Nic Revel; A White Slave's Adventures in Alligator Land, by GeorgeManville Fenn. 

________________________________________________________________________

Nic Revel is brought up on a small landed estate in Devon. The date issomewhere in the middle of the nineteenth century. There is a very goodsalmon pool on the estate, but it is often used by poachers, whichgreatly annoys the Revel family. Eventually they have a great fightthere, in which they had arranged to be supported by men from a vesselof the Royal Navy. 

Nic is wounded and is mistaken for a poacher by the naval party, whopress-gang the poachers. When they reach America, Nic is still hardlyconscious, and not capable of much work. All the less able poachers arethen sold by the ship to an American slave dealer, who sells them to asettler who lives a long way up a river. 

After a journey to the farm they find that they are given very hard workto do, and not fed very well. And of course Nic and one of thepoachers, who has become a good friend of his, want to get back toDevon. After many trials and tribulations they eventually escape. 

George Manville Fenn is a master of suspense, and this book is a verygood example of his work. 

________________________________________________________________________

NIC REVEL; A WHITE SLAVE'S ADVENTURES IN ALLIGATOR LAND, BY GEORGEMANVILLE FENN. 

CHAPTER ONE. 

CAPTAIN REVEL IS CROSS. 

"Late again, Nic, " said Captain Revel. 

"Very sorry, father. "

"Yes, you always are `very sorry, ' sir. I never saw such a fellow tosleep. Why, when I was a lad of your age--let's see, you're justeighteen. "

"Yes, father, and very hungry, " said the young man, with a laugh and aglance at the breakfast-table. 

"Always are very hungry. Why, when I was a lad of your age I didn'tlead such an easy-going life as you do. You're spoiled, Nic, by anindulgent father. --Here, help me to some of that ham. --Had to keep mywatch and turn up on deck at all hours; glad to eat weavilly biscuit. --Give me that brown bit. --Ah, I ought to have sent you to sea. Made aman of you. Heard the thunder, of course?"

"No, father. Was there a storm?"

"Storm--yes. Lightning as we used to have it in the East Indies, andthe rain came down like a waterspout. "

"I didn't hear anything of it, father. "

"No; you'd sleep through an earthquake, or a shipwreck, or--Why, I say, Nic, you'll soon have a beard. "

"Oh, nonsense, father! Shall I cut you some bread?"

"But you will, " said the Captain, chuckling. "My word, how time goes!Only the other day you were an ugly little pup of a fellow, and I usedto wipe your nose; and now you're as big as I am--I mean as tall. "

"Yes; I'm not so stout, father, " said Nic, laughing. 

"None of your impudence, sir, " said the heavy old sea-captain, frowning. "If you had been as much knocked about as I have, you might have beenas stout. "

Nic Revel could not see the common-sense of the remark, but he saidnothing, and went on with his breakfast, glancing from time to timethrough the window at the glittering sea beyond the flagstaff, plantedon the cliff which ran down perpendicularly to the little river thatwashed its base while flowing on towards the sea a mile lower down. 

"Couldn't sleep a bit, " said Captain Revel. "But I felt it coming allyesterday afternoon. Was I--er--a bit irritable?"

"Um--er--well, just a little, father, " said Nic dryly. 

"Humph! and that means I was like a bear--eh, sir?"

"I did not say so, father. "

"No, sir; but you meant it. Well, enough to make me, " cried theCaptain, flushing. "I will not have it. I'll have half-a-dozen morewatchers, and put a stop to their tricks. The land's mine, and theriver's mine, and the salmon are mine; and if any more of those idlerascals come over from the town on to my grounds, after my fish, I'llshoot 'em, or run 'em through, or catch 'em and have 'em tied up andflogged. "

"It is hard, father. "

"`_Hard_' isn't hard enough, Nic, my boy, " cried the Captain angrily. "The river's open to them below, and it's free to them up on the moors, and they may go and catch them in the sea if they want more room. "

"If they can, father, " said Nic, laughing. 

"Well, yes--if they can, boy. Of course it's if they can with any onewho goes fishing. But I will not have them come disturbing me. Theimpudent scoundrels!"

"Did you see somebody yesterday, then, father?"

"Didn't you hear me telling you, sir? Pay attention, and give me somemore ham. Yes; I'd been up to the flagstaff and was walking along bythe side of the combe, so as to come back home through the wood path, when there was that great lazy scoundrel, Burge, over from the town witha long staff and a hook, and I was just in time to see him land a goodtwelve-pound salmon out of the pool--one of that half-dozen that havebeen lying there this fortnight past waiting for enough water to run uphigher. "

"Did you speak to him, father?"

"Speak to him, sir!" cried the Captain. "I let him have a broadside. "

"What did he say, father?"

"Laughed at me--the scoundrel! Safe on the other side; and I had tostand still and see him carry off the beautiful fish. "

"The insolent dog!" cried Nic. 

"Yes; I wish I was as young and strong and active as you, boy. I'd havegone down somehow, waded the river, and pushed the scoundrel in. "

He looked at his father and smiled. 

"But I would, my boy: I was in such a fit of temper. Why can't therascals leave me and mine alone?"

"Like salmon, I suppose, father, " said the young man. 

"So do we--but they might go up the river and catch them. "

"We get so many in the pool, and they tempt the idle people. "

"Then they have no business to fall into temptation. I'll do somethingto stop them. "

"Better not, father, " said Nic quietly. "It would only mean fightingand trouble. "

"Bah!" cried Captain Revel, with his face growing redder than usual. "What a fellow to be my son! Why, sir, when I was your age I gloried ina fight. "

"Did you, father?"

"Yes, sir, I did. "

"Ah! but you were in training for a fighting-man. "

"And I was weak enough, to please your poor mother, to let you beschooled for a bookworm, and a man of law and quips and quiddities, always ready to enter into an argument with me, and prove that black'swhite and white's no colour, as they say. Hark ye, sir, if it was nottoo late I'd get Jack Lawrence to take you to sea with him now. He'llbe looking us up one of these days soon. It's nearly time he put in atPlymouth again. "

"No, you would not, father, " said the young man quietly. 

"Ah! arguing again? Why not, pray?"

"Because you told me you were quite satisfied with what you had done. "

"Humph! Hah! Yes! so I did. What are you going to do this morning--read?"

"Yes, father; read hard. "

"Well, don't read too hard, my lad. Get out in the fresh air a bit. Why not try for a salmon? They'll be running up after this rain, andyou may get one if there is not too much water. "

"Yes, I might try, " said the young man quietly; and soon after hestrolled into the quaint old library, to begin poring over a heavylaw-book full of wise statutes, forgetting everything but the task hehad in hand; while Captain Revel went out to walk to the edge of thehigh cliff and sat down on the stone seat at the foot of theproperly-rigged flagstaff Here he scanned the glittering waters, criticising the manoeuvres of the craft passing up and down the Channelon their way to Portsmouth or the port of London, or westward forPlymouth, dreaming the while of his old ship and the adventures he hadhad till his wounds, received in a desperate engagement with a couple ofpiratical vessels in the American waters, incapacitated him for activeservice, and forced him to lead the life of an old-fashioned countrygentleman at his home near the sea. 

CHAPTER TWO. 

A WET FIGHT. 

The Captain was having his after-dinner nap when Nic took down one ofthe rods which always hung ready in the hall, glanced at the fly to seeif it was all right, and then crossed the garden to the fields. Heturned off towards the river, from which, deep down in the lovely combe, came a low, murmurous, rushing sound, quite distinct from a deep, sullenroar from the thick woodland a few hundred yards to his right. 

"No fishing to-day, " he said, and he rested his rod against one of thesturdy dwarf oaks which sheltered the house from the western gales, andthen walked on, drawing in deep draughts of the soft salt air andenjoying the beauty of the scene around. 

For the old estate had been well chosen by the Revels of two hundredyears earlier; and, look which way he might, up or down the miniaturevalley, there were the never-tiring beauties of one of the mostdelightful English districts. 

The murmur increased as the young man strode on down the rugged slope, or leaped from mossy stone to stone, amongst heather, furze, and fern, to where the steep sides of the combe grew more thickly clothed withtrees, in and amongst which the sheep had made tracks like a map of thelittle valley, till all at once he stood at the edge of a huge mass ofrock, gazing through the leaves at the foaming brown water which washedthe base of the natural wall, and eddied and leaped and tore on alongits zigzag bed, onward towards the sea. 

From where he stood he gazed straight across at the other side of thecombe, one mass of greens of every tint, here lit up by the sun, theredeep in shadow; while, watered by the soft moist air and mists whichrose from below, everything he gazed upon was rich and luxuriant in theextreme. 

"The rain must have been tremendous up in the moor, " thought the youngman, as he gazed down into the lovely gully at the rushing water, whichon the previous day had been a mere string of stony pools connected by atrickling stream, some of them deep and dark, the haunts of the salmonwhich came up in their season from the sea. "What a change! Yesterday, all as clear as crystal; now, quite a golden brown. "

Then, thinking of how the salmon must be taking advantage of the littleflood to run up higher to their spawning-grounds among the hills, Nicturned off to his right to follow a rugged track along the cliff-likeside, sometimes low down, sometimes high up; now in deep shadow, now inopenings where the sun shot through to make the hurrying waters sparkleand flash. 

The young man went on and on for quite a quarter of a mile, with thesullen roar increasing till it became one deep musical boom; and, turning a corner where a portion of the cliff overhung the narrow path, and long strands of ivy hung down away from the stones, he stepped outof a green twilight into broad sunshine, to stand upon a shelf of rock, gazing into a circular pool some hundred feet across. 

Here was the explanation of the deep, melodious roar. For, to hisright, over what resembled a great eight-foot-high step in the valley, the whole of the little river plunged down from the continuation of thegorge, falling in one broad cascade in a glorious curve right into thepool, sending up a fine spray which formed a cloud, across which, like abridge over the fall, the lovely tints of a rainbow played from time totime. 

It was nothing new to Nic, that amphitheatre, into which he had gazedtimes enough ever since he was a child; but it had never seemed morelovely, nor the growth which fringed it from the edge of the water tofifty or sixty feet above his head more beautiful and green. 

But he had an object in coming, and, following the shelf onward, he wassoon standing level with the side of the fall, gazing intently at thewatery curve and right into the pool where the water foamed and plungeddown, rose a few yards away, and then set in a regular stream round andround the amphitheatre, a portion flowing out between two hugebuttresses of granite, and then hurrying downstream. 

Nic was about fifteen feet above the surface of the chaos of water, anda little above the head of the pool; while below him were blocks ofstone, dripping bushes, and grasses, and then an easy descent to wherehe might have stood dry-shod and gazed beneath the curve of the fallingwater, as he had stood scores of times before. 

But his attention was fixed upon the curve, and as he watched he sawsomething silvery flash out of the brown water and fall back into thepool where the foam was thickest. 

Again he saw it, and this time it disappeared without falling back. Forthe salmon, fresh from the sea, were leaping at the fall to gain theupper waters of the river. 

It was a romantic scene, and Nic stood watching for some minutes, breathing the moist air, while the spray began to gather upon hisgarments, and the deep musical boom reverberated from the rocky sides ofthe chasm. 

It was a grand day for the fish, and he was thinking that there would beplenty of them right up the river for miles, for again and again he sawsalmon flash into sight as, by one tremendous spring and beat of theirtails, they made their great effort to pass the obstacle in their way. 

"Plenty for every one, " he said to himself; "and plenty left for us, " headded, as he saw other fish fail and drop back into the foam-coveredamber and black water, to sail round with the stream, and in allprobability--for their actions could not be seen--rest from theirtremendous effort, and try again. 

All at once, after Nic had been watching for some minutes without seeingsign of a fish, there was a flash close in to where he stood, and alarge salmon shot up, reached the top of the fall, and would have passedon, but fortune was against it. For a moment it rested on the edge, andits broad tail and part of its body glistened as a powerful stroke wasmade with the broad caudal fin. 

But it was in the air, not in the water; and the next moment the greatfish was falling, when, quick as its own spring up, there was a suddenmovement from behind one of the great stones at the foot of the falljust below where Nic stood, and the salmon was caught upon a sharp hookat the end of a stout ash pole and dragged shoreward, flapping andstruggling with all its might. 

The efforts were in vain, for its captor drew it in quickly, raising thepole more and more till it was nearly perpendicular, as he came out frombehind the great block of dripping stone which had hidden him from Nic, and, as it happened, stepped backward, till his fish was clear of thewater. 

It was all the matter of less than a minute. The man, intent upon hisfish--a magnificent freshly-run salmon, glittering in its silverscales--passed hand over hand along his pole, released his right, andwas in the act of reaching down to thrust a hooked finger in the openingand closing gills to make sure of his prize in the cramped-up space heoccupied, when the end of the stout ash staff struck Nic sharply on hisleg. 

But the man did not turn, attributing the hindrance to his pole havingencountered a stone or tree branch above his head, and any movement madeby Nic was drowned by the roar of the fall. 

The blow upon the leg was sharp, and gave intense pain to its recipient, whose temper was already rising at the cool impudence of the stout, bullet-headed fellow, trespassing and poaching in open daylight upon theCaptain's grounds. 

Consequently, Nic did take notice of the blow. 

Stooping down as the end of the pole wavered in the air, he made asnatch at and seized it, gave it a wrench round as the man's finger wasentering the gill of the salmon, and the hook being reversed, the fishdropped off, there was a slight addition to the splashing in the pool, and then it disappeared. 

The next moment the man twisted himself round, holding on by the pole, and stared up; while Nic, still holding on by the other end, leaned overand stared down. 

It was a curious picture, and for some moments neither stirred, thepoacher's not ill-looking face expressing profound astonishment at thisstrange attack. 

Then a fierce look of anger crossed it, and, quick as thought, he made asharp snatch, which destroyed Nic's balance, making him loosen his holdof the pole and snatch at the nearest branch to check his fall. 

He succeeded, but only for a moment, just sufficient to save himself andreceive another heavy blow from the pole, which made him lose his holdand slip, more than fall, down to where he was on the same level withhis adversary, who drew back to strike again. 

But Nic felt as if his heart was on fire. The pain of the blowsthrilled him, and, darting forward with clenched fists, he struck thepoacher full in the mouth before the pole could swing round. 

There was the faint whisper of a hoarse yell as the man fell back; Nicsaw his hands clutching in the air, then he went backward into theboiling water, while the end of the pole was seen to rise above thesurface for a moment or two, and then glide towards the bottom of thefall and disappear. 

For the current, as it swung round the pool, set towards the fallingwater on the surface, and rushed outward far below. 

Nic's rage died out more quickly than it had risen, and he cranedforward, white as ashes now, watching for the rising of his adversaryout somewhere towards the other side; while, as if in triumphant mockeryor delight at the danger having been removed, another huge salmon leapedup the fall. 

CHAPTER THREE. 

A GAME OF TIT FOR TAT. 

"I'd have pushed him in. "

Captain Revel's threat flashed through his son's brain as the young manstood staring wildly over the agitated waters of the pool, every momentfancying that he saw some portion of the man's body rise to the surface;but only for it to prove a patch of the creamy froth churned up by theflood. 

It was plain enough: the man had been sucked in under the falls, and theforce of the falling water was keeping him down. He must have beenbeneath the surface for a full minute now--so it seemed to Nic; and, ashe grew more hopeless moment by moment of seeing him rise, the youngman's blood seemed to chill with horror at the thought that he had inhis rage destroyed another's life. 

Only a short time back the shut-in pool had been a scene of beauty; nowit was like a black hollow of misery and despair, as the water dasheddown and then swirled and eddied in the hideous whirlpool. 

Then it was light again, and a wild feeling of exultation shot throughNic's breast, for he suddenly caught sight of the man's inert bodyapproaching him, after gliding right round the basin. It was quitefifty feet away, and seemed for a few moments as if about to be sweptout of the hollow and down the gully; but the swirl was too strong, andit continued gliding round the pool, each moment coming nearer. 

There was no time for hesitation. Nic knew the danger and theimpossibility of keeping afloat in foaming water like that before him, churned up as it was with air; but he felt that at all cost he mustplunge in and try to save his adversary before the poor fellow was sweptby him and borne once more beneath the fall. 

Stripping off his coat, he waited a few seconds, and then leaped outwardso as to come down feet first, in the hope that he might find bottom andbe able to wade, for he knew that swimming was out of the question. 

It was one rush, splash, and hurry, for the water was not breast-deep, and by a desperate effort he kept up as his feet reached the rugged, heavily-scoured stones at the bottom. Then the pressure of the waternearly bore him away, but he managed to keep up, bearing sidewise, andthe next minute had grasped the man's arm and was struggling shorewards, dragging his adversary towards the rugged bank. 

Twice-over he felt that it was impossible; but, as the peril increased, despair seemed to endow him with superhuman strength, and he kept up thestruggle bravely, ending by drawing the man out on to the ledge ofstones nearly on a level with the water, where he had been at firststanding at the foot of the fall. 

"He's dead; he's dead!" panted Nic, as he sank upon his knees, too muchexhausted by his struggle to do more than gaze down at the dripping, sun-tanned face, though the idea was growing that he must somehow carrythe body up into the sunshine and try to restore consciousness. 

Comic things occur sometimes in tragedies, and Nic's heart gave atremendous leap, for a peculiar twitching suddenly contracted the facebeside which he knelt, and the man sneezed violently, again and again. A strangling fit of coughing succeeded, during which he choked andcrowed and grew scarlet, and in his efforts to get his breath he roseinto a sitting position, opened his eyes to stare, and ended bystruggling to his feet and standing panting and gazing fiercely at Nic. 

"Are you better?" cried the latter excitedly, and he seized the man bythe arms, as he too rose, and held him fast, in the fear lest he shouldfall back into the whirlpool once more. 

That was enough! Pete Burge was too hardy a fisher to be easilydrowned. He had recovered his senses, and the rage against the youngfellow who had caused his trouble surged up again, as it seemed to himthat he was being seized and made prisoner, not a word of Nic's speechbeing heard above the roar of the water. 

"Vish as much mine as his, " said the man to himself; and, in nowiseweakened by his immersion, he closed with Nic. There was a shortstruggle on the ledge, which was about the worst place that could havebeen chosen for such an encounter; and Nic, as he put forth all hisstrength against the man's iron muscles, was borne to his left over thewater and to his right with a heavy bang against the rocky side of thechasm. Then, before he could recover himself, there was a rapiddisengagement and two powerful arms clasped his waist; he was heaved upin old West-country wrestling fashion, struggling wildly, and, in spiteof his efforts to cling to his adversary, by a mighty effort jerked off. He fell clear away in the foaming pool, which closed over his head ashe was borne in turn right beneath the tons upon tons of water whichthundered in his ears, while he experienced the sudden change fromsunshine into the dense blackness of night. 

"How do you like that?" shouted the man; but it was only a faintwhisper, of which he alone was conscious. 

There was a broad grin upon his face, and his big white teeth glistenedin the triumphant smile which lit up his countenance. 

"I'll let you zee. "

He stood dripping and watching the swirling and foaming water for thereappearance of Nic. 

"Biggest vish I got this year, " he said to himself. "Lost my pole, too;and here! where's my cap, and--?"

There was a sudden change in his aspect, his face becoming full of blankhorror now as he leaned forward, staring over the pool, eyes and mouthopen widely; and then, with a groan, he gasped out:

"Well, I've done it now!"

CHAPTER FOUR. 

NIC WILL NOT SHAKE HANDS. 

History repeats itself, though the repetitions are not always recorded. 

A horrible feeling of remorse and despair came over the man. His angerhad evaporated, and putting his hands to the sides of his mouth, heyelled out:

"Ahoy, there! Help--help!"

Again it was a mere whisper in the booming roar. 

"Oh, poor dear lad!" he muttered to himself. "Bother the zammon! Wishthere waren't none. Hoi, Master Nic! Strike out! Zwim, lad, zwim!Oh, wheer be ye? I've drowned un. Oh, a mercy me! What have I done?--Hah! there a be. "

There was a plunge, a splash, and a rush against the eddying water, withthe man showing a better knowledge of the pool, from many a day'swading, than Nic had possessed. Pete Burge knew where the shallowshelves of polished stones lay out of sight, and he waded and struggledon to where the water was bearing Nic round in turn. Then, afterwading, the man plunged into deep water, swam strongly, and seized hisvictim as a huge dog would, with his teeth, swung himself round, and letthe fierce current bear him along as he fought his way into the shallow, regained his footing, and the next minute was back by the ledge. Herehe rose to his feet, and rolled and thrust Nic ashore, climbed out afterhim, and knelt in turn by his side. 

"Bean't dead, be he?" said the man to himself. "Not in the water longenough. Worst o' these here noblemen and gentlemen--got no stuff in'em. "

Pete Burge talked to himself, but he was busy the while. He acted likea man who had gained experience in connection with flooded rivers, torrents, and occasional trips in fishing-boats at sea; and according toold notions, supposing his victim not to be already dead, he did thebest he could to smother out the tiny spark of life that might still beglowing. 

His fine old-fashioned notion of a man being drowned was that it wasbecause he was full of water. The proper thing, then, according to hislights, must be to empty it out, and the sooner the better. Thesea-going custom was to lay a man face downward across a barrel, and toroll the barrel gently to and fro. 

"And I aren't got no barrel, " muttered Pete. 

To make up for it he rolled Nic from side to side, and then, as histreatment produced no effect, he seized him by the ankles, stood up, andraised the poor fellow till he was upside down, and shook him violentlyagain and again. 

Wonderful to relate, that did no good, his patient looking obstinatelylifeless; so he laid him in the position he should have tried at first--extended upon his back; and, apostrophising him all the time as a poor, weakly, helpless creature, punched and rubbed and worked him about, muttering the while. 

"Oh, poor lad! poor dear lad!" he went on. "I had no spite again' him. I didn't want to drownd him. It weer only tit for tat; he chucked mein, and I chucked him in, and it's all on account o' they zammon. --Theregoes another. Always a-temptin' a man to come and catch 'em--lyin' inthe pools as if askin' of ye. --Oh, I say, do open your eyes, lad, andspeak! They'll zay I murdered ye, and if I don't get aboard ship andzail away to foreign abroad, they'll hang me, and the crows'll come andpick out my eyes. --I zay. --I zay lad, don't ye be a vool. It was on'y adrop o' watter ye zwallowed. Do ye come to, and I'll never meddle withthe zammon again. --I zay, ye aren't dead now. Don't ye be a vool. Itaren't worth dying for, lad. Coom, coom, coom, open your eyes and zitup like a man. You're a gentleman, and ought to know better. I aren'tno scholard, and I didn't do zo. --Oh, look at him! I shall be hangedfor it, and put on the gibbet, and all for a bit o' vish. --Zay, lookhere, if you don't come to I'll pitch you back again, and they'll thinkyou tumbled in, and never know no better. It's voolish of ye, lad. Don't give up till ye're ninety-nine or a hundred. It's time enough todie then. Don't die now, with the sun shining and the fish running upthe valls, and ye might be so happy and well. "

And all the while Pete kept on thumping and rubbing and banging hispatient about in the most vigorous way. 

"It's spite, that's what it is, " growled the man. "You hit me i' th'mouth and tried to drownd me, and because you couldn't you're trying toget me hanged; and you shan't, for if you don't come-to soon, sure asyou're alive I'll pitch you back to be carried out to zea. --Nay, nay, Iwouldn't, lad. Ye'd coom back and harnt me. I never meant to do morethan duck you, and Hooray!"

For Nic's nature had at last risen against the treatment he wasreceiving. It was more than any one could stand; so, in the midst of afurious bout of rubbing, the poor fellow suddenly yawned and opened hiseyes, to stare blankly up at the bright sun-rays streaming down throughthe overhanging boughs of the gnarled oaks. He dropped his lids again, but another vigorous rubbing made him open them once more; and as hestared now at his rough doctor his lips moved to utter the word "Don't!"but it was not heard, and after one or two more appeals he caught theman's wrists and tried to struggle up into a sitting position, Petehelping him, and then, as he knelt there, grinning in his face. 

