs may run
+further off the land than we think for."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir," answered Humphry, making his way along the deck.
+
+Having spoken to the men as directed, he stood for some minutes trying
+to pierce the thick gloom, and as he was sure no danger could be seen
+till the ship was close upon it, he resolved to return aft, and advise
+the mate to heave her to sooner than he had been ordered.
+
+When just abreast of the fore-rigging, he suddenly felt his arms
+pinioned behind him, and a gag thrust into his mouth.  At the same time
+a voice whispered in his ear, which he recognised as Ned Hadow's, "Do
+not cry out--no harm is intended you; what we do is for your good."  The
+next instant he felt himself lifted off his feet and placed in the
+fore-rigging, up which a man on either side forced him to ascend.  He
+soon reached the top.
+
+"He will be safer in the cross-trees," said one of the men, and he was
+compelled to ascend till he got there.  "We must make you fast where you
+are," whispered Hadow, compelling Humphry to sit down on the
+cross-trees, and lashing him to the rigging.  "If you will promise not
+to cry out, we will remove the gag from your mouth; if not, you must be
+content to bear it for some time longer.  Here, press my hand if you
+promise to do as I tell you--I can trust to your word."
+
+Humphry was very anxious to get rid of the gag, which hurt him, and
+pressed the hand placed in his.  The gag was immediately taken out of
+his mouth.
+
+"Whatever sounds you hear, or whatever you see, don't cry out, as you
+value your life," whispered Hadow.
+
+The next moment Humphry was left alone.  He sat wondering why he had
+been thus treated.  Hadow could certainly not have intended to injure
+him; at the same time, he could not help fearing that the crew
+contemplated some dreadful act of mutiny, and that Hadow had contrived
+to get him up there to keep him out of harm's way.  Nothing could he see
+but the tall mast above his head tapering towards the dark sky, and the
+yard and ropes immediately below him.  All on deck seemed quiet, no
+voices reached his ear.
+
+The moments passed slowly by.  Suddenly a loud shriek rent the air,
+followed by a heavy groan; then came the flash and report of a pistol--
+another, and another followed.  Now rose fierce shouts and cries from
+many voices, loud thundering blows, and the clash of cutlasses.  A
+desperate fight was going on.  He no longer had any doubt that the
+officers had been attacked, and were struggling for their lives.
+
+Suddenly, as they began, all sounds of strife ceased, though he could
+now distinguish the voices of the crew shouting to each other.
+
+The helm during the contest had been deserted, and the ship had come up
+to the wind.  It seemed a relief to him to hear the boatswain's voice
+ordering the crew to brace up the yards.  The ship was then hove to.
+
+No one, however, came to release him.  If his friend Hadow had fallen in
+the strife, what would be his fate when the rest of the crew discovered
+him?  The dreadful certainty forced itself upon his mind, that the
+officers had been overcome.  He heard the men moving about the deck, and
+talking in loud voices to each other; but though he listened eagerly, he
+could not ascertain what was said.
+
+Hour after hour passed by.  No one came aloft to release him.
+
+Notwithstanding the fearful anxiety he felt, he at length dropped off
+into forgetfulness; but his dream were troubled, and full of the horrors
+which had just occurred.
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+"It was well I thought of lashing you securely, or you would have fallen
+and been killed," said a voice in Humphry's ear.
+
+Consciousness returned.  He recognised Ned Hadow.
+
+"It will be wise in you not to ask any questions, Mr Gurton," he
+whispered.  "Just be sure that you are wide awake, and I will cast off
+the lashings.  I have done the best I could for you.  The men did not
+ask you to join them because they believed you would not, nor do I
+either.  I am too grateful to you for what you have done for me to wish
+you to be among them.  They have now possession of the ship, and intend
+to keep it.  As we shall be at daybreak close in with the island we saw
+last night, they give you your choice of being put on shore there, or
+taking the oath of fidelity to them, and joining their cause.  As I said
+before, I don't suppose you will hesitate about the matter."
+
+"Indeed I will not," answered Humphry; "whether or not the island is
+inhabited or means of subsistence can be found on it, I would rather be
+put on shore than remain an hour longer than I can help on board the
+ship, after what I fear has taken place."
+
+"As I said, Mr Gurton, you must ask no questions," repeated Hadow.  "I
+wish I could go with you, but I am sworn to stay by the rest.  I would
+give anything to be out of the ship, but it is too late now to draw
+back; though, as I have heard it said, that hell with sinners often
+begins on earth, so it has begun with me.  Yes, Mr Gurton, I almost wish
+that I had been carried off by the fever instead of living on, to become
+what I now am.  I was bad enough before, but I am a thousand times worse
+now.  There is no one on board I can say this to, and I cannot help
+saying it to you."
+
+"Surely you could manage to come on shore with me," said Humphry.  "Your
+messmates will probably release you from any oath you have taken if you
+wish it."
+
+"They will not do that, sir, they will not do that," answered Hadow in a
+despairing tone.  "I am bound hand and foot to them; their fate,
+whatever that is, must be mine.  You must not stay up here longer.  I
+will cast off the lashings now, but you must take care, as your arms
+will be stiff after being bound so long, that you don't fall.  I will
+hold you till you get the use of them."
+
+Saying this, Ned cast off the rope, and grasping Humphry round the body,
+assisted him to get on his legs; then, after he had stood for a minute
+or two, helped him to descend the rigging.
+
+On reaching the foretop, Hadow told him to wait there till he should
+come for him.
+
+"I don't want you to go among the crew," he said in a low voice.  "I
+have got four men whom you looked after in their sickness, who have
+agreed to pull you on shore, which we hope to reach as soon as there is
+light enough to land.  The boat is already in the water, and we are
+stowing her with things which we think will be useful to you.  As you
+saw nothing of what happened, even should you be taken off the island
+some time or other, you cannot swear against any one.  All you know is
+that you were lashed in the rigging, and were put on shore the same
+night before daybreak.  If any one asks you questions on deck, that is
+what you must say to them--you understand me?"
+
+Humphry replied that he did understand, and, suspecting that his safety
+depended on his answer, said that he would do as Ned advised.
+
+"Well, then, stay here till I come for you," and Ned disappeared down
+the rigging.
+
+Harry had not long to wait when he again heard his voice.
+
+"All is ready," he whispered.  "We took the bearings of the island
+before dark, and can steer a straight course for it.  Don't speak to any
+one.  Follow me into the boat; she is waiting under the forechains; you
+will find a rope by which you can lower yourself into her."
+
+Humphry followed Ned without ever stepping on deck, and took his seat
+near him in the stern of the boat, which noiselessly shoved off from the
+ship's side.  The crew bent to their oars, while Ned steered by a boat
+compass lighted by a lantern at his feet.
+
+Humphry breathed more freely when he felt himself out of the ship.  Yet
+what a fate was to be his.  To be left alone on an island where he might
+have to spend long, long years, cut off from all intercourse with his
+fellow-creatures.  Yet anything was better than having to associate with
+the wretched men on board the _Wolf_.
+
+They soon lost sight of the ship, and the boat made her way across the
+dark water, the island not being yet visible ahead.
+
+"Are they all dead, have none been spared?" asked Humphry at length, yet
+half fearing to speak on the subject which occupied his thoughts.
+
+"I told you, Mr Gurton, to ask no questions," answered Ned in a hollow
+voice.  "The sooner you put all thoughts of what happened last night out
+of your head the better.  Just think of what you have got to do.  You
+will have to keep your wits awake where you are going, depend on that.
+I wish we could stop to help you, but we have promised to be back as
+soon as we have landed your things.  All I can tell you is, that there
+is said to be water, and you will probably find cocoa-nut and
+bread-fruit trees, and other roots and fruits; and as we have put up
+lines and hooks, and a gun and ammunition, and a couple of harpoons, and
+lines for catching seals, it will be your fault if you do not manage to
+find as much food as you want."
+
+"But how shall I be able to live all alone by myself on the island?"
+said Humphry with a sigh.
+
+"Better to be all alone than food for the sharks, I have a notion,"
+observed one of the men who overheard him.
+
+Humphry made no further remark.  He now felt more than ever certain that
+a fearful tragedy had been enacted, and that he ought to be thankful to
+get out of the company of the perpetrators.  Yet he was sorry to leave
+Hadow among them, for he had observed, he thought, the signs of
+something better in him than in his companions, rough and ignorant as he
+was.
+
+As day dawned the island appeared ahead, rising out of the blue water
+with black rocks piled one upon another, and some hills of considerable
+elevation.  Humphry observed also a deep sandy bay between the rocks,
+but an encircling coral reef intervened, over which, even on that calm
+morning, the sea broke in masses of foam.
+
+They pulled along till the bay opened out more clearly, and just in
+front was a cascade, which came tumbling down the rocks.  A narrow piece
+of dark water was seen between the masses of foam which danced up on
+either side of it.
+
+"There is a passage," exclaimed Ned.  "Give way, my lads, and we shall
+get through it without difficulty."
+
+The men bent to their oars, and the boat, dashing between the two walls
+of foam, was in a short time floating on the calm surface of a lagoon.
+Pulling up the bay, they reached a small sandy beach, though the dark
+rocks which everywhere rose up around it gave the place a gloomy aspect.
+
+The boat was hauled up, and the men quickly landed the various articles
+which Ned had secured for Humphry's benefit.
+
+He and Humphry searching about soon found a level spot on one side of
+the bay where the ground looked capable of cultivation.
+
+"This will do for you, my lad," said Ned.  "And as I found some papers
+of seed in the captain's cabin, I put them into one of the casks; though
+I don't know what they are, maybe if you sow them they will come up, and
+supply you with vegetables."
+
+The men now brought up all the things from the boat.  They all wished
+him good luck and a happy life on the island, and then hurried back to
+the boat.
+
+"I only wish I could stop with you, that I do!" exclaimed Ned with some
+feeling, as he wrung Humphry's hand.  "I dare not say `God bless you!'
+but I hope He will, that I do with all my heart," and Ned ran down to
+join his companions, who were already shoving off the boat.  He would
+not have been sorry if they had gone without him.
+
+Humphry watched them going down the bay.  They passed through the reef,
+and pulled out to sea till the boat was lost to sight, though he could
+distinguish the ship hove to in the offing waiting for her return.
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+Humphry sat down on his chest, feeling very forlorn.  Here he was on a
+desert island, a mere speck in the ocean, hundreds of miles away perhaps
+from any place inhabited by civilised man.  He might perhaps never be
+able to make his escape, or again hold intercourse with his
+fellow-creatures.  All alone, without speaking, without exchanging an
+idea with another human being, he might have to drag out a weary
+existence; and then, should sickness overtake him, have to lie down and
+breathe out his life, leaving his bones to whiten in the sun.
+
+He had read Robinson Crusoe, but then his case was very different to
+that of the far-famed voyager.  Robinson Crusoe had the companionship of
+Friday, and his island was fertile and smiling, and he had goats and
+fowls and other animals to cheer him or to serve him as food.  He would
+have to go in search of fish and birds for his daily food, and as yet
+was uncertain whether any were to be found, though at present he did not
+fear starvation, as he had the salted beef and pork and biscuits with
+which Ned had supplied him.  But then when they were gone, how should he
+live?
+
+"It won't do to indulge in these thoughts," he exclaimed to himself,
+suddenly starting up.  "I must think about building a house in the first
+place; and then as soon as I can prepare the ground I will put in the
+seed, and, as I hope, some may produce good edible vegetables, I shall
+have a variety in diet and keep myself in health."
+
+As he began to examine the articles which had been brought on shore, he
+found a large roll of canvas.  It was part of an old sail.
+
+"This Ned must have intended to serve as a tent till I can put up a more
+substantial building.  I am much obliged to him, and I need not be in
+any great hurry about building my house."
+
+He spoke his thoughts aloud on nearly all occasions.  It gave him some
+relief to hear his own voice.
+
+"I must get some poles for the tent, though; and no spars, I see, have
+been brought on shore."
+
+He looked out an axe, and sticking it in his belt, set out to search for
+what he wanted.
+
+"I shall not lose my way in this new kingdom of mine, that's one
+advantage in having it of moderate size; and if I climb to the top of
+the hill, I shall be able to sing with Robinson Crusoe, `I am lord of
+all I survey,'--ah, ah, ah!" and he laughed for the first time for many
+a day.
+
+There was nothing to excite his risibility on board.  He felt his
+spirits rising.
+
+"Stay!" he exclaimed suddenly.  "What an ungrateful wretch I am!  Here
+have I been saved from a great danger, and placed in safety, at all
+events for the present, and yet I have not uttered one word of thanks to
+Him who has preserved me."
+
+He knelt down, and lifted up his heart as well as he could to God.
+
+"Careless, worthless fellow that I have been! yet God promises to hear
+all those that come to Him, not trusting to themselves or to their own
+good deeds, but to the perfect and complete atonement Jesus Christ made
+for their sins on the cross, so I know that He will hear me; and I am
+sure, though I am unworthy of His care, that He put it into the hearts
+of those men to bring me on shore instead of throwing me overboard, or
+what would have been worse, keeping me among them."
+
+He felt his heart much lighter when he rose from his knees.
+
+He then, carefully observing the appearance of the rocks, that he might
+find his way back without difficulty, proceeded on his expedition.
+Clambering over them, he came to more level ground covered with various
+bushes, and soon reached a hill-side on which grew a number of trees,
+palms and others, with the names of which he was unacquainted.  He
+looked in vain for cocoa-nuts, not being aware that the trees are only
+generally found on the level shore to which the nuts have been borne by
+the wind and tides of the ocean from other islands.  He cut two stout
+poles for uprights, and a longer one for a ridge-pole, and shouldering
+them, returned to his camp.
+
+"I shall want a fire, though," he thought, as he got back, and throwing
+them down he again set out to get fuel.
+
+This he had no difficulty in finding among the brushwood, and with the
+aid of his axe he quickly made up a number of faggots.
+
+"I shall not be obliged to have a fire burning all night to keep off
+wild beasts, that is another comfort," he observed.  "But it will be
+cheerful to sit by when it grows dark.  I shall not find the time hang
+heavily on my hands for some days to come, that's another comfort."
+
+His first thought was to do the most necessary work.  Having brought the
+faggots to his camp, he next put up his tent.
+
+This accomplished, as soon as he sat down to rest he began to feel
+hungry.  He rummaged in a small cask, which contained a number of
+miscellaneous articles, and discovered a tinder-box.  He had soon a fire
+blazing in front of his tent.  He had prudently made it up at a
+sufficient distance to prevent the risk of the flames reaching the
+canvas.  While he stayed his hunger with some biscuit, he prepared a
+piece of beef, which he spitted and placed before the fire on two small
+sticks, such as he had read of people doing under similar circumstances.
+He turned the meat on the spit, which grew blacker and blacker.
+
+"I think it must be done now," he said at length, taking it off.
+
+When he cut it with his knife, he found it almost as hard as wood.  He
+attempted to eat a few mouthfuls, but he could scarcely get them down.
+
+"This won't do," he said.  "I must get some water, to enable me to
+swallow this dry food."
+
+On searching for something to hold the water, he found a saucepan, and
+on his way with it to the cascade it occurred to him that he might have
+cooked his beef much better by boiling.  "I must try that way for
+dinner," he thought.
+
+A draught of pure water greatly refreshed him.  He returned to the camp
+with his saucepan filled.  He put it on at once with a small piece of
+meat in it, recollecting that salted beef requires a long time to boil,
+and he hoped to have better success in his second attempt at cooking.
+
+He now made a survey of the articles his shipmates had left with him.
+There was enough beef and pork to serve him for many months, but he
+regretted to find that the bread would not last him nearly so long.
+
+"I must try and find some substitute for it," he said, "and economise it
+in the meantime.  I would rather have had much more bread and less meat,
+as I hope to catch some fish and kill some birds.  However, I need not
+go hunting till I have put my home to rights."
+
+Then he thought of his seeds.  He had no spade, however, to dig the
+ground; so going to the wood he shaped one, which he hoped would answer
+the purpose, out of the stem of a small tree.  It did better than
+nothing, but he would have been very glad of an iron spade.  He at once
+began to dig up the ground.  It was covered thickly with grass with long
+roots, but the soil was rather sand than earth.  "I must dig all this
+up," he said, "or they will soon sprout up again, and destroy the seed."
+So he marked out a small plot, carefully throwing the roots and grass
+into a heap.  It then struck him that if they were scattered about on
+the ground in the sun they would more quickly dry, and he might then
+burn them, and the ashes would contribute to fertilise the ground.
+
+He worked away till he felt quite weary.  He then went back to his fire
+to see how the beef was boiling.  As it was not yet done, after resting
+a short time he returned to his digging.  It was a very long operation,
+but after labouring for four or five hours he found that he had dug up
+almost ten square yards of ground.  "It is thoroughly done, though there
+is not much of it, and that's a satisfaction," he said.  He thought,
+however, even when the ashes of the grass were mixed with it, it would
+scarcely be sufficiently fertile for the seeds.  "I will go into the
+woods and collect rotten leaves, and with the ashes of my fire I hope in
+time to make the soil good."  This was a wise thought, but the sun was
+already getting low, and he determined to wait till the next day to do
+so.  "It will be better to have a small piece of good ground than to dig
+up the whole plot, and I will only put in a few seeds at first, to see
+how they answer; so that if some fail, I may try a different way of
+cultivating them.  I shall, at all events, have work enough.  How sad it
+would have been if I had had nothing to do but to sit still and bemoan
+my hard fate.  I may not, after all, find my life so miserable alone as
+I had expected, that's another comfort."
+
+With these reflections he went back to his fire, and now, to his
+satisfaction, he found that his beef was thoroughly boiled.  Ned had
+forgotten to put in any salt or mustard, but as the beef was salt in
+itself, that did not signify.  It reminded him, however, that if he shot
+any birds or caught fish, he should require some.  That made him resolve
+to try and look for it amongst the rocks, or to try and manufacture it
+from salt water, as he had read of being done.  He had been accustomed
+to read a good many books of travels before he came to sea, and he now
+found the advantage of having done so, by being reminded of the various
+ways people, when placed in situations similar to his, had been enabled
+to support existence.  This contributed to keep up his spirits, as it
+made him have no doubts of obtaining food.  His only dread was that he
+might meet with an accident, or might fall ill, when there would be no
+one to help him.
+
+"Well, well, I ought not to trouble myself about that either," he said.
+"I must pray to God to preserve me, and do my best not to run any
+unnecessary risk."
+
+He then recollected the dreadful complaint, the scurvy, which had
+already attacked some of the crew of the _Wolf_.
+
+"That is brought on by people living too exclusively on salt provisions.
+I must try to find some roots or herbs till the seeds come up; and
+then, if they produce vegetables, as I hope they will, I need not be
+anxious about that."
+
+Such were his cogitations during his meal.  Having finished, he hung up
+the remainder of his beef in his tent, to serve as breakfast for the
+next morning, and then went back to the fountain to enjoy a draught of
+pure water.
+
+He felt but little inclined to do any more work, and the sun had not set
+when he recollected that he had not yet read from his Testament.  He
+took it from the pocket of his jacket, which hung up in his tent, and
+sat down to read.  He read on for some time, feeling his spirits greatly
+refreshed, till, by the increasing darkness, he found that the sun had
+gone down, and that it was time to prepare for rest.  Ned had thrown a
+bed into the boat and a blanket.
+
+"Few people left on a desert island as I am have enjoyed so luxurious a
+couch as this is," thought Humphry, as he laid himself down after
+offering up his prayers, as he had been accustomed to do before he came
+to sea.  Since then, shame, and the indifference which arises from it,
+had prevented him ever kneeling in prayer.  He now, left all alone as he
+was, felt that prayer was his greatest comfort; though he had no
+fellow-creature to talk to, he had the privilege of speaking to his
+Maker.  He had not been reading his Testament without gaining
+enlightenment.  He had learned that he must come to God in His appointed
+way--through Jesus Christ; that he had no right to approach Him in any
+other way.
+
+He had scarcely placed his head on the bundle of clothes which he had
+rolled up to make a pillow, and drawn his blanket round him, than he
+fell fast asleep.
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+It seemed but a moment afterwards that Humphry heard some birds
+chirruping, and opening his eyes, he found that it was already daylight.
+He instantly sprang up, recollecting that though the days were long, he
+had plenty of work to do.  He first knelt down and earnestly offered up
+a prayer for protection and guidance.
+
+The water in the bay looked bright and clear.  Throwing off his clothes
+and plunging in, he enjoyed a refreshing swim.  The warm air soon dried
+him, for Ned, as may be supposed, had not thought of providing him with
+towels.  As he sat on a rock for a few moments to rest, he saw a dark
+object floating by in the water, then a triangular fin rose above it,
+and he observed a pair of fierce-looking eyes gazing up at him.  He
+shuddered, for he recognised the sailor's enemy, the shark.  How
+mercifully he had been preserved!  Had he remained in a few minutes
+longer the monster might have seized him.  He must be cautious in future
+how he bathed.  He might find, however, some quiet pool into which no
+shark could enter.
+
+After recovering himself he returned to the camp, and lighted a fire to
+cook his breakfast, which consisted of salt beef and biscuit.  He
+thought he should like some tea.  He searched in his cask of stores, and
+to his satisfaction he discovered a large bagful, and another of cocoa.