Nic sat staring at him and beginning to think more clearly, so that in afew minutes he had fully grasped the position and recalled all that hadtaken place. 

It was evident that there was to be a truce between them, for PeteBurge's rough countenance was quite smiling and triumphant, while onNic's own part the back of his neck ached severely, and he felt as if hecould not have injured a fly. 

At last Nic rose, shook himself after the fashion of a dog to get rid ofsome of the water which soaked his clothes, and looked round about himfor his cap, feeling that he would be more dignified and look ratherless like a drowned rat if he put it on. 

Pete came close to him, placed his lips nearly to his ear, and shouted, "Cap?"

Nic nodded. 

"Gone down the river to try and catch mine for me, " said the man, with agood-humoured grin, which made Nic frown at the insolent familiaritywith which it was said. 

"You'll have to buy me another one, Master Nic, " continued the man, "andget the smith to make me a noo steel hook. I'll let you off paying forthe pole; I can cut a fresh one somewheres up yonder. "

"On our grounds?" cried Nic indignantly, speaking as loudly as he could. 

"Well, there's plenty, aren't there, master? And you've lost mine, "shouted back the man, grinning again. 

"You scoundrel!" cried Nic, who was warming up again. "I shall have youup before the Justices for this. "

"For what?" said the man insolently. 

"For throwing me into the pool. "

"Zo shall I, then, " shouted the man. "It was only tit for tat. Youzent me in first. "

"Yes; and I caught you first hooking our salmon, sir. "

"Tchah! much my zammon as your own, master. Vish comes out of the zeafor everybody as likes to catch them. "

"Not on my father's estate, " cried Nic. "You've been warned timesenough. "

"Ay, I've heerd a lot o' talk, master; but me and my mates mean to havea vish or two whenever we wants 'em. You'll never miss 'em. "

"Look here, Pete Burge, " cried Nic; "I don't want to be too hard uponyou, because I suppose you fished me out of the pool after throwing mein. "

"Well, you've no call to grumble, master, " said the man, grinninggood-humouredly. "You did just the zame. "

"And, " continued Nic, shouting himself hoarse, so as to be heard, andpaying no heed to the man's words, "if you faithfully promise me thatyou'll never come and poach on my father's part of the river again, I'lllook over all this, and not have you before the Justices. "

"How are you going to get me avore the Justice, Master Nic?" said theman, with a merry laugh. 

"Send the constable, sir. "

"Tchah! he'd never vind me; and, if he did, he dursen't tackle me. There's a dozen o' my mates would break his head if he tried. "

"Never mind about that, " cried Nic. "You promise me. My father warnedyou only yesterday. "

"So he did, " said the man, showing his teeth. "In a regular wax hewas. "

"And I will not have him annoyed, " cried Nic. "So now then, youpromise?"

"Nay, I shan't promise. "

"Then I go straight to the constable, and if I do you'll be summoned andpunished, and perhaps sent out of the country. "

"What vor?--pulling you out when you was drownding?"

"For stealing our salmon and beating our two keepers. "

"Then I'd better have left you in yonder, " said the man, laughing. 

"You mean I had better have left you in yonder, and rid the country ofan idle, poaching scoundrel, " cried Nic indignantly. "But there, yousaved my life, and I want to give you a chance. Look here, Pete Burge, you had better go to sea. "

"Yes, when I like to try for some vish. Don't ketch me going for azailor. "

"Will you give me your word that you will leave the fish alone?"

"Nay; but I'll shake hands with you, master. You zaved my life, and Izaved yourn, so we're square over that business. "

"You insolent dog!" cried Nic. "Then I'll go straight to the Justice. "

"Nay; you go and put on zome dry clothes. It don't hurt me, but you'llketch cold, my lad. Look here, you want me to zay I won't take no morezammon. "

"Yes. "

"Then I won't zay it. There's about twenty of us means to have as manyfish out o' the river as we like, and if anybody, keepers or what not, comes and interveres with us we'll pitch 'em in the river; and they mayget out themzelves, for I'm not going in after they. Understand that, master?"

"Yes, sir, I do. "

"Then don't you set any one to meddle with us, or there may be mischiefdone, for my mates aren't such vools as me. Going to give me a noosteel hook?"

"No, you scoundrel!"

"Going to zhake hands?"

"No, sir. "

"Just as you like, young master. I wanted to be vriends and you won't, so we'll be t'other. On'y mind, if there's mischief comes of it, youmade it. Now then, I'm going to walk about in the sun to get dry, andthen zee about getting myself a noo cap and a hook. "

"To try for our salmon again?"

The fellow gave him a queer look, nodded, and climbed up the side of theravine, followed by Nic. 

At the top the man turned and stared at him for a few moments, with apeculiar look in his eyes; and the trees between them and the falls shutoff much of the deep, booming noise. 

"Well, " said Nic sharply, "have you repented?"

"Nothing to repent on, " said the man stolidly. "On'y wanted to zay thishere: If you zees lights some night among the trees and down by thewatter, it means vishing. "

"I know that, " said Nic sternly. 

"And there'll be a lot there--rough uns; so don't you come and meddle, my lad, for I shouldn't like to zee you hurt. "

The next minute the man had disappeared among the trees, leaving Nic tostand staring after him, thinking of what would be the result if thesalmon-poachers met their match. 

CHAPTER FIVE. 

THE CAPTAIN CANNOT LET IT REST. 

"Hullo, Nic, my boy; been overboard?"

The young man started, for he had been thinking a good deal on his wayback to the house. His anger had cooled down as much as his body fromthe evaporation going on. For, after all, he thought he could not findmuch fault with Pete Burge. It would seem only natural to such a roughfellow to serve his assailant as he had himself been served. 

"And he did save my life afterwards, instead of letting me drown, "thought Nic, who decided not to try to get Pete punished. 

"I'll give him one more chance, " he said; and he had just arrived atthis point as he was walking sharply through the trees by the combe, with the intention of slipping in unseen, when he came suddenly upon hisfather seated upon a stone, and was saluted with the above question asto having been overboard. 

"Yes, father, " he said, glancing down at his drenched garments, "I'vebeen in. "

"Bah! you go blundering about looking inside instead of where you'resteering, " cried the Captain. "Aren't drowned, I suppose?"

Nic laughed. 

"Well, slip in and get on some dry things. Look alive. "

Nic did not want to enter into the business through which he had passed, so he hurried indoors, glad to change his clothes. 

Then, as the time went on he felt less and less disposed to speak abouthis adventure, for it seemed hard work to make an effort to punish theman who had, after all, saved his life. 

About a fortnight had passed, when one morning, upon going down, heencountered his father's old sailor-servant, who answered his salutewith a grin. 

"What are you laughing at, Bill?" asked Nic. 

"They've been at it again, sir. "

"What! those scoundrels after the salmon?"

"Yes, sir; in the night. Didn't you hear 'em?"

"Of course not. Did you?"

"Oh yes, I heerd 'em and seed 'em too; leastwise, I seed their lights. So did Tom Gardener. "

"Then why didn't you call me up?" cried Nic angrily. 

"'Cause you'd ha' woke the Captain, and he'd have had us all out for afight. "

"Of course he would. "

"And he was a deal better in his bed. You know what he is, Master Nic. I put it to you, now. He's got all the sperrit he always did have, andis ripe as ever for a row; but is he fit, big and heavy as he's growed, to go down fighting salmon-poachers?"

"No; but we could have knocked up Tom Gardener and the other men, andgone ourselves. "

"Oh!" ejaculated the old sailor, laughing. "He'd have heared, perhaps. Think you could ha' made him keep back when there was a fight, MasterNic?"

"No, I suppose not; but he will be horribly angry, and go on at youfiercely when he knows. "

"Oh, of course, " said the man coolly. "That's his way; but I'm used tothat. It does him good, he likes it, and it don't do me no harm. Neverdid in the old days at sea. "

"Has any one been down to the river?"

"Oh yes; me and Tom Gardener went down as soon as it was daylight; andthey've been having a fine game. "

"Game?"

"Ay, that they have, Master Nic, " said the man, laughing. "There's nowater coming over the fall, and the pool was full of fish. "

"Well, I know that, Bill, " cried Nic impatiently; "but you don't mean tosay that--"

"Yes, I do, " said the man, grinning. "They've cleared it. "

"And you laugh, sir!"

"Well, 'taren't nowt to cry about, Master Nic. On'y a few fish. "

"And you know how particular my father is about the salmon. "

"Oh, ay. Of course I know; but he eats more of 'em than's good for himnow. 'Sides, they left three on the side. Slipped out o' theirbaskets, I suppose. "

Nic was right: the Captain was furious, and the servants, from WilliamSolly to the youngest gardener, were what they called "tongue-thrashed, "Captain Revel storming as if he were once more rating his crew aboardship. 

"They all heard, Nic, my boy, " he said to his son. "I believe they knewthe scoundrels were coming, and they were too cowardly to give thealarm. "

This was after a walk down to the pool, where the water was clear andstill save where a little stream ran sparkling over the shelf of rockinstead of a thunderous fall, the gathering from the high grounds of themoors. 

"I'm afraid they heard them, father, " said Nic. 

"Afraid? I'm sure of it, boy. "

"And that they did not like the idea of your getting mixed up in thefight. "

"Ah!" cried the Captain, catching his son by the shoulder; "then youknew of it too, sir? You wanted me to be kept out of it. "

"I do want you to be kept out of any struggle, father, " said Nic. 

"Why, sir, why?" panted the old officer. 

"Because you are not so active as you used to be. "

"What, sir? Nonsense, sir! A little heavy and--er--short-windedperhaps, but never better or more full of fight in my life, sir. Thescoundrels! Oh, if I had been there! But I feel hurt, Nic--cruellyhurt. You and that salt-soaked old villain, Bill Sally, hatch up thesethings between you. Want to make out I'm infirm. I'll discharge thatvagabond. "

"No, you will not, father. He's too good and faithful a servant. Hethinks of nothing but his old Captain's health. "

"A scoundrel! and so he ought to. Wasn't he at sea with me forfive-and-twenty years--wrecked with me three times?--But you, Nic, tomutiny against your father!"

"No, no, father; I assure you I knew nothing whatever about it till Icame down this morning. "

"And you'd have woke me if you had known?"

"Of course I would, father. "

"Thank you, Nic--thank you. To be sure: you gave me your word of honouryou would. But as for that ruffian Bill Solly, I'll blow him out of thewater. "

"Better let it rest, father, " said Nic. "We escaped a bad fightperhaps. I believe there was a gang of fifteen or twenty of thescoundrels, and I'd rather they had all the fish in the sea than thatyou should be hurt. "

"Thank you, Nic; thank you, my boy. That's very good of you; but Ican't, and I will not, lie by and have my fish cleared away like this. "

"There'll be more as soon as the rain comes again in the moors, andthese are gone now. "

"Yes, and sold--perhaps eaten by this time, eh?"

"Yes, father; and there's as good fish in the sea. "

"As ever came out of it--eh, Nic?"

"Yes, father; so let the matter drop. "

"Can't help myself, Nic; but I must have a turn at the enemy one ofthese times. I cannot sit down and let them attack me like this. Oh, I'd dearly like to blow some of 'em out of the water!"

"Better put a bag of powder under the rock, father, and blow away thefalls so that the salmon can always get up, and take the temptation awayfrom these idle scoundrels. "

"I'd sooner put the powder under my own bed, sir, and blow myself up. No, Nic, I will not strike my colours to the miserable gang like that. Oh! I'd dearly like to know when they are going to make their nextraid, and then have my old crew to lie in wait for them. "

"And as that's impossible, father--"

"We must grin and bear it, Nic--eh?"

"Yes, father. "

"But only wait!"

CHAPTER SIX. 

PLOTS AND PLANS. 

The rain came, as Nic had said it would, and as it does come up in thehigh hills of stony Dartmoor. Then the tiny rills swelled and becamerivulets, the rivulets rivers, and the rivers floods. The tricklingfall at the Captain's swelled up till the water, which looked likeporter, thundered down and filled the pool, and the salmon came rushingup from the sea till there were as many as ever. Then, as the rainytime passed away, Captain Revel made his plans, for he felt sure thatthere would be another raid by the gang who had attacked his placebefore, headed by Pete Burge and a deformed man of herculean strength, who came with a party of ne'er-do-weels from the nearest town. 

"That rascal Pete will be here with his gang, " said the Captain, "andwe'll be ready for them. "

But the speaker was doing Pete Burge an injustice; for, though severalraids had been made in the neighbourhood, and pools cleared out, Petehad hung back from going to the Captain's for some reason or another, and suffered a good deal of abuse in consequence, one result being adesperate fight with Humpy Dee, the deformed man, who after a timeshowed the white feather, and left Pete victorious but a good dealknocked about. 

So, feeling sure that he was right, Captain Revel made his plans; and, unwillingly enough, but with the full intention of keeping his fatherout of danger, Nic set to work as his father's lieutenant and carriedout his orders. 

The result was that every servant was armed with a stout cudgel, andhalf-a-dozen sturdy peasants of the neighbourhood were enlisted to come, willingly enough, to help to watch and checkmate the rough party fromthe town, against whom a bitter feeling of enmity existed for deprivingthe cottagers from getting quietly a salmon for themselves. 

The arrangements were made for the next night, a stranger having beenseen inspecting the river and spying about among the fir-trees at theback of the pool. 

But no one came, and at daybreak the Captain's crew, as he called it, went back to bed. 

The following night did not pass off so peacefully, for soon aftertwelve, while the watchers, headed by the Captain and Nic, were wellhidden about the pool, the enemy came, and, after lighting theirlanthorns, began to net the salmon. 

Then a whistle rang out, a desperate attack was made upon them, and theCaptain nearly had a fit. For his party was greatly outnumbered. Theraiders fought desperately, and they went off at last fishless; but notuntil the Captain's little force had been thoroughly beaten and put toflight, with plenty of cuts and bruises amongst them, Nic's left armhanging down nearly helpless. 

"But never mind, Nic, " said the Captain, rubbing his bruised hand as hespoke. "I knocked one of the rascals down, and they got no fish; and Idon't believe they'll come again. "

But they did, the very next night, and cleared the pool once more, forthe watchers were all abed; and in the morning the Captain was franticin his declarations of what he would do. 

To Nic's great delight, just when his father was at his worst, and, ashis old body-servant said, "working himself into a fantigue about a bito' fish, " there was a diversion. 

Nic was sitting at breakfast, getting tired of having salmon at everymeal--by the ears, not by the mouth--when suddenly there was the dullthud of a big gun out at sea, and Captain Revel brought his fist downupon the table with a bang like an echo of the report. 

"Lawrence!" he cried excitedly. "Here, Nic, ring the bell, and tellSolly to go and hoist the flag. "

The bell was rung, and a maid appeared. 

"Where's Solly?" cried the Captain angrily. 

"Plee, sir, he's gone running up to the cliff to hoist the flag, " saidthe girl nervously. 

"Humph! that will do, " said the Captain, and the maid gladly beat aretreat. --"Not a bad bit of discipline that, Nic. Wonder what bringsLawrence here! Ring that bell again, boy, and order them to reset thebreakfast-table. He'll be here in half-an-hour, hungry. He always wasa hungry chap. "

The maid appeared, received her orders, and was about to go, when shewas arrested. 

"Here, Mary, what is there that can be cooked for Captain Lawrence'sbreakfast?"

"The gardener has just brought in a salmon he found speared and left bythe river, sir. "

The Captain turned purple with rage. 

"Don't you ever dare to say salmon to me again, woman!" he roared. 

"No, sir; cert'n'y not, sir, " faltered the frightened girl, turningwonderingly to Nic, her eyes seeming to say, "Please, sir, is mastergoing mad?"

"Yes; tell the cook to fry some salmon cutlets, " continued the Captain;and then apologetically to his son: "Lawrence likes fish. "

As the maid backed out of the room the Captain rose from the table. 

"Come along, my boy, " he said; "we'll finish our breakfast with him. "

Nic followed his father into the hall, and then through the garden andup to the edge of the cliff, passing William Solly on his way back afterhoisting the flag, which was waving in the sea-breeze. 

"Quite right, William, " said the Captain as the old sailor saluted andpassed on. "Nothing like discipline, Nic, my boy. Ha! You ought tohave been a sailor. "

The next minute they had reached the flagstaff, from whence they couldlook down at the mouth of the river, off which one of the king's shipswas lying close in, and between her and the shore there was a boatapproaching fast. 

As father and son watched, it was evident that they were seen, for someone stood up in the stern-sheets and waved a little flag, to which Nicreplied by holding his handkerchief to be blown out straight by thebreeze. 

"Ha! Very glad he has come, Nic, " said the Captain. "Fine fellow, JackLawrence! Never forgets old friends. Now I'll be bound to say he cangive us good advice about what to do with those scoundrels. "

"Not much in his way, father, is it?" said Nic. 

"What, sir?" cried the Captain fiercely. "Look here, boy; I never knewanything which was not in Jack Lawrence's way. Why, when we were younglieutenants together on board the _Sovereign_, whether it was fight orstorm he was always ready with a good idea. He will give us--me--well, us--good advice, I'm sure. There he is, being carried ashore. Go andmeet him, my boy. I like him to see that he is welcome. Tell him I'dhave come down myself, but the climb back is a bit too much for me. "

Nic went off at a trot along the steep track which led down to theshore, and in due time met the hale, vigorous, grey-haired officerstriding uphill in a way which made Nic feel envious on his father'sbehalf. 

"Well, Nic, my boy, " cried the visitor, "how's the dad? Well? That'sright. So are you, " he continued, gazing searchingly at the lad withhis keen, steely-grey eyes. "Grown ever so much since I saw you last. Ah, boy, it's a pity you didn't come to sea!"

Then he went on chatting about being just come upon the Plymouth stationtraining men for the king's ships, and how he hoped to see a good dealnow of his old friend and his son. 

The meeting between the brother-officers was boisterous, but there wassomething almost pathetic in the warmth with which they grasped hands, for they had first met in the same ship as middies, and many a timeduring Captain Lawrence's visits Nic had sat and listened to theirrecollections of the dangers they had gone through and their boyishpranks. 

William Solly was in the porch ready to salute the visitor, and to lookwith pride at the fine, manly old officer's greeting. He made a point, too, of stopping in the room to wait table, carefully supplying allwants, and smiling with pleasure as he saw how the pleasant meal wasenjoyed by the guest. 

"We were lying off the river late last night, but I wouldn't disturbyou, " he said. "I made up my mind, though, to come to breakfast. Hah!What delicious fried salmon!"

"_Hur-r-ur_!" growled Captain Revel, and Solly cocked his eye knowinglyat Nic. 

"Hallo! What's the matter?" cried the visitor. 

"The salmon--the salmon, " growled Captain Revel, frowning and tappingthe table. 

"De-licious, man! Have some?--Here, Solly, hand the dish to yourmaster. "

"_Bur-r-ur_!" roared the Captain. "Take it away--take it away, or Ishall be in another of my rages, and they're not good for me, Jack--notgood for me. "

"Why, what is it, old lad?"

"Tell him, Nic--tell him, " cried Captain Revel; and his son explainedthe cause of his father's irritation. 

"Why, that was worrying you last time I was here--let me see, a yearago. "

"Yes, Jack; and it has been worrying me ever since, " cried CaptainRevel. "You see, I mustn't cut any of the scoundrels down, and Imustn't shoot them. The law would be down on me. "

"Yes, of course; but you might make the law come down on them. "

"Can't, my lad. Summonses are no use. "

"Catch them in the act, make them prisoners, and then see what the lawwill do. "

"But we can't catch them, Jack; they're too many for us, " cried theCaptain earnestly. "They come twenty or thirty strong, and we've hadfight after fight with them, but they knock us to pieces. Look atSolly's forehead; they gave him that cut only a few nights ago. "

The old sailor blushed like a girl. 

"That's bad, " said the visitor, after giving the man a sharp look. "What sort of fellows are they?"

"Big, strong, idle vagabonds. Scum of the town and the country round. "

"Indeed!" said the visitor, raising his eyes. "They thrash you, then, because you are not strong enough?"

"Yes; that's it, Jack. Now, what am I to do?"

"Let me see, " said the visitor, tightening his lips. "They only comewhen the pool's full of salmon, you say, after a bit of rain in themoors?"

"Yes; that's it, Jack. "

"Then you pretty well know when to expect them?"

"Yes; that's right. "

"How would it be, then, if you sent me word in good time in the morning?Or, no--look here, old fellow--I shall know when there is rain on themoor, and I'll come round in this direction from the port. I'm cruisingabout the Channel training a lot of men. You hoist a couple of flags onthe staff some morning, and that evening at dusk I'll land a couple ofboats' crews, and have them marched up here to lay up with you and turnthe tables upon the rascals. How will that do?"

Solly forgot discipline, and bent down to give one of his legs atremendous slap, while his master made the breakfast things dance fromhis vigorous bang on the table. 

"There, Nic, " he cried triumphantly; "what did I say? Jack Lawrence wasalways ready to show the way when we were on our beam-ends. Jack, mydear old messmate, " he cried heartily, as he stretched out hishand--"your fist. "

CHAPTER SEVEN. 

THE CAPTAIN WILL "WHERRIT. "

Captain Lawrence spent the day at the Point, thoroughly enjoying a longgossip, and, after an early dinner, proposed a walk around the groundsand a look at the river and the pool. 

"What a lovely spot it is!" he said, as he wandered about the side ofthe combe. "I must have such a place as this when I give up the sea. "

"There isn't such a place, Jack, " said Captain Revel proudly. "But Iwant you to look round the pool. --I don't think I'll climb down, Nic. It's rather hot; and I'll sit down on the stone for a few minutes whileyou two plan where you could ambush the men. "

"Right, " said Captain Lawrence; and he actively followed Nic, pausinghere and there, till they had descended to where the fall just splashedgently down into the clear pool, whose bigger stones about the bottomwere now half-bare. 

"Lovely place this, Nic, my boy. I could sit down here and doze awaythe rest of my days. But what a pity it is that your father worrieshimself so about these poaching scoundrels! Can't you wean him from it?Tell him, or I will, that it isn't worth the trouble. Plenty more fishwill come, and there must be a little grit in every one's wheel. "

"Oh, I've tried everything, sir, " replied Nic. "The fact is that he isnot so well as I should like to see him; and when he has an irritablefit, the idea of any one trespassing and taking the fish half-maddenshim. "

"Well, we must see what we can do, my boy. It ought to be stopped. Aset of idlers like this requires a severe lesson. A good dose ofcapstan bar and some broken heads will sicken them, and then perhapsthey will let you alone. "

"I hope so, sir. "

"I think I can contrive that it shall, " said the visitor dryly. "Ishall bring or send some trusty men. There, I have seen all I want tosee. Let's get back. "

He turned to climb up the side of the gorge; and as Nic followed, theplace made him recall his encounter with Pete Burge, and how differentthe pool looked then; and, somehow, he could not help hoping that thebig, bluff fellow might not be present during the sharp encounter withCaptain Lawrence's trusty men. 

"Hah! Began to think you long, Jack, " said Captain Revel; and theyreturned to the house and entered, after a glance seaward, where theship lay at anchor. 

Towards evening Solly was sent to hoist a signal upon the flagstaff, andsoon after a boat was seen pulling towards the shore. Then the visitortook his leave, renewing his promise to reply to a signal by sending astrong party of men. 

Nic walked down to the boat with his father's friend, and answeredseveral questions about the type of men who came after the salmon. 

"I see, I see, " said Captain Lawrence; "but do you think they'll fightwell?"

"Oh yes; there are some daring rascals among them. "

"So much the better, my dear boy. There, good-bye. Mind--two smallflags on your signal-halyards after the first heavy rain upon the moor, and you may expect us at dusk. If the rascals don't come we'll haveanother try; but you'll know whether they'll be there by the fish in thepool. They'll know too--trust 'em. Look, there's your father watchingus--" and he waved his hand. "Good-bye, Nic, my dear boy. Good-bye!"

He shook hands very warmly. Two of his men who were ashore joined handsto make what children call a "dandy-chair, " the Captain placed his handsupon their shoulders, and they waded through the shallow water to theboat, pausing to give her a shove off before climbing in; and then, asthe oars made the water flash in the evening light, Nic climbed the longhill again, to stand with his father, watching the boat till she reachedthe side of the ship. 

"Now then, my boy, " said the old man, "we're going to give those fellowssuch a lesson as they have never had before. "

He little knew how truly he was speaking. 

"I hope so, father, " said Nic; and he was delighted to find how pleasedthe old officer seemed. 

The next morning, when Nic opened his bedroom window, the king's shipwas not in sight; and for a week Captain Revel was fidgeting andwatching the sky, for no rain came, and there was not water enough inthe river for fresh salmon to come as far as the pool. 

"Did you ever see anything like it, Nic, my boy?" the Captain said againand again; "that's always the way: if I didn't want it to rain, there'dbe a big storm up in the hills, and the fall would be roaring like asou'-wester off the Land's End; but now I want just enough water to fillthe river, not a drop will come. How long did Jack Lawrence say that hewas going to stop about Plymouth?"

"He didn't say, father, that I remember, " replied Nic. "Then he'll soonbe off; and just in the miserable, cantankerous way in which thingshappen, the very day he sets sail there'll be a storm on Dartmoor, andthe next morning the pool will be full of salmon, and those scoundrelswill come to set me at defiance, and clear off every fish. "

"I say, father, " said Nic merrily, "isn't that making troubles, andfancying storms before they come?"

"What, sir? How dare you speak to me like that?" cried theCaptain. --"And you, Solly, you mutinous scoundrel, how dare you laugh?"he roared, turning to his body-servant, who happened to be in the hail. 

"Beg your honour's pardon; I didn't laugh. "

"You did laugh, sir, " roared the Captain--"that is, I saw you look atMaster Nic here and smile. It's outrageous. Every one is turningagainst me, and I'm beginning to think it's time I was out of thismiserable world. "

He snatched up his stick from the stand, banged on the old straw hat hewore, and stamped out of the porch to turn away to the left, leaving Nichesitating as to what he should do, deeply grieved as he was at hisfather's annoyance and display of temper. One moment he was forfollowing and trying to say something which would tend to calm theirritation. The next he was thinking it would be best to leave the oldman to himself, trusting to the walk in the pleasant grounds having thedesired result. 

But this idea was knocked over directly by Solly, who had followed hismaster to the porch, and stood watching him for a few moments. 

"Oh dear, dear! Master Nic, " he cried, turning back, "he's gone downthe combe path to see whether there's any more water running down; andthere aren't, and he'll be a-wherriting his werry inside out, and thatwherrits mine too. For I can't abear to see the poor old skipper likethis here. "

"No, Solly, neither can I, " said Nic gloomily. 

"It's his old hurts does it, sir. It aren't nat'ral. Here he is laidup, as you may say, in clover, in as nice a place as an old sailor couldend his days in. "

"Yes, Solly, " said Nic sadly; "it is a beautiful old place. "

"Ay, it is, sir; and when I cons it over I feel it. Why, Master Nic, when I think of all the real trouble as there is in life, and what somefolks has to go through, I asks myself what I've ever done to have suchgood luck as to be safely moored here in such a harbour. It's a lovelyhome, and the troubles is nothing--on'y a bit of a gale blowed by theskipper now and then along of the wrong boots as hurts his corns, or himbeing a-carrying on too much sail, and bustin' off a button in a hurry. And who minds that?"

"Ah! who minds a trifle like that, Solly?" sighed Nic. "Well, sir, yousee he does. Wind gets up directly, and he talks to me as if I'dmutinied. But I don't mind. I know all the time that he's the best andbravest skipper as ever lived, and I'd do anything for him to save himfrom trouble. "

"I know you would, Solly, " said Nic, laying a hand upon the rugged oldsailor's shoulder. 

"Thank ye, Master Nic; that does a man good. But look here, sir; Ican't help saying it. The fact is, after his rough, stormy life, everything here's made too easy for the skipper. He's a bit worried byhis old wounds, and that's all; and consekens is 'cause he aren't got noreal troubles he wherrits himself and makes quakers. "

"Makes quakers?" said Nic wonderingly. 

"Sham troubles, Master Nic--wooden guns, as we call quakers out at seaor in a fort. Strikes me, sir, as a real, downright, good, gen-u-winetrouble, such as losing all his money, would be the making of theCaptain; and after that he'd be ready to laugh at losing a few salmon ashe don't want. I say, Master Nic, you aren't offended at me for makingso bold?"

"No, Solly, no, " said the young man sadly. "You mean well, I know. There, say no more about it. I hope all this will settle itself, as somany troubles do. "

Nic strolled out into the grounds and unconsciously followed his father, who had gone to the edge of the combe; but he had not walked far beforea cheery hail saluted his ears, and, to his great delight, he found theCaptain looking radiant. 

"Nic, my boy, it's all right, " he cried; "my left arm aches terribly andmy corns are shooting like mad. Well, what are you staring at? Don'tyou see it means rain? Look yonder, too. Bah! It's of no use to tellyou, boy. You've never been to sea. You've never had to keep yourweather-eye open. See that bit of silvery cloud yonder over Rigdon Tor?And do you notice what a peculiar gleam there is in the air, and howthe flies bite?"

"Yes--yes, I see all that, father. "

"Well, it's rain coming, my boy. There's going to be a thunderstorm upin the hills before many hours are past. I'm not a clever man, but Ican tell what the weather's going to be as well as most folk. "

"I'm glad of it, father, if it will please you. "

"Please me, boy? I shall be delighted. To-morrow morning the salmonwill be running up the river again, and we may hoist the signal forhelp. I say, you don't think Jack Lawrence has gone yet?"

"No, father, " said Nic; "I do not. "

"Why, Nic?--why?" cried the old sailor. 

"Because he said to me he should certainly come up and see us againbefore he went. "

"To be sure; so he did to me, Nic. I say, my boy, I--that is--er--wasn't I a little bit crusty this morning to you and poor old WilliamSolly?"

"Well, yes; just a little, father, " said Nic, taking his arm. 

"Sorry for it. Change of the weather, Nic, affects me. It was comingon. I must apologise to Solly. Grand old fellow, William Solly. Savedmy life over and over again. Man who would die for his master, Nic; anda man who would do that is more than a servant, Nic--he is a friend. "

CHAPTER EIGHT. 

THE CAPTAIN'S PROPHECY. 

Before many hours had passed the Captain's words proved correct. Theclouds gathered over the tors, and there was a tremendous storm athousand feet above the Point. The lightning flashed and struck andsplintered the rugged old masses of granite; the thunder roared, andthere was a perfect deluge of rain; while down near the sea, though itwas intensely hot, not a drop fell, and the evening came on soft andcool. 

"Solly, my lad, " cried the Captain, rubbing his hands, "we shall havethe fall roaring before midnight; but don't sit up to listen to it. "

"Cert'n'y not, sir, " said the old sailor. 

"Your watch will begin at daybreak, when you will hoist the signal forCaptain Lawrence. "

"Ay, ay, sir!"

"And keep eye to west'ard on and off all day, to try if you can sightthe frigate. "

"Ay, ay, sir!"

"And in the course of the morning you will go quietly round and tell themen to rendezvous here about eight, when you will serve out the arms. "

"Ay, ay, sir. "

"The good stout oak cudgels I had cut; and if we're lucky, my lad, weshall have as nice and pleasant a fight as ever we two had in ourlives. "

"Quite a treat, sir, " said the old sailor; "and I hope we shall be ableto pay our debts. "

The Captain was in the highest of glee all the evening, and he shook hisson's hand very warmly when they parted for bed. 

About one o'clock Nic was aroused from a deep sleep by a sharp knockingat his door. 

"Awake, Nic?" came in the familiar accents. 

"No, father. Yes, father. Is anything wrong?"

"Wrong? No, my boy; right! Hear the fall?"

"No, father; I was sound asleep. "

"Open your window and put out your head, boy. The water's coming downand roaring like thunder. Good-night. "

Nic slipped out of bed, did as he was told, and, as he listened, therewas the deep, musical, booming sound of the fall seeming to fill theair, while from one part of the ravine a low, rushing noise told thatthe river must be pretty full. 

Nic stood listening for some time before closing his window andreturning to bed, to lie wakeful and depressed, feeling a strange kindof foreboding, as if some serious trouble was at hand. It was not thathe was afraid or shrank from the contest which might in all probabilitytake place the next night, though he knew that it would be desperate--for, on the contrary, he felt excited and quite ready to join in thefray; but he was worried about his father, and the difficulty he knew hewould have in keeping him out of danger. He was in this awkwardposition, too: what he would like to do would be to get Solly and acouple of their stoutest men to act as bodyguard to protect his father;but, if he attempted such a thing, the chances were that the Captainwould look upon it as cowardice, and order them off to the thick of thecudgel-play. 

Just as he reached this point he fell asleep. 

Nic found the Captain down first next morning, looking as pleased as aboy about to start for his holidays. 

"You're a pretty fellow, " he cried. "Why, I've been up hours, and wentright to the falls. Pool's full, Nic, my boy, the salmon are up, andit's splendid, lad. "

"What is, father?"

"Something else is coming up. "

"What?"

"Those scoundrels are on the _qui vive_. I was resting on one of therough stone seats, when, as I sat hidden among the trees, I caught sightof something on the far side of the pool--a man creeping cautiously downto spy out the state of the water. "

"Pete Burge, father?" cried Nic eagerly. 

"Humph! No; I hardly caught a glimpse of his face, but it was too shortfor that scoundrel. I think it was that thick-set, humpbacked rascalthey call Dee. "

"And did he see you, father?"

"No: I sat still, my boy, and watched till he slunk away again. Nic, lad, we shall have them here to-night, and we must be ready. "

"Yes, father, if Captain Lawrence sends his men. "

"Whether he does or no, sir. I can't sit still and know that my salmonare being stolen. Come--breakfast! Oh, here's Solly. --Here, you, sir, what about those two signal flags? Hoist them directly. "

"Run 'em up, sir, as soon as it was light. "

"Good. Then, now, keep a lookout for the frigate. " The day wore awaywith no news of the ship being in the offing, and the Captain began tofume and fret, so that Nic made an excuse to get away and look out, relieving Solly, stationing himself by the flagstaff and scanning thehorizon till his eyes grew weary and his head ached. 

It was about six o'clock when he was summoned to dinner by Solly, whotook his place, and Nic went and joined his father. 

"Needn't speak, " said the old man bitterly; "I know; Lawrence hasn'tcome. We'll have to do it ourselves. "

Nic was silent, and during the meal his father hardly spoke a word. 

Just as they were about to rise, Solly entered the room, and the Captainturned to him eagerly. 

"I was going to send for you, my lad, " he said. "Captain Lawrence mustbe away, and we shall have to trap the scoundrels ourselves. How manymen can we muster?"

"Ten, sir. "

"Not half enough, " said the Captain; "but they are strong, staunchfellows, and we have right on our side. Ten against twenty or thirty. Long odds; but we've gone against heavier odds than that in our time, Solly. "

"Ay, sir, that we have. "

"We must lie in wait and take them by surprise when they're scattered, my lads. But what luck! what luck! Now if Lawrence had only kept faithwith me we could have trapped the whole gang. "

"Well, your honour, why not?" said Solly sharply. 

"Why not?"

"He'll be here before we want him. "

"What?" cried Nic. "Is the frigate in sight?"

"In sight, sir--and was when you left the signal station. "

"No, " said Nic sharply; "the only vessel in sight then was a bigmerchantman with her yards all awry. "

"That's so, sir, and she gammoned me. The skipper's had her streakpainted out, and a lot of her tackle cast loose, to make her look like alubberly trader; but it's the frigate, as I made out at last, comingdown with a spanking breeze, and in an hour's time she'll be closeenough to send her men ashore. "

The Captain sprang up and caught his son's hand, to ring it hard. 

"Huzza, Nic!" he cried excitedly. "This is going to be a night ofnights. "

It was. 

CHAPTER NINE. 

READY FOR ACTION. 

"That's about their size, Master Nic, " said Solly, as he stood in thecoach-house balancing a heavy cudgel in his hand--one of a couple ofdozen lying on the top of the corn-bin just through the stable door. 

"Oh, the size doesn't matter, Bill, " said Nic impatiently. 

"Begging your pardon, sir, it do, " said the old sailor severely. "Youdon't want to kill nobody in a fight such as we're going to have, doye?"

"No, no; of course not. "

"There you are, then. Man's sure to hit as hard as he can when hismonkey's up; and that stick's just as heavy as you can have 'em withoutbreaking bones. That's the sort o' stick as'll knock a man silly andgive him the headache for a week, and sarve him right. If it washalf-a-hounce heavier it'd kill him. "

"How do you know?" said Nic sharply. 

"How do I know, sir?" said the man wonderingly. "Why, I weighed it. "

Nic would have asked for further explanations; but just then there weresteps heard in the yard, and the gardener and a couple of labourers cameup in the dusk. 

"Oh, there you are, " growled Solly. "Here's your weepuns;" and heraised three of the cudgels. "You may hit as hard as you like withthem. Seen any of the others?"

"Yes, " said the gardener; "there's two from the village coming along theroad, and three of us taking the short cut over the home field. That'sall I see. "

"Humph!" said Solly. "There ought to be five more by this time. "

"Sick on it, p'r'aps, " grumbled the gardener; "and no wonder. We are. "

"What! Are you afraid?" cried Nic. 

"No, sir, I aren't afraid; on'y sick on it. I like a good fight, and sodo these here when it's 'bout fair and ekal, but every time we has a goin t'other side seems to be the flails and we only the corn and straw. They're too many for us. I'm sick o' being thrashed, and so's thesehere; and that aren't being afraid. "

"Why, you aren't going to sneak out of it, are you?" growled Solly. 

"No, I aren't, " said the gardener; "not till I've had a good go at thatPete Burge and Master Humpy Dee. But I'm going to sarcumwent 'em thistime. "

"Here are the others coming, Bill, " cried Nic. --"What are you going todo this time?" he said to the gardener. 

"Sarcumwent 'em, Master Nic, " said the man, with a grin. "It's no useto hit at their heads and arms or to poke 'em in the carcass--they don'tmind that; so we've been thinking of it out, and we three's going to hit'em low down. "

"That's good, " said Solly; "same as we used to sarve the black men outin Jay-may-kee. They've all got heads as hard as skittle-balls, buttheir shins are as tender as a dog's foot. "

Just then five more men came up and received their cudgels; and directlyafter three more came slouching up; and soon after another couple, andreceived their arms. 

"Is this all on us?" said one of the fresh-comers, as the sturdy fellowsstood together. 

"Ay, is this all, Master Nic?" cried another. 

"Why?" he said sharply. 

"Because there aren't enough, sir, " said the first man. "I got to hearon it down the village. "

"Ah! you heard news?" cried Nic. 

"Ay, sir, if you call such ugly stuff as that news. There's been a bitof a row among 'em, all along o' Pete Burge. "

"Quarrelling among themselves?"

"That's right, sir; 'cause Pete Burge said he wouldn't have no more todo with it; and they've been at him--some on 'em from over yonder at thetown. I hear say as there was a fight, and then Pete kep' on saying hewould jyne 'em; and then there was another fight, and Pete Burge lickedthe second man, and then he says he wouldn't go. And then there wasanother fight, and Pete Burge licked Humpy Dee, and Humpy says Pete wasa coward, and Pete knocked him flat on the back. `I'll show you whetherI'm a coward, ' he says. `I didn't mean to have no more to do wi' SquireRevel's zammon, ' he says; `but I will go to-night, for the last time, just to show you as I aren't a cowards, ' he says, `and then I'm done. '"

"Ay; and he zays, " cried another man from the village, "`If any onethinks I'm a coward, then let him come and tell me. '"

"Then they are coming to-night?" cried Nic, who somehow felt a kind ofsatisfaction in his adversary's prowess. 

"Oh, ay, " said the other man who had grumbled; "they're a-comingto-night. There's a big gang coming from the town, and I hear they'regoing to bring a cart for the zammon. There'll be a good thirty on 'em, Master Nic, zir; and I zay we aren't enough. "

"No, " said Nic quietly; "we are not enough, but we are going to have ourrevenge to-night for all the knocking about we've had. "

"But we're not enough, Master Nic. We're ready to fight, all on us--eh, mates?"

"Ay!" came in a deep growl. 

"But there aren't enough on us. "

"There will be, " said Nic in an eager whisper, "for a strong party ofJack-tars from the king's ship that was lying off this evening are bythis time marching up to help us, and we're going to give thesescoundrels such a thrashing as will sicken them from ever meddling againwith my father's fish. "

"Yah!" growled a voice out of the gloom. 

"Who said that?" cried Nic. 

"I did, Master Nic, " said the gardener sharply; "and you can tell theCaptain if you like. I say it aren't fair to try and humbug a lot o'men as is ready to fight for you. It's like saying `rats' to a dog whenthere aren't none. "

"Is it?" cried Nic, laughing. "How can that be? You heard just nowthat there will be about thirty rats for our bulldogs to worry. "

"I meant t'other way on, sir, " growled the man sulkily. "No sailorbulldogs to come and help us. "

"How dare you say that?" cried Nic angrily. 

"'Cause I've lived off and on about Plymouth all my life and close tothe sea, and if I don't know a king's ship by this time I ought to. That's only a lubberly old merchantman. Why, her yards were all anyhow, with not half men enough to keep 'em square. "

"Bah!" cried Solly angrily. "Hold your mouth, you one-eyed oldtater-grubber. What do you mean by giving the young master the lie?"

"That will do, Solly, " cried Nic. "He means right. Look here, my lads;that is a king's ship, the one commanded by my father's friend; and hehas made her look all rough like that so as to cheat the salmon-gang, and it will have cheated them if it has cheated you. "

A cheer was bursting forth, but Nic checked it, and the gardener saidhuskily:

"Master Nic, I beg your pardon. I oughtn't to ha' said such a word. Itwas the king's ship as humbugged me, and not you. Say, lads, we'regoing to have a night of it, eh?"

A low buzz of satisfaction arose; and Nic hurried out, to walk in thedirection of the signal-staff, where the Captain had gone to look outfor their allies. 

"Who goes there?" came in the old officer's deep voice. 

"Only I, father. "

"Bah!" cried the Captain in a low, angry voice. "Give the word, sir--`Tails. '"

"The word?--`Tails!'" said Nic, wonderingly. 

"Of course. I told you we must have a password, to tell friends fromfoes. "

"Not a word, father. "

"What, sir? Humph, no! I remember--I meant to give it to all at once. The word is `Tails' and the countersign is `Heads, ' and any one whocannot give it is to have heads. Do you see?"

"Oh yes, father, I see; but are the sailors coming?"

"Can't hear anything of them, my boy, and it's too dark to see; but theymust be here soon. "

"I hope they will be, father, " said Nic. 

"Don't say you hope they will be, as if you felt that they weren'tcoming. They're sure to come, my boy. Jack Lawrence never broke faith. Now, look here; those scoundrels will be here by ten o'clock, some ofthem, for certain, and we must have our men in ambush first--our men, Nic. Jack Lawrence's lads I shall place so as to cut off the enemy'sretreat, ready to close in upon them and take them in the rear. Do yousee?"

"Yes, father; excellent. "

"Then I propose that as soon as we hear our reinforcement coming you gooff and plant your men in the wood behind the fall. I shall lead thesailors right round you to the other side of the pool; place them; andthen there must be perfect silence till the enemy has lit up his torchesand got well to work. Then I shall give a shrill whistle on the Frenchbo'sun's pipe I have in my pocket, you will advance your men and fallto, and we shall come upon them from the other side. "

"I see, father. "

"But look here, Nic--did you change your things?"

"Yes, father; got on the old fishing and wading suit. "

"That's right, boy, for you've got your work cut out, and it may meanwater as well as land. "

"Yes, I expect to be in a pretty pickle, " said Nic, laughing, andbeginning to feel excited now. "But do you think the sailors will findtheir way here in the dark?"

"Of course, " cried the Captain sharply. "Jack Lawrence will head them. "

"Hist!" whispered Nic, placing his hand to his ear and gazing seaward. 

"Hear 'em?"

Nic was silent for a few moments. 

"Yes, " he said. "I can hear their soft, easy tramp over the shortgrass. Listen. "

"Right, " said the Captain, as from below them there came out of thedarkness the regular _thrup_, _thrup_ of a body of men marchingtogether. Then, loudly, "king's men?"

"Captain Revel?" came back in reply. 

"Right. Captain Lawrence there?"

"No, sir; he had a sudden summons from the port admiral, and is atPlymouth. He gave me my instructions, sir--Lieutenant Kershaw. I havethirty men here. "

"Bravo, my lad!" cried the Captain. "Forward, and follow me to thehouse. Your men will take a bit of refreshment before we get to work. "

"Forward, " said the lieutenant in a low voice, and the _thrup_, _thrup_of the footsteps began again, not a man being visible in the gloom. 

"Off with you, Nic, " whispered the Captain. "Get your men in hiding atonce. This is going to be a grand night, my boy. Good luck to you; andI say, Nic, my boy--"

"Yes, father. "

"No prisoners, but tell the men to hit hard. " Nic went off at a run, and the lieutenant directly after joined the Captain, his men close athand following behind. 

CHAPTER TEN. 

A NIGHT OF NIGHTS. 

Nic's heart beat fast as he ran lightly along the path, reached thehouse, and ran round to the stable-yard, where Solly and the men werewaiting. 

"Ready, my lads?" he said in a low, husky voice, full of the excitementhe felt. 

"We'll go on round to the back of the pool at once. The sailors arehere, thirty strong, with their officer; so we ought to give the enemy asevere lesson. --Ah! Don't cheer. Ready?--Forward. Come, Solly; we'lllead. "

"Precious dark, Master Nic, " growled the old sailor in a hoarse whisper. "We shan't hardly be able to tell t'other from which. "

"Ah! I forgot, " cried Nic excitedly. "Halt! Look here, my men. Ourpassword is `Tails, ' and our friends have to answer `Heads. ' So, if youare in doubt, cry `Tails, ' and if your adversary does not answer `Heads'he's an enemy. "

"Why, a-mussy me, Master Nic?" growled Solly, "we shan't make heads ortails o' that in a scrimble-scramble scrimmage such as we're going to bein. What's the skipper thinking about? Let me tell 'em what to do. "

"You heard your master's order, Solly, " replied Nic. 

"Yes, sir, of course; but this here won't do no harm. Look here, mylads; as soon as ever we're at it, hit hard at every one who aren't aJack. You'll know them. "

Nic felt that this addition could do no harm, so he did not interfere, but led on right past the way down to the falls, which had shrunk now toa little cascade falling with a pleasant murmur, for the draining of theheavy thunder-showers was nearly at an end, and the pool lay calm enoughin the black darkness beneath the overhanging rocks and spreadingtrees--just in the right condition for a raid, and in all probabilityfull of salmon. 

All at once the old sailor indulged in a burst of chuckles. 

"Hear something, Bill?" said Nic. 

"No, my lad, not yet; I was on'y thinking. They was going to bring acart up the road yonder, waren't they?"

"Yes; one of the men said so, " replied Nic. 