+This showed him more than ever how thoughtful his friend had been.  He
+knew, however, that he must husband it carefully.  Having brought water
+from the fountain, he made a little, which he found very refreshing.
+After draining off the liquid he put the leaves carefully by, to serve
+for another time.  With this, and some of the cold beef and biscuit, he
+made a hearty meal.  Then taking his spade in his hand he set to work to
+dig up more ground.  He enriched it also with rotten leaves which he
+collected, and with the ashes of the grass and roots which he dug up and
+burned.
+
+He had already spent nearly two days on the island.  "I shall forget how
+time passes if I don't take some note of it," he thought.  "I must
+follow Robinson Crusoe's plan, and notch a stick."  He at once went and
+cut a long one.  He made a notch to show the day he had landed, and
+another for that which was then passing.  He then smoothed off the end,
+and carved the date--"20th November 1812."  "I will cut a notch every
+morning, directly I am up, and then I shall not run the risk of missing
+a day by forgetting to mark it."
+
+He was surprised to find how soon Sunday came round.  On board the
+_Wolf_ that sacred day had only been observed by the men being allowed
+to mend their clothes; or if they were not so employed, they used to sit
+idly gambling or singing ribald songs.  Humphry had been considering all
+the previous day how he should spend it.  "We are told by God in the
+Bible to do no work, and to make it a day of rest.  I am sure that I
+ought to obey Him, though it may seem important to me to get my house up
+or to dig more ground.  I will therefore obey His commands, and leave
+the rest to Him."
+
+He rose at the usual hour, and went to wash at the waterfall, where he
+found that he could take a shower-bath, which was cooler and more
+refreshing than even a dip in the sea.  He came back to breakfast, and
+then taking out his Testament, read for a long time with deep interest.
+While so employed, it occurred to him that he would learn portions by
+heart.  This amply occupied his mind, and afforded him so much
+satisfaction, that he determined every morning to commit a verse to
+memory that he might think of it while he was at work.  He began at the
+"Sermon on the Mount" on Monday morning, so that by the end of another
+week he had learned six verses.
+
+While waiting for the result of his gardening operations, he began
+putting up his house.  As he had the greater portion of the summer of
+the Southern hemisphere before him, he was in no hurry about this; so
+during a portion of each day he went out with his gun to shoot birds, or
+sat on a rock with a line catching fish.  He never failed to kill as
+many birds as he wanted for food, or to catch as many fish as he could
+eat.  He fitted one of his harpoons, and kept it ready for use in case
+any seals appeared, though he suspected that if they visited the island
+at all, they would not come till the winter season.
+
+He had gone on increasing his garden, and putting in more seeds.
+Greatly to his delight those he first sowed now appeared above ground.
+He watered them regularly, and the plants rapidly increased in size.
+Some were evidently cabbages, while others put forth roots with tubers;
+others, again, greatly resembled spinach.
+
+He had now got up his house, and had dug a garden sufficiently large for
+his wants.  The soil, by being watered every day, became even more
+fertile than he had expected.
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+Several weeks thus passed away before he thought of exploring his
+island.
+
+His stores had during this time visibly diminished.  He therefore saw
+the necessity of laying in a store of food which might serve him when he
+could not obtain it either by his gun or fishing-lines.
+
+During bad weather, when the sea breaking over the reef washed into the
+bay, he was frequently unable to catch fish.  He thought over various
+ways of preserving them.  "I might dry some in the sun, and salt others;
+but I suspect they would keep better and be more palatable if I could
+smoke them."
+
+He found salt in the hollows of the rocks as he had expected, but it
+required much time and labour to collect.  One of his small casks was
+now empty.  A fine day, when the fish bit freely, enabled him to catch a
+large number, and he made his first experiment.  He had already got a
+large pile of salt, though it was somewhat sandy, but he thought that
+would not signify.  He cut off the heads and tails of the fish, then
+rubbed the salt thoroughly into them, and packed them away in layers,
+with salt between each.  It took him three or four days' fishing to fill
+his cask, when all the salt was expended.  He then stowed it away in a
+dry part of his hut, hoping that he had now secured food to last him for
+several weeks.
+
+He next tried drying some in the sun, but did not succeed to his
+satisfaction.  He afterwards, however, built a smoking-house, and cured
+a considerable number in it, though they were less palatable than those
+preserved with salt.
+
+These tasks finished, one day, being prevented from fishing by a gale of
+wind, he set out on his proposed expedition, taking his gun, with some
+provisions in a wallet he had manufactured for the purpose.
+
+He made his way towards the nearest hill, and then struck down a valley
+which led to the sea.  Between it and the bay a high ridge of rocks
+extended, so he continued his course along the shore in an opposite
+direction.  He had not gone far before he came to another ridge which he
+had to surmount, the coast becoming wilder and wilder as he advanced,
+instead of improving, as he had hoped it might do.  At last he reached
+what he took to be the southern end of the island.  Looking back he saw
+the slope of the single high hill which composed its chief feature.  He
+had now great difficulty in proceeding.  The cliffs which faced the sea
+were almost perpendicular, and the rocks over which he climbed were
+extremely rough.  He proceeded cautiously, knowing the fearful position
+in which he would be placed should he meet with an accident.  He saw,
+however, at a little distance off, a number of wild-fowl circling round
+the cliffs.  He was certain that they had come there for the purpose of
+laying their eggs.  Could he reach the spot, he might obtain a pleasant
+addition to his larder.
+
+After great labour he reached the spot, when he found himself among
+hundreds of birds, many of them already sitting.  They screeched and
+quacked and scolded, pecking at his legs as he got among them.  Without
+ceremony he quickly filled his wallet with eggs.
+
+"This will serve me as a poultry-yard for a long time to come," he
+thought.  "I will not kill any of the old birds, but will wait till the
+young ones are hatched, as they are likely to be more palatable than
+their parents.  In the meantime, I will supply myself with eggs."
+
+It was now time for him to commence his return home.  He felt very tired
+when he reached his hut, for he had not taken so long a walk since
+landing on the island.  To preserve his eggs, he covered them over with
+the grease which remained in the pot after he had boiled his pork, and
+then packed them away in cool, dry sand.
+
+Every day he had reason to be thankful that he had read so much, for
+recollecting the various methods by which others had supported
+themselves, he was able to supply himself with food.
+
+His garden yielded him a daily meal of either sweet potatoes, yams,
+cabbages, or other vegetables.  He now caught more fish than at first,
+and also from his poultry-yard obtained a good supply of young fowls.
+
+His shoes were wearing out, and he was desirous of catching some seals,
+from the skins of which he might manufacture others to supply their
+place.  At last he saw several sporting in the bay.  He at once got his
+harpoon ready, and took post on a rock, expecting that one would before
+long approach him.  He was not disappointed Darting his weapon, he
+struck the animal, which swam off, dragging out the line at a rapid
+rate.  He found that he had made a mistake, and was nearly losing his
+line and harpoon as well as the seal.  Fortunately, just as it neared
+the end, he got a turn round a projecting piece of rock.  The poor seal
+plunged and tumbled, and swam back to the rock to ascertain, it seemed,
+what had hurt it.  He drew in the slack, and was thus able to secure it
+more completely.  After a time its struggles ceased, and he dragged it
+to the beach.  He here took off the skin, with which he hoped to make
+several pairs of shoes, while the flesh supplied him with a dinner of
+fresh meat for a couple of days; the other portions he salted, in store
+for future use.  Stretching the hide on the ground, he dressed it with a
+ley formed by mixing the ashes of his fire with water.  This he found
+would not answer completely, and after searching in the forest he
+discovered some bark which formed a strong tan.
+
+The seals now came on shore in large numbers.  Recollecting that their
+skins would be of value should a ship come to the island, he determined
+to capture as many as he could.  Arming himself with a thick club, he
+attacked them when asleep on the beach, and every day succeeded in
+knocking over a considerable number.  This gave him abundant occupation;
+and continuing his experiments he succeeded in perfectly preserving the
+skins.  When at length the creatures took their departure, his hut was
+nearly filled with the result of his industry.
+
+Day after day went rapidly by, and had he not been careful in notching
+his stick, he would soon have lost all count of time.
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+Three years had passed away since Humphry landed on the island.  He was
+startled one calm day, when fishing from a rock in the bay as he caught
+sight of his own countenance in the water, to observe how changed he had
+become.  Instead of the laughing, careless, broadly-built boy with the
+ruddy face, which he once was, he had grown into a tall, thin young man,
+with a sunburnt countenance, its expression grave and thoughtful.  He
+was not melancholy, however, nor did he ever feel out of spirits; but he
+had of course been thrown back on himself, while his mind was constantly
+occupied.  He had but one book to read, but that book, above all price,
+had given him ample subjects for reflection.  "What should I have done
+without this?" he often said to himself, as he opened the book with a
+prayer that what he was about to read might enlighten his mind.
+
+"I have heard people talk of reading their Bibles, but though I have
+read nothing but my Testament for three years, I every day find
+something fresh and interesting in it."
+
+He had often made excursions to the top of the hill, whence he could
+obtain a view over the surrounding ocean.
+
+It had been raining heavily during the previous day.  No seals were to
+be caught on shore, nor fish in the water.  Taking his gun, he set off,
+intending to go over the hill to get a shot at some wild-fowl.  The wind
+had greatly increased; and wishing to obtain a view of the ocean with
+its huge foam-covered billows rolling around, he climbed to the top of
+the hill.  As he reached it, his eye fell on a ship driving before the
+gale towards the rocky shore.  Two of her masts were gone; the third
+fell while he was looking at her.  Nothing could now save her from
+destruction, for even should her anchors be let go, they were not likely
+to hold for a moment.  He considered whether he could render any
+assistance to the unhappy people on board.  Too truly he feared that he
+could be of no use.  Still he would do his best.  Hurrying home, he
+procured the only rope he possessed, and a spar, and with these on his
+shoulder he hastened towards the spot at which, considering the
+direction the ship was driving, he thought she would strike the shore.
+He had scarcely reached it when he saw the ship driving on towards him
+on a mountain sea.  The next instant down she came, crashing on a reef
+of rocks far away from where he stood, the foaming sea dashing over her.
+Several poor wretches were carried off the deck, now driven towards
+him, but directly afterwards carried back by the retiring surf.  He
+could distinguish but one alone still clinging to a portion of the
+wreck, all the others had in a few minutes disappeared.  As long as that
+man remained, he could not tear himself from the spot.
+
+Several hours passed by; still the man clung on, having secured himself
+apparently by a lashing.  The storm seemed to be abating.  Humphry took
+off his shirt, and fastening it to the end of a spar, waved it, to show
+the shipwrecked seaman that help was at hand if he could reach the
+shore.  It was observed at length.  The man, casting off the lashings,
+lowered himself into the water, and struck out for land.  Humphry
+prepared his rope.  Fixing the spar deep in the sand, and securing one
+end of the rope to it, he stood ready to plunge in, with the other end
+round his waist, to drag the man on shore should he get within his
+reach.  How anxiously he watched!  Nearer and nearer the man came.  Now
+he was seen floating on his back, now he struck out again.  A sea
+rolling in bore him on, but as it receded it threatened to carry him off
+once more.  Now was the moment.  Humphry dashed into the surf.  The
+man's strength had almost failed when Humphry grasped him, and hauling
+himself up by the rope dragged the man out of the surf, sinking down
+exhausted by his side the instant he was out of its reach.
+
+Humphry was the first to recover.
+
+"If you are strong enough to accompany me to the other side of the
+island, friend, where I have my home, we will set off at once; but if
+not, I will go back and get some food for you," he said.
+
+"I shall soon be better," answered the man.  "I think I could walk.
+Have you a companion with you?"
+
+"No," answered Humphry, surprised at the question; "I am all alone."
+
+"That's strange!  What, isn't there a young lad somewhere about the
+island?"
+
+"No," said Humphry.  "I have been here three years and have seen no
+human being."
+
+The man gazed into his countenance with a look of astonishment.
+
+"What is your name, then?" he asked.
+
+Humphry mentioned it.
+
+"You Mr Gurton!" he cried, pressing his hand.  "I suppose it must be;
+and don't you know me?"
+
+Humphry looked into the man's face.  It was covered with a thick beard,
+and his tangled hair hung over his shoulders.
+
+"You must be Ned Hadow; yet I should not have known you more than you
+know me.  I am indeed thankful that you have been saved.  But where have
+you been all the time?"
+
+"Greater part of it living on shore," answered Ned.  "After we landed
+you, we took three or four prizes; but not being able to navigate the
+ship, we put into a convenient harbour in an island inhabited by
+savages.  There we remained, living among them much as they did.
+Several of our men were killed; and at last, finding that the savages
+intended to cut us all off, we put to sea again.  We had been knocking
+about for some time, and used up all our provisions, when we fell in
+with the gale which drove the ship on yonder rocks."
+
+Ned insisted that he could walk across the island, and with Humphry's
+help he was able to accomplish the journey, though nearly exhausted at
+the end of it.  Humphry then made him lie down in his bed, while he
+prepared some soup and other food.
+
+Next day Ned somewhat recovered; and in the course of a week, owing to
+Humphry's constant attention, he looked more like his former self.
+
+"It's very dreadful to think that all the others have perished, but I am
+truly thankful that you have been sent to be my companion," said
+Humphry.  "You little thought when you acted so kindly towards me by
+saving my life, and getting me put on shore here, that I should ever in
+any way be able to repay you."
+
+"I did not, Mr Gurton; but I feel that I am such a worthless fellow that
+my life was not worth preserving."
+
+"We are all worthless, Ned: that's what the book I read every day tells
+me, and I am convinced of it when I look into my own heart, and know how
+people in the world are generally acting."
+
+"What! have you got that book still, Mr Gurton?" asked Ned.
+
+"Yes, indeed I have, and I shall be glad to read it to you, Ned," said
+Humphry.
+
+"I shall like to hear it, sir, for I have not heard anything like a good
+word since you used to read it to me when I was sick.  I had almost
+forgotten there is a God in heaven.  I remembered that, however, when I
+was clinging to the wreck, and expecting every moment to be in His
+presence."
+
+"It's the best thing to read God's Word, and to be guided by it, when we
+expect to live.  I hope you may be spared many years, even though we
+never get away from this island, and that book will serve us better than
+any other companion who could join us."
+
+Humphry, instead now of reading his Testament to himself, read it daily
+to Ned, and even while they were at work he used to repeat portions he
+had learned by heart.
+
+Though Ned could not read, he gained in time a good knowledge of the
+book, and his dark soul by degrees becoming enlightened, he understood
+clearly at length God's plan of salvation, and cheerfully accepted it.
+
+"You see, Ned, all things are ordered for the best," said Humphry one
+day, "and you must be convinced that God loves us, however little we may
+have loved Him.  If I had remained on board the privateer, I should have
+become, as I was fast doing, like the rest of the unhappy crew.  Though
+I thought it very dreadful to be left all alone on the island, I now
+feel that it has been the greatest blessing to me.  God in His mercy
+also saved you, though you would have preferred remaining among the
+savages.  Now you are happy in knowing the glorious truth that the blood
+of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin; and though we may both of us
+wish to be once more among our fellow-men, we can live contentedly here
+till He thinks fit to call us out of this life."
+
+"I hope He may take me before any ship comes to the island, for if I
+once fell among the sort of men I have lived with all my life, I should
+soon again be as bad as they are," said Ned with a sigh.
+
+"Not if you sought help and protection from God's Holy Spirit," answered
+Humphry, "and prayed that He would keep you out of temptation."
+
+Ned was surprised to find how much Humphry had done during the time he
+had been alone on the island.  He assisted him in all his undertakings,
+and they together caught enough seals to fill another large storehouse.
+
+At last, after two years had thus passed away, Ned, who had been fishing
+down the harbour, came hurrying back.  His countenance was grave, and he
+looked much agitated.
+
+"I have been watching a vessel standing in for the island.  She has hove
+to, and is sending a boat on shore.  The time has come, Mr Gurton, when
+we must part.  I dare not go back into the world, and have made up my
+mind to remain here.  You are young, and have many years before you, and
+I would advise you to go, and all I ask is that you will think of me and
+pray for me."
+
+This announcement made Humphry even more agitated than Ned.  He hurried
+to the spot where the boat could be seen.
+
+She made her way up the harbour.  Humphry and his companion went down to
+meet her.  An officer-like looking man stepped on shore, accompanied by
+another in dark clothes.  They seemed much surprised at seeing Humphry
+and Ned.
+
+"What! are you Englishmen?" asked one of the strangers.  "We only
+discovered the island this morning, and had no expectation of finding it
+inhabited."
+
+Humphry explained that they were the only inhabitants; that he had been
+left there some years before, and, pointing to Ned, said, "This man was
+afterwards wrecked on the coast, and he alone was saved from his ship."
+
+"I am Captain Summers of the _Hope_, now lying in the offing.  This
+gentleman is the Reverend Mr Evans, a missionary, whom I am conveying to
+an island where he is about to settle.  What is your name?" asked the
+officer.
+
+Humphry told him.
+
+"And my name is Tom Martin," said Ned coming forward, greatly to
+Humphry's surprise.
+
+"Well, my friends, it seems but a barren island.  I wonder how you have
+managed to live here so long."
+
+Humphry briefly explained the various means by which he had procured
+food, and leading the way to the garden, showed them the perfect
+cultivation into which it had been brought.  He then invited Captain
+Summers and Mr Evans into his hut.  His Testament lay open on the table.
+The latter took it up, observing--
+
+"I am glad to see, my young friend, that you have not been deprived of
+God's Word during your long stay here."
+
+"It has indeed been my great solace and delight," answered Humphry.
+"Without it I should have been miserable."
+
+"Well, my friends, I shall be most happy to receive you both on board my
+ship; and as I hope to sail for England in the course of a few months,
+you will then be able to return home."
+
+Humphry thanked the captain for his offer, which he gladly accepted.
+Ned looked very grave.
+
+"I am much obliged to you, sir," he said, "and though I shall be sorry
+to part from Mr Gurton, I am very sure that I had better stay where I am
+till God thinks fit to call me from this world.  I have lived too long
+among savages, and worse than savages, to go back again and live with
+civilised people.  If Mr Gurton will leave me his Testament, which he
+has taught me to read, and his gun and harpoons, it's all I ask."
+
+"No, my friend," observed Mr Evans, "man is not made to live alone.  If,
+as I hope from what you say, you have learned to love Jesus Christ, you
+should try to serve Him, and endeavour to do good among your
+fellow-creatures.  Now, as I am going to settle in an island inhabited
+by savages, I shall be very glad of your assistance, and if you already
+understand their language, which I have to learn, you may speak to them,
+and tell them of Him who died for them, that they may be reconciled to
+Him.  You will thus be showing your love for Him far more than by living
+a life of solitude, even although you spend your days in reading His
+Word.  Remember it is not only those who hear the Word of God, but those
+who hear and do it, who are His disciples."
+
+"You are right, sir," exclaimed Ned, brightening up.  "My only fear if I
+left this was to find myself among those who would lead me back into bad
+ways, but I will gladly go with you--that I will, sir."
+
+As the captain was anxious to see the island, Humphry undertook to guide
+him and Mr Evans to the top of the hill, whence they could obtain a view
+over the whole of it.  Before setting out, Humphry showed them the store
+of seal-skins.
+
+"I shall be sorry to leave these behind," he observed, "and if you can
+receive them on board, they will assist to pay my passage."
+
+"As to that, my friend," answered the captain, "I will very gladly send
+my boats to take them off, and you shall pay freight for them; but you,
+I am very sure, will be able to work your passage, and I hope you will
+find they will sell for some hundred pounds in England."
+
+"Part of them belong to my companion," observed Humphry.
+
+"No, no, Mr Gurton," said Ned.  "They are all yours.  Not a shilling of
+their value will I touch, except enough to give me a new rig-out, as I
+am not fit to accompany Mr Evans in these tattered old clothes of mine."
+
+"Set your mind at rest about that," said the captain.  "You shall be
+welcome to a thorough fit out, suitable for the task you are about to
+undertake, and your friend Mr Gurton will require the money more than
+you will."
+
+Captain Summers, according to his promise, loaded his own boat with
+seal-skins, and sent her off to the ship with orders for the long-boat
+to come ashore and carry off the remainder.  Meantime he and Mr Evans
+paid their intended visit to the hill-top.
+
+On their return Humphry took the first opportunity of drawing Ned aside,
+and asking why he had not given his right name.
+
+"I did give my right name, Mr Gurton," he answered.  "Ned Hadow was
+merely a purser's name which I took when I entered on board the _Wolf_,
+because you see, sir, I had run from a man-of-war.  Now I know better, I
+would only tell the truth; and so, please, call me Tom Martin in future,
+and I am ready to stand the consequences."
+
+Humphry and his companion were kindly received on board the _Hope_, when
+the good captain supplied them with new suits of clothes, which they
+indeed much required.
+
+The _Hope_ continued her voyage.
+
+How different was the life led on board her to that on board the _Wolf_!
+Captain Summers and his officers were Christian men.  The crew were
+kindly treated; not an oath escaped the lips of any of the men, while
+all did their duty with cheerfulness and alacrity.