"Well, we're a-going to give 'em something to take back in that cartto-night, my lad, " whispered the man, with another chuckle; "and itwon't be fish, nor it won't be fowl. My fingers is a-tingling so that Ithought something was the matter, and I tried to change my stick from myright hand into my left. "

"Well, what of that?" said Nic contemptuously; "it was only pins andneedles. "

"Nay, Master Nic, it waren't that. I've been a sailor in the king'sships and have had it before. It was the fighting-stuff running down tothe very tips of my fingers, and they wouldn't let go. "

"Hush! don't talk now, " whispered Nic; "there may be one or two of theenemy yonder. "

"Nay, it's a bit too soon for 'em, sir; but it'll be as well to keepquiet. "

The narrow paths of the tangled wilderness at the back of the pool wereso well known to all present that their young leader had no difficultyin getting them stationed by twos and threes well down the sides of thegorge on shelves and ledges where the bushes and ferns grew thickly, from whence, when the poachers were well at work, it would be easy tospring down into the water and make the attack. For the flood had sofar subsided now that the worst hole was not above five feet deep, andthe greater part about three, with a fairly even bottom of ground-downrock smoothed by the pebbles washed over it in flood-time. 

Here it was that the salmon for the most part congregated, thenew-comers from the sea taking naturally to the haunts of theirforerunners from time immemorial, so that poacher or honest fisherpretty well knew where he would be most successful. 

Nic chose a central spot for himself and Solly, some four feet above thelevel of the black water, and after ranging his men to right and left hesat down to wait, with all silent and dark around, save for the murmurof the water and the gleaming of a star or two overhead, for besidesthis there was not a glint of light. Still, the place seemed to standout before him. Exactly opposite, across the pool, was the narrowopening between the steep rocks on either side; and he knew withouttelling that as soon as the poachers began their work his father wouldsend some of his active allies into the bed of the stream lower down, toadvance upward, probably before the whistle was blown. 

"And then the scoundrels will be in a regular trap before they know it, "thought Nic, as he strained his ears to catch the sound of the sailorsbeing stationed in their hiding-places; but all was still save the softhumming roar of the falling water plunging into the pool. 

An hour passed very slowly, and Nic's cramped position began to affecthim with the tingling sensation known as pins and needles; this he didnot attribute to the movement of his nerve-currents eager to reach histoes and fill him with a desire to kick his enemies, but quietly changedhis position and waited, trembling with excitement, and longing now toget the matter over, fully satisfied as he was that his friends were allin position and ready for the fray. 

At last!

There was a sharp crack, as if someone had trodden upon a piece ofdead-wood away up to the right. Then another crack and a rustling, andan evident disregard of caution. 

"Come along, my lads, " said a low, harsh voice; and then there was asplash, as if a man had lowered himself into the water. "They hadenough of it last time, and won't come this, I'll wager. If they do, we're half as many again, and we'll give 'em such a drubbing as'll stop'em for long enough. "

"Needn't shout and holloa, " said another voice from the side. "Keepquiet. We don't want to fight unless we're obliged. "

"Oh no, of course not!" said the man with the harsh voice mockingly. "If we do have to, my lads, two of you had better take Pete Burge hometo his mother. "

There was a low laugh at this, and Pete remained silent as far as makingany retort was concerned, but directly after Nic felt a singular thrillrun through him as the man said softly:

"Three of you get there to the mouth and drop the net across and holdit, for the fish will make a rush that way. Don't be afraid of thewater. Shove the bottom line well round the stones, and keep your feeton it. A lot got away last time. "

There was the sound of the water washing as men waded along the side ofthe great circular pool, and then the whishing of a net being droppeddown and arranged. 

"Ha, ha!" laughed a man; "there's one of 'em. Come back again' my legs. He's in the net now. Can't get through. "

"Now then, " cried the harsh-voiced fellow; "open those lanthorns and getyour links alight, so as we can see what we're about. "

"Not zo much noise, Humpy Dee, " said Pete sharply, as the light of threelanthorns which had been carried beneath sacks gleamed out over thewater, and the light rapidly increased as dark figures could be seenlighting torches from the feeble candles and then waving their sticks ofoakum and pitch to make them blaze, so that others could also start thelinks they carried. 

At first the light was feeble, and a good deal of black smoke arose, butsoon after over a dozen torches were burning brightly, showing quite alittle crowd of men, standing in the black water, armed with hooks andfish-spears, and each with a stout staff stuck in his belt. 

The scene was weird and strange, the light reflected from the cliff-likesides of the pool seeming to be condensed upon the surface; and thefaces of the marauders gleamed strangely above the flashing water, beginning to be agitated now by the startled salmon; while rising upwardthere was a gathering cloud of black, stifling smoke. 

"Ready there with that net, " cried Humpy Dee, a broad-shouldered, dwarfed man, whose head was deep down between his shoulders. 

"Ay, ay!" came from the mouth of the pool. 

"Less noise, " cried Pete angrily. "Here, you, Jack Willick, and you, Nat Barrow, go up towards the house and give us word if anyone's coming, so as we may be ready. "

"To run?" snarled Humpy Dee. "Stop where you are, lads. If the oldsquire meant to come with his gang he'd ha' been here afore now, and--"

_Phee-yew_!

The Captain's shrill silver whistle rang out loudly at this instant, andNic and his men grasped their cudgels more tightly. 

"Now for it, lads, " he shouted, and he sprang from his ledge into thewater and made at Humpy Dee. 

CHAPTER ELEVEN. 

A BLACK NIGHT. 

Nic's cry was answered by a loud cheer from his men, which seemed toparalyse the enemy--some thirty strong, who stood staring, thetorch-bearers holding their smoky lights on high--giving the party fromthe Point plenty of opportunity for picking their men, as they followedtheir leader's example and leaped into the pool. This caused a rush ofthe fish towards the lights for the most part, though many made for thegap to follow the stream, shooting against the net, which was heldtightly in its place. 

"There, go home, you set of ugly fools, before you're hurt, " cried thedeformed man, with a snarl like that of a wild beast. "What! You willhave it? Come on, then. Hi, there! hold the links higher, and let ussee their thick heads. Give it to 'em hard. "

Emboldened by old successes, two wings of the gang whipped out theirsticks and took a step or two forward, to stand firm on either side ofthe deformed man, who was a step in front. The next minute the fray hadcommenced, Nic leading off with a tremendous cut from his left at HumpyDee's head. 

For the young man's blood was up; he was the captain of the littleparty, and he knew that everything depended upon him. If he fought wellthey would stand by him to a man, as they had shown before. If, on theother hand, he seemed timid and careful, they would show a dispositionto act on the defensive. That would not do now, as Nic well knew. Hisobject was to make a brave charge and stagger the enemy, so that theymight become the easier victims to panic when they found that they wereattacked by a strong party in the rear. 

_Crack_! went Nic's stout stick, as he struck with all his might; and_crick_, _crick_, _crack_, _crash_! went a score or more, mingled withshouts of defiance. 

But Nic's cudgel did not give forth its sharp sound from contact withthe leader's head, for he had to do with a clever cudgel-player as wellas one who had often proved his power as a tricky wrestler in contestswith the best men of the neighbouring farthest west county. Nic's blowwas cleverly caught on as stout a cudgel, and the next moment his leftarm fell numb to his side. 

He struck savagely now, making up for want of skill by the rain of blowshe dealt at his adversary, and thus saved himself from being beaten downinto the water at once. 

But it was all in vain. 

On the other hand, though his men did better, being more equally matchedthey did not cause the panic Nic had hoped for, and the enemy kept theirground; while the torches spluttered, blazed, and smoked, and to thespectators the amphitheatre during those few brief moments looked wildand strange as some feverish dream. 

But, as before said, Nic's brave efforts were all in vain. His muscleswere too soft and green, and he was, in addition to being young, noadept in the handling of a stick. He fought bravely, but he had not thestrength to keep it up against this short, iron-muscled, skilful foe. He was aware of it only too soon, for his guard was beaten down, and hesaw stars and flashes of light as he received a sharp blow from hisadversary's stick. Then he felt himself caught by the throat, and bythe light of one of the torches he saw the man's cudgel in the act offalling once more for a blow which he could only weakly parry, whenanother cudgel flashed by, there was a crack just over his head, andHumpy Dee uttered a yell of rage. 

"You coward!" he roared. "Take that!" and quick as a flash Nic made outthat he struck at some one else, and attributed the side-blow in hisdefence to Solly, who was, he believed, close by. 

At that moment a loud, imperious voice from somewhere in front and aboveshouted, so that the rocks echoed:

"Hold hard below there!"

Nic involuntarily lowered his cudgel and stood panting, giddy, and sick, listening. 

"Yah! never mind him, " roared Humpy. "You, Pete, I'll pay youafterwards. "

"Now, boys, down with you. "

"The poachers' companions, " cried one of Nic's men, and they steppedforward to the attack again, when a pistol-shot rang out and wasmultiplied by the rocky sides of the arena, making the combatants pause, so that the voice from above was plainly heard:

"Below there, you scoundrels! Surrender in the king's name. You aresurrounded. "

"Brag, my lads!" roared Humpy Dee. "Stand to it, boys, and haul thebeggars out. "

There was a moment's pause, just enough for the next words to be heard:

"At 'em, lads! You've got 'em, every man. "

A roaring cheer followed, and Nic saw the torches through the cloud thatseemed to be thickening around them. He could hear shouts, which grewlouder and fiercer. There was the rattle of cudgels, savage yellsseemed to be bellowed in his ears, and he felt himself thrust and struckand hauled here and there as a desperate fight went on for hispossession. Then, close at hand, there was a deafening cheer, atremendous shock, the rattle of blows, and he was down upon his knees. Lastly, in a faint, dreamy way, he was conscious of the rush of coldwater about his face, in his ears the thundering noise of totalimmersion, with the hot, strangling sense of drowning; and then all wasblank darkness, and he knew no more. 

CHAPTER TWELVE. 

A STRANGE AWAKENING. 

Another storm seemed to have gathered in Dartmoor--a terrible storm, which sent the rain down in sheets, which creaked and groaned as theywashed to and fro, and every now and then struck against the rocks witha noise like thunder. Great stones seemed to be torn up and thrown hereand there, making the shepherds shout as they tried to keep their flockstogether under the shelter of some granite for, while down by the fallsat the salmon-pool the water came over as it had never come before. 

Nic had a faint recollection of his fight with Humpy Dee, and of someone coming to take his part, with the result that they were all tangledup together till they were forced beneath the water. This must haveseparated them, so that he was quite alone now, being carried round andround the pool, rising and falling in a regular way, till he camebeneath the falls, when down came the tons of water upon his head, driving him beneath the surface, to glide on in the darkness, feelingsick and half-suffocated, while his head burned and throbbed as if itwould burst. 

It did not seem to matter much, but it appeared very strange; and thismust be drowning, but it took such a long time, and went on and on, repeating itself in the same way as if it would never end. 

That part of it was very strange, too--that light; and it puzzled Nicexceedingly, for it seemed to be impossible that he should be goinground and round in the salmon-pool, to be sucked under the falls, andfeel the water come thundering upon his head with a crash and creak andgroan, and in the midst of it for a lanthorn to come slowly along tillit was quite close to him, and voices to be heard. 

After seeing it again and again, he felt that he understood what it was. He had been drowned, and they were coming with a lanthorn to look forhis body; but they never found it, though they came and stood talkingabout him over and over again. 

At last he heard what was said quite plainly, but he only knew one voiceout of the three that spoke, and he could not make out whose that was. 

The voice said, "Better, sir, to-day;" and another voice said, "Oh yes, you're getting all right now: head's healing nicely. The sooner you getup on deck and find your sea-legs the better. "

"Oh, I shall be all right there, sir. "

"Been to sea before?"

"In fishing craft, sir--often. But would you mind telling me, sir, where we're going?"

"Oh, you'll know soon enough, my lad. Well: America and the WestIndies. "

"This must be a dream, " thought Nic; and he was lying wondering, whenthe light was suddenly held close to him, and he could see over his headbeams and planks and iron rings and ropes, which made it all morepuzzling than ever. 

Then a cool hand touched his brow, and it seemed as if a bandage wasremoved, cool water laved the part which ached and burned, and a freshbandage was fastened on. 

"Won't die, will he, sir?" said the voice Nic knew but could not quitemake out. 

"Oh no, not now, my lad. He has had a near shave, and been none thebetter for knocking about in this storm; but he's young and healthy, andthe fever is not quite so high this morning. --Hold the light nearer, Jeffs. --Hallo! Look at his eyes; he can hear what we say. --Cominground, then, my lad?"

"Yes, " said Nic feebly, "round and round. The falls will not come on myhead any more, will they?"

_Crash_--_rush_! and Nic groaned, for down came the water again, and theyoung man nearly swooned in his agony, while a deathly sensation ofgiddiness attacked him. 

"Head seems to be all right now, " said the third voice. 

"Yes, healing nicely; but he ought to have been sent ashore to thehospital. "

"Oh, I don't know. Bit of practice. "

The roar and rush ceased, and the terrible sinking sensation passed offa little. 

"Drink this, my lad, " said a voice, and Nic felt himself raised;something nasty was trickled between his lips, and he was lowered downagain, and it was dark, while the burning pain, the giddiness, and thegoing round the pool and under the falls went on over and over in adreamy, distant way once more. Then there was a long, drowsy space, andthe sound of the falls grew subdued. 

At last Nic lay puzzling his weary, confused head as to the meaning of astrange creaking, and a peculiar rising and falling, and why it was thathe did not feel wet. 

Just then from out of the darkness there was a low whistling sound, which he recognised as part of a tune he had often heard, and it was sopleasant to hear that he lay quite still listening till it ended, whenhe fell asleep, and seemed to wake again directly, with the melody ofthe old country ditty being repeated softly close at hand. 

"Who's that?" he said at last; and there was a start, and a voice--thatvoice he could not make out--cried:

"Hullo, Master Nic! glad to hear you speak zensible again. "

"Speak--sensible--why shouldn't I?"

"I d'know, zir. But you have been going it a rum 'un. Feel better?"

"Feel--better. I don't know. Who is it?"

"Me, sir. "

"Yes, yes, " cried Nic querulously; "but who is it?"

"Pete Burge, sir. "

"Pete--Burge, " said Nic thoughtfully, and he lay very still trying tothink; but he could not manage it, for the water in the pool seemed tobe bearing him along, and now he was gliding up, and then down again, while his companion kept on talk, talk, talk, in a low murmur, and allwas blank once more. 

Then a change came, and Nic lay thinking a little more clearly. 

"Are you there, Pete Burge?" he said. 

"Yes, I'm here, master. "

"What was that you were saying to me just now?"

"Just now?" said the man wonderingly. "Well, you do go on queer, zir. That was the day afore yes'day. But I zay, you are better now, aren'tyou?"

"Better? I don't know. I thought I was drowned. "

"Poor lad!" said Pete softly; but it seemed to sting Nic. 

"What do you mean by that?" he said feebly. 

"Zorry for you, master. "

"Why?"

"'Cause you've been zo bad. "

"Been so bad?" said Nic thoughtfully. "Why have I been so bad? It'svery strange. "

Pete Burge made no reply, and there was silence again, till it wasbroken by Nic, who said suddenly:

"Have you been very bad too?"

"Me, zir? Yes, horrid. Thought I was going to the locker, as they callit. Doctor zaid I ought to have been took to the hospital. "

"Were you nearly drowned?" said Nic after a pause, during which he hadto fight hard to keep his thinking power under control. 

"Was I nearly drowned, zir?" said the man, with a low chuckle. "Zeemsto me I was nearly everythinged. Head smashed, chopped, choked, anddrowned too. "

Nic was silent again, for he could not take in so many ideas as this atonce, and it was some minutes before he could collect himself foranother question. 

"But you are better now?"

"Oh yes, zir, I'm better now. Doctor zays I'm to get up to-morrow. "

"The doctor! Was that the doctor whom I heard talking yesterday?"

"Yes: two of 'em; they've pulled uz round wonderful. You frightened mehorrid, master, the way you went on, and just when I was most bad. Youmade me feel it was all my fault, and I couldn't zleep for thinking thatif you died I'd killed you. But I zay, master, you won't die now, willyou?"

"How absurd!" said Nic, with a weak laugh. "Of course not. Why shouldI die now?"

"Ah, why indeed, when you're getting better?"

There was another silence before Nic began again. 

"I've been wondering, " he said, "why it is that we can be going roundthe salmon-pool like this, and yet be lying here talking about thedoctor and being bad. "

"Ay, 'tis rum, sir. "

"Yes, it puzzles me. Look here; didn't we have a fight with you andyour men to-night?"

"We had a big fight, sir; but it waren't to-night. "

"But it's quite dark still, and I suppose it's my head being giddy thatmakes me feel that we're going up and down. "

"Oh no, it aren't, zir, " said the man, laughing; "we're going up anddown bad enough. Not zo bad as we have been. "

"And round and round?"

"No; not going round, master. "

"But where are we?" said Nic eagerly. 

"Ah, that puzzles you, do it, zir? Well, it puzzled me at first, till Iasked; and then the doctor zaid we was in the cockpit, but I haven'theard any battle-cocks crowing, and you can't zee now, it's zo dark. Black enough, though, for a pit. "

"Cockpit--cockpit!" said Nic. "Why, that's on board ship. "

"To be zure. "

"But we are not on board ship?"

"Aren't we?" said the man. 

"I--I don't understand, " cried Nic after a pause. "My head is allconfused and strange. Tell me what it all means. "

Pete Burge was silent. 

"Poor lad!" he said to himself; "how's he going to take it when he knowsall?"

"You do not speak, " said Nic excitedly. "Ah! I am beginning to thinkclearly now. You came with the men after the salmon?"

"Ay, worse luck. I didn't want to, but I had to go. "

"Come, " said Nic sharply. "To-night, wasn't it?"

"Nay. It's 'bout three weeks ago, master. "

This announcement, though almost a repetition, seemed to stun Nic forthe time; but he began again:

"We had a desperate fight, didn't we?"

"Worst I was ever in. "

"And--yes, I remember; we were struggling in the pool when the sailorscame. "

"That's it, master; you've got it now. "

"But your side won, then, and I'm a prisoner?"

"Nay; your side won, master. "

"How can that be?" cried Nic. 

"'Cause it is. They was too many for uz. They come down like thunderon uz, and 'fore we knowed where we was we was tied up in twos and beingmarched away. "

"Our side won?" said Nic, in his confusion. 

"That's right, master. You zee, they told Humpy Dee and the rest togive in, and they wouldn't; so the zailor officer wouldn't stand nononsense. His men begun with sticks; but, as our zide made a big fightof it, they whips out their cutlashes and used them. I got one chop, and you nearly had it, and when two or three more had had a taste of thesharp edge they begun to give in; and, as I telled you, next thing wewas tied two and two and marched down to the river, pitched into thebottoms of two boats, and rowed aboard a ship as zet zail at once; andnext night we was pitched down into the boats again and hoisted aboardthis ship, as was lying off Plymouth waiting to start. "

"Waiting to sail?"

"That's right, master! And I s'pose she went off at once, but I was toobad to know anything about it. When I could begin to understand I waslying here in this hammock, and the doctor telled me. "

"One moment. Where are the others?"

"All aboard, sir--that is, twenty-two with uz. "

"Some of our men too?"

"Nay, zir; on'y our gang. "

"But I don't understand, quite, " said Nic pitifully. "I want to knowwhy they have brought me. Tell me, Pete Burge--my head is gettingconfused again--tell me why I am here. "

"Mistake, I s'pose, sir. Thought, zeeing you all rough-looking andcovered with blood, as you was one of us. "

Nic lay with his head turned in the speaker's direction, battling withthe horrible despairing thoughts which came like a flood over hisdisordered brain; but they were too much for him. He tried to speak;but the dark waters of the pool were there again, and the next minute hefelt as if he had been drawn by the current beneath the fall, and allwas mental darkness and the old confusion once more. 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 

WILLIAM SOLLY HAS THOUGHTS. 

It would have been better, perhaps, for Nic Revel if he had not heardthe result of the plan to get help from Captain Lawrence's ship and itsdisastrous results for him. 

For Pete Burge's narrative was correct enough, save that he made anomission or two, notably the fact that he was captured while making abrave effort to save Nic from the savage blows being dealt out to him byHumpy Dee, who was trying to visit upon his head the disappointment hefelt through the failure of the raid. 

It was from finding Nic, helplessly insensible, being carried off byPete that in the dark the sailors took the young man for one of theparty they were to attack; and hence it was that he was tied fast to hisinjured companion, carried down the hill-slope to the river, bundledinto the boat with the other prisoners, and carried off, there being nofurther communication held with the shore. Captain Lawrence knewnothing till long afterwards about Nic being missing, and the long, longsearch made for him in the pool; two of the men, when questioned lateron during the inquiry, having seen him go down in the fierce struggle. But no one, during the confusion which ensued, had seen him rise again;for it was somewhere about that time that those who bore torches, andsaw that the fight was going against them, dashed them down into thewater, hoping the darkness would cover their escape. 

The Captain, in the triumphant issue of the encounter, had stood to seethe prisoners all bound, and soon after, upon not finding his son, accepted Solly's suggestion that Nic had walked down to see theprisoners off, and perhaps gone on board to thank the officer for hishelp. 

The next morning the ship was gone, and a horrible dread assailed masterand man as to Nic's fate. Then came the information from the twolabourers who had taken part in the defence and the search, every inchof the pool and river being examined, till the suspicion became acertainty that Nic had been swept down the river and carried out to sea, the cap he wore having been brought in by one of the fishermen whoharboured his boat in the mouth of the stream. 

But Captain Revel did not rest content with this: in his agony hecommunicated with Captain Lawrence, who came on at once, and confessednow to his old friend why, when his help was asked, he had jumped at theidea. They wanted men for one of the ships bound for Charleston and theWest Indies, the pressgangs having been very unsuccessful; and as thesalmon-poachers were described to him as being strong, active fellows, the idea struck him that here was a fine opportunity for ridding theneighbourhood of a gang of mischievous ne'er-do-weels--men who would beof service to their country, and henceforth leave his oldbrother-officer in peace; while any of them not particularly suitablecould be easily got rid of among the sugar and tobacco plantations. 

"Then, " said Captain Revel, "you have sent them away?"

"Yes; they sailed the next night. It was rather a high-handedtransaction; but the service wanted them badly, and we can't afford tobe too particular at a time like this. "

"But do you think it likely that my poor boy was among the prisoners?"

"Impossible, " said the Captain. "If he were--which is not in the leastlikely--all he had to do was to speak and say who he was. But absurd!I should have known, of course. "

"But after he was on board the other vessel?"

"My dear old friend, " said Captain Lawrence sympathetically, "I shrinkfrom dashing your hopes, but I feel how unjust it would be to back youup in the idea that he may have gone with the impressed men. He is agentleman, and an English officer's son, and he would only have to openhis lips to any one he encountered, and explain his position, to be senthome from the first port he reached. "

"Yes, yes, of course, " said the Captain bitterly; "and I shall never seemy poor boy again. "

Captain Lawrence was so uneasy about his friend that he went back to theboat and sent her off to the ship, returning afterwards to the house, bitterly regretting that he had sent his men ashore and allowed himselfto be tempted into making a seizure of the poachers. 

Captain Revel was seated in his arm-chair when Captain Lawrencere-entered the house, looking calm, grave, and thoughtful. His friend'scoming made him raise his head and gaze sorrowfully; then, with a wearysmile, he let his chin drop upon his breast and sat looking hard at thecarpet. 

"Come, Revel, man, " cried Captain Lawrence, "you must cheer up. Wesailors can't afford to look at the black side of things. "

"No, no; of course not, " said the stricken man. "I shall be bettersoon, Jack; better soon. I'm getting ready to fight it. "

"That's right; and before long you will have the boy marching into theroom, or else sending you a letter. "

"Yes, yes, " said Captain Revel, with a sad smile, and in a mannertotally different from that which he generally assumed, "he'll soon comeback or write. "

"But, poor fellow! he does not think so, " said Captain Lawrence tohimself, as Nic's father relapsed into thoughtful silence. 

"Solly, my lad, " said the visitor, when he felt that he must return tohis vessel, "your master has got a nasty shock over this business. "

"Ay, ay, sir; and he aren't the only one as feels it. I ought never toha' left Master Nic's side; but he put me in my station, and, of course, I had to obey orders. "

"Of course, my lad. Here, we must make the best of it, and hope andpray that the boy will turn up again all right. "

Solly shook his head sadly. 

"Ah, don't do that, my man, " cried Captain Lawrence. "You a sailor, too. There's life in a mussel, Solly. A man's never dead with us tillhe is over the side with a shot at his heels. "

"That's true, sir, " said the old sailor; "but, you see, I'm afraid. There was some fierce fighting over yonder in the pitch-dark, where thelights waren't showing. Sticks was a-going awful. If my poor boy gotone o' they cracks on his head and went beneath, there was plenty o'water to wash him out o' the pool and down the river. "

"Yes; but hope for the best, man; hope for the best. Remember the bitof blue that comes in the wind's eye often enough when we're in theworst part of a gale. "

"Ay, sir, that's what I do--hope for the best, and that if my poor youngmaster, who was as fine a lad as ever stepped, is done for, I may someday find out who it was that hit that blow, and pay it back. "

"No, Solly, " said Captain Lawrence sternly. "An English sailor does nottake revenge in cold blood for what was done in hot. Never! There, Imust get off, and in a few days I hope to be back to see my old friendagain. Meanwhile, I know he's in good hands, and that he would not wishto be watched over by any one better than William Solly, his oldcompanion in many a trouble of the past. "

"It's very kind o' you to say so, sir, " said Solly humbly. 

"I only speak the truth, my man, " said the visitor. "I have seen agreat deal, and Captain Revel has told me more, about what a faithfulservant you have been to him. Do all you can to comfort him, for he isterribly changed. "

The tears were in old Solly's eyes, and there seemed to be a kink in histhroat, as he said huskily:

"Awful, sir. I was a-saying on'y the other day, when the skipper waswherriting hisself about losing a few salmon, and raging and blowing allover the place, that he wanted a real trouble to upset him, and thatthen he wouldn't go so half-mad-like about a pack o' poachers workingthe pool. But I little thought then that the real bad trouble wascoming so soon; and it has altered him, sewer-ly. Poor Master Nic--poordear lad! Seems on'y t'other day as I used to carry him sittin' withhis little bare legs over my two shoulders, and him holding on tight bymy curly hair. Yes, sir, you look; it is smooth and shiny up aloft now, but I had a lot o' short, curly hair then, just like an old Calabarnigger's. And now, on'y to think of it. "

"No, don't think of it, my lad, for we are not certain, and we will notgive up hope. There, good-bye, Solly, my man. Shake hands. "

"Shake--hands, sir--with you, cap'n?"

"No, not with the captain, but with the man who looks upon you as an oldfriend. "

The next minute Solly was alone, rubbing his fist first in one eye andthen in the other, twisting the big bony knuckle of his forefinger roundso as to squeeze the moisture out. 

"Well now, " he said, "just look at that! What an old fool I am! Well, if I didn't know as them there drops o' mystur' was 'cause o' my poorlad Master Nic, I should ha' thought it was all on account o' what Cap'nLawrence said. `Friend!' he says. Well, I like that. I s'pose it's'cause I've allus tried to do my dooty, though I've made a horful muddleon it more'n once. "

CHAPTER FOURTEEN. 

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT. 

The next time the doctor came below to see his patients he examined PeteBurge. 

"Humph!" he ejaculated. "Lucky for you, my man, that you have such athick skull. You'll do now; but you've had a narrow escape. There, youcan go up on deck every day a bit, but keep out of the sun; it's veryhot, and getting hotter. It will do you more good than stopping down inthis black hole. "

"Thank ye, master, " said Pete; and he lay still in his hammock, waitingfor the doctor to go on deck before getting out and beginning to dress. 

"Look here, " said the doctor; "you are not off the sick-list yet, andyou will come down and look after this lad till he is fit to go up. --Well, how are you, my lad?--Hold that light closer, " he continued, turning to his assistant. "Humph! fever stronger. --Has he been talkingto you--sensibly?"

"Yes, zir, " replied Pete. "A good deal muddled at first, but he beganasking questions at last. "

"What about?"

"Didn't know how he come here, and I had to tell him. "

"Yes! What then?"

"Give a zort of a groan, zir, and been talking to hisself ever zince. "

"Humph! Poor wretch, " muttered the doctor, and he gave someinstructions to his assistant before turning once more to Pete:

"Look here, you had better stay with your mate when you are not on deck. If he gets worse you can fetch me. "

"Where shall I find you, zir?" asked Pete. 

"Ask one of the men. "

Pete began to dress as soon as he was alone, and found that it was noeasy task on account of a strange feeling of giddiness; but he succeededat last, and stepped to Nic's hammock and laid a cool hand upon the poorfellow's burning brow. Then he went on deck, glad to sit down rightforward in the shade cast by one of the sails and watch the blue waterwhenever the vessel heeled over. 

The exertion, the fresh air, and the rocking motion of the ship produceda feeling of drowsiness, and Pete was dropping off to sleep when hestarted into wakefulness again, for half-a-dozen men came up a hatchwayclose at hand, with the irons they wore clinking, to sit down upon thedeck pretty near the convalescent. 

Pete stared as he recognised Humpy Dee and five other partners in theraid. 

"There, what did I tell you?" said the first-named, speaking to hiscompanions, but glaring savagely at Pete the while. "There he is. Iallus knowed it. He aren't in irons. It was his doing. Give warning, he did, and they brought the sailor Jacks up. It was a regular trap. "

"What do you mean?" said Pete wonderingly. 

"What I say. I always knew you'd turn traitor and tell on us. "

"You don't know what you're talking about, " cried Pete. "Look here, lads. "

The men he addressed uttered a low growl and turned from him in disgust. 

"Oh, very well, " said Pete bitterly; "if you like to believe him insteadof me, you can. "

"I told you so, " went on Humpy Dee, whose countenance looked repulsivenow from a patch of strips of sticking-plaster upon his forehead; "andhe says I don't know what I'm talking about. "

"That's right, " said Pete; "you don't. "

"Maybe; but I do now. Look ye here, Pete Burge; it's your doing thatwe're here. Nearly the whole lot on us took--there, you can see some of'em sailors now. Pressed men. They took the pick of us; but we're notgood enough, we're not, while you're to be a bo'sun, or some'at o' thatsort, you expect. But you won't, for, first chance I get, Pete Burge, I'm going to pitch you overboard, or put a knife in your back; so lookout. "

"You don't know what you're talking about, " said Pete again, for nothingbetter occurred to him; and as the charge seemed to have gone home fortruth with the other unfortunates, one and all embittered by sickness, injuries, and confinement in irons below deck, Pete sulkily did as theydid, turned away, confident that Humpy Dee's threat would not be put inforce then; for a marine was standing sentry over them, till the men inirons were marched below, Pete finding that, as one on the sick-list, hewas free to go up or down when he liked. 

During the next fortnight the man puzzled himself as to what was tobecome of them. He had seen others of his companions often enough, going about their duties; but every one turned from him with a scowl ofdislike, which showed that the charge Humpy had made had gone home, andthat all believed he had betrayed them. 

The consequence was that he passed much of his time below decks, andpreferred to come up for his breath of fresh air after dark, passing histime beside Nic's hammock, thinking what he ought to do about him, andmaking up his mind what it was to be as soon as the poor fellow grewbetter and fully recovered his senses. 

"I'll tell the doctor then, " he said to himself. "There's no good intelling him now, for if I did they'd take him away and put him in acabin, where it would only be lonezome for him and for me too; and noone would wait on him better than I do. "

But Nic did not get better, as Pete wished, nor yet as the doctoressayed to make him. 

"It has got on his brain, poor fellow, " said that gentleman one day, when the patient was able to walk about, apparently nearly well, but hismind quite vacant. He talked, but the past was quite a blank. 

"But he'll get it off, won't he, zir?" said Pete, who felt the time tospeak had come. 

"Some day, my lad. I dare say his memory will come back all of a suddenwhen he is stronger and better able to bear his trouble; so perhaps it'sall a blessing for him in disguise. "

There was so much in this that Pete felt that it was not the time tospeak yet. 

"What good can it do him till he can think?" he said to himself. "Itwill only be like me losing a mate as can be a bit o' comfort, now everyone's again' me. I mean to stick to him till he can speak out and tell'em as I didn't inform again' the others. "

So Pete held his tongue, and being so much below, was almost forgotten, save by the men of the watches who had to bring the two sick men theirrations; and finally he left it till it was too late. For he awoke onemorning to find that they were in port in a strange land, and in thecourse of the morning the word was passed to him and his unfortunatecompanion to "tumble up. "

"Here, master, " he said to Nic; "you're to come up. "

Nic made no objection, but suffered himself to be led on deck, where hestood, pale and thin, the wreck of his former self, blinking in theunwonted light, and trying to stare about him, but in a blank way, ending by feeling for and clinging to Pete's arm. 

Very little time was afforded the latter for looking about, wonderingwhat was to happen next; all he saw on deck was a group of marines andabout a couple of dozen of the sailors doing something to one of theboats, while the officers were looking on. 

The next minute his attention was taken by the beautiful countryspreading out beyond the shore, a quarter of a mile away across thesparkling waters of the harbour. 

But there was something else to take his attention during the nextminute, for there was the clanking of irons, and he saw Humpy Dee andhis five companions marched up from below to be called to where he wasstanding with Nic. 

The poachers looked repellent enough as they followed Humpy Dee'sexample, and scowled at the pair who had come up from the sick bay, andseemed to receive little sympathy from those who were looking on. Thenthere was an order given by one of the officers, and the crew of theboat climbed quickly in, while the marines came up behind the prisoners. 

"They're going to take us ashore, " thought Pete excitedly, and the ideahad hardly been grasped, before a couple of old hats were handed to himand his companion by the sergeant of marines. 

"They're going to put uz with Humpy and that lot, " said Pete to himselfexcitedly; "and I must speak now. "

He spoke. It was hurriedly and blunderingly done, and the officer whomhe addressed looked at him frowningly. 

"What!" he cried; "this man is not one of you--one of the gang takenthat night?"

"No, master; he's a gentleman, and took by mistake. "

Humpy Dee's eyes flashed, and he burst into a coarse laugh. 

"Silence, you scoundrel!--How dare you?" cried the officer angrily. 

"Couldn't help it, master, " growled Humpy. "Make a horse laugh to hearsuch gammon. "

"What! Do you say that what he tells me is not true?"

"It is true, master, " cried Pete, "every word--"

"All lies, " snarled the poacher savagely. "He was in the fight, and gothurt. He's one of us. That Pete Burge peached on us, and brought thesailor Jacks on us; and he wants to get out of it to let us go alone. Lies, captain; all lies. "

"What do you say, my men?" said the officer sternly, turning to Humpy'scompanions. 

"Same as he does, " cried the pressed men in chorus. 

"And you?" cried the officer, turning to Nic. "Are you one of thisfellow's comrades?"

"No, master, he aren't, " cried Pete; "he aren't, indeed. He's nought tome. He's--"

"Silence, sir!" roared the officer. "You, sir, " he continued, turningto Nic, "speak out. Are you one of this fellow's comrades?"

Nic looked at him blankly, and there was silence on the deck, as thevarious groups stood there in the burning sunshine. 

"Well, sir, why don't you answer?" cried the officer. 

Nic's answer was in dumb-show, for, poor fellow, he did not grasp aword. He knew that the man by his side had been with him a great deal, and nursed and helped him, speaking soothingly when he was at hisworst--every one else seemed strange; and without a word he smiled sadlyin Pete's face and took hold of his arm. 

"That will do, " said the officer, who had his orders to carry out. "Inwith them!"

The marines laid their hands on Nic's and Pete's shoulders, while thesergeant signed to the others to climb into the boat; Humpy Dee turning, as he got in last, to give Pete a savage look of triumph. 

Pete turned sharply to the marine who was urging him to the side. 

"Tell me, mate, " he whispered quickly; "just a word. Where are we goingto be took?"

The marine glanced swiftly aside to see if it was safe to answer, andthen whispered back:

"Off to the plantations, I s'pose. There, keep a good heart, lad. Itaren't for ever and a day. "

The plantations--to work as a kind of white slave for some colonistfar-away. 

Pete, in his ignorance, only grasped half the truth; but that half wasbad enough to make him sink down in the boat as it was lowered from thedavits, put his lips close to Nic's ear, and groan more than say:

"Oh, Master Nic, lad, what have you done?"

Then the boat kissed the water; the order was given; the oars fell witha splash; and, as the men gave way, Pete Burge darted a wild look abouthim, to find Humpy Dee just at his back, glaring malignantly, and as ifabout to speak, as he leaned forward. 

But no word came, for the marine sergeant clapped a hand upon hisshoulder and thrust him back. 

"All right, " said Humpy Dee; "my time'll come bimeby. Better than beinga pressed man, after all. "

Nic had been a long while in the darkness below deck, and his eyes werefeeble; but, as the boat glided on rapidly towards the shore, theybecame more accustomed to the light, and he gazed wonderingly about inhis confused state, seeing nothing of the trouble ahead, only the factthat he was approaching the far-stretching, sun-brightened shore. 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN. 

HUMPY DEE'S LITTLE THREATS. 

However much he might have been disposed to make a fresh appeal on hiscompanion's behalf, Pete had no opportunity; for, upon the boat beingrun alongside of a roughly-made wharf, he and the others were hurriedout and marched away to a kind of warehouse, and the care of them handedover to some people in authority, by whom they were shut-in, glad of thechange from the broiling sun outside to the cool gloom of the interior, lit only by a grated window high up above the door, from which the raysstreamed across the open roof, leaving the roughly-boarded floor indarkness. 

After a few minutes the eyes became accustomed to the gloom, and the menseated themselves upon the empty chests and barrels lying about, Petesecuring one for Nic, who sat down mechanically, with his head thrownback so that he could gaze at the light. Pete contented himself withthe rough floor, where he half-lay, listening to his companions inmisfortune, half-a-dozen yards away, as they talked over their positionand wondered where they were to go--to a man keeping aloof from Pete, the traitor they accredited with bringing them to their present state. 

The men were better informed than Pete had been, his stay in companywith Nic and the dislike in which he was held by his old companionshaving kept him in ignorance of facts which they had picked up from thesailors. And now Pete gradually grasped in full that of which he hadpreviously only had an inkling--that the pick of the prisoners had beenreserved for man-o'-war's-men, those who were considered unsuitablehaving been reserved for handing over to the colonists. This was inaccordance with a custom dating as far back as the days of Cromwell, theProtector being accredited with ridding himself of troublesome prisonersby shipping them off to the plantations as white slaves, most of themnever to return. 

"Well, " said Humpy Dee aloud, in the course of conversation, "I supposeit means work. "

"Yes, " said another; "and one of the Jacks told me you have to hoesugar-cane and tobacco and rice out in the hot sun, and if you don't doenough you get the cat. "

"If any one tries to give me the lash, " growled Humpy, "he'll getsomething he won't like. "

"They'll hang you or shoot you if you try on any games, old lad, " saidanother of the men. 

"Maybe, if they can, " said Humpy, with a laugh. "Perhaps we may be toomany for them. I mean to take to the woods till I can get taken off bya ship. "

"Ah, who knows?" said another. "I aren't going to give up. Place don'tlook so bad. See that river as we come up here?"

"Of course, " growled Humpy. 

"Well, I dare say there'll be salmon in it, same as there is at home. "

"Tchah!" cried Humpy; "not here. This is foreign abroad man. You'llget no salmon now. "

"Well, any fish'll do, " said another of the men. "The place don't lookbad, and anything's better than being shut down below them decks. 'Nough to stifle a man. I know what I'm going to do, though, along withthem as like to join me. "

"You're going to do what I tells you, " said Humpy Dee sourly; "I'm goingto be head-man here; and if you don't you'll find yourself wishing youhadn't been born. "

The man growled something in an undertone, and Humpy made an offer athim as if to strike, causing his companion in misfortune to flinch backto avoid the expected blow. 

"Look here, boys, " said Humpy; "if every one here's going to try to dothings on his own hook we shall do nothing, so what you've got to do isto stick by me. We're not going to be sold here like a gang o' blackslaves. "

"But we are sold, " said the man who had shrunk away. 

"Never mind that; we're not going to work, then, " said Humpy. "We'regoing to slip off into the woods, get to that there river, and dosomething better than spear or bale out salmon. We're going to take thefirst boat we see and get round to the coast, and then keep along tillwe find a ship to take us off. "

"Well, that's what I meant, " said the other man. 

"Then you'll be all right, " said Humpy. 

So far, without paying attention, Pete had heard every word, and hisblood began to course faster through his veins at the thought ofescaping and helping Nic back to his friends; but, though he strovehard, not another word reached his ears; for Humpy leaned forward andbegan speaking in a hoarse whisper, his companions bending towards him, as he said with a peculiar intensity:

"We've got to get back home, lads, and not stop here to rot in the sunto make money for whoever's bought us; but there's something to dofirst. "

"What?" said one of the men, for Humpy Dee had stopped and sat in thegloom, glaring savagely at the farther side of the place. 

"Wait, and you'll hear, " was the reply; and there was another pause, during which Nic uttered a low, weary sigh, and let himself fallsideways, so that his head sank in Pete's lap, and, utterly exhausted, he dropped off to sleep. 

"You know how it all was, " Humpy went on at last. "I aren't going toname no names, but some 'un was jealous-like o' me, and wanting to takethe lead always; and, when he found he couldn't, he goes and blabs tothe young master yonder. Well, we're not going to take him back--we'venot going to tell him how we're going to do it. "

"Have told him. Spoke loud enough, " said the man who had received therebuff. 

Humpy leaned towards him, and with a peculiar, savage air, said in ahusky whisper:

"Look here, mate; there's only room for one to lead here. If you aren'tsatisfied you can go and sit along with them two and sham sick, likePete Burge has all through the voyage. "

"Well, don't bite a man's head off, " said the other. "Who wants tolead?"

"You do, or you wouldn't talk like a fool. Think I'm one, mates?--thinkI'm going to do as I said, and let him go and blab, so as to get intofavour here? That's just what I don't mean to do. "

"Then what are you going to do?" said his fellow-prisoner; but for a fewmoments Humpy only glared at him without speaking. At last, though, hewhispered:

"I mean for us to go off together and get free; and as for some oneelse, I mean for us all to give him something to remember us by afore wego. "

CHAPTER SIXTEEN. 

HUMAN CATTLE. 

The prisoners had been sitting in the dark warehouse-like place for somehours, Nic sleeping soundly, and Pete watching and listening to hiscompanions in misfortune, judging from their behaviour that he was to betreated as an outcast, but caring little, for he was conscious of havingbeen true to them in their nefarious doings. 

"Let them think what they like, " he said to himself. "Humpy has gotthat into their heads, and if I talk to them for a week they won'tbelieve me. "

Then he began to muse upon the subject which forms seven-eighths of aprisoner's thoughts--how he and Nic were to escape, and whether it wouldbe possible to get to a boat and float down the river of which they hadhad a glimpse, and of which he had heard his companions speaking, whensuddenly there was the deep, heavy barking of a dog, followed by that oftwo more; and, as he listened, the sounds came nearer and nearer, incompany with the shuffling of feet. Voices were heard too, and directlyafter there was a loud snuffling sound and a deep growling, as the dogsthey had heard thrust their noses under the big door, tore at it, andgrowled savagely, till a fierce voice roared:

"Come here! Lie down!" and there was a crack of a whip, and a sharpyelp to indicate that one of the dogs had received a blow. 

Directly after there was the rattle of a big key in the lock, the boltsnapped back, and the door was thrown open, to fill the place with theglow of the afternoon sunshine; and three great hounds bounded in, torush at once for the prisoners and begin snuffing at them, growlingloudly the while. 

"Call those dogs off, Saunders, " said a stern voice, as the entrance wasdarkened by the figures of a group of men. 

"In a moment, " was the reply, made by a tall, active-looking man, "Theyonly want to know the new hands, and their flavour. --Here: down, boys!"

The speaker accompanied his order with a sharp crack of the whip, andthe dogs came back unwillingly from the groups seated on the floor. 

"Take care, " said the first speaker; "that man has a knife. "

Pete turned sharply, to see that a knife-blade was gleaming in HumpyDee's hand. 

"Knife, has he?" said the man addressed as Saunders, and he steppedforward to where Humpy was crouching down. 

"Give me that knife, " he said sharply. 

"I don't want to be eat by dogs, " said Humpy in a low, surly tone. 

"Give me that knife, " was reiterated sternly, "or I set the dogs to holdyou while I take it away. "

Humpy hesitated for a moment and glared in the speaker's eyes; but heread there a power which was too much for him, and he closed the bladewith a snap and slowly held it up. 

The man snatched it from him with his left hand, and the next instantthere was a sharp whish through the air and a smart crack, as thestinging lash of a whip fell across Humpy's shoulder, making him utter ayell of rage. 

"Saunders, Saunders!" said the first speaker reproachfully. 

"All right, Mr Groves; I know what I'm about, " said the man sharply. "That fellow was armed with a knife which he must have stolen from oneof the sailors; and he was ready to use it. The sooner a savage brutelike that is taught his position here the better for him. You have doneyour part and handed the scoundrels over to me, so please don'tinterfere. "

The first speaker shrugged his shoulders, and turned to a couple of menwho were carrying a basket and a great pitcher; while Saunders went onsharply:

"You hear what I am saying, my lads; so understand this: You have beensent out here from your country because you were not fit to stay there;and you will have to serve now up at your proprietor's plantation. Behave yourselves, and you will be well fed, and fairly treated overyour work; but I warn you that we stand no nonsense here. The law givesus power to treat you as you deserve. Our lives are sacred; yours arenot--which means, as Mr Groves here will tell you, that if you ventureto attack any one you will be shot down at sight, while I may as welltell you now that we shall fire at any man who attempts to escape. "

Pete's head gave a throb, and his hand glided slowly to Nic's and heldit tightly. 

"When you get up to the plantation you will see for yourselves that youcannot get away, for you will have jailers there always ready to watchyou or hunt you down. There are three of them, " he continued, pointingto the dogs which crouched on the warehouse floor, panting, with theirlong red tongues out and curled up at the ends. 

At their master's gesture the sagacious animals sprang up and gazedeagerly in his face. 

"Not now, boys; lie down. --Ah, what's that?" he cried sharply, and thedogs made a movement as if to rush at the prisoners, for Humpy leanedsideways and whispered to his nearest companion:

"More ways than one o' killing a dog. "

"Talking about the dogs, " said the other surlily. "You are makingyourself a marked man, my friend. Take care. Who are these--the twowho have been in hospital, Mr Groves?"

"I suppose so, " was the reply. 

"What's the matter with you?" said the overseer--for such he proved tobe--addressing Pete. "Jump up. "

Pete softly lifted Nic's head from his knee and rose quickly. 

"Was cut down, sir, " said Pete; "but I'm getting better fast now. "

"Good job for you. Now, you, sir; wake up. "

The overseer raised the whip he held, to make a flick at Nic as he laysoundly asleep; but Pete stepped forward to save his companion, and inbending over him received the slight cut himself without flinching, though the lash made him feel as if he had been stung. 