+
+The voyage was prosperous.  At the end of three weeks the _Hope_ dropped
+her anchor in the harbour of a fine island where Mr Evans was to remain.
+
+A native missionary, who had been sent there a year before, came off to
+receive him, and brought him the satisfactory intelligence that a large
+number of the natives were anxiously looking out for his arrival.
+
+Some days were spent in landing his property, and assisting him in
+putting up his house, while an abundance of fresh provisions was brought
+off by the natives to the ship.
+
+Humphry parted from his old friend with the less regret from feeling
+sure that he would be well occupied, and free from the temptations he
+dreaded.
+
+"We shall meet again, I trust, as Captain Summers has offered me a berth
+as third mate of the _Hope_ on her next voyage, which he expects to make
+to these seas," said Humphry, as he bade him farewell.
+
+"If we don't meet here, we shall in another world, sir.  And bless you,
+Mr Gurton, for pointing out to me the way to it," said Tom, as he wrung
+Humphry's hand, and tears burst from his eyes.
+
+The _Hope_ had a prosperous voyage home, during which Humphry did his
+utmost to fit himself for the duty he was to undertake.  He had no ties
+in England, so he gladly again sailed in the _Hope_.  Captain Summers
+having sold the seal-skins for a good price, judiciously invested the
+proceeds for him.
+
+Humphry had the satisfaction of meeting his old friend Ned, or rather Mr
+Martin, as he was now called, and of finding that he had been of the
+greatest service to Mr Evans.  He never returned to England, but died at
+his post, labouring to the last in spreading the gospel among the
+natives.
+
+Humphry won the regard of Captain Summers by his steadiness and good
+conduct, and at the end of his third voyage he married his daughter, and
+soon afterwards obtained the command of a ship.  When at length he was
+able to quit the sea and live on shore, he often used to relate to his
+children, among his many adventures, how he spent five years of his life
+alone on an island.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The End.
+
+BOOK III--THE BROTHERS; A TALE OF THREE LIVES.
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+Many years ago, while King George the Third sat on the tranquil throne
+of England, and before the First Napoleon became Emperor of France,
+Gilbert Maitland, the youngest of Farmer Maitland's three sons, was one
+autumn evening, mounted on his shaggy pony, riding through the New
+Forest.  He had set out from the town of Christchurch to return to his
+father's house, which was situated between it and Lymington.  The
+shadows of the trees grew longer and longer, till they disappeared
+altogether in the general gloom, as the sun sank, into the
+leaden-coloured foam-topped waves of the English Channel, which could
+here and there be seen from the higher ground through the openings of
+the trees on his right.  The wind howled and whistled, and the dry
+leaves and twigs, blown off by the south-westerly gale, came flying by
+even faster than he galloped, while the clouds gathering thickly
+overhead increased the darkness.
+
+Gilbert was not altogether comfortable in his mind.  He had gone,
+contrary to his father's wish, to pay a visit to Dick Hockley, whose
+acquaintance he had formed while at school at Christchurch, and whom Mr
+Maitland considered an unfit companion for one of his boys.  Mr Hockley
+held a small farm, and though it was badly cultivated, he had become
+wealthy, and had built a good house, and rode a fine horse, and lived in
+a style much above his position.  He was, indeed, more than suspected of
+being connected with one of the many gangs of daring smugglers who at
+that time carried on their illicit traffic on the coast of Hampshire and
+Dorsetshire.  Dick, a bold, rough fellow, two or three years older than
+Gilbert, boasted openly that he had already engaged in several smuggling
+enterprises.
+
+Gilbert was fascinated by the accounts his acquaintance gave him of the
+risks he had run, the excitement of being chased, and the triumphant
+satisfaction of landing a valuable cargo, and conveying it, escorted by
+a large body of armed men, under the very noses of the Revenue officers,
+into the interior.  Gilbert's great ambition was to join in one of these
+expeditions; whenever he could get an opportunity, he rode over to see
+his friend, and to listen to his long yams.
+
+His father had at first cautioned him against any intimacy with a person
+of so doubtful a character as young Hockley, and then, finding that his
+warnings were of no avail, had positively prohibited Gilbert from
+associating with him.
+
+He had grumbled greatly at this, when one day, Mr Maitland being away
+from home, in the hearing of his sister Mary and his two elder brothers
+Hugh and Arthur, he declared that he would go, notwithstanding what his
+father said.
+
+"Dick is an honest fellow, and he has asked me to come, and I don't see
+why father has a right to stop me," he exclaimed.
+
+"Father has forbid you to go, as he does not approve of young Hockley,
+and at all events it is your duty to obey him," said Mary.  "Pray,
+Gilbert, do not go; it will vex father so much."
+
+"I will tell you what, Gilbert," exclaimed Hugh, "if you are going to
+play any tricks of the sort, I will lash your hands behind you, and shut
+you up in your room till father comes back.  I am the eldest, and it is
+my business to keep order while he is away."
+
+"You had better not try to lay hands on me, or it will be the worse for
+you," exclaimed Gilbert, dashing out of the room.
+
+"I don't think he will dare to go," said Hugh, resuming his studies,
+which had thus been interrupted.
+
+Arthur, who was also sitting with his books before him, had not spoken.
+
+They were both reading hard.  Hugh had sometime before left school with
+great credit, having gained numerous prizes, and an exhibition which
+would enable him at his own earnest desire to go to college, where he
+hoped that with the talents he was supposed to possess he should make
+his way to a good position in life.  He had a fine constitution, was
+strongly built, and neither study nor bodily exercise ever seemed to
+fatigue him; so that with the resolution and clear intellect he
+possessed, he had every prospect of succeeding.
+
+Arthur, though studious, was delicate, and had been kept back somewhat
+by ill health.  Neither of them had any taste for farming pursuits, and
+their father, who was proud of their talents, was anxious, as far as he
+was able, to give them the means of following the course in life they
+had marked out for themselves.  He and his ancestors, sturdy yeomen of
+the upper class, the pith and marrow of the English population, for many
+generations had held the farm he occupied; and as he wished it to
+continue in his family, he had determined that his younger son Gilbert
+should become a farmer.  Gilbert was what is often called a
+fine-spirited lad, but unfortunately he had been allowed to have his own
+way, and in consequence, frequently exhibited a determination not to
+submit to control.  He had also never known a mother's tender and
+watchful care, for Mr Maitland had been deprived of his wife soon after
+Gilbert's birth, and perhaps this circumstance may have prevented him
+from restraining the child's temper, or punishing him when guilty of
+faults, as strictly as his better judgment would have prompted him to
+do.
+
+Mr Maitland, an upright man, proud of his old family, and satisfied with
+his position, did not wish to rise out of it, though he was ready to
+allow his sons to run forward as far as they could in the race of life.
+He held the laws in respect, and, an exception to many around him, was
+strongly opposed to the smugglers and their illicit traffic.  He would
+never allow them to deposit any of their goods on his property, and the
+active part he took in assisting the Revenue officers gained him much
+ill-will from the contraband traders.
+
+Gilbert had scarcely left the room when Arthur got up, saying in his
+gentle way--
+
+"I will try and persuade him to obey father, and not to go off to
+Christchurch.  If he wants a ride, I will accompany him to Lymington,
+where there is to be a review of the Foreign Legion; or if he has a
+fancy for fishing, we will take our rods, and try and get some tench for
+father's supper."
+
+"Oh, do get him to do that!" said Mary.  "Father likes them better than
+anything else, and I will try and cook them nicely for him."
+
+Arthur, leaving his darling books, hastened out after Gilbert.  Mary
+hoped he might find him, and prevent him committing the act of
+disobedience he threatened.  She loved all her brothers, and the two
+elder treated her with tenderness and respect.  She was a kind-hearted,
+good-tempered, and intelligent girl, in every way worthy of their love,
+and possessed of a considerable amount of beauty.  She came next to Hugh
+in age, but she and Arthur were more generally companions, as they
+agreed in most of their tastes.  Hugh was already a young man, and
+though he had no objection to a gallop through the forest, he devoted
+the greater part of his time, even when at home, to study.  He had
+determined to make his way in the world, and he knew that only by steady
+application could he hope to do so.
+
+Mary now sat at the window, busily plying her needle, and refraining
+from speaking lest she might interrupt him, though she wanted to talk to
+him about Gilbert, whose general conduct had of late given her great
+anxiety.  She could not help thinking that it would be better if he were
+to be sent to a distance, and thus be separated from his present
+companions.  Neither she nor Arthur liked to tell their father what they
+knew about him, but she thought that Hugh might do so, and might suggest
+the plan which had occurred to her.
+
+Arthur, after some time, came back.  He had searched everywhere for
+Gilbert, but had been unable to find him, his saddle was not in the
+harness-room, nor his pony in the stable; it was evident that he had
+ridden off somewhere.
+
+In the evening Mr Maitland came back, and inquired for Gilbert.  His
+other children were unwilling to say that they feared he had gone to
+Christchurch, for they hoped he might have taken a ride in some other
+direction.  Night came on, and still he did not appear.  Mr Maitland
+inquired whether any of them could tell where Gilbert had gone.  At last
+Mary confessed that he had said he should ride over to see Dick Hockley;
+but that she hoped, from her and his brothers' remonstrances, that he
+would have refrained from doing so.
+
+Hour after hour passed away, and Mr Maitland, at first angry, became
+anxious about him.  The night was too dark to permit of any one going
+out to search for him; indeed, as there were numerous ways through the
+forest by which he could come, he might be easily missed.  Midnight
+arrived, and he was still absent Mr Maitland now became seriously
+alarmed, and he, with Hugh and Arthur, went out in different directions
+from the house, listening anxiously, in the hopes of hearing the sound
+of his pony's footsteps, but the roaring and whistling of the wind in
+the trees drowned all other noises.  At length they re-entered the
+house, Mr Maitland sent the rest of the family to bed, but sat up
+himself watching for Gilbert's return.
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+Gilbert knew his way, and that he could trust his little forest-bred
+pony to carry him safe home; so he gave it the rein, and let it gallop
+along the open glade, though the gloom was often so dense that he could
+not see a yard beyond the animal's head.  He had got some distance, and
+had just crossed another road, when he heard the sound of horses' hoofs
+behind him.  There were several.  They came on at a rapid rate.  Who the
+horsemen were he could not tell.  The sounds increased.  He put his
+little forester at its swiftest gallop, but his pursuers were soon at
+his heels, and a stentorian voice shouted to him to stop, with the
+threat of a pistol-bullet through his head.  He pulled up, feeling that
+all hopes of escape were vain.
+
+"Who are you? what are you after here?" shouted the same voice, and two
+men galloping up seized his rein.  "What business takes you out at this
+time of night, youngster?" asked one of the men.
+
+"I am going home," answered Gilbert.
+
+"Where is your home?" said one of the men, drawing a pistol from his
+belt; "answer truly, or I will send a bullet through you!"
+
+"I am going to the house of Mr Maitland, my father," answered Gilbert,
+more frightened than he had ever before been in his life.
+
+"Mr Maitland! you will not go there to-night!" exclaimed the man, with a
+loud curse.  "Why, he is the fellow who before brought the soldiers down
+upon us, and this youngster has been sent out to learn where we are
+going, and will be setting the dragoons from Lymington on our heels.  If
+Mr Maitland ever falls into our hands, he will find we have a heavy
+score to settle with him."
+
+These remarks were interlarded with numerous fierce oaths, which need
+not be repeated.
+
+The men now turning round the pony's head, led Gilbert back, swearing at
+him in a way which made his blood curdle, and fancy that they intended
+to shoot him or knock his brains out.
+
+They had not got far when Gilbert saw a long line of horsemen riding two
+and two, in close order, crossing the road.  They appeared to have heavy
+packages on their saddles, and were armed with blunderbusses and swords.
+Gilbert's conductors seemed to be watching for some one to come up.
+After the horsemen came a line of waggons, with an armed man sitting in
+front of each and another behind, while a horseman rode on either side.
+There seemed to be no end of them, one following close upon the other.
+Gilbert counted a hundred or more.  At last another band of horsemen
+appeared.  One of Gilbert's captors called to a man riding among them
+whom he addressed as "Captain," and told him of the way they had found
+Gilbert, and their suspicions.
+
+"Bring him along with you," was the answer, "we will have a talk by and
+by with him."
+
+Gilbert's captors joined the ranks, and the party of smugglers continued
+to make their way by unfrequented paths through the forest.  He now
+recollected hearing that a strong force of military had been sent down
+to Lymington to assist the Revenue officers, and every moment he
+expected to see the smugglers attacked.  They, however, seemed to have
+no dread of being interfered with, but rode on, laughing and joking with
+the utmost indifference.  From the remarks Gilbert overheard, he found
+that they had taken good care to mislead the military, who were waiting
+far behind them, near the coast, under the belief that the intended run
+of contraband goods had not yet been landed.  At length the smugglers
+reached a spot where their large band was to break up into separate
+parties who were to branch off in various directions, some with silks
+and ribbons to go even as far as London, others to different towns,
+while a portion of the goods were to be stored in hiding-places in the
+forest.  A large party of mounted men still remained after the waggons
+had gone off.  Among them were those who had seized Gilbert.
+
+"Well, Captain, what shall we do with this young viper; he is a son of
+old Maitland's, and there is no doubt has been after mischief."
+
+"Do?" answered the person addressed, a big dark-bearded man, clothed
+like his companions in rough seafaring costume.  "The easiest way would
+be to leave him here to frighten the crows," and he looked up at the
+overhanging branch of a tree.
+
+Gilbert felt ready to drop from his pony with terror.
+
+"Oh, don't, don't hang me!" he cried out; "I did not want to do you any
+harm.  If you will let me go, I will not say a word about what I have
+seen."
+
+"Very likely?" growled the Captain, "but you knew that a cargo was to be
+run, and were galloping off to bring the dragoons down on us."
+
+"I knew that a cargo was to be run, because Dick Hockley told me so; but
+I was not going to fetch the dragoons, for I did not even know where
+they were."
+
+"A very likely story; and if Dick Hockley has been chattering to you, he
+will have to answer for it," observed the Captain.  "However, bring the
+lad along.  We will hear what Master Dick has to say for himself."
+
+The troop, with Gilbert in their midst, now rode back by the way they
+had come towards the coast.
+
+Gilbert supposed that they were about three miles from Christchurch,
+when, turning to the left, they came in sight of one of the numerous
+small farms which existed in those days in the forest, consisting of
+several straw-thatched mud buildings.  Here he was told to tumble off
+his pony, which was led away, while he was conducted into a small inner
+room in the cottage.  The window, high up near the roof, was closed by a
+shutter from the outside.  The only furniture was a truckle-bed and a
+stool.  The cottage apparently belonged to one of the men who had
+captured him, for Gilbert heard him inviting the rest to partake of the
+provisions he placed before them.  They were all engaged in eating and
+drinking and talking loudly for some time.  He heard the Captain at last
+say--
+
+"We will now go and hear what account Master Dick has to give us about
+this youngster, and if he has been trying to play us a trick, he must be
+shipped off out of the way."
+
+Gilbert could not tell whether the smuggler referred to Dick or to
+himself, though as it was very evident they would not scruple to use
+violence if they thought it necessary for their own safety, he felt very
+uncomfortable.
+
+At last, from the sounds he had heard, he supposed that most of the men
+had mounted their horses and ridden off.  Feeling tired, he groped his
+way to the bed, on which he threw himself, and in spite of his anxiety,
+was soon asleep.
+
+He was awakened by the entrance of his host, bringing him some bread and
+cheese, and a jug of milk.
+
+"There," he said, "you must be hungry by this time, youngster.  It's
+more than you deserve, though."
+
+"How long am I to be kept here?" asked Gilbert.
+
+"I again tell you I did not want to do any one harm; on the contrary, I
+think you smugglers very fine fellows."
+
+The man laughed.
+
+"It does not matter what you think; if Dick cannot give a good account
+of you, you will be sent across the seas, that I can tell you."
+
+Saying this, the man left the room.  Gilbert was very hungry, so he ate
+the bread and cheese, and drank up the milk.  By the light which came
+through a small chink in the shutter and under the door he saw that it
+was daytime; but hour after hour passed on, and he was still a prisoner.
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+Mr Maitland became seriously anxious when morning dawned and Gilbert did
+not return.  Calling up Hugh and Arthur, he told them to mount their
+ponies, and ride in the direction Gilbert was most likely to have taken;
+and as soon as the farm servants arrived, he sent them out to search the
+forest far and near.  He himself, after consulting Mary, mounted his
+horse, and rode off to Christchurch, to ascertain from Dick Hockley
+whether Gilbert had paid him a visit.
+
+He found the young man lolling over a gate smoking.
+
+"Your son, Mr Maitland? what, has not he got home?" he exclaimed in
+unfeigned surprise.  "Yes, he paid me a visit yesterday.  He is an old
+schoolfellow, you know, and I am always happy to see him.  He and I are
+very good friends, and there is no reason we should not be that I know
+of."
+
+"That is not to the point," said Mr Maitland, sternly.  "You acknowledge
+that he paid you a visit.  I wish to know when he left you."
+
+"Somewhere about five o'clock, as far as I recollect," answered young
+Hockley; "and as he was as sober as a judge, I should think his forester
+ought to have carried him home in a couple of hours at the outside."
+
+Mr Maitland continued to cross-question Dick.
+
+"I tell you he left me at five o'clock, and I know nothing more about
+him," was the only answer he could obtain.  Mr Maitland was at length
+convinced that young Hockley knew nothing more than he said about his
+son.  He made inquiries in the neighbourhood, and ascertained from two
+or three people that they had seen a lad resembling Gilbert in
+appearance riding towards the forest.  He gained, however, a piece of
+information; it was that a large cargo of goods had been run that
+evening from the well-known lugger, the _Saucy Sally_, and had been
+conveyed with a strong escort inland, under the command of her daring
+captain, Slippery Rogers, who was so called from the way in which he
+managed on all occasions to elude the Revenue cruisers afloat, and the
+Government officers and soldiers sent in pursuit of him on shore.
+
+"It's lucky you did not fall in with them, Mr Maitland," observed his
+informant.  "They have vowed vengeance against you; and it would fare
+ill with you if they were to get you into their power."
+
+"I am not afraid of them, or any ruffians like them!" said Mr Maitland.
+"I shall do what I consider right; and try to rid the country of such
+pests as these outlaws have long been to it.  It is a disgrace to those
+who should know better, and who yet encourage them by buying their
+goods, and refusing to give evidence when they are caught.  They not
+only deprive the king of his just dues, but injure legitimate trade, and
+encourage a general lawlessness among the whole population of the coast.
+However, I must hasten off, and try and find out what has become of my
+poor boy."
+
+On making further inquiries, Mr Maitland ascertained the route the
+smugglers had taken, and became convinced that Gilbert must have crossed
+their path, and probably fallen into their hands.  He accordingly called
+on the two neighbouring magistrates, and deposed, to his belief, that
+violence had been offered to his son by the smugglers.  He gave
+information also to the Revenue officers, who promised all the
+assistance they could afford.
+
+Having done all he could, hoping that Gilbert might in the meantime have
+arrived there, he set off home.  Mary met him at the gate.  Gilbert had
+not been seen.  Hugh and Arthur had come back, and had gone out again to
+renew the search.  The whole day was spent in searching for the missing
+one, but no trace of him could be discovered.
+
+Day after day passed by, and Mr Maitland could gain no tidings of the
+son, who, notwithstanding his disobedience, he loved truly, as the last
+gift of his affectionate wife.
+
+Many weeks afterwards Gilbert's pony was found in the neighbourhood of
+the farm with its saddle on its back.
+
+Arthur, from overstudy, it was supposed, fell ill, and his life was
+despaired of.  Poor Mr Maitland feared he should lose him also.  He had
+not unhappily the consolation of true religion.  He was a just and
+upright man in his own sight, and in that of his neighbours, and fully
+believed that he deserved the favours of God on earth, and merited
+heaven when he should be called hence.  When the time of trial came,
+there was something wanting.  He could not look up to God as his loving,
+tender Father, and go confidently to Him in prayer for support, or say
+truly, "Thy will be done."
+
+Hugh had gone to college, where from the first he exhibited the talents
+which had gained him credit during his school career, and his tutor
+wrote word that he was among the most promising young men in the
+University.  He avoided all unnecessary expenses, and being of a
+thoroughly independent spirit, kept aloof from those who would have
+drawn him away from his studies.  His aims were, however, worldly; the
+human intellect he held in the highest estimation, and was satisfied
+that by his unaided efforts he could do as he desired.  He was sober,
+moral, and economical, because he was convinced that should he be
+otherwise he would injure his prospects.  Hugh Maitland was therefore
+looked upon as an excellent young man, and perhaps few were more
+convinced that such was the case than himself.  He wrote home deeply
+regretting Arthur's illness, hoping that the doctor's skill and Mary's
+watchful care would bring him round, and sympathising with his father in
+his grief that no tidings had been received of Gilbert.
+
+"I am still convinced, however," he observed, "that had he met with foul
+play, or by any accident lost his life, his body would have been found,
+and I have hopes that he will still turn up.  Perhaps, as he had been
+reading Robinson Crusoe, he may have taken it into his wise head to run
+off to sea, though I should have supposed that he would have sent a line
+to inform us of his romantic proceeding.  Tell Arthur to keep up his
+spirits, and not to say die."