"He has been a'most dead, zir, " said Pete sharply; "but he's gettingbetter now fast. Hasn't got his zenses, though. "

"Wake him up, then, " said the overseer sharply; "and you can get yourmeal now. --Here, my lads, bring that stuff here and serve it out. "

Pete obeyed the order given, and began by gently shaking Nic, who madeno sign. Pete shook him again more firmly, starting violently the nextmoment, for, unnoticed, one of the great hounds had approached him andlowered its muzzle to sniff at the prostrate man. 

Pete's first instinctive idea was to strike fiercely at thesavage-looking intruder, but fortunately he held his hand and bent overhis companion wonderingly, and hardly able to believe what he saw; foras the dog nuzzled about Nic's face, the young man, partly aroused bythe shaking, opened his eyes, looked vacantly at the brute for somemoments, and then, as if his intellectual powers were returning, hesmiled, the animal stopping short and staring down at him closely. 

"Well, old fellow, " he said gently; "whose dog are you?"

Pete looked up sharply, and saw that every one's attention was centredon the basket and pitcher, the two men serving out the provisions andtheir two superiors looking on. 

Then he glanced back again, to see in horror that Nic had raised hishand to the dog's muzzle, and followed that up by taking hold of andpassing the animal's long, soft ears through his hand. 

Pete would have seized the dog, but he felt paralysed by the thoughtthat if he interfered he might make matters worse; and then his heartseemed to rise in his throat, for the great hound uttered a deep, shortbark, which had the effect of bringing the others to its side. 

"Quiet, you, sirs!" cried their master, but he did not turn his head, and the three dogs now pressed round Nic, the first planting hisfore-paws on the young man's chest, blinking at him with his jaws apartand the long red tongue playing and quivering between the sets of keenmilk-white teeth, evidently liking the caresses it received, and ofwhich the other two appeared to be jealous, for they suddenly began towhimper; and then the first threw up its head, and all three broke intoa loud baying. 

"Quiet, there!" roared Saunders, and he turned sharply now, saw what hadtaken place, and came back cracking his whip. "Ah!" he shouted. "Getback! How dare you?"

The dogs growled, stood fast, and barked at him loudly. 

"Good boys, then!" cried Saunders. "Yes, it's all right; you've foundhim. There, that will do. "

The dogs began to leap and bound about the place, while their masterturned to Pete. 

"Why didn't you call me?" he said. "Have they bitten him?"

"No; haven't hurt him a bit, " said Pete quietly. 

"Lucky for him, " said the man. "There, you see what they're like, andknow what you have to expect--What?"

"I said, are they your dogs?"

Pete stared, for it was Nic who spoke, perfectly calmly, though in afeeble voice. 

"Yes, " replied Saunders. "Why?"

"I could not help admiring them. They are magnificent beasts. "

"I am glad you like them, sir, " said Saunders, with a mocking laugh; andhe turned and strode away, to order the men to take some of the foodthey had brought to the other two prisoners, leaving Nic gazing afterhim. 

"Rather brusque, " he said, half to himself, and then he passed his handover his eyes, drew a long, deep, restful breath, and turned over as ifto go to sleep again; but he started up on his elbow instead as heencountered Pete's face, and a look of horror and dislike contracted hisown. 

"You here?" he said wonderingly. 

"Hush! Don't speak aloud, dear lad, " whispered Pete excitedly. 

"Dear lad?"

"Master Nic Revel, then. You haven't quite come-to yet. You don'tremember. You were took bad again after being bad once--when you askedme questions aboard ship, and I had to tell you. "

"Taken bad--aboard ship?"

"Here you are; catch hold, " said a voice close to them; and one of themen handed each half a small loaf, while his companion filled a tin mugthat must have held about half-a-pint, and offered it to Nic. 

The young man had let the great piece of bread fall into his lap, butthe gurgling sound of the water falling into the mug seemed to rouse alatent feeling of intense thirst, and he raised himself more, took thevessel with both hands and half-drained it, rested for a few moments, panting, and then drank the rest before handing the tin back with a sighof content. 

"No, no; hold it, " said the man sharply; and Nic had to retain it in histrembling hands while it was refilled. 

"There, give it to your mate, " said the water-bearer. 

The two young men's eyes met over the vessel in silence, Nic's full ofangry dislike, Pete's with an appealing, deprecating look, which did notsoften Nic's in the least. 

"Well, why don't you take it?" said the man with the pitcher. 

"Don't seem to kinder want it now, " replied Pete hoarsely. 

"Drink it, man, and don't be a fool. You'll be glad of it long beforeyou get there. Sun's hot yet, and the water's salt for miles, and thenfor far enough brackish. "

Nic looked at the speaker wonderingly, for the blank feeling seemed tobe coming with the forerunner of the peculiar sensation of confusionwhich had troubled him before, and he looked from one to the other as iffor help; while Pete took the mug and drained it, but contented himselfwith slipping his bread inside the breast of his shirt, and stoodlooking down at Nic, whose lips parted to speak, but no words came. 

"Seem decent sort of fellows, " said the water-bearer, as he turned offtowards the door with his companion; and the dogs rose to follow them, sniffing at the basket. 

"Yes, poor beggars!" said the other. "Whatever they've been up to inthe old country, they've got to pay pretty dearly for it now. "

Nic's hearing was acute enough now, and he heard every word. 

"Here, you, " he gasped painfully. "Call them back. "

"What for, Master Nic?" said Pete in an appealing whisper. "Don't; youmustn't now. Ask me for what you want. "

"I want to know what all this means, " panted the young man. "Why am Ihere? What place is this? I'm not--I will know. "

"No, no; don't ask now, Master Nic, " whispered Pete. "You aren't fit toknow now. I'm with you, my lad, and I swear I won't forsake ye. "

"You--you will not forsake me?" said Nic, with a look of horror. 

"Never, my lad, while I've got a drop o' blood in my veins. Don't--don't look at me like that. It waren't all my fault. Wait a bit, andI'll tell you everything, and help you to escape back to the oldcountry. "

"To the old country!" whispered Nic, whose voice was panting again fromweakness. "Where are we, then?"

"Amerikee, among the plantations, they say. "

"But--but why? The plantations? What does it mean?"

"Work, " said Saunders, who had come up behind them. "Now then, looksharp, and eat your bread. You'll get no more till to-morrow morning, and in less than half-an-hour we shall start. "

"Start?" cried Nic huskily, as he clapped his hands to his head andpressed it hard, as though he felt that if he did not hold on tightlyhis reason would glide away again. 

"Yes, man, start, " said Saunders. "Can you two fellows row?"

"He can't, sir; he's too weak, " cried Pete eagerly; and the overseer'sface contracted. "But I can. Best man here with an oar. I can pull, sir, enough for two. "

"I'll put you to the proof before you sleep, " said the overseer sharply. "Now, Mr Groves, I'm at your service. I suppose I have some papers tosign?"

"Yes, " said the agent, and he led the way, while the overseer followed, closing the door, placing a whistle to his lips and blowing a shrillnote which was answered by a deep baying from the dogs. 

"Escape!" muttered Nic wildly. "Plantations! Why, I shall be a slave!"

"No, no, my lad; don't take it like that. I'll help you to get away. "

"Will ye?" growled Humpy Dee, coming towards them. "Then I tells thatchap next time he comes. I splits on you as you splits on we; so lookout, I say, both of you; look out!"

"It's a lie, Master Nic--a lie, " cried Pete fiercely. "I swear to you, I never--"

Pete caught at the young man's arm as he spoke, and then loosened itwith a groan, for, with a look of revulsion, Nic cried hoarsely:

"Don't touch me; don't come near me. Wretch--villain! This is all yourwork. "

"And so say we, my fine fellow, " cried Humpy Dee, whose eyes sparkledwith malignant joy. "His doing, every bit, 'cept what you put in, andfor that you've got to take your share the same as us. And all becausea few poor fellows wanted a bit o' salmon. Hor, hor, hor! I say, takeit coolly. No one won't believe ye, and you may think yourself lucky toget off so well. "

Nic turned from the man with a look of disgust, and sat up, resting histhrobbing head in his hands; while, as Humpy Dee went back to hiscompanions, whistling as he went, Pete threw himself upon the floor, watching him, with his hands opening and shutting in a strange way, asif they were eager to seize the brutal ruffian by the throat. 

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. 

CHAINS AND SLAVERY. 

Pete calmed down after a while, and began to feel a bit sulky. He hadcommon-sense enough to begin looking at the state of affairs from amatter-of-fact point of view, and he lay conning the position over. 

"Just as he likes, " he said. "He pitches me over, and won't have anymore to do with me. Well, it aren't no wonder, zeeing what I've been. Wonder what made me turn so zoft and zilly about him! Zeeing how hardit was for him to be zarved as he was, and then hooked off along withus. "

"Dunno that it's any worse for him than it is for me, " he muttered; "butzeemed to feel a bit sorry about him, poor lad!--there I go again: poorlad! No more poor lad than I be. Got it into my thick head that it wasnice to help him while he was so bad, and that, now our lads havepitched me overboard, we was going to be mates and help one another. But we aren't, for he's pitched me overboard too. "

"Well, " muttered Pete, with a bitter laugh, "I can zwim as well as moston 'em, and I shan't hurt much; and as for him, he must take his chancewith the rest on us. He's got his wits back again, and don't zeem liketo go wool-gathering again; and, if he's sharp, he'll speak up and makethat t'other man understand it's all a blunder about him being sent offalong o' we. But there, he wants to go his own fashion, zo he must. But if I was him I should kick up a dust before we start, and havemyself zent back home by the next ship. "

He glanced in the gloom at where Nic was seated, and a feeling of sorrowfor the poor fellow filled him again; but after the rebuff he hadreceived he fought it off, and began to watch Humpy Dee and the others, as they sat together talking in a low tone, and then to meditate ontheir position towards himself. 

"They're half-afraid of Humpy, " he thought, "and he's made 'em thinkthat I zet the sailors at them. If I go on talking till it's a bluemoon they won't believe me, zo things must go their own way, and zomeday they'll find Humpy out; on'y I'm not going to let him do as he likeswith me. This isn't going to be a very cheerful zort of life out here;but, such as it is, it's better than no life at all; zo I aren't goingto let him pitch me into the river or down some hole, or knock me on thehead, or stick a knife into me. That won't do. It's murder--leastwiseit is at home; p'raps it aren't out here. Zeems not after the way thatchap talked about shooting us down and zetting them dogs at us. Why, one of 'em's stronger than us, and a zet-to wi' one of 'em wouldn't benice. Bit of a coward, I s'pose, for I can't abide being bitten by adog. "

"Best thing I can do will be to slip off first chance; for I zeem, whatwith Humpy and these folk, to have dropped into a nasty spot. Dessay Ican take care of myself, and--nay, that won't do; zeem sneaky-like to goand leave that poor lad, for I do zort o' like him. Wonderful how theydogs took to him. Nay, that aren't wonderful. Got a lot o' zense, dogshave. Allus zeem to take to zick people and little tiny children, andblind folk too. How they like them too!"

At that moment there was a deep baying sound not far-away, and Pete hadnot long to wait before there were steps, the door was unlocked andthrown open, and the overseer entered, accompanied by the dogs, andfollowed by a party of blacks, one of whom carried a roughly-madebasket. 

They were big, muscular fellows, and shiny to a degree whenever thelight caught their skins, a good deal of which was visible, for theirdress consisted of a pair of striped cotton drawers, descending half-wayto the knee, and a sleeveless jacket of the same material, worn open sothat neck and breast were bare. 

The dogs barked at the prisoners, and repeated their examination byscent, ending by going well over Nic, who made no attempt to caressthem, nor displayed any sign of fear, but sat in his place stolidlywatching the proceedings, the dogs ending their nasal inspection bycrouching down and watching him. 

The overseer was alone now, and his first proceeding was to take hisstand by the black, who had set down the heavy basket, and call HumpyDee to come forward, by the name of Number One. 

The man rose heavily, and this seemed to be a signal for the threehounds to spring to their feet again, making the man hesitate. 

"Them dogs bite, master?" he said. 

"Yes; they'll be at your throat in a moment if you make the slightestattempt to escape, " said the overseer sharply. 

"Who's going to try to escape?" grumbled Humpy. 

"You are thinking of it, sir, " said the overseer. "Mind this, " hecontinued--drawing the light jacket he wore aside and tapping his belt, thus showing a brace of heavy pistols--"I am a good shot, and I couldeasily bring you down as you ran. "

"Who's going to run?" grumbled Humpy. "Man can't run with things likethese on his legs. "

"I have seen men run pretty fast in fetters, " said the overseer quietly;"but they did not run far. Come here. "

Humpy shuffled along two or three steps, trailing his irons behind him, and the overseer shouted at him:

"Pick up the links by the middle ring, sir, and move smartly. "

He cracked his whip, and a thrill ran through Nic. 

Humpy did as he was told, and walked more quickly to where the overseerstood; but before he reached him the herculean black who stood by hisbasket, which looked like a coarsely-made imitation of the kind used bya carpenter for his tools, clapped a hand upon the prisoner's shoulderand stopped him short, making Humpy turn upon him savagely. 

"Ah!" roared the overseer, as if he were speaking to one of the dogs. 

Humpy was overawed, and he stood still, while the black bent down, tooka ball of oakum out of the basket, cut off about a foot, passed thepiece through the centre ring of the irons, and deftly tied it to theprisoner's waist-belt. Then, as Nic and Pete watched, the action goingon fascinating them, the black made a sign to one of his companions, whodropped upon his knees by the basket, took out a hammer, and handed itto the first black. Then the kneeling man lifted out a small block ofiron, which looked like a pyramid with the top flattened, clapped it onthe floor, and the first black began to manipulate Humpy as a blacksmithwould a horse he was about to shoe, dragging him to the little anvilwith one hand, using the hammer-handle to poke him into position withthe other. 

"Going to take off his irons, " thought Pete, and the same idea flashedacross Nic's mind. 

He was mistaken. 

Another black stepped up, as if fully aware of what was necessary, andstood behind Humpy, ready to hold him up when necessary; for the secondblack now seized one of the prisoner's ankles, lifted his foot on to thelittle anvil, and the first examined the rivet, grunted hisdissatisfaction, and Humpy's foot was wrenched sidewise by one man, whoheld the rivet upon the anvil, while his leader struck it a few heavyblows to enlarge the head and make it perfectly safe. 

This done, Humpy was marched nearer the door, scowling savagely athaving had to submit to this process; but he grinned hisself-satisfaction as he saw his companions brought forward in turn fortheir irons to be examined--one to have them replaced by a fresh set, which were taken from the basket, and whose rings were tightly rivetedabout his ankles, the rivets of the old ones being quite loose. 

The men were ranged near the entrance, which, at a look from theoverseer, was now guarded by the three unoccupied blacks. 

"Now you, " said the overseer to Pete, who rose from where he sat aloneand approached the anvil with a curious sensation running through him. 

"Why didn't they iron you?" said the overseer harshly. 

"Wounded and sick, " replied Pete gruffly. 

"Ah, well, you are not wounded and sick now. --He's a big, strong fellow, Sam. Give him a heavy set. "

The big black showed his fine set of white teeth. A set of fetters wastaken from the basket, and with Pete's foot held in position by thesecond black--a foot which twitched and prickled with a strong desire tokick--the first ring was quickly adjusted, a soft iron rivet passedthrough the two holes, and then the head was rested upon the littleblock of iron, and a few cleverly-delivered blows from the big black'shammer spread the soft iron out into a second head, and the open ringwas drawn tight. 

The second ankle-ring was quickly served in the same way, and the centrelink was lifted and tied to the prisoner's waist-belt, Pete turningscarlet, and wiping the perspiration from his dripping brow from time totime. 

"Over yonder with the others!"

There was a movement among the men at the door as this order was given, and Pete winced; but even a man newly fettered can still feel pride, andthe poor fellow determined that his old comrades should not think he wasafraid of them. He walked boldly up to take his place, meeting Humpy'smalignant look of triumph without shrinking, and turning quicklydirectly after with a feeling of pity as he heard the overseer summonNic to take his place in turn. 

"Now's your time, my lad, " Pete said to himself. "Speak out like a man, and if you ask me to, I'll back you up--I will. "

He looked on excitedly, wondering whether Nic's wits were still withhim, as but so short a time ago they had only returned to him like aflash and then passed away, leaving him, as it were, in the dark. 

It was very still in the hot, close place, and every word spoken soundedstrangely loud in the calm of the late afternoon. 

"Lighter irons, " said the overseer to the big black; and there was theclinking sound of the great links as the man handed the fetters from thebasket. 

"And him not shrinking, " thought Pete. "Give me quite a turn. He can'tunderstand. "

The big black took the fetters and balanced them in his hand, looking athis superior as much as to say, "Will these do?"

The overseer took a step or two forward and grasped the chain, to standholding it, gazing frowningly the while at Nic, who met his gaze withoutblenching. 

"Why don't you speak--why don't you speak?" muttered Pete. "Can't yousee that now's your time?"

"You've been bad, haven't you?" said the overseer roughly. 

Nic raised his hand slowly to his head and touched the scar of a greatcut on one side, the discoloration of a bruise on the other. 

"But quite well again now?"

Nic smiled faintly. 

"I am weak as a child, " he replied. 

"Humph! Yes, " said the overseer, and he threw the chain upon the floor. 

Pete, who had been retaining his breath for some moments, uttered afaint exclamation full of relief. 

"But why didn't he speak out and tell him?" For a few moments hisbetter feelings urged him to speak out himself; but he shrank fromexposing both to the denials of the other men again, and stood frowningand silent. 

Then the chance seemed to be gone, for the overseer gave the youngprisoner a thrust towards the others, and Nic walked towards themstraight for where Pete was waiting. Then he raised his eyes, saw whowas standing in his way, and he went off to his right, to stop besideHumpy Dee, while a feeling of resentment rose hotly in Pete's breast. 

"Oh, very well, " he muttered to himself; "it's no business of mine. "

The next minute the overseer gave a sharp order; the big black raisedthe basket and put himself at the head of the prisoners; the otherslaves took their places on either side, and the overseer followedbehind with the dogs, which began to bound about, barking loudly for aminute or two, and then walked quietly as the party left the gloomywarehouse behind. 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. 

HUMPY DEE'S PLAN GOES "A-GLEY. "

It all seemed to Nic like part of some terrible dream, for a strangestruggle was going on in his weakened brain, where reason seemed to comeand go by pulsations. One minute everything appeared to be real, thenext it was dream-like; and he was so convinced that in a short time hewould wake up that he walked quietly on side by side with one of thenegroes, taking notice of the place, which seemed to be a port, with thebeginnings of a town dropped down in a scattered fashion a shortdistance from the mouth of a river. The houses were of timber, and toeach there was a large, roughly fenced-in piece of cultivated ground, with some trees standing, while others had been cut down, leaving theblackened stumps in all directions. 

It was a strange mingling of shed, shipbuilding-yard, and store, formany of the erections and their surroundings wore all the aspect ofbarns. As the little party now tramped on, with the prisoners' fettersgiving forth a dull, clanking sound, the aspect of the place grew moreand more rustic, the people who stopped to stare fewer, till, as theyreached a large boarded house, evidently nearly new, and against whoserough fence a farmer-like man, in a damaged straw hat, was leaning, gazing intently at the prisoners. All beyond seemed trees and wildgrowth, amidst which the river made a curve, and the trampled tracklooked more green. 

Nic looked half-wonderingly at the man leaning upon the fence, and feltthat he was going to speak in commiseration of his plight; but the nextmoment his hopes were dashed, for the settler shouted:

"How are you, Master Saunders? How's the Gaffer?"

"All well, " said the overseer, with a nod. 

"Seems a nice, tidy, strong-limbed lot you've got there, master. "

"Oh yes; pretty well. "

"Some of all sorts. That's an ugly one, " continued the farmer, pointingto Humpy Dee, and mentally valuing him as if he were one in a herd ofcattle. "But I daresay he can work. "

"He'll have to, " said the overseer, and Nic saw that each black facewore a grin, while Humpy was scowling savagely. 

"Yes, I should like a lot such as that. 'Member me to the Gaffer. Tellhim to look in if he comes to town. "

"Yes, " thought Nic as they passed on; "it must be a dream, and I shallwake soon. "

It grew more and more dream-like to him as the track was followed amongthe trees till a rough landing-place was reached, formed by some hugestakes driven down into the mud, with heavy planks stretched over tothem, and others laid across. The reddening sun was turning the glidingwater to gold, as it ran up the river now, for the flood-tide wasrunning fast; and as they drew nearer, Nic caught sight of what lookedlike the launch of some large vessel swinging by a rope fastened to anupright of the landing-stage. 

Just then one of the blacks uttered a peculiar, melodious cry, the greatdogs bounded on to the stage and began to bark, and a couple of blacks, dressed like those about him, sprang up in the boat, where they had beenlying asleep, and began to haul upon the now unfastened rope to draw thecraft up to the stage. 

Nic's head was throbbing again, and the unreality and novelty of thescene increased. 

"I shall wake soon, " he said to himself. "How strange it is!"

For at that moment, as the boat came abreast, he saw one of the greatdogs leap from the stage, run to the stern, and sit down, the othersfollowing and joining it behind the seat provided with a back rail. 

It seemed to be no new thing to the blacks, for the huge fellow who hadacted as smith stepped down into the boat, followed by his assistant, walked aft, and deposited his bag with the dogs, and then stooped downand drew from under the side-seat a couple of muskets, one of which hehanded to his assistant, both examining their priming, and then seatingthemselves one on either side of the boat, with their guns between theirlegs, watching the embarkation. 

"You next, " said the overseer to Pete; and the prisoner walked to theedge, made as if to leap, but checked himself and climbed down, feelingthat the other way would have been risky, weighted as his legs were bythe shackles. "Help your young mate, " said the overseer roughly; andPete's eyes flashed as he stood up and held out his hand to Nic, whoshrank from the contact as his wrist was caught. Then he descendedfeebly into the boat, and then had to be helped right forward, to sitdown close to one of the blacks who was now holding on to the woodworkwith a boat-hook. 

The other prisoners followed awkwardly enough in their irons, and tookthe places pointed out to them by one of the blacks who had been incharge of the boat. 

As the second of the party took his place next to Pete, he hung down hishead and whispered:

"Humpy says we're to make a dash for it and take the boat. "

Pete started; but the man, under the pretence of adjusting his irons, went on, with his head nearly in his comrade's lap:

"T'others know. We shall push off into the stream, where he can't hitus with his pistols, and we can soon pitch the niggers overboard. "

"Silence, there!" shouted the overseer. 

The other men descended, and exchanged glances with their companions--glances which Pete saw meant "Be ready!"--and his blood began to dancethrough his veins. 

Should he help, or shouldn't he?

Yes; they were his fellows in adversity, and it was for liberty: hemust--he would; and, with his heart beating hard, he prepared for thestruggle, feeling that they must succeed, for a blow or two would sendthe men by them overboard, and a thrust drive the boat gliding swiftlyup-stream, the man with the boat-hook having enough to do to hold on. 

"Young Nic Revel don't zeem to understand, " thought Pete; "but hecouldn't help us if he did. "

He had hardly thought this when, in obedience to an order from theoverseer, the last man, Humpy Dee, tramped clumsily to the edge andseemed to hesitate, with the result that there was a sharp bark from oneof the dogs right astern, and a chill ran through Pete's burning veins. 

"I forgot the dogs!" he said to himself. 

"Get down, fool!" cried the overseer, and he struck at the hesitatingprisoner with the whip. 

It was all a feint on the part of Humpy to gain time and carry out hisplan. 

He winced as the whip-lash caught him on his leg, and then, instead ofdescending slowly, leaped down right upon the black who held the boat tothe stage by the hook. 

It was cleverly done, and acted as intended, for the black was drivenover the side, and the prisoner's weight gave the boat the impetusrequired, sending it a little adrift into the stream, which began tobear it away, but not before the result of a little miscalculation hadmade itself evident. 

For Humpy Dee had not allowed for the weight and cumbersomeness of hisfetters; neither had he given them credit for their hampering nature. He had leaped and suddenly thrust the black overboard, to hang clingingto the boat-hook; but he had been unable to check himself fromfollowing; and, as the boat yielded to his weight and thrust, he seemedto take a header over the bow, there was a tremendous splash, and thewater was driven over those seated forward. 

The two blacks astern leaped up, and the overseer uttered a cry of rage;the water closed over Humpy Dee's head, while the dogs set up a chorusof baying as the boat glided steadily away. 

CHAPTER NINETEEN. 

"WHAT'LL MASSA SAY?"

The scene taking place before him acted strangely upon Nic. It seemedto rouse him from his dreamy state, and awakened him to a wild pitch ofexcitement. 

He sprang to his feet, and was on the point of springing overboard tothe man's help; but a touch from Pete upon the shoulder was enough: hesank down beneath its pressure, weak and helpless as a child. 

"What are you going to do?" whispered Pete. "Are you mad?"

"Help! Save him! Can you stand like that and see the man drown beforeyour eyes?"

"What can I do, lad?" growled Pete angrily. "If I go over after him, it's to drown myself. These irons'll stop a man from zwimming, and takeone to the bottom like a stone. "

"Ay, ay; ye can't do 'un, " growled one of the other prisoners, in whomthe desire for escaping died out on the instant. "Sit still, lad; sitstill. "

But Pete stood with staring eyes, gazing wildly at the place where hisenemy had disappeared; the veins in his forehead swelled, his lipsparted, and he panted as he drew his breath, looking ready at any momentto leap overboard and make an effort to save his old companion's life. 

Meanwhile the overseer was shouting orders to his blacks ashore as wellas to those in the boat, which was gliding faster up the stream, and themen laid down their guns and picked up and put out a couple of oars, thedogs barking frantically the while. 

"Pete Burge, " whispered one of the men, "we must make friends now. Here's our chance; shall we take it?"

"No, no, " cried Pete furiously, but without taking his eyes from whereHumpy had disappeared. 

"I cannot bear it, " panted Nic to himself, as he once more sprang up;and before he could be stayed he dived out of the boat, rose, and struckout for the landing-stage. 

Pete shouted at him in his agony, and jumped overboard to save him, forgetting what was bound to happen, and going down like a stone, feetforemost, but rising to the surface again, to fight gallantly in spiteof the weight of his irons, and strive to overtake Nic, who, unencumbered, was some yards away. 

But it proved to be as Pete had foreseen; there was the gallant will andthe strength to obey it, but it was merely a spasmodic force which onlyendured a minute or two. Then the brave young swimmer's arms turned, asit were, to lead, the power to breast the strong current ceased, and heremained stationary for a moment or two, before being gradually bornebackward, his efforts ceasing; while the men in the boat watched him andPete, who, with the water quite to his nostrils, was swimming with allhis strength, but only just able to keep the heavy fetters from dragginghim to the bottom. 

"Two more on us going, " said one of the men. "Here, Bob; come and help. You stop and grab 'em as soon as they're near. "

The man and the comrade he had addressed scrambled over the thwartstowards where the two blacks were rowing hard, but hardly holding theheavy boat against the powerful tide; and as soon as the fettersclanked, the dogs barked savagely and leaped up to meet them; but as theintelligent beasts saw the men seize a couple of oars and thrust themover the sides, they stopped short, panting. 

"All the better for you, " growled one of the men to the dog glaring athim, "for I'd ha' choked you if you'd come at me. --Pull away, blackies. "

The additional oars had the right effect, for as the four men pulledwith all their might the boat began to stem the current and shorten thedistance between it and the two drowning men. But, in spite of hisgreat strength, Pete was being mastered by the heavy weight of theirons, and was getting lower and lower in the water; while Nic's armshad ceased to move, and he was drifting with the tide. 

"Keep up; strike out, lads, " cried the man in the bows, in agony. "We're coming fast now. "

It was not the truth, for the heavy boat was moving very slowly againstthe swift tide, and the swimmers' fate seemed to be sealed, as the manreached back, got hold of another oar, and thrust it out over the bows, ready for Pete to grasp as soon as he came within reach. 

"We shall be too late, " groaned the man, with all his enmity againstPete forgotten in those wild moments of suspense. "Here, look out forthe oar. Pete, lad, swim back. Oh! poor lad, he can't hear me. He'sdrownin'--he's drownin'. "

Pete could not hear, and if he had heard during his frantic efforts toreach Nic, he would not have heeded, for there was no room in the man'sbrain in those wild moments for more than that one thought--that he mustsave that poor, weak fellow's life. 

It takes long to describe, but in the real action all was condensed intoless than a minute. Pete, who fought wildly, frantically, to keep hishead above water, fought in vain, for his fettered legs were fast losingtheir power, and he was being drawn gradually lower and lower, till, after throwing his head back to gasp for a fresh breath, he straightenedhis neck again, with the water at his eyes, and saw that what he couldnot achieve the current had done for him. 

He made a wild, last effort, and caught with one hand at the arm justwithin reach; his fingers closed upon it with a grip of iron, andanother hand caught desperately at his hair. 

Then the water closed over the pair, joined together in a death-grip, and the tide rolled them unresistingly up the stream. 

"Pull, pull!" yelled the man in the bows, as he reached out with hisoar; but he could not touch the place where he saw the figuresdisappear. Quick as thought, though, and with the clever method of oneaccustomed to the management of a fishing-boat, the man changed histactics. He laid the oar over the prow, treating the iron stem as arowlock, and gave a couple of strokes with all his might, pulling theboat's head round, and bringing it well within reach of the spot whereNic's back rose and showed just beneath the surface. Then, leaving theoar, the man reached over, and was just in time to get a good hold, asthe oar dropped from the bow into the river, and he was almost jerkedout of the boat himself. 

"Hold hard, lads, and come and help, " he yelled. 

The help came; and, with the dogs barking furiously and getting in everyone's way, Nic and Pete, tightly embraced, were dragged over into thebottom of the boat, the blacks, as soon as this was done, standingshivering, and with a peculiar grey look about the lips. 

At that moment there was a distant hail from the landing-stage, and thebig smith pulled himself together and hailed in reply. 

"Ah, look!" he cried; "you white fellow lose one oar. Quick, sharp!come and pull. Massa Saunders make trebble bobbery if we lose dat. "

The oars were seized, and with two of the prisoners helping to row, theoar was recovered from where it was floating away with the tide, theothers trying what they could do to restore the couple, who layapparently lifeless; while the dog which had behaved so strangelyearlier in the day stood snuffing about Nic, ending by planting hisgreat paws upon the poor fellow's chest, licking his face two or threetimes, and then throwing up his muzzle to utter a deep-toned, dismalhowl, in which the others joined. 

"Say, um bofe dead, " groaned the big smith. "Pull, boy; all pull youbess, and get back to the massa. Oh, lorimee! lorimee! what massa willsay along wi' dat whip, all acause we drown two good men, and couldn'thelp it a bit. Oh, pull, pull, pull! Shub de boat along. What willmassa say?"

CHAPTER TWENTY. 

FISHING FOR MEN. 

Those with the boat had been too much occupied in their own adventure toheed what had taken place at the landing-stage; and, even had theyglanced in that direction, the distance the swift tide had carried themup-stream would have made every movement indistinct. 

But busy moments had passed there, for the overseer was a man of action, and prompt to take measures toward saving the life of the drowning man. For a human life was valuable in those early days of the Americancolonies, especially the life of a strong, healthy slave who could workin the broiling sunshine to win the harvest of the rich, fertile soil. 

So, as the boat drifted away, he gave his orders sharply, and the blackslaves, who had stood helplessly staring, rushed to the help of theircompanion, who was hanging by the boat-hook, half in the water, afraidto stir lest the iron should give way and the tide carry him off towhere, as he well knew, there were dangers which made his lips turn greywith dread. 

The help came just as the poor fellow was ready to lose his hold andslip back into the river, and in another minute he was shivering on thestage. 

"Take hold of that boat-hook, " cried the overseer, speaking with hiseyes fixed upon one spot, where the water ran eddying and forming tinywhirlpools, and not daring to look round for fear of losing sight of theplace where it seemed to him that his white slave had gone down like astone; and this had kept him from giving much heed to the proceedings inthe boat. 

One of the men seized the pole and waited for the next order. 

"He went down there, " cried the overseer, pointing. "Sound with thepole, and try how deep it is. "

The man obeyed, the pole touching the muddy bottom about four feet belowthe surface. 

"That's right; jump in, " cried Saunders. 

The man started, and then remained motionless, gazing piteously at hiscompanions. 

"Do you hear? Quick!" roared the overseer. 

"There big 'gator, sah--'gator gar, sah, " cried the man piteously. 

"Bah! In with you, " cried the overseer fiercely, and he cracked hiswhip, with the result that the man lowered the pole again, and thenhalf-slipped, half-jumped down into the water, which rose breast-high, and he had to hold on by the boat-hook to keep himself from being sweptaway. 

But the next moment he steadied himself. 

"There, wade out, " cried Saunders; "quick, before it is too late. Quick, sir; do you hear?"

He cracked his whip loudly as he spoke, and the man raised the poleafter separating his legs to increase his support, as he leaned to hisleft to bear against the rushing tide, which threatened to sweep himfrom his feet. Then, reaching out, he thrust down the boat-hook againto get another support before taking a step farther from the staging. 

But it was in vain. The water deepened so suddenly that as he took thestep the water rose to his nostrils, and he uttered a yell, for thecurrent swept him from his feet to fall over sidewise, and the nextmoment lay, as it were, upon the surface, with only one side of his facevisible; but he was not borne away. 

The other blacks, and even the overseer, stared in wonder, for there theman lay, with the tide rushing by him, anchored, as it were, in thestream, rising and falling gently like a buoy for a few moments beforebeginning to glide with the current. 

"It's of no use, " said the overseer sharply; "the hound's dead beforenow. Clumsy fool! Two of you jump in, and one reach out to get hold ofXerxes; we must give the new fellow up. "

The men shrank, but they obeyed, lowering themselves into the water andjoining hands, one of them taking hold of the end of the staging, whilethe other waded a step or two and reached out, as he clung to hisfellow's extended hand till he was just able to get hold of the cottonjacket. 

That was sufficient; the black was drawn a trifle shoreward, and thencame more and more, as if dragging with him whatever it was that hadanchored him to the bottom. 

That mystery was soon explained, for the pole of the boat-hook, to whichthe poor fellow clung, appeared level with the surface, and as the dragwas increased more and more of the pole appeared, till all three wereclose up to the piles; after which first one and then another climbedout to drag at the long stout staff, till, to the surprise of all, theyfound that what it was hitched into was the clothes of Humpy Dee, whohad lain nearly where he had sunk, anchored by the weight of his irons, in some hole where the pressure of the current was not so great as atthe surface. 

In another minute the heavy figure had been hauled upon the platform, tolie there apparently dead; while the blacks began, after their homely, clumsy fashion, to try and crush out any tiny spark of life which mightremain, and kept on rolling the heavy body to and fro with all theirmight. 

"It's no good, boys, " said the overseer, frowning down at the prisoner. "Keep on for a bit, though;" and he turned away to watch the coming ofthe boat, just as Pete sat up, looking dazed and strange, and Nic roseto his knees, and then painfully seated himself in his old place. 

"Better than I thought for, " muttered the overseer. "One gone insteadof three--pull, boys, " he shouted. 

The blacks needed no telling, for they were exerting themselves to theutmost, and in a few minutes one of the blacks on the landing-stagecaught the prow with the hook, and the boat was drawn alongside of thewoodwork, the dogs having quietly settled themselves in their placebehind the stern seat as soon as the two half-drowned men had shownsigns of recovery. 

The overseer scanned the two dripping figures hard, uttered a grunt, andturned once more to where the blacks were busy still with the heavyfigure of Humpy Dee, which they were rolling and rubbing unmercifully, with the water trickling between the boards, and the sunset light givinga peculiarly warm glow to the man's bronzed skin. 

"Well, " cried the overseer, "is he quite dead?"

"No, sah; am t'ink he quite 'livo, " said one of the blacks. 

"Eh? What makes you think that?"

"Him bit warm, massa--and just now him say _whuzz_, _whuzz_ when we rubum front. "

"No, " said the overseer; "impossible. He was under the water too long. Here, what are you doing?"

The black had laid his ear against the patient's breast, but he startedup again. 

"Lissum; hear whever him dead, massa. You come, put your head downheah, and you hear um go _wob_, _wob_ berry soffly. "

Saunders bent down and laid his head against the man's bull-throat, tokeep it there for a few moments. 

"No go _wob_, _wob_, sah?" cried the black. "You two and me gib um bigshake. Um go den. "

"No, no; let him be, " cried the overseer; and the blacks looked on inperfect silence till their tyrant rose slowly to his feet, scowling. 

"Clumsy brute, " he said, "causing all this trouble and hindrance. Nearly drowned two men. There, two of you take him by his head andheels and drop him in. "

"Tie big 'tone to um head first, massa?"

"What!" roared the overseer, so sharply that the black jumped to hisfeet. "What do you mean?"

"Make um go to de bottom, sah, and neber come up no more. "

"Bah! you grinning black idiot. Didn't you tell me he was alive?"

"Yes, sah; quite 'livo, sah. "

"Drop him in the boat, then, and hurry about it, or we shan't get up tothe farm before the tide turns. There, four of you take him; and youbelow there, ease him down. Don't let him go overboard again, if youwant to keep whole skins. "

The men seized the heavy figure by the hands and legs, and bearing itquite to the edge, lowered it down to the others, room being made at thebottom of the boat, where it was deposited with about as much ceremonyas a sack of corn. Then, in obedience to another order, the blacksdescended, and the overseer stepped down last, to seat himself with hisback to the dogs; while the smith and his assistant once more took uptheir guns and their places as guards. Then the boat was pushed off. Four of the blacks seized the oars, the boat's head swung round, and thenext minute, with but little effort, she was gliding rapidly up themuddy stream. 

It was dangerous work to begin talking, but as Nic sat there in silence, with his head growing clearer, and gazing compassionately at theprostrate figure, two of the prisoners put their heads together andbegan to whisper. 

"Close shave for old Humpy, " said one. "Think he'll come round again?"

"Dunno; but if he does, I'm not going to help in any more games aboutgoing off. This job has made me sick. "

"He won't want you to; this must have pretty well sickened him if hecomes to. "

"Mind what you're saying. That there black image is trying to hearevery word. "

"He can't understand. But I say, the gaffer didn't know how ithappened, after all. Thought it was an accident. "

"So it was, " said the other man, with a grim smile, "for old Humpy. Here, Pete, old man, how are you now?"

Pete looked at the speaker in wonder, then nodded, and said quietly:

"Bit stiff and achey about the back of the neck. "

"Mind shaking hands, mate?" said the man in a faint whisper. 

"What for?" said Pete sourly. 

"'Cause I like what you did, mate. It was acting like a man. But we'renot friends over that other business of splitting on us about thesalmon. "

"Better wait a bit, then, my lad, " said Pete. "It aren't good to shakehands with a man like me. "

"But I say it is, " said the other with emphasis. "The way you wentoverboard with them heavy irons on, to try and save young master here, sent my heart up in my mouth. "

Nic, who had sat listening moodily to the whispered conversation, suddenly looked up in a quick, eager way. 

"Say that again, " he whispered huskily. 

"Say what agen?"

"Did Pete Burge jump in to save my life?"

"Course he did--like a man. "

"Oh!" gasped Nic, turning to look Pete wonderingly in the face. 

"Silence there!" roared the overseer savagely. "Do you think you'vecome out here for a holiday, you insolent dogs?"

At the last words the three animals behind the speaker took it tothemselves, and began to bark. 

"Down! Quiet!" roared the overseer, and the barking of the dogs and hisloud command came echoing back from a wood of great overhanging trees, as the boat now passed a curve of the river. 

Nic glanced at the overseer, then to right and left of him, beforeletting his eyes drop on the swiftly-flowing river, to try and think outclearly the answers to a couple of questions which seemed to be buzzingin his brain: "Where are we going? How is this to end?"

But there was no answer. All seemed black ahead as the rapidly-comingnight. 

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. 

IN ALLIGATOR LAND. 

As the night grew darker, and Nic sat in the forepart of the boat in hisdrenched clothes, which at first felt pleasantly cool, and then bydegrees grew colder until he shivered, his head grew clearer and hebecame more himself. He was able to grasp more fully his position andhow hardly fate had dealt with him. 

It was clear enough now; he had been sent off in that terrible blunderas one of the salmon-poachers; and he was there, sold or hired to one ofthe colonists, to work upon a plantation until he could make hisposition known to some one in authority, and then all would be right. He felt that it would be of no use to appeal to this brutal slave-driverwho had him and his fellow-unfortunates in charge. What he had to dowas to wait patiently and make the best of things till then. 

His head was rapidly growing so clear now that he could piece thedisconnected fragments of his experience together, few as they were, andbroken up by his sufferings from the injuries he had received; and, ashe sat there in the darkness, he became more calm, and rejoiced in thethought that he was growing stronger, and would, without doubt, soon befully recovered and able to act. Till then he made up his mind to wait. 

When he had arrived at this point he began to think about his positionin connection with the rough ne'er-do-wells who were his companions. Heshivered involuntarily at the thought of being in such close touch withmen of this class; but he softened a little as he dwelt upon the factthat, bad as he was, Pete Burge had behaved bravely, and that he had tothank him for twice-over saving his life. He might have said threetimes, but he was unaware of the patient attention he had received fromthe man during the feverish hours produced by his contusions and wound. But, still, there was a feeling of revulsion which made him shrink fromcontact with one whom he felt to be the cause of all his sufferings, andhe hardened himself against the man more than against the others. 

Then, with a sigh of relief, he cast all thoughts of self away, aftercoming to the conclusion that, as soon as his father realised what hadhappened, he would never rest till the authorities had had him found andbrought back, even if a ship was purposely despatched. 

For this thought was very comforting. He had only to wait, he felt, little thinking that the old Captain was lying in peril of his life fromthe genuine trouble which had come upon him, as he mourned over the lossof the son whom he believed to be dead, and for the recovery of whosebody he had offered a heavy reward to the fishermen. 

For he said to Solly, "One of these days they will find him cast up onthe shore. "

It was very dark; the cloudy sky seemed to be hanging low over the headsof those in the boat, as the men rowed on till the overseer made achange in his crew; the four blacks who had been rowing taking theplaces of those who had been guards and steersman, while the rowers tookthe muskets in turn. 

The fresh crew pulled steadily and well, and the boat glided on alongthe winding river, whose banks grew more and more wooded until theyseemed to be going through a thick forest, whose closely-growing treesformed dense, high walls, above which there was a strip of dark, almostblack, sky. 

Then another change was made, just when Nic was suffering from a freshanxiety; for after he had proved to himself, by kneeling in the boat andtouching him, that Humpy Dee was alive and regaining consciousness, hiscompanions had suddenly grown very quiet, and the dread had assailed Nicthat the man was dead, for he had been left to take his chance as far asthe overseer was concerned; and when twice-over the prisoners had begunto trouble themselves about their comrade's state, Nic setting theexample by kneeling down to raise Humpy's head, a stern command camefrom the stern of the boat, and this threat:

"Look here, you fellows; if I hear any more talking or shuffling aboutthere I shall fire. "

Nic felt that the man would act up to his threat; but after a time, whena groan came from Humpy, the whispering and movements recommenced in theefforts made to succour the sufferer. 

"I don't speak again, " roared the overseer; and Nic started andshuddered, but felt fiercely indignant the next moment as he heard theominous _click_! _click_! of a pistol-lock from out of the darknessastern. 

At last came the order for a fresh change of rowers, and four of thecaptives went climbing over the thwarts, with their irons clanking andstriking against the seats as they took their places, all being men whohad been accustomed to the handling of an oar. 

Nic took advantage of the noise to sink upon his knees beside Humpy inthe bottom of the boat to try if he could not do something for him; hewas no longer the hated, brutal ruffian, but a sufferingfellow-creature. As Nic felt about in the dark he found that the manhad somehow shifted his position and slightly rolled over, so that hisface was partly in the water which had collected for want of baling; anddoubtless, in his helpless, semi-insensible state, but for Nic'sefforts, Humpy Dee's career would after all have been at an end. 

It was only a fresh instance of how strangely we are all dependent uponone another, and the way in which enemies perform deeds which theythemselves would previously have looked upon as impossible. And withoutdoubt big, brutal Humpy Dee would have stared in wonder, could he haveopened his eyes in daylight, to see what took place in thepitch-darkness--to wit, the feeble, suffering young man, whom he hadstruck down and tried to drown in the Devon salmon-pool, kneeling in thewash-water, making a pillow of his knees for his companion's rough, coarse head. 

Still, for hours this was Nic's position, while the boat was rowed bythe white slaves along the winding river, until another change was made, the blacks taking the oars, when Pete, being the first of the rowers tocome back to his seat, found what had taken place, and insisted uponrelieving Nic of his task. 

"On'y to think of it, zur, " he said; "on'y to think o' your doing o'that, and you so bad!"

Nic said nothing, but had to be helped back to his seat, the position hehad occupied having cramped him; and then once more he sat gazing at thegreat black wall opposite to him as the blacks sent the boat along, tillsuddenly, about midnight, there was heard a deep bark from somewhereashore. 

The three dogs, which had been curled up asleep, sprang to their feetand answered in chorus, when another chorus rose from the right and camenearer and nearer. Then the black wall on the same side dropped away, and amidst the baying of the great hounds the boat's speed wasslackened, and it was turned into a narrow creek. Here the oars werelaid in, and progress was continued for about a hundred yards by acouple of the blacks poling the boat along towards a light whichsuddenly appeared, the bearer hailing and coming alongside to begintalking to the overseer. 

It was dark enough still; but another lanthorn was brought, theprisoners were ordered to step out, and were then marched to a barn-likeplace, where, as they entered a door, Nic felt the soft rustling ofIndian-corn leaves beneath his feet. 

"In with you, boys, " cried the overseer; and the three dogs, and theothers which had saluted them, scampered in. "Watch 'em, boys, and giveit to them if they try to get away. There, lie down. "

The man held up the lanthorn he had taken as he spoke, and Nic saw thatseven of the great hounds settled themselves in a heap of leaves closeto the door, while quite a stack was close to where he was standing withhis companions. 

"There's your bed, my lads, " cried the overseer. "You heard what Isaid. Lie down, all of you, at once. There will be a sentry with amusket outside, and you can guess what his orders are. "

The man strode out; the door was banged to, there was the noise of a bigbar being thrown across and the rattling of a padlock, followed by theclink of fetters as their wearers lay down in the heap of sweet-smellingcorn-stalks and leaves; and for a few moments no one spoke. 

Nic had sunk down in the darkness, glad to be in a restful posture, andbegan to wonder whether Humpy Dee had been carried in by the blacks, forhe had been one of the first to leave the boat, and had seen hardlyanything by the light of the lanthorns. 

"Poor wretch!" he sighed. "I hope he is not dead. "

Just then one of the other men said, in the broad Devon burr:

"Zay, lads, bean't they going to give uz zum'at to eat?"

"Brakfus-time, " said another. "Zay, Humpy, how is it with ye? Notthuzty, are you? Oughtn't to be, after all that water. "

"I'm going to make zumun pay for all this, " came in the man's familiargrowl. "Why didn't you get hold o' me and pull me in? Zet o' vools. Had your chance; and we might ha' got away. "

"Why, it was all your fault, " said another. "We was waitin' for you. What did you go and stop zo long under water for?"

"Did I?" said Humpy confusedly. 