+
+Mary watched over Arthur with the most loving care, and through God's
+mercy he gradually recovered his strength, and was able to resume his
+studies.  The doctor warned him, however, that he must not slick to them
+too closely, and advised him to take constant rides with his sister, and
+be in the open air as much as possible.
+
+"If you will be guided by me, my young friend, you will give up your
+intention of going to college, and assist your father on his farm," he
+observed.  "You will find it a more healthy life than the one you
+propose, and probably get as strong as you can wish."  Arthur began to
+consider whether it was not his duty to follow the doctor's advice.
+Mary hoped that he would do so, as he would then live at home with her.
+Mr Maitland promised every encouragement, remarking--
+
+"Now I have lost poor Gilbert, there is no one else to keep on the farm
+when I am gone, or to afford a home to Mary."
+
+This latter argument weighed greatly with Arthur.  He had had indeed no
+definite aim in his wish to go to college; he might perhaps become a
+master in a school, or take pupils at the university, or should he get a
+fellowship, obtain a living, but he had never thought even in that case
+of the duty of striving to win souls for Christ.  Of the gospel and its
+requirements he had a very imperfect knowledge.  Possessing a more
+gentle and loving spirit than Hugh, he thought it would be pleasant to
+go about among the poor, to try and make them moral and good, and
+relieve them in distress.  There were very few cottagers in their
+neighbourhood who required much assistance.  When any of them were sick,
+he and Mary had found much satisfaction in carrying them food and
+delicacies which they were unable to procure, and in helping them
+sometimes with money from their own scanty means.
+
+During the summer long vacation Hugh did not come home, having gone with
+some young men who had engaged him to read with them.  When he returned
+at Christmas, Arthur's resolution of becoming a farmer was somewhat
+shaken.  Hugh put before him so many of the advantages a hard-working
+man with good talents might obtain at the university, that his desire to
+try his fortune there revived.  He had continued his studies for several
+hours every day, and now Hugh being able to assist him, he set to work
+with renewed vigour during the long winter evenings.
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+Gilbert scarcely knew how long he had been a prisoner when he heard a
+voice which he recognised as Dick's.  For some time he could not make
+out what was said.
+
+"I will have a talk with him," he at length heard Dick observe.
+
+Some more remarks were made when the door opened, and he found Dick
+standing outside.
+
+"Why, Gilbert, they have treated you somewhat scurvily; but it was for
+your good, lad, and no one is more anxious about that than I am," said
+Dick.  "Come along, and have some dinner, and we will talk matters
+over."
+
+They repaired to the kitchen, where an ample meal, with no lack of
+spirits, was placed on the table.  Gilbert did justice to it, and Dick
+plied him with liquor, which he drank off without considering its
+strength.
+
+"I must tell you, Gilbert, that your father is in a tremendous taking
+about you," continued Dick.  "If you were to go back, I should not be
+surprised if you found yourself turned out of house and home.  He came
+to me this morning, and accused me of spiriting you away.  I told him
+that I knew nothing about you, which was the fact.  Now as matters have
+come to the worst, you are not likely to have a pleasant home even if
+you do go back, let me advise you to put the plan we have often talked
+about into execution, and come and have a trip with me to sea.  Captain
+Rogers sails in the _Saucy Sally_ to-night, and I promised to go along
+with him.  We will have a jolly time of it; you will only have to swear
+that you will never reveal anything you see or hear about the doings of
+the smugglers.  I told him that you were as true as steel, and that I
+would answer for you."
+
+Dick said much more to the same effect.  At another time Gilbert might
+have refused to leave his kind father and sister and brothers, even with
+only the intention of making a pleasure-trip, for he was not yet
+hardened in vice, but the spirits he had drunk had taken effect.  He had
+committed the sin of wilful disobedience to his father's commands, and
+was thus easily deceived by his treacherous companion, who persuaded him
+that that kind father was too angry to forgive him, and that he would be
+henceforth an outcast from home.  Such is the way Satan always tries to
+deceive erring people, both young and old, and to persuade them that
+their heavenly Father is not at all times ready to blot out their
+offences if they come to Him seeking forgiveness according to the way He
+has appointed through the all-sufficient atonement of His Son.
+
+His false friend had fully calculated on gaining over the unhappy
+Gilbert, and had told his host to get a pony ready for him.  As soon as
+evening approached they mounted and rode to the banks of the
+Christchurch river, near which the _Saucy Sally_ lay moored.  Though a
+notorious smuggler, as she had then no contraband in her, she could not
+be touched by the Revenue officers.  Most of her numerous crew were
+already on board; Others were preparing to go off.
+
+"Come!" said Dick, "we will soon be among the fine fellows," and sending
+back their ponies by a lad who came for the purpose, he and Gilbert
+jumped into a punt, and paddled alongside.
+
+Gilbert was welcomed by Captain Rogers, who had been expecting him.
+
+"Glad to see you, lad!" he said, shaking him by the hand, "and hope we
+shall have a pleasant cruise together."
+
+Gilbert did not suspect that that slippery fellow had an object in
+getting him to join his gang.  It was that he might revenge himself on
+Mr Maitland, whom he hated heartily.  Rogers thought also that by
+getting Gilbert among them it might prevent him for the future from
+interfering in their illegal traffic as he had hitherto done.
+
+The _Saucy Sally_ was the longest boat of her class ever built--so it
+was said--measuring one hundred and twenty feet from her bowsprit end to
+the extremity of her outrigger.  She had a large cuddy forward, and
+another aft, while the whole of the midship portion was open for the
+stowage of casks, of which she could carry from between two and three
+thousand.  She pulled forty oars, and carried an enormous spread of
+canvas; so that in calms, light winds, or gales she could easily give
+the go-bye to any of the king's cruisers who might chase her.
+
+The _Saucy Sally_ was soon gliding swiftly out to sea.  She had got some
+distance from the land, when a light breeze springing up, her sails were
+hoisted, and away she sped at a rate no ordinary vessel could equal
+towards the French coast.  Gilbert, who had often longed to take a trip
+in the craft he had so much admired, was delighted with the way in which
+she sailed, and Dick took care to keep him amused, getting several of
+the men to recount some of the daring and hazardous adventures in which
+they had been engaged.  Gilbert thought the life of a bold smuggler
+about the finest and most exciting he could wish for.
+
+They soon reached the French coast.  Dick invited Gilbert to go on
+shore, and introduced him into scenes of vice of which before he had had
+no experience.  The _Saucy Sally_ was detained some days taking in her
+cargo.  The whole of this time was spent by Dick and Gilbert on shore,
+in company with several other profligate young men.
+
+"Well, you have seen something of life," observed Dick, as they were
+once more on board.  "You will find it somewhat slow work when you go
+back to help your father on his farm--eh, lad?"
+
+"I cannot go back," answered Gilbert gloomily; "I should like to assist
+in running our cargo.  There is excitement in that sort of work which
+suits my fancy."
+
+"I admire your spirit, lad!" exclaimed Captain Rogers, who overheard
+him.  "If you stick by us, we will stick by you, and you shall have a
+share in the profits of our Venture; I know I can trust you, from what I
+have seen of you.  Wherever there is danger, I shall expect you to be
+near to help me," and Slippery Rogers shook Gilbert's hand warmly.
+
+On the voyage back to England a bright look-out was kept for any Revenue
+cruisers which might be on the watch.  Twice the _Saucy Sally_ was
+chased.  Once, as a thick fog lifted, she found herself close to a
+Revenue bruiser, from which several shots struck her, killing one man
+and wounding two; but notwithstanding, with the help of oars and sails,
+she managed to get away.  The _Saucy Sally_ reached the English coast at
+night, and Captain Rogers threw up a signal, to let his friends on shore
+know of his arrival.  A signal, to show that all was right, was
+returned.  The _Saucy Sally_ ran in, and boats coming to her, in a
+wonderfully short time the whole of her cargo was landed.
+
+"Come!" said Dick to Gilbert, "if you wish to see all the fun, you must
+assist in conveying our cargo inland," and he gave him a brace of
+pistols and a short gun, such as the rest were armed with.
+
+Dick then told Gilbert to mount a horse, over the back of which a couple
+of ankers were slung, and he found himself riding along in company with
+a large gang of smugglers similar to those he had met with a short time
+before.  He was now thoroughly involved with the smugglers, and less
+than ever could he venture, so he thought, to go home.  Captain Rogers
+and Dick felt that they had got him securely in their toils, and that
+they could make use of him as an instrument to do whatever they might
+require.
+
+They had got some distance inland when a halt was called, a scout having
+come back with the information that danger was ahead.  A consultation
+was held among the leaders, who determined to push on, and if necessary,
+to fight their way.  Dick and Gilbert, and others on horseback, were
+summoned to the front.  Advancing for half a mile, they saw drawn up a
+strong body of mounted Revenue officers.  The smugglers with oaths
+ordered them to get out of their way, and on their refusing, rode boldly
+forward, firing as they advanced.  The Revenue officers fired in return.
+
+"Make use of your weapon, Gilbert!" cried Dick, seeing that his
+companion hesitated to attempt killing his fellow-countrymen engaged in
+the performance of their duty.  "Are you chicken-hearted, lad?  I
+thought better of you."
+
+Thus taunted, Gilbert raised his piece.  One of the officers was seen to
+fall from his saddle.  More smugglers coming up, the Revenue men,
+finding themselves far outnumbered, retreated, carrying off two or three
+wounded companions.  One smuggler had been killed, and several slightly
+wounded.  The smugglers dashed on, the dead man being put into one of
+the waggons, and without further hindrance reached their destination.
+
+"You did that well," said Dick to Gilbert; "I saw you bring the fellow
+down; should not be surprised that you killed him."
+
+Gilbert shuddered.  Had he really been guilty of the death of a
+fellow-creature? if so, all hope of ever returning home was gone; he
+would be hunted as a murderer, and murder, he had often heard, was sure
+to be discovered.
+
+Dick saw the effect his remark had produced, and tried to laugh it off.
+
+"Why, my good fellow, such things happen every day, and it's no use
+being downcast about it," he observed.  "You can take up your old
+quarters at Deadman's Farm till the _Saucy Sally_ sails again; and then
+if you have a fancy for it, we will make a longer trip.  The skipper
+intends to try his luck on another part of the coast, as this little
+affair will probably make the forest too hot for us for a time.  We
+shall be back again, however, when it blows over, depend upon that."
+
+Gilbert lay concealed for about a week.  He had time for reflection, and
+had he dared, he would have gone back.
+
+"It's too late now, though; it's too late!" he groaned out, and had
+recourse to the brandy-bottle to stifle conscience.
+
+He was once more on board the lugger, and from henceforth for several
+years was the constant associate of the smugglers.  During the time he
+paid several visits to the neighbourhood of Christchurch; but he was so
+completely changed in appearance that even had he met any of his old
+acquaintances, they would not have recognised him.  He had long ceased
+to be called by his own name, having assumed another, by which he was
+known among his associates.  Dick Hockley and Slippery Rogers, and
+others who were acquainted with his secret, kept it for their own
+objects, and under his assumed name he became known as one of the most
+daring and desperate of the band.
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+Hugh had returned to college.  It was again summer.  Arthur studied
+harder than ever during every spare moment.  He assisted his father as
+far as he could, but Mr Maitland saw that his heart was not in the work,
+and he more than once observed--
+
+"I am afraid, Arthur, you will make no hand at farming."
+
+"I will do my best, at all events," was Arthur's reply.  He frequently,
+as before, rode out with Mary.  They were sometimes joined by Harry
+Acton, a young man who had lately taken a farm in the neighbourhood, and
+who seldom failed when he met them to turn his horse's head round, and
+accompany them on their ride.  He was intelligent and well educated, and
+Arthur liked him from the first.  Mary gave no opinion, but she did not
+object to his accompanying them.  Mr Maitland, after hearing Arthur's
+report, invited Mr Acton in to tea, and seemed favourably impressed with
+him.  He only thought him rather grave, and was surprised that a young
+man accustomed to country life should not take any interest in races or
+sporting, and had even declined to join the hunt.
+
+"Life is too short for idle amusement," Harry observed to Mary one day.
+"I have abundance of exercise in attending to my farm, and I feel that I
+am responsible to God for the proper employment of my time."
+
+Mary thought that a little amusement now and then could not be wrong.
+
+"Relaxation from business for our mental or bodily health may not be
+so," answered Harry; "but when I reflect that I am responsible to God
+for every moment of my life, I cannot reconcile it to my conscience to
+spend time in pursuits which do not tend to honour and glorify Him."
+
+Mary had never heard such language used before; and though she had
+already learned to like him too much to quarrel with him, she was
+disposed to think him somewhat puritanical.
+
+Still Harry Acton came and came again, and Mary looked forward to his
+visits with pleasure.  Serious as his remarks were sometimes, he talked
+well on numerous subjects, and she confessed that he was very agreeable.
+Arthur liked him more and more, and was thankful to have found a
+companion who could enter into his feelings and views.
+
+Mary and Arthur had ridden over one day to Lyndhurst, and were passing
+through, that picturesque village, when they saw a large number of
+people collected on the green beneath the wide-spreading trees which
+bounded one side of it.  Approaching, they saw a person mounted on a
+small platform, which raised him above the assemblage.  He was of a
+tall, commanding figure; and as he stood bareheaded, it was seen that
+his hair was slightly tinged with grey, thrown back from off his high
+and expansive forehead.  He was giving out a hymn in a clear, full
+voice, which reached even to the distance they were from him.
+
+"He is a Methodist of some sort," observed Arthur.  "I suppose, Mary,
+you do not wish to stop and hear him."
+
+"I should be sorry to pass by without ascertaining whether what he is
+saying is worth listening to," answered Mary.  "I like the tone of his
+voice, and I remember learning that hymn from our poor mother."
+
+It was "Rock of Ages cleft for me."
+
+The young people drew near to the outside of the circle formed round the
+preacher.  Though thus at some distance, every word he uttered was
+distinctly heard.  The hymn concluded, in which a number of people
+joined, he offered up a short prayer that the blessing of God's Holy
+Spirit might convey the words he spoke to the hearts of his hearers, and
+he implored them to reflect that they had immortal souls which must live
+for ever in happiness unspeakable or in immeasurable woe.
+
+"And yet what claim have we to the bliss and glory of heaven?" he asked.
+"We have none.  Every man is vile and outcast, full of disobedience,
+utterly sinful--ay, a rebel against God!  Unregenerate man lives in open
+rebellion against his Maker.  As well might a rebel taken in arms
+against his lawful sovereign demand pardon by right, as man, till
+reconciled to God, claim to be admitted to heaven.  Men virtually
+acknowledge this when they profess a hope of going there by their
+performance of good works, by their penances, by the confession of their
+sins to other sinful mortals, by their sacrifices to Him who has said
+that He takes no delight in the blood of bulls and of goats."
+
+He continued, with text upon text, to prove the utter depravity of human
+nature, and man's lost condition.  He pointed to the state of society in
+all countries, people of all classes, to the hearts of each of his
+hearers, compelling them to search within, and many with horror felt
+that they were utterly lost.  Then suddenly he pointed to the blue
+canopy of heaven, undimmed by a single cloud, and spoke of the
+unapproachable purity and holiness of God, in whose sight even the
+heavens are not clean; of heaven His dwelling-place, where all is peace
+and joy and love and holiness and purity, surpassing human
+comprehension.  He spoke, too, of the might, the awful majesty and
+immutable justice of the Divinity, who can by no means look upon
+iniquity, who considers every departure from His exact and strict law as
+sin, who allows no such sins as small sins, and considers the least
+infraction of one of His laws as sinful.
+
+"But I have not yet finished the catalogue of God's attributes," he
+continued.  "He is a God of mercy: He is a God of love; though He hates
+sin, He loves the sinner, and that love caused Him to form the glorious
+plan by which His justice and mercy can both be satisfied--by which
+sinful and rebellious man can become reconciled and fit to inhabit a
+pure heaven, in which nothing vile and undefiled can enter.  That plan I
+would now with swelling heart unfold to you.  That gospel plan which God
+sent down His well-beloved Son, not only to declare to sinful man, but
+to carry out.  Christ Himself announced it when He said, `God so loved
+the world, that He sent His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
+in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.'  Yes, God could not
+pass over sin; but in His infinite grace and mercy He allowed His
+only-begotten Son, all pure and holy and obedient, to be punished
+instead of unholy and rebellious man.  He might have sent an angel, but
+then man would have given to that angel the love and reverence and
+obedience which is due to Himself alone.  Christ left not one particle
+of the work to be done by man, graciously allowing man to take hold of
+it through a living faith, producing love and gratitude and adoration
+towards Him who accomplished it.  Yet even thus sinful man was not left
+to his own unaided efforts.  When Christ rose, the first-fruits from the
+dead, He promised, ere He ascended, to sit at the right hand of God,
+there to be man's great High Priest, Mediator, and Intercessor--to send
+one to dwell with, to enlighten, support, and comfort, to urge and to
+enable man to take advantage of that salvation which He had completely
+wrought out.  Oh, my friends! rebels though you are, that gracious,
+loving God asks you to be reconciled to Himself.  He has done the whole
+work for you.  You cannot undo a single act, or unsay a single idle
+word; every evil thought is registered against you.  But all, all will
+be blotted out--`Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as wool;'
+`The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin!'  Oh! let me urge you
+to take advantage of that blood shed for you on Calvary.  Accept without
+a moment's delay our loving Father's gracious offer of reconciliation.
+Only have faith that Jesus died for _you_--that He bore _your_ sins upon
+the accursed tree--that He nailed them there, and put them out of God's
+sight, and give Him your willing, loving obedience!  Seek in His Word
+with faithful prayer to learn His will, and His Holy Spirit will
+enlighten your minds, enable you to comprehend what you read or hear,
+and will aid you in obeying His commands."
+
+Mary and Arthur were among the most attentive of those assembled round
+the preacher.
+
+Much more he said.  Another hymn was raised, a prayer offered.
+
+Mary had sat with her eyes on the ground.  She looked up, and saw Harry
+Acton by her side.
+
+"I rejoice that you have been here," he said.  "I will, with your leave,
+accompany you home."
+
+Mary said, "Pray do."
+
+"It is humbling to our human pride to be called on to acknowledge that
+we are outcast and rebellious sinners," he remarked, "but it is a truth
+all must be convinced of before they can understand the value of God's
+plan of salvation."
+
+"I do feel it most deeply," murmured Mary; "and had I gone away without
+hearing the gospel part of the address, I should indeed have been most
+miserable."
+
+Arthur made no remark, but as soon as he reached home, producing a
+Bible, he asked Acton to help him to refer to many of the passages which
+had been quoted.
+
+"Remember, Arthur, we must not only search the Scriptures, but search
+them diligently, with earnest prayer for enlightenment," observed Harry.
+
+They did so.  Mr Maitland was from home, and the three thus sat together
+without interruption, searching, as Harry remarked, "whether these
+things were so."  It was the commencement of a new era in the lives of
+the brother and sister.  No longer legalists and formalists, as they had
+hitherto been, they became true and humble followers of Jesus, and found
+a happiness and contentment they had hitherto not known.
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+Mr Maitland gladly allowed Mary to accept Harry Acton, who had asked her
+to become his wife.  Arthur, on this, entreated his father to allow him
+to go to college.
+
+"I would rather that one of my own sons should have taken the farm after
+me; but as Harry seems willing to occupy your place, and as I am afraid
+you will never give your heart to the business, I must let you follow
+the bent of your inclination," answered Mr Maitland.
+
+Arthur at once, therefore, went to college.  As his father could make
+him but a small allowance, he entered as a sizar.  He worked, however,
+so diligently, that though he did not possess the brilliant talents of
+Hugh, he made good progress.  Hugh had not only supported himself, but
+when he left the university, had saved sufficient to enter as a law
+student at Lincoln's Inn.  Having not only eaten his way through his
+terms, but studied hard all the time, he was at length called to the
+Bar, and was shortly afterwards engaged as junior counsel in a case
+relating to the purchase of a property in his own county.  His senior
+counsel having been taken ill, the cause remained in his bands.  Having
+frequently been in the house about which the dispute had arisen--he was
+well acquainted with the locality--he brought forward witnesses to prove
+what he knew to be the truth.  He had thus an opportunity of exhibiting
+his powers as a speaker, and triumphantly won.  He had no lack after
+this of briefs, and in a short time became known among the solicitors on
+the circuit as a rising barrister, in whose hands they could safely
+commit the causes of their clients.
+
+Mr Maitland was proud of his son's success, and welcomed him whenever he
+could spare time for a visit.
+
+Between Hugh and Harry Acton there was, however, no sympathy.  Hugh
+looked upon Harry as a very worthy young man, to whom he was happy
+enough to see his sister married, but thought him somewhat weak, and too
+much absorbed in his religious notions.  Harry, on the other hand,
+considered Hugh a hard, worldly man, whose sole aim was to push his way
+in the world, forgetful of all higher spiritual matters.  Still they
+were very good friends, and Harry took every opportunity of putting the
+truth in a loving and affectionate way before Hugh.
+
+"Very good," answered Hugh one day to some of his remarks, "but life is
+short, and those never get on who waste time on subjects which interfere
+with their lawful pursuits.  I want to be a judge some day, and when I
+am not studying law cases or my briefs, I must take a little relaxation,
+and should break down if I attended to the matters that interest you."
+
+"But, my dear Hugh, agreeing that life is short, I argue that for that
+very reason we should employ it in a way to prepare ourselves for the
+event which must occur at its termination.  Its very brevity proves to
+me that it is only a portion, and a very small one, of our existence,
+and that it is given us to prepare for another and a holier state of
+existence.  As we employ it here, so shall we be better fitted for that
+higher, and what may be most glorious, state."
+
+"Very well argued, Harry!" said Hugh; "I will consider more than I have
+hitherto done the plan which you say the Bible contains for man's
+redemption from the sinful and rebellious condition in which you argue
+he lives here below."
+
+Harry had more than once clearly placed God's scheme of salvation before
+Hugh, who had listened to it with a dull, if not inattentive ear.
+
+Hugh, however, went back into the world to enjoy its amusements, and to
+attend to his legal duties, and did not allow Harry's remarks to trouble
+him.
+
+Arthur, meantime, took his degree, and as soon as he was of age, entered
+the ministry.  He had, however, no interest, and was not likely to
+obtain preferment.  He was, indeed, indifferent to it, provided he could
+have the opportunity of preaching the gospel, and winning souls for
+Christ.  His worldly acquaintances declared that he had no high or lofty
+aims, and Hugh pitied him for being content to go through life as a
+humble drudge.  His Christian friends considered his aims were as noble
+and lofty as any human being could possess.  His earnest desire was to
+gain subjects for his Master's kingdom.  He was ready to preach the
+gospel at all times, and in all places, wherever he could get men to
+listen.  He felt as earnest when pressing one poor lost sinner to accept
+the truth and be saved, as when addressing a large multitude, hanging on
+his words; and he made his way into hospitals with that object in view,
+looking upon the souls of the humble and wretched as of as much value in
+God's sight as those of the rich and powerful.  He was at length
+appointed chaplain to the prison of the county gaol, a post which many
+would consider as among the least hopeful for winning souls.  Arthur
+Maitland performed his duties in no perfunctory way; he entered upon
+them with all the zeal which the love of souls can alone excite,
+influenced by God's Holy Spirit.  Here, month after month, he laboured
+with untiring energy.  Unhappily, the prison cells were at that time
+always full; and many who entered them in dark ignorance, went forth
+rejoicing in that risen Saviour, against whose loving laws they had long
+been rebels.  Arthur would seldom even allow himself a short visit to
+Mary and her husband, much as they rejoiced whenever he was able to
+come.
+
+Mr Maitland continued, as heretofore, engaged in his agricultural
+pursuits, and as stern an opponent of the smugglers as before; he was,
+indeed, more than ever incensed against them, on account of a fearful
+outrage which had lately been committed on a Custom-house officer
+residing at a neighbouring village.  This officer, Bursey by name, had
+been always a conscientious and zealous servant of Government.  He had
+mortally offended the smugglers by his activity.  On this account Mr
+Maitland held him in much esteem, and had constantly afforded him
+support.  On a dark night in winter, Mr Bursey, after he had retired for
+some hours to bed, was aroused by a loud rapping at the door.  On
+looking through the casement of his chamber, he perceived two men, whose
+countenances he could not distinguish because of the gloom of midnight.
+He inquired their business, when one of them informed him that he had
+discovered a large quantity of smuggled goods in a barn at no great
+distance, to which he and his companion would lead him on the promise of
+a certain reward.  A bargain was immediately struck, and Mr Bursey,
+telling his wife what had occurred, and that he would soon be back,
+unsuspicious of danger, hastily clothed himself, and descended unarmed
+into the passage; and on opening the door, his brains were instantly
+dashed out on the threshold.  The other inmates of the house were
+aroused, but before they could reach the hall door the murderers had
+fled.  There could be no doubt that some members of the daring smugglers
+who had so long infested the neighbourhood were guilty of the murder,
+but who they were it seemed hopeless to discover.  Every effort was made
+to trace them; Mr Maitland was among the most active engaged in the
+search.  Hitherto, however, the culprits had escaped, and it was
+supposed that they had left the country.
+
+All hopes of finding them had been abandoned.  At first Mr Maitland,
+knowing the feeling of hatred he had excited against himself, though a
+brave man, thought it prudent to avoid riding to any distance from home
+after nightfall.  By degrees, however, he grew less cautious; and if
+business called him out, he did not hesitate to delay to any hour that
+was convenient.  He had one day gone to Christchurch, and it was
+somewhat late before he mounted his horse to return home.  The friend he
+was visiting had begged him to stop till the next morning.
+
+"If you fancy that I fear the smugglers, set your mind at rest; I am not
+likely to be attacked, and my mare will give them the go-bye if they
+attempt to do so."
+
+He set off.  Darkness came on, and a storm of thunder and lightning that
+had long been brewing broke over his head.  While passing through a
+thick part of the forest, four men suddenly sprang out on him, and a
+couple of bullets whistled by his head.  Putting spurs to his horse, he
+was dashing on, when his bridle was seized, and he was dragged from his
+saddle.  A heavy blow on the head almost stunned him, but he retained
+sufficient consciousness to distinguish the voice of another man who had
+suddenly rushed up.
+
+"Who have you got there?" asked the new-comer.
+
+"Old Maitland, and we will give him his deserts," replied one of the men
+with a fierce oath.
+
+"Hold! hold! don't kill him!" cried the man.
+
+It was too late.  One of the ruffians let the butt end of his pistol
+fall with a tremendous blow, which made the unfortunate farmer fall
+helpless to the ground.  A cry of horror echoed through the forest.
+
+The murderers, satisfied that they had performed their deed of
+vengeance, hastened from the spot.
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+Harry Acton and his wife anxiously sat up till a late hour, waiting the
+return of Mr Maitland.  When he did not appear the next morning, his
+son-in-law rode over to Christchurch to inquire for him.  Harry became
+alarmed on hearing that he had left that place, and hastened to the
+nearest magistrate.  A search was at once made in all directions.  Mr
+Maitland's body was at length found.  It was evident how he had been
+killed, and it was at once suspected that some of the gang of smugglers
+who had murdered Bursey were guilty of the deed.  While the party were
+waiting for a cart to convey the body to Christchurch, a man was caught
+sight of among the trees in the distance.  On finding that he was
+observed, he took to flight.  He was chased, and at length overtaken.
+His dress showed that he was a seaman, probably a smuggler, his
+countenance was haggard, his eyes bloodshot.  He made no attempt to
+defend himself, though he had a brace of pistols in his belt, and they
+were both loaded.  As he was being dragged along, blood was observed on
+his coat, and blood had flowed from the victim's head.  His name was
+asked.
+
+"Geoferey Marwood," he answered promptly.
+
+"What do you know about the death of this man?" he was next asked.
+
+"I did not kill him," he answered.
+
+"You will have a hard job to prove to the contrary," observed one of his
+captors, as they dragged the unhappy man along.
+
+Mr Maitland's body was conveyed to Christchurch, where an inquest was
+held, when a verdict of murder was returned against Geoferey Marwood,
+and others not in custody.  He, notwithstanding, protested his
+innocence, and accused four others of being guilty of the crime.
+Warrants were therefore issued for their apprehension, while he was
+conveyed to Winchester gaol to await his trial.  Notwithstanding his
+protestations of innocence, it was generally supposed in the
+neighbourhood that Marwood was guilty of the murder of Mr Maitland, and
+that he had accused the other men in the hopes of prolonging his own
+life while search was being made for them.  Though, however, they for a
+considerable time evaded the officers of justice, the whole were at
+length apprehended and conveyed to gaol.  For many weeks the wretched
+man known as Geoferey Marwood lay in the felon's cell.  Arthur Maitland
+frequently visited him, though he could not do so without horror as the
+supposed murderer of his father.  Yet his sense of duty overcame all
+other considerations, and he endeavoured to address him as he would have
+done any other prisoner.  The man, however, seemed to have hardened his
+heart, and to have an utter indifference to his fate.
+
+"I have said that I did not kill the old man; but if it is proved that I
+did it, they will hang me, I suppose, and there will be another man less
+in the world.  It is no matter, for I have nothing to live for; if I
+had, I should not have been taken in the way I was."
+
+"But you have a soul, and that must live for ever," urged Arthur.  "If
+you die impenitent, still refusing to accept God's offer of mercy, which
+He holds out even to the worst of sinners, that soul must spend eternity
+in misery unspeakable, cast out from His presence."
+
+Arthur then read to him the account of the Crucifixion, and of the
+Saviour's gracious promise to the penitent thief.
+
+"Great as is the crime that you are accused of, even if guilty, though
+man may not pardon you, God has promised to do so if you turn to Him and
+accept His offer.  `The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin,'"
+
+"I tell you I am not guilty of that crime," answered Marwood.  "I have
+done a number of things I wish that I had not; but if they choose to
+hang me, they may--that's all I have to say about it."
+
+Still, although Arthur had seldom met with a prisoner who appeared more
+hardened or more indifferent to his fate, he persisted in visiting him,
+and placing before him the truths of the gospel.
+
+He had endeavoured to show him what sin is, how hateful it is in God's
+sight, and he had warned him that God is a God of justice, and can by no
+means overlook iniquity.  He had faithfully placed before him the
+fearful condemnation which he would bring down upon himself if dying
+impenitent.  He now spoke to him of God's long-suffering and kindness,
+of His mercy, and readiness to forgive.  He inquired whether he
+remembered a fond mother and kind father whom he had offended.
+
+"Surely when you did so, and went back to them and expressed your
+sorrow, they received you again, and forgave you."
+
+"I never remember my mother," answered the prisoner.  "My father was a
+good man, but he was stern, and because I disobeyed him and joined some
+wild companions, I was told that he would not forgive me, and so I ran
+off and kept out of his way.  I found out afterwards that he thought me
+dead.  It was too late then to go back, for I had done so many things
+which he would have condemned that I could not face him."
+
+Just at that moment the warders arrived at the door to conduct him to
+the court.  His trial was about to commence.  He and the other four men
+accused of the murder of Mr Maitland were placed in the dock.  The
+junior counsel for the prosecution was Hugh Maitland.  As had occurred
+at the commencement of his career, his senior counsel was unable, on
+account of sudden illness, to attend.  His private feelings, as well as
+his professional interest, induced him to exert all his talents to
+procure the condemnation of the prisoners, whom he believed to be
+guilty.  Every effort had been made to obtain proof against them.  Of
+this they well knew.
+
+Evil-doers, though often faithful to each other while success attends
+them, are frequently, for the sake of saving their own lives, ready to
+betray each other.
+
+One of the men had offered to turn king's evidence.  Hugh brought him
+forward as a witness.
+
+The trial went on.  The evidence contributed to fix the guilt on all the
+prisoners.  That, however, of their traitorous companion was crushing.
+The jury were convinced that Marwood was guilty, as well as the three
+others.  The blood on his coat, and his having been found in the
+neighbourhood, left no doubt on their minds, notwithstanding all the
+counsel of the accused could say in their favour.  The jury brought in a
+verdict of "guilty."  The judge was about to pronounce sentence, when
+one of the condemned men claimed to be heard.  He acknowledged that he
+and his three companions were the murderers of Mr Maitland, and that
+though he had not struck the fatal blow, he had been assisting; but that
+Marwood, though he had arrived at the moment, had no notion of their
+intention, but, on the contrary, had interfered and endeavoured to stop
+them.  This evidence was considered of so much value, that though the
+judge condemned the whole to death, he recommended Marwood to mercy.
+
+In those days a brief time only was allowed between sentence and
+execution.  The three other prisoners knew that they had no hope of
+escaping, and Arthur felt it his duty to warn Marwood that the
+Government were so determined to put an end to the smuggler's traffic,
+and to punish all who fell into their hands, that he must not entertain
+much expectation of being reprieved.
+
+"I care not for my life; but of this crime, as I have always said, I am
+innocent, and would die a thousand deaths rather than suffer for it," he
+answered.  "And tell me, sir, who was that lawyer that appeared against
+me.  I heard his name; it is one I once well knew."
+
+"He is a barrister of high talent, the eldest son of the murdered man."
+
+The prisoner, who was now in the condemned cell, lifted his manacled
+hands, exclaiming, involuntarily it seemed--
+
+"My brother appear against me!  God have mercy on him, for through him I
+have been unjustly condemned.  As there is a God in heaven, whom I have
+so often blasphemed, I tell you again that I am guiltless of the crime
+for which I am condemned!"
+
+Arthur was too much agitated to speak for a moment.
+
+"You the brother of Hugh Maitland?" he exclaimed, "I am his brother.  We
+had but one other brother, Gilbert, who lost his life when a mere lad;
+so we believed, and long mourned him as dead."
+
+"Arthur!  Arthur!" exclaimed Gilbert, for he was indeed the prisoner.
+"I recognise your features, although I had not till now done so.  Can
+you believe me guilty of our father's death?  I confess to countless
+crimes, but of that I am innocent."
+
+Arthur at length recovered himself.  From several circumstances which
+Gilbert brought to his memory, he was thoroughly convinced that he was
+indeed his brother.
+
+"I before hoped that you might escape death, and now that I am convinced
+that you are innocent, I must use every exertion to prevent the risk of
+the reprieve not reaching Winchester in time to stay your execution."
+
+Arthur hastened away in search of Hugh, who was on the point of starting
+for London.  The calm, self-confident barrister sunk almost fainting
+into a chair when he heard Arthur's account.  He, however, soon
+recovered his self-possession.
+
+"If Gilbert is innocent, I am guilty of fratricide, and shall have
+contributed to bring disgrace on our family!" he exclaimed.
+
+Together they set out for London.  A reprieve, which had hitherto been
+refused, was granted.
+
+It was on the very morning that the execution of the prisoners was to
+take place.  An accident might delay them.  It was daylight before they
+reached the gaol.  They found the Governor in a state of agitation, for
+one of the prisoners had escaped.  He was greatly relieved on finding
+that it was the man for whom they had brought a reprieve.
+
+"One difficulty is got over," he observed; "but I should have had to
+keep him here, for he and another were accused, by that fellow who
+turned king's evidence, and who hopes to get the promised reward, of
+being implicated in Bursey's murder."
+
+The two brothers looked at each other.  Hugh could scarcely restrain his
+feelings; a sense of bitter shame predominated, however, for the
+disgrace he had hoped to escape might still fall on his family.  Arthur
+earnestly prayed that the information might be false, and that his
+unhappy brother was innocent.  The prisoner was supposed to have made
+his way to Southampton, and to have escaped on board a foreign-bound
+ship.
+
+Several months passed away; it was the autumn.  Arthur had gone to spend
+some days with Mary and her husband.  He had ridden over to call on some
+friends at Christchurch.  A heavy equinoctial gale was blowing from the
+south-west.  As he was returning along the coast, wishing to obtain a
+view of the stormy sea, now covered with foaming waves, he observed a
+large lugger, under a press of sail, standing towards the shore.  A
+number of people were collected on the beach, and he guessed, from the
+light waggons and horses of which he had caught sight, that preparations
+were being made for running a cargo of smuggled goods, then often done
+in open day, the Revenue officers being either enticed away or bribed
+not to interfere.
+
+The danger a vessel must encounter venturing in at that time appeared
+fearfully great.  He could not bring himself to leave the spot.  The
+reason of the lugger's attempting the hazardous experiment, however, was
+evident.  In the offing appeared a sloop-of-war, and one, he knew, had
+been sent to cruise after smugglers.  From remarks he overheard, he
+discovered that the lugger was the _Saucy Sally_, commanded by Slippery
+Rogers.  Every moment the gale was increasing, and the surf came rolling
+with greater and greater force upon the beach.  Those on shore threw up
+a signal to show that landing was impossible, but the fearless crew of
+the lugger pushed madly on.  One instant she appeared with her broad
+spread of canvas swelling to the gale; the next, surrounded by the
+fierce waves dashing up madly around her, she lay shattered to fragments
+on the shingly beach, her crew struggling vainly in the surf.  Some few
+amid the wreck, and casks and bales, which formed her cargo, were washed
+on shore, but the greater number were carried out far beyond human reach
+by the receding waves.  Of those who were saved, several were fearfully
+injured, some breathed their last as they were dragged out of the water.
+Arthur offered that assistance which the rough men were little able to
+afford.  He had sent off for a surgeon, and having attended to two of
+the sufferers, hastened to the side of a third, who seemed to have
+received some severe injuries.  As he knelt down he recognised the
+countenance of his unhappy brother Gilbert, who, opening his eyes, fixed
+them on his face.
+
+"We obtained a reprieve," said Arthur.  "Why did you escape? you knew I
+had gone to obtain it."
+
+"I did not trust to the king's mercy; and as I had the opportunity, I
+determined to avail myself of it," answered Gilbert in a feeble voice.
+
+"Our king is a merciful sovereign; he has ever shown a readiness to
+forgive when his sense of justice will allow him," answered Arthur.
+"But oh! how much more merciful is our Father in heaven; and His justice
+having been amply satisfied by the willing sacrifice of His dear Son,
+who died for sinners, He is abundantly ready to forgive the sinner who
+trusts to that full atonement made for his sins!  I speak thus, dear
+Gilbert, for I fear your time on earth is short."
+
+"I know it is," answered Gilbert.  "Oh! continue to speak as you have
+begun.  I knew myself to be a guilty, outcast sinner before I left the
+prison.  What you had said to me sunk into my heart.  It was for your
+sake and for Hugh's more than my own that I escaped; and I came back in
+the lugger resolved not to participate in the profits of the
+enterprise."
+
+Arthur sighed.
+
+"Those who associate with evil-doers share in their doings," he was
+compelled to remark, but he dwelt not on that subject.
+
+"My dear brother," he continued, "we are all sinners in the sight of a
+pure and holy God, who cannot look upon iniquity; but He in His love and
+mercy has provided a fountain in which all our sins, however black,
+however foul, can be washed away; and He tells us in His Word that
+though they be red like crimson, they shall become as white as snow, and
+though they be as scarlet, they become as wool--that He will put them as
+far from us as the east is from the west.  To that fountain which flowed
+from the side of Jesus when He hung on the cross, offering himself up as
+a full and sufficient sacrifice in God's sight for the sins of all who
+trust in Him, let me urge you to turn your eyes; believe in that loving
+Saviour that He died for you, as well as for other sinners; that His
+heart yearns toward you; that He desires you to come to Him and be
+saved."
+
+"I remember, Arthur, that you said this to me in prison; but I hardened
+my heart.  I was strong and well, and feared not death," answered
+Gilbert, with a deep sigh.  "I can do nothing to merit heaven--it's too
+late now, it's too late."
+
+"It is never too late," exclaimed Arthur.  "The arms of Jesus are ever
+ready to receive all who come to Him in simple faith, trusting to His
+merits alone, and not to any merits of their own, or anything they ever
+can do to deserve His favour; banish such a thought from your mind.  By
+His free grace He gives us salvation: remember the thief on the cross;
+he simply turned his dying eye on his crucified Lord, acknowledging that
+He was the Son of God, and the same answer Jesus gave to him He will
+give to you if you believe on Him.  Remember, too, how the Israelites in
+the wilderness, bitten by the fiery serpents, were told to look on the
+serpent of brass, the emblem of healing held up by Moses, and no sooner
+did they look than they were healed.  How merciful, how loving, how
+gracious, is our Father in heaven, who, knowing the frailty of poor
+human beings, has thus provided so simple, so easy, and yet so
+all-sufficient a means by which they may be saved."
+
+Arthur, animated by love for his brother's soul, continued thus to plead
+with him, for he dreaded lest he might die in the attempt to move him.
+He would have pleaded, however, in the same way with any other sufferer,
+for he knew the value of human souls.
+
+At length several of the people assembled round him, and charitably
+offered to convey the injured man to a cottage at some little distance
+from the beach.
+
+"Let me be taken there," whispered Gilbert; "there is another I should
+wish to see, to ask her forgiveness for all the pain and sorrow I have
+caused her, but do not leave me."
+
+A litter was speedily formed with a couple of spars and a piece of sail,
+and Gilbert being placed on it, four fishermen conveyed him towards the
+cottage, Arthur walking by his side, still holding his hand.  The men
+seeing that Arthur was a clergyman, were not surprised at the attention
+he paid to the dying man, nor did they suspect the relationship.
+
+"I am praying for you," whispered Arthur; "and oh, let me entreat you to
+pray for yourself."
+
+"I am trying to do so, but I find it hard.  My faith is weak--too weak I
+fear to avail me," gasped the dying man.
+
+"Though it be but like a grain of mustard seed, He has promised that it
+shall remove mountains," answered Arthur.
+
+The cottage, happily the abode of Christian people, was reached.  The
+sufferer was placed on a bed prepared for him by the good woman of the
+house, and Arthur immediately sent off a messenger to summon Mary and
+her husband, as well as a surgeon, in the hopes that his skill might
+benefit his brother.  Anxiously he watched the livelong night by the
+side of Arthur's couch, and it was with joy unspeakable that towards
+morning he heard him whisper, "God has answered my prayer; I believe
+that His Son Jesus Christ died for me, the just for the unjust, and that
+through His merits my numberless sins are put away."  Soon afterwards
+the surgeon arrived.  After examining Gilbert, he took Arthur aside.
+"The injuries the poor fellow has received are such as I fear no human
+skill can remedy.  I will do my best, but I can give no hopes of his
+recovery; he is a fitter subject for your care than mine, though these
+smugglers are such ruffians that I do not suppose you will be able to do
+much with him."
+
+"We are all by nature rebels to God," answered Arthur, endeavouring to
+conceal his feelings.  "I will, as you advise, remain with the poor man,
+and follow the directions you give."
+
+The surgeon told Arthur what he advised and took his departure, and
+Arthur hastened back to his brother.  Mary and her husband arrived early
+in the morning.  Gilbert, though too weak to speak, knew his sister, and
+showed by signs that he understood what she said.  He pressed her hand,
+and a smile lighted up his countenance when she assured him that she had
+never ceased to pray for him, and to feel the same affection for him as
+of yore.
+
+"Those prayers have been answered, have they not?" said Arthur bending
+over his brother, and he repeated the last words Gilbert had uttered, "I
+believe that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin."  Again a
+bright look passed across Gilbert's countenance, and holding the hands
+of the loving ones kneeling by his side, his spirit passed away.  One of
+his last requests had been that he might be buried with his hapless
+companions who had been rescued from the waves.  It was complied with,
+and no one besides those who were with him at his death knew that the
+shipwrecked smuggler was Gilbert Maitland.
+
+Oh that the young could see the fearful termination of the broad road
+they are tempted by Satan to follow, ere they take the first downward
+step along it!
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The End.
+
+BOOK IV--THE IVORY TRADER; A TALE OF AFRICA.
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+To the north of the Cape of Good Hope Colony, beyond the Great Orange
+River, an extensive level region exists, known as the Kalahara Desert.
+Here no running streams are found to fertilise the plain, and often for
+miles and miles together, not a well nor pool is to be discovered, from
+which the weary traveller can quench his burning thirst.  Yet destitute
+as it is of water, it is in many parts covered with grass, and an
+immense variety of creeping plants; while in some places large patches
+of bushes, and even trees, find nourishment in the seeming arid soil,
+and countless multitudes of wild animals, especially those which require
+but little water, or can go many days together without drinking, roam
+over its trackless wilds.
+
+This region passed, a fertile country is found, thickly populated by
+dark-skinned tribes, who till of late years have had no intercourse with
+white men.  Here an almost countless number of rivers and streams are
+found, some flowing into the mighty Zambesi, and others into Lake Ngami.
+
+Notwithstanding the dangers which must be encountered in crossing the
+vast Kalahara Desert, from the scarcity of water, the intense heat, the
+wild beasts, the savage people who inhabit its borders, and more than
+all, from the attacks of the Tsetse fly, whose poisonous bite speedily
+destroys cattle and horses, white traders from the colony occasionally
+traverse it, for the purpose of obtaining ivory from the natives.
+
+A tilted waggon belonging to one of these traders, dragged by a span of
+fourteen oxen, was slowly moving across the wide-extending plain.  On
+the box sat a Hottentot driver, his whip in hand, with lash of
+prodigious length, reaching even to the leading animals shouting out at
+the same time strange sounds to urge them on.  A dozen dark-skinned men,
+some clad in jacket and trousers, and broad-brimmed hats, but others
+having merely a cloth or kilt round their loins, moved along by the side
+of the waggon.  A few were seated on oxen, and the rest marched on foot,
+mostly with arms in their hands.  Among those on foot was a young lad,
+whose dark skin showed that he was an African, though his features had
+somewhat of the Asiatic character.  He was dressed more in the English
+fashion than the other black men, though his firm step and independent
+air proved that young Kibo was well accustomed to traverse the desert
+wilds.  Ahead of the caravan stalked, with spear in hand, the Bechuana
+guide Masiko, whose people inhabit the region to the south of the
+desert, over all parts of which, from his earliest youth, he had
+wandered.  His only garment was a cotton scarf, or plaid of a dark
+colour, thrown over his shoulders and wound round his waist, so as to
+form a kilt reaching to his knees, his woolly head and his feet being
+without covering.  Two horses without saddles followed the waggon,
+secured to it by thongs of hide, and several spare oxen kept pace with
+the vehicle, ready to supply the places of any of the team which might
+knock up on the road.
+
+Two white persons mounted on strong horses brought up the rear of the
+caravan.  One Mr Robert Vincent, the owner of the waggon and its varied
+contents, was a strongly-built man of middle age, his countenance well
+tanned by African suns; the other a lad of about fifteen years of age
+apparently, who, from his slightly-built figure, looked scarcely capable
+of enduring the fatigues, of the journey before him.
+
+The bright sun shining down from the cloudless sky shed a peculiar glare
+over the whole scene, the atmosphere quivering with heat.  Here and
+there a few bushes rose above the surface, and broke the ocean-like
+horizon; but so exactly did they resemble one another, that to even the
+well-practised eye of the trader, they were useless as landmarks to
+direct his course.  He had, therefore, entirely to depend on the
+guidance of Masiko, to conduct the caravan to the different water-holes
+and wells on the road across the desert.
+
+Already both men and beasts were suffering greatly from thirst, for at
+the last halting-place no water had been obtained, and there was a fear
+that the oxen would break down altogether, unless they should soon reach
+the wells which the guide assured him would be found ahead.
+
+"Had I supposed we should have found water so scarce on this route, I
+would have left you at Mr Warden's station till my return, Martin,"
+observed Mr Vincent to the lad by his side.  "But I wanted to give you
+an insight into the dealing of the natives, for which no small amount of
+experience is required, that you may be able to help me in my business,
+and be competent in a few years to take charge of a trading expedition
+yourself."
+
+"I shall be very glad if I can be of assistance to you, father,"
+answered Martin.  "I already feel myself the better for the dry air of
+the desert.  I was very happy with Mr Warden, and should have been
+content to remain and help him and his wife in the numerous duties they
+have to perform."
+
+"He is a good man, no doubt, Martin," observed the trader; "but his is
+not a money-making calling, and it is not one I should wish you to
+follow."
+
+"If you had not wanted me to help you, father, from what I learned and
+saw while I was with Mr Warden, I would rather have become a missionary
+like him than be of any other profession," answered young Martin.
+
+"Oh! you must put such foolish ideas out of your head, Martin.  It is
+very well for those who are paid for it, and are not fit for anything
+better, but I want my son to be a man of the world, to make money, and
+to become some day one of the leading merchants of Cape Town."
+
+Young Martin made no reply.  On his father's previous journey from the
+Cape, Martin had accompanied him, but, unaccustomed to travelling, he
+had fallen sick, and had been left at the Missionary-station of Mr
+Warden.  Though the trader looked upon the illness of his son as a great
+misfortune, young Martin had good reason soon to believe it the happiest
+event of his life.  He there for the first time became practically
+acquainted with the glorious truths of the gospel: he learned that man
+is a sinner, and by nature a rebel against God, and that through the
+atonement and mediation of Jesus Christ can he alone become reconciled
+to Him.
+
+This truth brought home to his own heart, he at once comprehended the
+importance of the efforts which Mr Warden, and the missionary-band
+engaged with him, were making to carry the gospel of love and mercy
+among the savage hordes by whom they were surrounded; he knew it to be
+the only means by which their natures could be changed, and they can
+become not only civilised members of society, but, what is of far more
+consequence, heirs of eternal life.  He therefore, rejoicing in the
+blessings he had himself received, felt an earnest desire to engage in
+the glorious work of carrying the same blessings to the dark-skinned
+races of that land, long so deeply plunged in ignorance.
+
+Though his health had been completely restored, he would therefore far
+rather have remained with the missionary than have taken the journey to
+which his father summoned him.  But he had learned that obedience to
+parents is among the first duties of a Christian; and thus, after he had
+frankly expressed his wish to remain, when his father still desired his
+company, he had no longer hesitated to obey his summons.
+
+He was accompanied by Kibo, the son of a chief of one of the tribes to
+the north of the desert, whom Mr Vincent purposed visiting.  Kibo had
+been carried away from his home into slavery by the great Matabele
+leader Moselekatse, in one of his marauding expeditions against the
+territory inhabited by the lad's tribe four or five years before this.
+
+During a visit Mr Warden had paid to Moselekatse, he had seen young
+Kibo, then apparently on the point of death, and inducing the chief to
+give him his liberty, had carried him to the Missionary-station, where
+recovering, he was instructed in the truths of Christianity.  The lad
+became a true and earnest convert, and his heart yearned to visit his
+parents and friends, and to tell them the good news he had heard.  Mr
+Warden, believing him to be confirmed in the faith, had consented to his
+accompanying Martin, in the hopes that by his means his tribe might be
+induced to receive a missionary of the gospel among them.
+
+The trader and his son rode on for some time in silence, the former
+indeed was beginning to feel too anxious about the chances of finding
+water at the end of the day's journey to talk much.  Already many hours
+had passed since they had left the last water-holes.  Although there was
+still a sufficient supply in the leathern bottles carried in the waggon
+to prevent them and their men from feeling much inconvenience from
+thirst, both horses and oxen were already suffering from want of the
+moisture so necessary to enable them to swallow their food.  They had
+stopped as usual during the heat of the day; but though there was an
+abundance of grass, it was so dry that it crumbled in the hand, and the
+poor animals as they chewed it turned it about in their mouths, in a
+vain endeavour to get it down their throats.
+
+Robert Vincent had ordered his men to inspan or harness the cattle at an
+earlier hour than usual, hoping by pushing on to gain the promised pool
+before nightfall; but the oxen, already fatigued by their previous long
+journey, were unable to move as fast as usual, in spite of all the
+efforts of their driver.
+
+The trader, at length losing patience, rode on by the side of the guide,
+and inquired when they were to reach the pool he had spoken of.
+
+"Not till after the sun has sunk far beyond yonder distant line, unless
+the oxen move faster than they are now doing," answered the guide,
+pointing to the western horizon.
+
+The trader shouted to the driver.  Again and again he made his huge whip
+crack, as he struck his team in succession, but without effect; nothing
+would induce the poor animals to hasten their steps.
+
+"I am much inclined to ride forward, and try and find out the wells
+myself," said Mr Vincent to his son.  "I am not quite sure that our
+guide is not playing us false.  If I thought so, I would shoot him
+through the head.  It is wiser to trust to one's own sagacity than to a
+treacherous guide."
+
+"O father! do not use violence," exclaimed Martin.  "Gentle words and
+kindness will have more effect in keeping him faithful.  I have no fear
+about him, for he has long been known to Mr Warden, who has perfect
+confidence in him."
+
+"Why do you think he should have confidence in him, Martin?" asked his
+father.
+
+"Because, though he was once a fierce savage, he has become a faithful
+Christian, and as such would be ready to sacrifice his own life rather
+than risk ours when he has promised to serve us."
+
+"I am afraid the fellows are all much alike," observed Mr Vincent.  "The
+only way of making them faithful is not to pay them till the journey is
+over.  I only hope he and young Kibo will answer your expectations.  For
+my part, I have found the heathen black men as trustworthy as the
+whites."
+
+"Yes, father," said Martin, "because in too many instances the whites
+are merely nominal Christians.  Mr Warden has shown me the difference
+between a real and nominal Christian, and it is of the first I speak.
+All men are fallible, and even in them we cannot hope to find
+perfection, but still they can be trusted to do their best."
+
+"Well, well, Martin, when you know more of the world, perhaps you will
+change your opinion," remarked the trader in an indifferent tone.
+"However, water must be found; and as we have still yearly an hour's
+daylight, we may even yet reach it if we push on before dark."
+
+The trader and his son rode on, though their weary steeds did not move
+as fast as they wished.
+
+"What is that?" exclaimed the elder Vincent, pointing to an object
+moving among the dry grass some distance ahead.  "A lion; we must put a
+shot into him, or he will be paying the cattle a visit to-night."
+
+Spurring on his horse, he galloped forward, followed by Martin.
+
+"Don't fire, father!" cried Martin, "it is a human being."
+
+Martin was right.  They soon discovered that the object they had seen
+was an old bushwoman, although, but for the scanty clothing which
+covered her wretchedly thin and diminutive body, she might have been
+mistaken for some wild animal.  She seemed dreadfully frightened, as if
+expecting instant death.  Martin by speaking to the old woman somewhat
+reassured her.
+
+"Water must be near, and she will know where to find it," observed his
+father; "so she must come with us whether she likes it or no, and act as
+our guide."
+
+The poor creature was soon made to understand what she was required to
+do, while Martin assured her that she should receive no harm, and should
+be well rewarded.  Still this poor wanderer of the desert, accustomed
+all her life to ill-treatment, seemed to doubt the motives of her
+captors, and turned her head about, as if meditating an escape.
+Knowing, however, that she could not outstrip the horses, she walked
+quietly on, every now and then looking up and imploring the strangers
+not to hurt her.  Her husband, her sole companion, she said, was in the
+neighbourhood, and would be wondering what had become of her.
+
+"Show us the water, and you shall return to him when you wish," said the
+elder Vincent.
+
+She replied that it would take nearly an hour to reach it.
+
+"Look out then for the waggon, Martin, or it may pass us; for on this
+hard ground even Masiko may fail to see our tracks."
+
+Martin did as he was told, and, greatly to his relief, at length met the
+caravan.
+
+It moved forward for some time.  Martin could nowhere see his father.
+Masiko made him feel anxious, by hinting that the old woman might, under
+the pretence of looking for water, have enticed him among a band of her
+own people, notorious, he said, for their treachery.  Martin on this
+would have ridden forward, had he not received directions to bring on
+the caravan.
+
+The sun was nearly touching the western horizon, when, to his great
+relief, he at length caught sight of his father's horse in the distance.
+At the same instant the cattle began to move on faster than they had
+hitherto done.
+
+"Water! water!" shouted the thirsty people, and the whole party rushed
+forward ahead of the waggon.  Martin, who led the way, could see no
+pool.  The old woman, however, was on her knees, scraping the sand from
+a hole, out of which she began to ladle with a little cup a small
+quantity of water into three or four ostrich eggs, carried in a net at
+her back.
+
+"I am afraid our poor oxen will not be much the better for this
+discovery," observed Martin when he reached his father.
+
+"Wait a bit, our men will soon dig more wells, though it may be some
+hours before we shall have water sufficient for the animals," was the
+answer.
+
+The men as they came up commenced digging with their hands in the soft
+sand a number of holes some distance apart.
+
+As soon as the waggon arrived, the order was given to outspann.  Fires
+were lighted, the neighbouring bushes affording sufficient fuel, and all
+the usual preparations for camping were made.
+
+Martin did not forget the old bushwoman, and with his father's leave
+gave her, to her no little astonishment and delight, a piece of meat and
+a bunch of beads, and two or three other trifling articles.
+
+The people were employed for several hours in cleaning out the sand from
+the holes, for as fast as they dug, it again rolled down and filled them
+up.  Gradually, however, the water oozed out from the sides, and towards
+morning there was a sufficient quantity to afford a little to each of
+the thirsty horses and oxen.
+
+Directly the first streaks of dawn appeared in the sky the oxen were
+inspanned, and the journey recommenced.  On search being made for the
+old bushwoman, it was discovered that she had decamped.  Mean and
+wretched though she was, she had rendered an essential service to the
+strangers, but she probably thought them as treacherous as they had
+supposed her to be.
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+For several hours the weary oxen dragged on the waggon, slightly
+refreshed by the limited amount of water they had obtained, and at
+length they began to show signs of thirst.  Masiko confessed that he
+knew of no pool within the distance of another day's journey, and as the
+heat had been excessive, he could not be certain that water would be
+found in it.  It was a question whether the oxen could get as far
+without drinking.  Noon was approaching, and it would have been worse
+than useless to attempt moving on while the sun was overhead.  Again
+they outspanned.  The men sat down to sleep in the limited shade the
+waggon afforded; but the poor animals had to stand out in the full glare
+of the hot sun, turning their heads in the direction whence came a light
+breeze, which prevented the atmosphere being altogether insupportable.
+
+They had halted about a couple of hours, when two objects were seen
+moving across the boundless plain towards them.  They proved to be the
+little, yellow-skinned, shrivelled old bushwoman, and a man of the same
+hue, and as scantily dressed as herself.  They came without hesitation
+up to the waggon.  Martin hastened forward, and in a kind tone thanked
+them for coming to the camp, assuring them that they were welcome and
+would be protected.
+
+"Can you show us where we can find water?" he asked.
+
+Their reply convinced him that Masiko was right, and that there was none
+to be found nearer than he had said.  They, however, told him that if he
+would accompany them a short distance, they would point out where to
+obtain what would answer the purpose of water.  As his father was asleep
+in the waggon, Martin did not wish to disturb him, and therefore called
+Kibo, who had meantime been speaking to the bushman and his wife.
+
+"Do you think they can be trusted, Kibo?"  Martin asked.
+
+"Yes, good people; no do harm," answered the lad in broken English.
+
+"Then we will go with them."
+
+Martin, saddling his horse, called two of the most trustworthy men to
+follow on the spare horses, while Kibo mounting another, they set out in
+company with the little bushman and his wife.
+
+They had proceeded some distance, when the latter pointed out a creeping
+plant, with long leaves and a thin, delicate stalk, spreading over the
+ground in various directions.  Both the man and his wife had stones in
+their hands with which they struck the ground at various spots, at about
+equal distances from the centre of the plant, and then made signs to the
+people who had accompanied them to dig, setting the example themselves.
+After throwing out the sand to the depth of a foot and a half they came
+to a tuber, three or four times as large as an ordinary turnip; and at
+each spot where they had struck a similar one was procured.  On breaking
+open one of the tubers, it was found to be full of juice.
+
+"These very good, me remember them before," observed Kibo.
+
+Martin and the Hottentot loaded their horses with as many of the tubers
+as they could carry, perceiving at once what a rich treat they would
+prove to the thirsty and starving cattle.
+
+Having first fed their own animals, they quickly returned with their
+prize to the camp, accompanied by the bushman and his wife.  Martin
+having rewarded them, they expressed their readiness to show where more
+tubers could be found.  The riding oxen having been fed, another party
+was despatched to obtain a further supply.  On their return they were
+able, as soon as the heat of the day was over, to proceed on to the
+northward.
+
+"Though I was inclined to look with contempt on those poor little
+wretches, father, see how useful they have been to us," observed Martin.
+"It goes to prove, as Mr Warden says, that none of the human race
+should be despised; and debased as they may be, they are capable of
+improvement, and have immortal souls which we should value not less than
+those of our other fellow-creatures."
+
+"As to that, my boy, I doubt whether you would ever make anything out of
+those wretched little bush-people.  Well, well! you have got a number of
+new notions into your head.  However, when we reach the Makololo, you
+will have other things to occupy your thoughts; they are sharp fellows,
+and we shall have to keep our eyes open when dealing with them."
+
+Martin knew that it would be his duty to assist his father to the best
+of his abilities, and he promised to do so.
+
+They moved on till dark, and started again at dawn, no water having been
+found.  Had it not been for the roots which God has caused to grow in
+this arid desert to supply the wants of His creatures, the oxen must
+have perished.
+
+Just as they were about to outspann after their morning's journey, the
+little bushman beckoned to Martin, and intimated that he could lead them
+to a place where another production of nature could be found which would
+assist to sustain the cattle.
+
+Martin, summoning three men to attend him with their oxen, and some
+large nets used to carry fodder, followed his volunteer guide, who, to
+show his confidence, left his wife with the waggon.
+
+The country over which they passed was even more barren and arid than
+any he had yet seen.
+
+At length, after travelling several miles, some large green objects were
+seen, which, to his surprise and delight, he discovered were a species
+of water-melon.
+
+The Hottentots immediately rushed at them; the first man cut a huge
+slice with his axe, but no sooner did he put his mouth to it than he
+cast it aside with a look of disgust and bitter disappointment.  The
+cattle, however, passing by several, began greedily eating others they
+came to.  Meantime the little guide, after tasting two or three which he
+threw down, pointed to some which he signified were good.  Martin now
+found that some were intensely bitter, while others were sweet and full
+of juice; this, however, could only be ascertained by tasting each.
+
+The party having now satisfied their own thirst, collected as many of
+the sweet melons as their animals could carry, and returned with them to
+the camp.
+
+"That bushman is a serviceable little fellow," observed Mr Vincent.  "I
+have often seen both the tubers and the melons, but I have never found
+them before in this part of the desert.  The latter seldom last long
+after the rains, as not only do the natives of the desert collect them,
+but elephants, and rhinoceroses, and even lions and hyenas, come from a
+distance to devour them.  It was probably in consequence of the arid
+character of the surrounding desert that the patch to which the bushman
+took you has escaped a visit from them."
+
+Martin begged that he might be allowed to reward his guide, who seemed
+well satisfied with an axe and several other useful articles, as well as
+some beads which he received.
+
+"You should have waited till they can be of no further use before giving
+them presents," observed his father.  "Depend upon it, they will be off
+before long; and it Masiko, as I suspect, has lost his way, we shall be
+in no small difficulty."
+
+Martin hoped that their new friends would prove faithful, though as the
+waggon moved on during the afternoon they said something which made him
+suspect that their wanderings did not extend much further to the north.
+They, however, accompanied the caravan to the end of the day's journey;
+but when morning broke they were nowhere to be seen, they had gone off,
+as the old woman had before, without being observed by the watch, who
+had probably been slumbering at the time.
+
+Here a whole day was spent, that both men and beasts might obtain that
+rest they so much required.
+
+Again the caravan was on the move.  Masiko urged that they should push
+on as rapidly as possible, for he could not say when they might next
+reach water.  But a small supply remained in their skin bottles.
+
+The horses and cattle were again suffering greatly.  First one of the
+oxen in the team fell, then another, and another; and though their
+places were supplied by the spare animals, the waggon continued to move
+on at an unusually slow pace.
+
+The last drop of water in the skins was exhausted, and even some of the
+men accustomed to desert travelling declared they could go no further.
+
+The sun was striking down on their heads with intense force.  The men's
+lips were parched, their eyes bloodshot.  The animals moved on with open
+mouths, lowing piteously in their sufferings.  The trader began to fear
+that the whole party would knock up.  In that case, his only hope of
+saving his own life and that of his son would be to abandon them with
+his waggon and goods, and to gallop forward, on the chance of finding
+water.
+
+They had ridden some distance ahead of the caravan, when Martin, who was
+a short way in front of his father, shouted out, "Water! water!"
+pointing as he spoke to a beautiful lake in the distance, its waters,
+curled by the breeze, shining with intense lustre in the bright sun.  On
+the further shore trees were seen reflected clearly on the surface,
+while among them appeared a number of elephants cooling themselves by
+throwing water over their bodies.
+
+"We need no longer fear losing our animals, for they will have water
+enough now to drink their fill," observed Martin as his father overtook
+him.
+
+Mr Vincent did not answer, but anxiously gazed at the sheet of water.
+"I know of no lake hereabouts, and it is too important an object not to
+be known to all who have ever travelled across the desert; yet my eyes
+cannot be deceived," he remarked.
+
+"Shall I ride back and tell the people?" asked Martin.
+
+"Wait till we have ascertained how far off the water is," said his
+father; "you may only disappoint them."
+
+"Surely it cannot be very far off, or we should not see those elephants
+so clearly," remarked Martin.
+
+They now put their horses into a trot, the poor animals were too much
+fatigued to gallop.
+
+Just then the seeming elephants began to move, and suddenly, instead of
+elephants, a herd of zebras crossed their path, scampering over the
+ground.  The next instant the lake had disappeared, and they found
+themselves on the borders of an immense expanse of salt, covering the
+ground as far as the eye could reach to the north and west.  On looking
+behind them, however, they saw both their cattle and men moving rapidly
+towards the spot, as if they too had been deceived.  Bitter was their
+disappointment when they discovered their mistake.  Two of the poor
+animals dropped and died, now another, and now a fourth; still "Forward!
+forward!" was the cry.  Masiko asserted that water would be at length
+reached, though it might be some hours' journey ahead.  Thus encouraged,
+even those who had hitherto been most inclined to despair exerted
+themselves.
+
+"If this is to endure much longer, I fear that I shall be unable to
+stand it," observed Martin to Kibo, who was riding by his side.  "Should
+I die, you will promise me, Kibo, to remain with my father, and to do
+your best to serve him, and try and get him back safely to Mr Warden's.
+Perhaps if I die he will be more ready to listen to him than he was
+during his last visit, and to think that is a great consolation to me.
+Oh, how willingly would I give up my life to save his, and much more, to
+enable him to learn the glorious truths which have brought joy to my
+heart!"
+
+The sun was rapidly sinking in the west.  They had left the salt expanse
+some way behind; still the country was as dry and inhospitable as ever.
+Masiko, at Mr Vincent's order, had pushed on ahead of the caravan.
+Suddenly he was seen to wave his spear, and to point with it to a clump
+of trees, then to rush forward.  Mr Vincent, with Martin and Kibo,
+followed him eagerly.
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+Water was found in the bed of what had once been a running river.  The
+men eagerly rushed forward, and lapped up the refreshing liquid,
+followed by the horses and oxen.  It was with difficulty that those
+yoked to the waggon could be restrained from dragging it in with them,
+so eager were they to quench their burning thirst.
+
+The party here encamped, for there were all things requisite--water,
+grass, and wood.
+
+Masiko now knew where he was, and he urged his companions to fill all
+their water-skins, for this pool would soon be dried up, and they had a
+wide desert track to traverse before they could reach the country of the
+Makololo.
+
+The next morning, having secured as much water as they could carry, the
+party proceeded on their journey.
+
+Day after day they travelled on, often suffering greatly from thirst and
+hunger, and dreading the loss of more of the cattle.
+
+At length a stream of running water was crossed flowing to the east, and
+the caravan reached the borders of a dense forest, through which a path
+had to be cut with axes.  Beyond it, far off in the east, hills were
+seen rising out of the plain.
+
+Several ruined villages were passed, the plantations near them overrun
+with weeds and brushwood; while many skeletons of their unhappy
+inhabitants lay scattered about, telling plainly how they had been
+attacked by their cruel foes before they had time to escape, and had
+been remorselessly slaughtered, while the remainder probably had been
+carried off into slavery.
+
+Such scenes met their sight day after day through what otherwise would
+have been a smiling country.
+
+Several more of the oxen had died.  Scarcely enough survived to drag on
+the waggon.
+
+Ahead lay a level waste covered by scrub.  Masiko urged Mr Vincent to
+wait till nightfall to cross it.  He was afraid, he said, that it might
+be infested by the tsetse, which does not attack cattle at night.  The
+trader, however, was eager to proceed, as he was now near the
+termination of his journey, and he thought that Masiko was mistaken.
+Martin suggested that one of the oxen should be sent on first, and that
+if that was not bitten the rest should follow.  His father, however,
+seemed to have abandoned his usual caution, and insisted on proceeding.
+
+They had not proceeded far across the scrub when several of the
+dangerous flies were seen on the animals.  It was too late to turn back.
+They must now push on in the hopes that some might escape, which they
+might do if not severely bitten.  The horses might possibly be saved by
+galloping on, should the dangerous spot not be of any great extent.  Mr
+Vincent therefore directed Martin and Kibo, with two of the men, to push
+forward with the horses while he himself remained with the waggon.
+
+It was already late in the day before the scrub was passed.  Riding on
+for some distance, Martin and his companions crossed a small stream and
+encamped on a grassy spot, where they hoped to be safe from further
+attacks of the deadly tsetse.  Examining the horses, however, they found
+that all had been bitten, while there was no hope that any of the oxen
+would have escaped.
+
+The disease caused by the bite might not show itself for several days,
+and the animals might have strength to drag the waggon to the end of the
+journey; but if bitten, death would certainly be the consequence.
+
+It was late at night before the waggon arrived.  Mr Vincent was much out
+of spirits, for he anticipated the loss of all his oxen.  It was the
+more important, therefore, that they should push on, and the next
+morning they were again on their journey.
+
+At length the bank of another large river was reached Several villages
+were seen on the opposite side, the dwellings composed of conical-shaped
+reed-thatched huts surrounded by circular clay walls.  The inhabitants,
+on observing the waggon, came across in their canoes to welcome the
+trader, who had before been to their country.  They were clothed with
+skins of animals round their loins and others thrown loosely over their
+shoulders.
+
+All were eager to ascertain what Mr Vincent had brought; but he could
+not commence trading until visited by their chief, who would first claim
+his own dues and make purchases of such articles as he wanted for
+himself.
+
+The waggon was soon surrounded by natives, who appeared disposed to be
+friendly.
+
+While Mr Vincent was speaking to them they announced that their chief,
+Kanenge, was coming across the river.  In a short time, a tall man,
+dressed like his people, except that the skins he wore were handsomer
+and that feathers ornamented the fillet round his head, landed from a
+canoe and came up to the waggon.  Mr Vincent saluted him, shaking hands
+in the usual fashion.  The chief then taking his seat on the ground,
+they discussed the business which had brought the trader to the country.
+One had plenty of goods, the other an abundance of ivory.  The chief
+was as eager to trade as any of his people, and appeared incapable just
+then of thinking of anything else.  Every now and then, however, his eye
+turned towards young Kibo.  At length he remarked how like the lad was
+to his own tribe.  Mr Vincent then told him how he had been captured by
+Moselekatse's people some years before, and had been redeemed by the
+missionary.  Kanenge listened with intense interest, and calling to the
+boy, addressed him.  As Kibo replied, the chief's before somewhat stern
+countenance became animated and eager.  He continued putting questions
+to Kibo, to which the boy replied, and then eagerly asked several in
+return.  At length, with a cry of delight, the chief sprang up, and
+pressing young Kibo in his arms, exclaimed--
+
+"My heart was moved when I saw him.  I knew him to be of my own people,
+but I dared not believe that he was the child I loved, and whom I had
+lost so long ago.  White man, I will load your waggon with tusks.  You
+shall take them to the good missionary chief who has sent me back my
+boy; or if he will come here with a waggon himself, he and his people
+shall be fed as long as they will remain."
+
+Thus the father endeavoured to express his gratitude to the missionary
+who had preserved his son, and to those who had brought him back.  Mr
+Vincent, however, did not put full confidence in his promises.  He
+replied that he should be happy to convey his messages to the
+missionary; but that as he had come to trade, he must purchase tusks for
+himself, though he would carry as many as he had room for, if sent as a
+present.
+
+The chief offered to convey the trader's goods over the river, and to
+float the waggon across it, while the cattle and horses would pass over
+by swimming, to his village.  This was accomplished the next day.
+Kanenge appropriated several huts for the accommodation of his visitors,
+in one of which they took up their residence, in another their goods
+were stored, while their attendants inhabited the remainder.
+
+Trade was now commenced, and everything appeared to be going on
+prosperously.  Scarcely, however, had these arrangements been made than
+Masiko and their driver came with the intelligence that several of the
+oxen were sickening from the effects of the tsetse-bites.  No cure was
+known.  The most healthy had already perished.  In a few days it was
+found that all the cattle, as well as the horses, had been bitten by the
+deadly insect.
+
+Martin tried to console his father by pointing out how much worse it
+would have been had they perished on the journey, in which case the
+waggon and its contents must have been deserted, and they themselves
+would in all probability have lost their lives.  The trader, however,
+was inclined to look at things in a gloomy light.
+
+Though fresh oxen might be procured in the country, it would require
+some time to break them in, while their cost would swallow up a
+considerable portion of his profits.
+
+Mr Vincent himself was ill, and in a few days he was attacked with
+fever, while several of his men were suffering from the same complaint.
+
+Martin now felt thankful that he had accompanied his father, and while
+he attended him with the most devoted care, he did his utmost to take
+his place in carrying on trade with the natives.  His father appeared
+well pleased with the way he transacted business, when he each day
+reported the progress he had made, and gradually their store-hut became
+filled with elephant-tusks.
+
+"Ah, Martin, you will become a first-rate trader," he observed; "and I
+hope we shall soon recover our losses.  As soon as I am well we must
+push further to the eastward, where I hear there are large supplies of
+ivory.  In the meantime we must get fresh oxen broken in."
+
+"I am thankful to be able to assist you, father," answered Martin; "but
+I must not pride myself on my dealings with the natives.  We are now
+with a friendly chief who treats us fairly, but I understand the people
+among whom you propose going are likely to behave in a very different
+way; besides which, the country is exposed to the inroads of hostile
+tribes, and should they hear that such a prize as our waggon full of
+goods is in the neighbourhood, they will attack us in the hopes of
+carrying it off."
+
+"We need not be afraid of them; we have a dozen muskets, besides our
+rifles and pistols, and may keep a whole host of enemies at bay,"
+observed Mr Vincent.  "Kanenge will send a party of his men, and
+probably, if I ask him, come himself to assist us."
+
+Martin had now to tell his father that two of their own people were
+already dead, and that several others were so ill that there was little
+hope of their recovery.
+
+Kibo came every day to the hut, and brought presents of provisions from
+his father.  Martin asked him if he felt happy at being once more among
+his relations and own people.  Kibo shook his head.
+
+"No, very sorry," he answered, speaking partly in broken English and
+partly in his native tongue.  "My father is kind and glad to have me
+with him; but he knows nothing of the true God, and wants me to follow
+the bad ways of my people, which he thinks right ways.  I tell him that
+God wishes men to be happy, and to live at peace, and to do good to each
+other and not harm, and to love their enemies, and to trust to Him, and
+to worship Him only; and that all men are bad by nature and constantly
+doing wrong, and that it is only by trusting to Jesus Christ, who was
+punished instead of them, that God will forgive them their sins and put
+them away out of His sight.  My father says he cannot understand how
+this can be, and that now I have come to live among my people, I must
+believe what they do, and live as they do.  I tell him I cannot believe
+the lies Satan has invented to deceive them, and that I must not follow
+their ways, which are the bad ways Satan has taught them; and so I have
+asked my father to let me go back with you and try to persuade Mr Warden
+to come here, or to send another missionary to teach the people about
+Jesus Christ, and how He wishes men to live."
+
+Martin was truly glad to hear Kibo say this, and he urged him to
+persevere in trying to obtain leave to return, promising to beg Mr
+Vincent to assist him.
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+Two months had passed by, the waggon was half loaded with ivory, and Mr
+Vincent had partly recovered from his fever; but all his oxen were dead,
+and so were nearly half the men he had brought with him.  Many of the
+natives had also died, and great numbers were suffering.  It was evident
+that the low-lying region now occupied by Kanenge and his tribe,
+intersected as it was by numerous rivers, with swamps in all directions,
+was very unhealthy.  Martin was thankful when his father proposed moving
+eastward to a higher region.
+
+Kanenge had supplied oxen, which the trader's surviving followers had
+been engaged for some time in breaking in.  The chief also, confiding in
+the firearms with which he and his people were to be furnished, agreed
+to accompany him.
+
+The waggon and goods were transported across the river, and accompanied
+by Kanenge, with nearly a hundred men, the trader's party commenced
+their journey in the proposed direction.  Mr Vincent being too weak to
+walk, was carried in a sort of palanquin, while the rest of the party
+marched on foot.
+
+After travelling for upwards of a week, the country greatly improving in
+appearance, they reached a steep hill, up which the waggon was slowly
+dragged, till at length they found themselves on a wide extent of
+elevated ground, high above the plain, which stretched away to the
+southward.  Here the air felt pure and comparatively bracing, and Martin
+at first hoped that his father would recover his strength.
+
+Still, after some days had passed, observing how weak and ill he
+remained, he could not help fearing that his days were numbered.  Should
+his father die, he would indeed have been in a forlorn condition had he
+not learned to trust to One who rules all things for the best.  He was,
+therefore, far more anxious about his father than about himself.  Each
+evening, when they encamped, he sat by his side, and having read a
+portion of Scripture, he endeavoured to turn his father's thoughts to a
+future state of existence.
+
+"What, do you think I am likely to die?" asked Mr Vincent one day.  "Why
+do you talk so much about heaven?"
+
+"We have seen many of our companions die, my dear father, and we know
+how uncertain life is in this country, as it is indeed in all parts of
+the world, and at all events we should live prepared to quit this life
+at any moment.  Christ has said that we must enter the kingdom of heaven
+here, we must become His subjects while we are on earth, we must be
+reconciled to God now, we must be born again; and therefore it is that I
+am so anxious you should accept His gracious offers, though at the same
+time I pray that you may be restored to health and strength."
+
+At first Mr Vincent turned a deaf ear to what his son said, but by
+degrees his hard heart softened, he saw how earnest and affectionate
+that son was, and he could not help being aware of his own increasing
+weakness.
+
+Although he at first thought himself getting better, the disease had
+taken too strong a hold of him to be thrown off.  Martin at length had
+the infinite satisfaction of finding that his father now listened with
+deep attention to God's Word when he read it.
+
+"My dear boy," he said one day, "I now know myself to be a rebel to God,
+and grievously to have sinned against His pure and holy laws; and I
+earnestly desire to accept the gracious offer of mercy which He holds
+out through the atoning blood of Christ, according to His plan of
+salvation, which you have so clearly explained to me.  I do not know
+whether I shall live or die, but I pray for grace that I may ever
+continue faithful to Him who has redeemed me with His precious blood."
+
+Martin burst into tears on hearing his father thus express himself--they
+were tears of joy--and he felt the great load which had hitherto
+oppressed him removed from his heart.
+
+The natives came in to trade, but Mr Vincent was utterly unable to do
+anything.  Had it not been for Martin, who was assisted by Kibo and
+Masiko, no trade could have been carried on.
+
+At length most of the tusks in the neighbourhood were bought up, and as
+Mr Vincent had still some goods remaining, he wished to move further on.
+He was, however, still so ill that he agreed, at the suggestion of his
+son, to entrust the goods to Kanenge, who promised faithfully to take
+care of them till his return.  He accordingly determined to set out at
+once, hoping that the air of the desert would restore him to health, and
+the preparations for the journey being completed, the waggon, with its
+valuable load of ivory, descended to the plain.  Kanenge, with most of
+his men, escorted it; while Martin and Kibo remained with Mr Vincent,
+who, should he feel stronger, was to follow the next day on a litter.
+
+Martin's spirits now revived, and he began to hope that, the journey
+being commenced, his father would ultimately recover.  His chief sorrow
+was with regard to Kibo.  The Makololo chief positively refused to allow
+him to return.  Martin entreated him to remain true to his faith,
+instead of falling into the ways of his tribe.  "Try and instruct them,
+my dear Kibo," he said.  "Young as you are you may be the means of
+spreading the glorious truths of the Gospel among them."
+
+"You pray for me then," said Kibo.  "I poor boy, I very weak, I do
+nothing by myself."
+
+"We are all very weak and helpless in God's work," said Martin.  "If you
+seek the aid of the Holy Spirit, you will have strength given you."
+
+"Ah, yes," said Kibo; "I no trust to myself, and then I strong and do
+much."
+
+This conversation took place at the door of the hut.
+
+Martin thought he heard his father call to him.  He ran to the side of
+his couch.  Mr Vincent put forth his hand to take that of his son.
+
+"Bless you, my boy," he whispered; "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth
+from all sin."
+
+Martin put his arm under his father's head.  The trader's eyes fixed to
+the last on his boy, the film of death stole over them, and ere a few
+minutes had passed he had ceased to breathe.
+
+Kibo left his friend for a time to indulge his grief alone, while he
+sent off a message to inform Kanenge of Mr Vincent's death.
+
+Towards evening the next day, instead of the chief, who was expected,
+Masiko made his appearance.  Martin was thankful to have a Christian at
+such a time with him.
+
+Martin had chosen a spot under a wide-spreading tree for his father's
+grave, and Masiko, who had brought some presents to repay the natives,
+had it dug.
+
+Here the white trader was buried by his orphan son and his two
+dark-skinned Christian friends.
+
+Kibo had gone back to the village to order Kanenge's people to prepare
+for their departure that night, he having received intelligence that a
+party of their enemies were on the move and approaching the
+neighbourhood.
+
+Darkness had set in, yet Martin was unwilling to leave the spot till,
+assisted by Masiko, he had covered the grave over with a thick roof of
+branches to prevent its being disturbed by savage animals.
+
+He was thus engaged when loud shrieks and cries from the village reached
+their ears.  His impulse was to hasten towards it to find Kibo, that
+they might, if the placed was attacked, escape together.
+
+"Don't go," exclaimed Masiko, grasping Martin's hand; "you cannot help
+him, and will be killed or taken prisoner with the rest."
+
+At that instant several figures were observed rushing towards them.
+
+"Come," exclaimed Masiko, dragging Martin forward in the direction the
+waggon had taken.  "The enemy will not dare to attack our party armed
+with guns, and if we can reach them we shall be safe."
+
+Martin, though anxious to discover his friend, could not help feeling
+that it would be unwise to return to the village, probably already in
+the hands of the enemy.  He therefore hastened on with his faithful
+companion, trusting that they would outstrip the foe.  He could only
+hope that Kibo had made his escape, and that he would rejoin them at the
+waggon.  This it was probably the object of the marauding party to have
+surprised.
+
+They had many miles of rough country to traverse; but, though weary,
+Martin was unwilling to stop and rest, as it was important to warn
+Kanenge of what had occurred, that he might move the waggon to a greater
+distance, or if his force was sufficient, pursue the enemy.
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+Just as day broke, Martin and his companion approached the camp.  The
+chief, observing Martin's clothes torn, and his and Masiko's limbs
+scratched by the bushes through which they had passed, inquired in an
+anxious tone why they had come without his son and the rest of his
+people.  Masiko then briefly described what had occurred, and said that
+they had hurried on to warn him of the threatened danger.
+
+"I know that you would not willingly have deserted your friend," said
+the chief to Martin.
+
+"No, indeed, I would not," answered Martin; "and had not Masiko
+prevented me, I would have returned at all risks to the village to try
+and discover him.  I was in hopes that he might have escaped, and would
+have followed us.  If he does not appear, I am even now ready to return
+to try and find him."
+
+The chief uttered an exclamation which showed his grief, and said--
+
+"Too probably he and all with him were surrounded by the enemy, and were
+either killed or were carried off as prisoners.  If there were a
+possibility of his being alive, I would follow him; but our enemies
+would not have attacked the place unless with a very large number of
+fighting men, against whom my people would have no chance of success.  I
+also promised your father to defend the waggon and his property with my
+life, and if I pursue the enemy I shall leave that defenceless."
+
+"I will sacrifice the waggon and all its contents rather than allow Kibo
+to be carried away into slavery," exclaimed Martin.
+
+"I know your friendship for my son, but it would be useless," said
+Kanenge.  "If the enemy were to see a party outnumbering them
+approaching, they would put their captives to death and take to flight.
+I am better acquainted with the ways of my country than you are.  Our
+first business is to take the waggon to a place where it will be safer
+than here, and I will at the same time send out scouts to learn what has
+happened."
+
+Kanenge now gave orders to have the oxen yoked to the waggon and the
+march to begin.  He had one of the oxen saddled for Martin to ride, who,
+wearied with his long run, more than once dropping asleep, nearly fell
+of.
+
+After travelling some distance, a broad stream was reached, with an
+island in the centre and a village on the opposite side.  Signals being
+made, the natives came across with several canoes.  The waggon was
+quickly unloaded, when it and the goods were carried over to the island.
+
+Kanenge assured Martin that they would be perfectly safe, as the enemy,
+having no canoes, could not attack them.
+
+Shortly afterwards the scouts who had been sent out arrived, accompanied
+by one of the men who had been left in the village, and who was bleeding
+from several wounds.  He had a sad account to give.  The enemy,
+numbering upwards of a thousand men, had secretly approached the
+village, and almost surrounding it before they were discovered, had
+rushed upon the defenceless inhabitants, killing, as usual, all who
+opposed them, and making the rest prisoners.  The man confessed that he
+and his companions had been completely surprised, but that they had all
+fought bravely; and not till he had seen Kibo surrounded by enemies and
+carried off, and he himself had been wounded, did he take to flight.
+All the rest had been shot down.
+
+Martin had eagerly listened to what the man said, and hoping from the
+account he heard that Kibo was alive, he resolved to attempt his
+release.  He proposed, therefore, as soon as he had rested, to follow
+the enemy; and should he overtake them, to go boldly into their camp,
+and to try and redeem his friend.  They might possibly be content to
+receive in exchange the remainder of the goods in the waggon, and if
+not, he should be ready to offer as many tusks as they might demand.  He
+could not devote them to a more satisfactory purpose.  He should like to
+have returned to Mr Warden with a waggon full of tusks, that he might
+for the future be no cost to him, but he would willingly sacrifice the
+whole could he regain his friend.
+
+On explaining his plan to Kanenge, the chief replied that though he and
+Masiko, being strangers, might be allowed to enter the enemy's camp,
+should any of the Makololo go, they would be immediately killed.
+
+Masiko, though well aware of the risk that he would run by putting
+himself in the power of the cruel savages bent on making slaves of all
+they could capture, without hesitation agreed to accompany Martin.
+
+"God will take care of us, we are doing what is right, we must leave the
+rest to Him," he observed.
+
+After a short sleep, Martin and Masiko got ready to set out.
+
+Kanenge selected twelve of his most tried warriors to escort them till
+they should reach the neighbourhood of the enemy's camp.  The Makololo
+were then to remain in ambush, to assist in any way which might be found
+practicable.
+
+Among the stores was an English flag which Mr Vincent had been
+accustomed to hoist on a high pole above his waggon when prepared to
+trade with the natives.  This Martin fixed to a staff with the intention
+of unfurling it on approaching the enemy.
+
+Martin and his companions were some distance on their journey before
+daybreak.  They hurried on till fatigue and hunger compelled them to
+halt.  After breakfasting and taking a short rest they again proceeded.
+In vain they endeavoured to obtain information as to the movements of
+the enemy.  No inhabitants were to be seen.
+
+They passed, however, several villages which had been burned, and saw
+numerous bodies of men, women, and even of children, shot down while
+attempting to escape.  Some of the men also had evidently been killed
+while fighting for their homes.
+
+Masiko told Martin that the object of this raid, as well as of
+numberless others, had been solely to procure slaves to sell to the
+slave-dealers, who sent up parties many miles to the interior from the
+east coast.
+
+"Unless the Christian people of your country and others unite to put a
+stop to the cruel traffic, there will be no peace or happiness for poor
+Africa," he observed.
+
+At length a spot where a village had lately stood was reached.  The
+remains of the huts were still smouldering, and it was evident that the
+enemy had not long quitted it.  Numerous dead bodies lay about, shot
+through by bullets, showing that the enemy had firearms supplied by the
+white slave-dealers to enable them to carry out their nefarious
+undertaking.  One man was found still breathing.  The Makololo showed
+very little feeling for his sufferings, but Masiko stooping down, poured
+some water from his leathern bottle into his mouth, which somewhat
+revived him.  The wounded man then told Masiko that the village having
+been surprised at night, most of the inhabitants had been carried off,
+and he supposed that the enemy could not be many miles off.
+
+The sufferer's life was ebbing fast, and in a few minutes he ceased to
+breathe.  Most of those killed were old men and old women, not
+considered worth carrying off as slaves; or, sadder still, several
+infants, who, incapable of enduring the fatigues of the journey, had
+been torn from their mother's arms and dashed lifeless on the ground.
+
+Martin, unaccustomed to such scenes, felt sick at heart as he
+contemplated the spectacle, though the Makololo warriors regarded it
+with indifference.  Too often, probably, they had treated their enemies
+in a similar manner.
+
+The party now proceeded with the greatest caution, as it was difficult
+to ascertain how far off the enemy might have got.  At any moment they
+might overtake them.  Not a single native could be seen from whom they
+could gain intelligence.
+
+No guide, however, was required to show them the way, as it was too
+clear by the dead bodies of men and women who had been wounded in the
+attack, and had sunk down from loss of blood, and frequently by those of
+very young children, whose weight had prevented their mothers from
+walking as fast as their cruel captors required.
+
+Martin was anxious as soon as possible to overtake the enemy, that he
+might have a less distance to send back for the ransom which might be
+demanded for Kibo.  He was therefore much disappointed when night again
+came on, and his party were compelled to encamp.  They were fortunate in
+finding a spot near a pool, with high rocks and trees round it, where
+they could venture to light a fire and cook their provisions without the
+risk of being seen by the enemy.
+
+The usual sounds heard at sunset in an African forest had ceased, and
+were succeeded by the silence which reigns at night.  Martin's
+companions too, who had hitherto been talking to each other, had thrown
+themselves on the ground to sleep.  He was about to follow their
+example, when a cry, which seemed to come from a distance, reached his
+ears.  He listened attentively.  It was repeated.  He asked Masiko if he
+had heard anything.  Masiko said that he had, but that it was the cry of
+a wild beast.  Martin was almost sure it was a human voice, and that it
+came from the direction the enemy had taken.  Anxious to ascertain if
+they were in their neighbourhood, Martin begged Masiko to accompany him.
+Taking their guns, they made their way through the wood, the light from
+the moon enabling them to do so.
+
+After passing through the wood, they ascended a slight elevation, whence
+they could distinguish in the distance the light of several fires, while
+a murmur, proceeding from a large number of human voices, reached their
+ears.  There could be no longer any doubt that they were close to the
+enemy's camp, and that the cry they had heard was that of some
+unfortunate captive being beaten, or perhaps put to death.
+
+On this Martin and Masiko returned to their companions, resolved to set
+out by daybreak, and to try and reach the marauders' camp before the
+march was commenced.  Martin was so occupied with the thoughts of what
+he had to do in the morning that it was long before he could go to
+sleep.  On one thing he was resolved, that he would not allow Masiko to
+run the risk of being seized by the robbers or carried off with the rest
+of their captives.  Masiko, though very unwilling to let him go alone,
+at length consented to remain with the rest in their place of
+concealment till Martin's return.
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+Before daybreak Martin and Masiko set out, the latter insisting on
+accompanying him as far as he could venture without the risk of being
+discovered.
+
+The sounds which proceeded from the camp showed that the people were
+already astir, and Martin leaving his gun with Masiko, who remained
+concealed behind a thick clump of trees, proceeded alone, taking only
+the slender staff round which his flag was rolled.
+
+He kept himself, as he proceeded, as much as possible under shelter, as
+his object was to get as far as he could into the camp without being
+discovered.  As the people were engaged in their various occupations--
+some collecting cattle, others lighting fires to cook their food, while
+many had not yet even risen from the ground--he succeeded better than he
+had anticipated.  Seeing some huts before him, he guessed that they were
+occupied by the chief of the band and his attendants.  Though a number
+of people began to press round him, he advanced boldly forward till he
+got in front of the largest of the huts, when, unfurling his flag, he
+stood quietly waiting to see what would happen.  No one in the meantime
+attempted to interfere with him, while the countenances of the people
+exhibited astonishment rather than anger.  He had not long to wait
+before the chief made his appearance at the door of one of the huts,
+evidently too much surprised at what he saw to utter a word.  Martin,
+taking advantage of his silence, pointed to the flag and inquired if he
+knew to what nation it belonged.  The chief made no reply.
+
+"I must tell you then," said Martin.  "It is that of a great people who
+have more power than all the tribes of Africa put together; yet powerful
+as they are, they wish to be friends with all people, and to do them
+good.  You will understand, therefore, that I come to you as a friend,
+and as such I wish to talk to you, and to arrange a matter which has
+brought me here."
+
+The chief, at length recovering a little from his surprise, put out his
+hand and told Martin that though he had never seen that flag before, nor
+did he know the nation of whom he spoke, he was welcome.  "Probably," he
+added, "some of the people in the camp who have travelled to the sea may
+have heard of the great nation."  Just then a man came forward and
+addressed the chief in a low tone.  Martin did not hear what was said.
+The chief seemed somewhat agitated, and at length inquired of Martin
+whether any of the big canoes of his countrymen were in the
+neighbourhood, and what force he had with him.  Martin did not say that
+no English ships were likely to be in the interior of Africa, nor that
+probably he was the only Englishman within many hundred miles of him,
+but he replied cautiously that he had come on an embassy of peace, and
+that he could not suppose the chief would refuse him the simple request
+he had to make.
+
+"My countrymen," he added, "are, as I have said, powerful, and lovers of
+peace, and yet when they are compelled to go to war they never reduce to
+slavery those they conquer, but wish them to be as free as they are
+themselves.  Yet they know how to punish those who ill-treat the
+helpless."
+
+"Your countrymen may be a great people, but they seem to have very
+different notions to mine," observed the chief.  "As yet, however, I do
+not understand your object in paying me a visit."
+
+"That is the point I am coming to," answered Martin in as firm a tone of
+voice as he could command.  "You and your people have lately attacked a
+village in which were some of my friends, and have carried them off to
+sell as slaves.  One of them is an especial friend of mine.  He is also
+of my religion, and understands my language, and I cannot allow him to
+be carried away to live among strangers.  As I told you, I came here on
+a peaceable errand, and all I demand is that you should set a price on
+my friend, and if you will allow him to accompany me I will send you the
+goods you demand."
+
+The chief, on hearing this speech, looked greatly relieved, and after
+consulting with several of his headmen, asked Martin to point out the
+friend of whom he spoke.
+
+Martin replied that he would, and was forthwith conducted to the part of
+the camp where the unfortunate slaves, who had by this time got ready to
+commence their march, were assembled.  The men were generally chained in
+parties of six together, with heavy manacles on their hands; while the
+women were secured two and two with ropes round their waists, they
+having often to carry loads in addition to their children, who clung to
+their backs.  The boys were manacled in the same way as the men; while
+the younger girls, though fastened together to prevent their running
+away, were allowed to travel without loads, not from any feeling of
+mercy on the part of their captives, but that they might appear to
+better advantage on their arrival at the slave-market.  Some of the men
+who had apparently been refractory were secured by having their necks
+fixed in forks at the end of heavy poles, the fork being secured by iron
+pins bolted in at the broader end so as to prevent them from slipping
+out their necks.  Two or three dozen of the stronger men were thus
+fastened together two and two, some having also chains round their
+wrists.  A number of men--some armed with spears and swords, and others
+with muskets--stood ready to prevent the possibility of the captives
+escaping.
+
+Martin hurried to the spot where the boys were collected, eagerly
+scanning the faces of the young captives.  He had passed by a number,
+among whom he in vain searched for Kibo.  There was one more group a
+little further on, still sitting or lying down.  The reason of this was
+at once apparent.  One of the poor lads being unable to rise, his
+companions in misfortune were kicking and pinching him to make him get
+up, with the exception of one, who was endeavouring to protect him from
+their cruelty.  In that one, though deprived of his English clothes and
+naked like the rest, Martin recognised his friend Kibo.  He was so
+engaged in his generous efforts to protect the sufferer that he did not
+at first observe Martin approaching.  Kibo, at length seeing Martin,
+uttering a cry of joy, endeavoured to spring forward, but his chain
+quickly checked him.  The other lads on this ceased tormenting their
+companion, and gazed with astonishment at the stranger and his flag.
+Martin, speaking in English, told Kibo why he had come to the camp, and
+advised him not to say who he was lest the chief should increase the
+amount he might demand for his ransom.
+
+"There is my friend," he then said, turning to the headman who had
+accompanied him.  "You see, as I told you, that he speaks my language,
+and you will now believe that everything else I have told you about him
+is true.  Set him at once at liberty, and I will send the goods as soon
+as I return to the camp."
+
+Greatly to his joy, Martin saw Kibo's manacles knocked off, and they
+stood together grasping each other's hands.  Kibo, however, did not move
+from the spot, but casting his eyes towards the poor lad on the ground,
+he said, "Can you get him set free too? he is sick already, and will die
+if made to travel with the rest.  I have been telling him about Jesus
+Christ, and he says how much he wishes to know Him better, and that he
+would come to this country and teach people to be happy.  Oh, how
+grieved I should be if he were to die and not know more about Him!"
+
+Martin at once pointed out the sick lad to the headmen, and told them
+that if they would knock off his chains and carry him to their chief, he
+would pay a ransom for him as well as for his friend.  As the savages
+saw that this would be a clear gain, well knowing that the lad would die
+if compelled to march with the rest, they at once complied; and Martin
+grasping Kibo by the hand, followed by a couple of men carrying the poor
+lad, returned to the hut, in front of which the chief was seated smoking
+his pipe, and surrounded by several persons.  One of these, though his
+skin was as brown as that of the rest, had European features, and was
+dressed in shirt and trousers, and Martin rightly conjectured that he
+was an agent of the slave-dealers on the coast, and had instigated the
+raid which had unhappily been so successfully carried out.  Martin had
+brought a list of his remaining goods, and the chief appeared satisfied
+with those he offered in exchange for Kibo and the other lad.  He was in
+hopes that the matter would quickly be settled, when the white man
+advised the chief to refuse the articles offered and to insist on having
+tusks instead.  Martin had been too long accustomed to deal with the
+natives to yield at once, or to acknowledge that he had any tusks.
+
+"I tell you truly that I offer you all my remaining goods," he answered.
+"If you will send messengers to receive them, I promise to send them to
+you as soon as I can get back to my camp."
+
+The chief, instigated by the slave-dealer, insisted on having tusks,
+finally agreeing, however, to receive twelve for Kibo and two for the
+poor sick lad, who, he remarked, was not likely to be of much use to any
+one.  He would probably not have allowed his captives to go free until
+he had received the tusks, but when Martin promised on the faith of his
+flag to send them, even the slave-dealer advised him to consent,
+observing that Englishmen, though he hated them from his heart, always
+fulfilled their promises.  Martin, thankful that his enterprise had thus
+far succeeded, set out with Kibo, accompanied by fourteen men, who were
+to go a part of the distance and there to wait till the arrival of the
+tusks.  On consideration of receiving payment, they agreed to carry the
+poor lad whose freedom Martin had obtained.  As they approached the spot
+where he had left his companions, he and Kibo hurried forward to give
+them warning.  Their joy at seeing their chief's son was very great, and
+they declared that Martin ought to be made a chief himself.  Martin,
+committing the two rescued lads to the charge of the Makololo, urged
+them to hasten on to Kanenge, while he followed with Masiko, as he was
+anxious to separate the hostile natives as soon as possible, fearing
+that either one or the other might be guilty of some act of treachery.
+He advised those who had come from the camp to remain at the spot where
+he left them till his return.  The men begged that he would leave his
+flag, as no one, they observed, would then venture to attack them, and
+it would be an additional proof that he intended to fulfil his promise.
+This he gladly agreed to do.  He then set out with Masiko, and travelled
+on with all speed, supported by the feeling that he had succeeded in his
+undertaking, and by his wish to fulfil his promise.  For many miles the
+country was desolate, and no food was to be obtained.  In the evening,
+however, they overtook their companions, who had sufficient for their
+wants.  Kibo gave a good report of his friend Telo, who by his
+directions had been carried on a litter.
+
+"I have promised that you, Martin, will take him with you to the
+missionary, who will instruct him in the religion of which I have been
+telling him.  He says that as all his friends have been killed or
+carried off as slaves he will gladly go with you."
+
+"But I must get you also to go with me, if your father will let you,"
+said Martin.  "You will then learn English, and obtain more knowledge of
+the Bible; and you may some day return to this country with a white
+missionary, to whom you may act as interpreter, and be able to instruct
+your people in the truths of the Gospel."
+
+Kibo, who had not been attracted by the examples of savage life he had
+witnessed, gladly promised to try and obtain his father's leave to
+return with Martin.  He did this more willingly as he found with regret
+that Kanenge was in no way disposed to listen to him when he tried to
+explain the Gospel, and he hoped that a missionary would be more
+successful.  The discussion of their plans for the future occupied them
+during the remainder of their journey.  Kanenge received his son with
+joy, and expressed his warmest gratitude to Martin for bringing him
+back.  Though he confessed that a very high price had been demanded for
+his liberation, he seemed rather flattered than otherwise by it, and
+insisted on replacing the tusks taken from Martin's store.  He showed,
+however, that he was still the savage by observing that Martin had been
+over-generous in rescuing poor Telo, who was not worth the two tusks he
+had promised.  Martin did not consider it necessary to argue the point,
+merely replying that he would give them from his own store.
+
+As soon as he had rested, leaving Kibo with Kanenge to look after Telo,
+he and Masiko set out, attended by several men carrying the tusks he had
+promised as a ransom for the two young blacks.  He also selected a
+number of articles to distribute among the party who had escorted him
+from the camp.  He found them anxiously waiting his return, and in fear
+of being attacked on their march to overtake the rest of their party.
+No sooner had they received the tusks and presents than they hurried
+off, and Martin and Masiko returned in safety to Kanenge's camp.  In a
+short time Kanenge managed to obtain as many tusks as Martin had paid
+for his son's ransom, with several in addition, which he presented as a
+gift.  Martin having thus, greatly to his satisfaction, rescued Kibo
+from slavery, was anxious to rejoin Mr Warden as soon as possible.
+
+Still, eager as he was to set out, he determined not to go, if possible,
+without his friend.  He had frequent conversations with Kibo on the
+subject.
+
+Martin went to the chief, who again expressed his gratitude to him for
+rescuing his son.
+
+"Yes," said Martin, "I, it is true, redeemed him from slavery, but that
+was only the slavery which binds the body; you wish to bring back his
+soul into slavery, which is ten thousand times worse than that from
+which I saved him.  If he remains with you, and follows your customs, he
+will be Satan's slave.  Allow him to return with me, and in a few years
+I trust that he will come back and be able to show you and your people
+how you may be free indeed, and enjoy the blessings which my religion
+can alone give you.  You acknowledge that I have been the means of
+rescuing him from your enemies; I have a right, therefore, to entreat
+that you will allow him to accompany me."
+
+For a considerable time Kanenge did not speak.  A great struggle was
+taking place within him.  At length he answered--
+
+"He shall go with you, my son.  You have said what is true; only,
+remember your promise, that he is to return here to see me ere I die."
+
+Martin again assured Kanenge that should God spare his life, Kibo would
+return with a white missionary to instruct him and his people, and then
+hastened away to communicate to his friend the joyful intelligence.
+
+Preparations for their departure were now made, and the waggon being
+well loaded, Martin and his two young companions, with Masiko as
+conductor, set out on his journey southward across the desert.  The
+Hottentot driver and four of his men survived, while several of the
+Makololo gladly undertook to fill the places of the others and to form
+the necessary escort.  Kanenge accompanied them for a couple of days on
+their journey, urging Martin to come back with Kibo, and promising to
+give him a warm reception.
+
+The journey across the desert was performed without an accident.  Martin
+had no intention of following the life of a trader, having far higher
+aims in view.  He without difficulty disposed of his waggon and its
+valuable cargo, and with Mr Warden's assistance, invested the proceeds,
+which were sufficient not only to supply his very moderate wants for the
+present but for the future.  He at once began diligently to prepare
+himself for the important duties of a missionary, Kibo and Telo
+following his example.  The three young men were in the course of a few
+years fitted to go forth on their destined work, and were the means of
+bringing many in that long-benighted region out of Nature's darkness
+into the glorious light of the Gospel.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The End.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The School Friends, by W.H.G. Kingston
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40688 ***