"Course you did. We was too good mates to go and leave you behind. "

There was a heavy bang at the door, as if from the butt of a musket, andthe dogs leaped up and began to growl. 

"Lie down, boys, " cried a thick voice, the words sounding as if spokenthrough a big keyhole. "An' I say, you chaps, look heah; de massa sayyou make a row in dah I got to shoot. "

"All right, blackie, " said one of the prisoners; "don't shoot. Good-night, boys. I'm going to sleep. "

Just at that moment Nic started, for there was a snuffling noise closeto him, the leaves rustled, and he felt the hot breath of one of thedogs on his face. 

But it was a friendly visit, for the great brute turned round two orthree times to trample down the dense bed of leaves, and settled itselfinto a comfortable curve, with its big head upon the poor fellow'schest, making Nic wonder whether it was the dog which had been friendlybefore. 

He risked it: raising his hand, he laid it gently between the animal'ssoft ears, and there was a low muttering sound that was a big sigh ofsatisfaction, not a growl; and Nic felt as if the companionship of thedog was pleasant in his terrible loneliness and despair. It was warmand soothing, too, and seemed like the beginning of something hopeful--he knew not what. Then he began to think of home, and a sensation ofprayerful thankfulness came over him as he felt that his head wasgrowing clearer. The next minute all trouble, pain, and weariness wereforgotten in a deep and dreamless sleep. 

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. 

REACHING THE PLANTATION. 

A deep growl and a loud burst of barking roused Nic Revel from his deepsleep, free from fever, calm and refreshed, to lie listening to thedogs, wondering what it all meant. 

The sun was up, and horizontal rays were streaming in betweenill-fitting boards and holes from which knots had fallen consequent uponthe shrinking of the wood. There was a feeling of cool freshness in theair, too, that was exhilarating; but for a few moments Nic could notmake out where he was. 

Then the slight confusion passed away, as he heard the rustling ofleaves, and turned to see his companions stirring and yawning, while atthe same moment a dog's great head was butted at him as if its ownerwere a playful sheep, and it then drew back, swinging its tail slowlyfrom side to side. 

The next minute the heavy bar was swung down, the great padlock rattled, and the door was drawn open, to let in a flood of light, followed by thetwo blacks who had fitted on the irons, but who now bore a huge loaf ofbread and a pitcher of water; while two more blacks, each shouldering amusket, closed in behind them, to stand as if framed in the doorway. 

"Heah, jump up, " cried the big smith. "Make has'e; eat your brakfas''fore you go to de boat. "

As he spoke he turned an empty barrel with its head upward, banged theloaf down upon it, drew a knife from its sheath in his belt, and countedthe prisoners over with the point of the blade. He then drew a fewimaginary lines upon the top of the loaf, paused to rub his woolly headwith the haft, looking puzzled and as if cutting the loaf into as manypieces as there were prisoners bothered him, and ended by making a dashat his task. 

He cut the loaf in half, then divided it into quarters, and went onworking hard as he made these eighths, and finally sixteenths. 

By this time the top of the barrel was covered. 

"Now, den, 'tan' in a row, " he cried importantly. 

The men scowled, but they were hungry, and obeyed, the black stickingthe point of his knife into the chunks he had cut, and handing a pieceto each in turn, beginning with Humpy Dee, who did not seem any theworse for his immersion, and ending with Nic. 

After this he began again with Humpy, went down the line again, and hadbegun for the third time when it suddenly struck him that there wouldnot be enough to go round, and he snatched the piece back. 

Humpy Dee uttered a furious growl, and made a step forward to recoverit; but the big black presented the point of the knife at him andshouted:

"Ah, what dat? You back, sah, 'fore set de dog at you. "

Humpy growled like one of the beasts, and resumed his place in the line, and the black went on calmly dividing the remaining pieces, distributedthem, and called up the dogs to catch what remained. 

The water was then passed round, the blacks went off leaving thesentries in position, and the prisoners sat amongst the Indian-cornleaves, to eat their breakfast ravenously enough. 

Before they had finished, the barking of the dogs announced the comingof the overseer, who came in, whip in hand, to run his eye over hisprisoners, nodding his satisfaction as he saw that he was not going backminus any of them, and went out again. 

Then, as Nic sat eating the remainder of his bread, the entry wasdarkened a little, and he saw a couple of women peer in--one amiddle-aged, comely body, the other a young girl. 

There was a pitying expression upon their faces; and, obeying a suddenimpulse, Nic stood up to go to speak to them, for it seemed to him thathis chance had come. But at his first movement Humpy Dee leaped up, with his fetters clinking, to intercept him, a sour look upon his face, and the frightened women ran away. 

"No, you don't, " growled Humpy; "not if I knows it, m'lad. "

"You, sah--you go back and eat your brakfas', sah, " came from the door;and Humpy turned sharply, to see that their guards were standing, eachwith his musket steadied against a doorpost, taking aim at him and Nic. 

"Yah, you old pot and kettle, " cried Humpy scornfully; "you couldn't hita haystack;" but he went back to his place and sat down, Nic giving upwith a sigh and following his example. 

Half-an-hour after the overseer was back with the dogs, the order wasgiven, and the prisoners marched out, to find the blacks waiting. Nicsaw now that there was a roomy log-house, fenced round with a patch ofgarden; and in a group by the rough pine-wood porch a burly-looking manwas standing with the two women; and half-a-dozen black slaves were atthe far end of the place, each shouldering a big clumsy hoe, andwatching, evidently with the greatest interest, the prisoners on theirway to the boat. 

In his hasty glance round, Nic could see that the farm was newly wonfrom the wilderness, and encumbered with the stumps of the great treeswhich had been felled, some to be used as logs, others to be cut up intoplanks; but the place had a rough beauty of its own, while the wistfulglances that fell upon him from the occupants of the porch sent a thrillthrough his breast, and raised a hope that if ever he came that way hemight find help. 

But his heart sank again as his eyes wandered to the black labourers, and then to a couple of huge dogs similar to those which followed behindwith the overseer; for he knew that he was among slave-owners, and inhis despondency he could not help asking himself what chance he wouldhave, an escaped prisoner, if he tried to get away. 

He had little time for thought, but he took in the surroundings of theplace quickly, noting that the house and out-buildings stood well raisedupon a mound, round one side of which the creek they had turned intoran; while through the trees some little distance away there was theriver, and across it the forest, rising from the farther bank, not blackand forbidding now, but beautiful in the early morning sunshine. 

The overseer shouted a hearty good-bye to the people by the porch, andthere was a friendly reply, as they marched on to where the boat layfastened to a stump; the dogs sprang in to retake their places, barkingtheir farewell to the others which trotted down to look on; a big basketof provisions was next put on board by the smith and his assistant, andthen the prisoners were sent forward to their old places, Pete glancingonce at Nic, whose eyes were wandering here and there; but Nic avoidedthe glance. 

"Now you, sir, " cried the overseer; "don't stand staring about. In withyou. "

Nic obeyed as soon as there was room, and the overseer took his placeastern. 

A minute later they were being poled along the creek, which was here andthere overarched by the spreading boughs of the trees, and soon afterthey were out in the main stream, with the blacks rowing steadily inwater which seemed to be very slack; the little settlement was seen as abright spot for a few minutes, and then disappeared behind the trees, which began upon the left bank, and became once more a great green wallto shut out everything else. 

And then hour after hour the boat was rowed onward, the river windingfar less than on the previous evening, and seeming to form a highroadinto the interior, upon which they were the only travellers. It variedlittle in its width at first, but towards afternoon Nic noted that itwas beginning to narrow considerably; but it ran always through forest. As thoughts of escape would intrude, and the poor fellow scanned thebanks, he quickly grasped the fact that if an attempt were made it mustbe by the river, for the forest on either side seemed to be impassable, and how far it ran inland was impossible to say. 

A change was made every hour or so, the prisoners taking their turn withthe oars; and before the morning was far advanced the overseer orderedNic into one of the places, watching him intently as he obeyed and fellinto stroke at once, rowing hard for a few minutes in the hot sunshinewithout a murmur. Then all at once the trees on the bank began to sailround, the oar slipped from his hand, and he fell backward into Pete'sarms. 

When he opened his eyes again he was sitting forward in the bottom ofthe boat, with one of the blacks supporting him and splashing water fromover the side in his face, while the overseer stood looking down grimly. 

"You needn't take another turn, " he said gruffly; "I wanted to seewhether you could do your share. "

The rest of the day Nic sat watching their progress, a good deal of itthrough the gloomy shades of a great swamp, through which the river ranat times almost in twilight, the faint current being marked by thedifference in colour and the freedom from the vegetation which markedthe waters of the great lagoon spreading away to right and left amongthe trees, which grew and fell and rotted as far as eye could penetrate. 

The vegetation, was rich, but it seemed to be that of a dying forestwhich had been inundated by the stream, for bank there was none. Hugecypresses stood out at every angle, many having fallen as far as theycould, but only to be supported by their fellows. And as the boat wentswiftly on in obedience to the sturdily-tugged oars, Nic forgot histroubles in wonder at the strangeness of the scene through which hepassed, for it was dreary, horrible, and beautiful all in one. Rottingvegetation supplied the rich, muddy soil from which rose vine andcreeper to climb far on high, and then, finding no further support, throw themselves into the air, to hang and swing where the brightsunshine penetrated. Wherever it was shadowy the trees were draped withhanging curtains of moss; while all around Nic looked down vistas oflight and shade, whose atmosphere was now golden, now of a score ofdifferent delicious greens. 

There was something so new and strange about the swamp that it had afascination for Nic, and he was leaning over the bows, resting his chinupon his hand, when he had his first glance at one of its inhabitants;for, as the boat was being steered past a moss-covered, rotting stump, the gnarled wood suddenly seemed to become animated, a portion of itrising a little and then gliding away with a heavy splash into thewater. 

Before he could realise what it was, there was another movement justbeyond, and this time he made out plainly enough the gaping mouth, prominent eyes, and rugged back of a great alligator, followed by itswaving tail, as it dived down from a cluster of tree-roots out of sight. 

After this the reptiles became common enough, for the swamp swarmed withthem, and Nic realised that it might be a strangely-perilous task tomake his way through the forest unless provided with a boat. 

The men whispered to themselves as the reptiles scuttled about in theireagerness to escape, and shook their heads; and as Nic turned fromobserving them to gaze aft he became conscious of the fact that theoverseer was watching them with a grim smile upon his lips, readingtheir thoughts respecting the dangers of an attempt to escape. 

The dogs were evidently familiar with the sight of the reptiles, rarelypaying any heed to them save when the boat approached quietly andaroused a sleeper, which in its surprise raised its great jawsmenacingly, when one of the dogs would set up the hair about its neck, growl, and make a savage snap at the reptile; and after a while theprisoners grew in turn accustomed to the loathsome-looking creatures. 

"But we might seize the boat, " thought Nic, "in the case of no helpcoming;" and he sat there more and more grasping the fact that after allhe might be forced to depend upon the aid and companionship of thosearound him, and be compelled to master the dislike and repulsion whichthey inspired. 

Another stoppage at a woodland farm for the night, and then on again fora fresh day's toil as monotonous as the last. 

At the different changes made, the rowers left their oars dripping withperspiration, for the swamp seemed breathless and the heat intense; buttowards evening a faint breeze sprang up, and instead of its growingdarker there was a lightening in the appearance of the place; thesetting sun sent a red glow among the trees, and then they passed out ofthe forest into a lovely, dreamy, open country, stretching for miles andmiles towards where a range of hills ran right across their course, beyond which, pale orange by the fading light, another range of greaterheight appeared. Soon after they passed the mouth of a clear stream, and at the end of another mile the boat was turned suddenly off to theirright into a little river of the clearest water, which ran meanderingthrough a lightly-wooded slope rising towards the hills; and as Nic wasgazing at the fairy-like scene, whose atmospheric effects seemed, evenin his despondent state, far more beautiful than anything he had everseen at home, the boat swept round a curve whose banks were thickly setwith trees, and once more there was a human habitation in sight, in theshape of a well-built, farm-like house upon a knoll, and the agitationamongst the dogs warned the prisoners that here was their resting-placefor the night. 

The next minute, as the dogs were barking, the boat was steered closeinshore, and the brutes bounded over into the shallow water, to scrambleup the bank, and set off as fast as they could go towards the house, from which figures could be seen issuing; and at last, as Nic scannedthe signs of cultivation around, the growing crops roughly fenced, andthe out-buildings, the thought struck him that this might be theirdestination. 

While he was wondering whether this were so, the boat was run into alittle creek only big enough to let it pass for about a couple ofhundred yards before it grounded where a track came down to some posts;and as the boat was secured to one of these the overseer sprang ashoreto meet a tall, sun-browned, grey-haired man, whose keen eyes weredirected towards the bows of the boat. 

"Back again, then, Saunders!" he said sharply. "Well, what sort of alot do they seem?"

"Rough, but strong, " replied the overseer; "all but one young fellow whohas been knocked about, but he seems as if he'll soon come round. "

"Like so many horses or bullocks, " said Nic to himself bitterly, "and Iam the one with broken knees. "

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. 

NIC'S APPEAL. 

"This, then, is my owner, " thought Nic, scanning the settler narrowly ashe stood apart talking in a quick, decisive manner to the overseer, whoseemed to treat him with great respect, while the blacks stood apartwaiting for their orders. 

These were not long in coming, for the man turned sharply upon them. 

"Clear the boat, " he said; and the blacks ran to the bows, a couple ofthem holding the vessel steady while the prisoners stepped clanking out, to stand in a row on the bank, with their new master scanning themsharply. 

"Here, Saunders, " he said, "why is that boy not in irons?"

"That is the sick one, sir. Weak as a rat. "

"Oh!--Here, what's the matter with you, boy?" cried the settler. "Nodisease, have you?"

"No, sir, " said Nic, speaking out firmly, for his time seemed to havecome. "I was beaten about the head, and received a wound from a cutlasson the night these men were seized during an outrage, and--"

"That will do. I don't want a sermon, " said the settler brutally. 

"Nor I to preach one, sir; but I was seized with these men by mistake. "

"Ah, yes, " said the settler, frowning; "some bad mistakes of this sortare made. That will do. "

"But I appeal to you, sir. I was hurried on board a ship while stunned, and I only recovered my senses when I reached this place. "

"Then you were a long time without them, my lad; but you are wrong. "

"I do not understand you, sir. "

"Well, I'll tell you, " said the settler, sharply. "You lost your sensesbefore you got into trouble. "

"I was only defending my father's property, sir, " cried Nicpassionately. "I am a gentleman--a gentleman's son. "

"Yes, we get a good many over here in the plantation, my lad; they arethe biggest scamps sent over to rid the old country of a nuisance; butwe do them good with some honest work and make decent men of them. "

"But I assure you, sir, I am speaking the truth. I appeal to you, men. Tell this gentleman I was not one of your party. "

"Hor, hor, " roared Humpy, derisively. "What a sneak you are, Nic Revel. Take your dose like we do--like a man. "

"I appeal to you, Pete Burge. Tell this gentleman that I was broughtout here by mistake. "

"Yes, it was all a mistake, master, " cried the man. 

Humpy roared with laughter again. "Don't you believe him, master, " hecried; "that there Pete Burge is the biggest liar we have in our parts. He'd say anything. "

"Men, men!" cried Nic, wildly, to the others; "speak the truth, forHeaven's sake. "

"Course we will, " cried Humpy quickly. "It's all right, master. Don'tyou show more favour to one than another. We was all took togetherafter a bit o' poaching and a fight. Youngster there got a crack on thehead which knocked him silly, and he's hatched up this here cockamaroostory in his fright at being sent out. Do him good--do all on us good, and we're all glad to ha' got with such a good master; aren't we, lads?"

"That will do, " said the settler. "You have got too much grease on yourtongue, my man. "

"But, sir, " cried Nic. 

"Silence!"

"You will let me write to my friends?"

"We don't want you to write to us, mate, " cried Humpy grinning; "wecan't none on us read. You can tell us what you want to say. "

"Silence, you, sir, " said the settler, sternly; "I keep a cat here, andthat man who saw to your irons knows how to use it. Hold your tongue, once for all. "

"Oh, all right master; I on'y--"

"Silence!"

Humpy gave his mouth a slap, as if to shut it, and the settler turned toNic. 

"Look here, young man, " he said; "I have only your word for your story, and it seems likely enough to be as your fellow-prisoner says, somethinghatched up from fear. You are sent out here for your good. "

"You don't believe me, sir?" cried Nic, wildly. 

"Not a word of it, " replied the settler. "We get too much of that sortof thing out here. Every man, according to his own account, is asinnocent as a lamb. You were sent out of your country, and came in aking's ship. You are assigned to me for a labourer, and if you--and allof you, " he cried, turning to the others, "behave well, and work well, you'll find me a good master. You shall be well fed, have decentquarters and clothes, and though you are slaves I won't make slaves ofyou, but treat you as well as I do my blacks. Look at them; they're ashealthy a set of men as you can see. "

The blacks grinned and seemed contented enough. 

"That's one side of the case--my part, " continued the settler; "now forthe other. I've had a deal of experience with such men as you are, andI know how to treat them. If you play any pranks with me, there's thelash. If you attack me I'll shoot you down as I would a panther. Ifyou try to escape: out north there are the mountains where you'llstarve; out south and east there is the swamp, where the 'gators willpull you down and eat you, if you are not drowned or stifled in the mud;if you take to the open country those bloodhounds will run you to earthin no time. Do you hear?" he said meaningly, "run you to earth; forwhen they have done there'll be nothing to do but for some of my blacksto make a hole for you and cover you up. Now, then, you know what'sopen to you. Your country has cast you out; but we want labour here;and, rough and bad as you are, we take you and make better men of you. "

"Thank ye, master, " cried Humpy; "that's fair enough, mates. "

The settler gave him a look which made the man lower his eyes. 

"Now then, " said the settler, "I am going to begin, and begin fairlywith you. --Samson. "

"Yes, massa, " cried the big black. 

"Take off their irons. --And if you all behave yourselves you'll neverhave to wear them again. "

The basket was at hand; the assistant brought out the little anvil, andthe task of filing and then drawing out the rivets began, with the dogslooking on. 

"As for you, my lad, " said the settler, "I can see you look weak andill; you can take it easy for a few days till you get up your strength. "

"But you will make some inquiries, sir?" pleaded Nic. 

"Not one, boy. I know enough. I take the word of the king's people; sosay no more. "

He turned his back upon his white slave, and it was as if the oldconfusion of intellect had suddenly come back: Nic's brain swam, blackspecks danced before his eyes, and he staggered and would have fallenbut for Pete Burge's arm, as the man caught him and whispered:

"Hold up, Master Nic; never say die!"

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. 

PETE'S APPEAL. 

"Aren't you a bit hard on me, Master Nic?" said Pete, busy at his taskin the plantation of hoeing the weeds, which seemed to take root andbegin to grow again directly they were cut down. 

He did not look up, but spoke with his head bent over his work, conscious as he was that they might be keenly watched. 

"I have said nothing harsh to you, " said Nic coldly. 

"No, zir; but I thought that when you got a bit better, zeeing as we'reboth in the zame trouble, working together like them niggers, you mightha' got a bit more friendly. "

"Friendly!" said Nic bitterly. 

"I don't mean reg'lar friendly, but ready to say a word to a man now andthen, seeing how he wants to help you. "

"You can't help me, " said Nic sadly. "I seem to be tied down to thisweary life for always, and for no fault of mine--no fault of mine. "

"And it's no fault o' mine, Master Nic. You don't believe it, but Icouldn't help coming that night; and I did try all I could to keep HumpyDee from hurtin' you. "

"Don't talk about it, please. "

"No, zur, I won't; but you're hot and tired. You haven't got yourstrength up yet, though you are a zight better. Wish I could do all thework for you. Here, I know. "

They were hoeing a couple of rows of corn, and Pete was some feet aheadof his companion, who looked at him wonderingly, as, after a quickglance round, he stepped across and back to where Nic was toiling. 

"Quick, " he said, "you get on to my row and keep moving your hoe andresting till I ketch up. "

"But--" began Nic. 

"Quick, " growled Pete fiercely; and he gave the lagger a sharp thrustwith his elbow. "If they zee us talking and moving, old Zaunders'llcome across. "

That meant a fierce bullying, as Nic knew, and he hesitated no longer, but stepped into Pete's row. 

"I don't like this; it is too full of deceit, " said Nic. "You will beblamed for not doing more work. "

"Nay; I shan't, " replied Pete, "because I shall work harder. We'rea-going to do it this way; they won't notice it, and if I keep pullingyou up a bit level with me it'll make your work easier. "

"But I have no right to let you. "

"'Taren't nought to do wi' you; it's for the zake of the old country. When you get stronger and more used to the hoeing you'll do more than Ican, p'raps, and help me. "

For the prisoners had been compelled to settle down at the plantation;and men who had never been used to regular hard toil, but had lived byfishing and salmon-spearing, and any odd task which offered, now slavedaway among the sugar-canes or the Indian-corn, the rice cultivationbeing allotted to the blacks. 

The settler had kept his word as to the behaviour to his white servants, treating them with what he considered stern justice; but every effortNic had made to obtain a hearing failed, the last producing threatswhich roused the young man's pride, and determined him to fight out thecruel battle as fate seemed to have ordained. 

Three months had passed since the boat reached the place that night, andthere had been little to chronicle, for the prisoners' life had beenmost monotonous, embraced as it was in rising early, toiling in theplantation in the hot sunshine all the day, with the regular halts formeals, and the barn-like shed at night, with the men's roughly-madebunks, a blanket, and a bag of husks of Indian-corn. 

The life suited Nic, though, for after the first fortnight he rapidlybegan to gain strength, and soon after he was sent out with the rest ofthe men. 

There had been no open trouble; the prisoners shared the same building, and their meals were served out to them together; but there was acomplete division between them which was kept up whenever possible; andone day out in the field Pete began about it to Nic, who took no heed ofeither party. 

"Zee Humpy Dee look at me, Master Nic?" said Pete. 

"Yes. "

"Know why, don't you?"

"No. "

"You do: I telled you. He zays, as you heered, that I set the zailorson 'em to get 'em brought out here. "

Nic said nothing. 

"He means to kill me one o' these days. He'll hit me on the head, orpitch me into the river, or zomething; and the others won't interfere. "

Nic looked up at the speaker quickly. 

"Comes hard on me, " continued Pete. "I never done nothing, and theykeeps me off, and don't speak; and you don't, Master Nic, zo I zeem allalone like. It makes me feel zometimes as if I must make mates o' theblacks, but I s'pose they wouldn't care for me. Wish I'd got drowned. "

Nic raised his head to look in the man's face; but the old troublerankled in his breast. His heart would not go out to him, fellow-sufferers though they were. 

It was so several times over, Pete trying hard to show what goodwill hecould under their painful circumstances; but it was not until that dayout in the corn-rows, when Pete helped him with his work at a time whenthe heat was trying his barely-recovered strength, that Nic felt thatperhaps there was some truth in the man's story. At any rate, he wasshowing himself repentant if guilty, and the prisoner recalled how Petehad nursed him and without doubt had saved his life. 

Pete went on hoeing till he had worked level with Nic, and then heworked harder to get as far ahead as he could before slipping back tohis own row, for Nic to return to his with once more a good start, and afeeling of gratitude for his companion's kindness, which softened hisvoice next time he spoke, and delighted Pete, who began talking at once. 

"Know where they keep the boat, Master Nic?" he said, as they workedaway. 

"No. Do you?"

A few hours earlier Nic would have said, "No, " and nothing more. 

"Think I do, " said Pete, brightening up. "I mean to get it out of theniggers zomehow. We never zee it go after they've been out in it. Theytie it up at night, and next morning it's always gone. "

"Yes, " said Nic; "I have noticed that. "

"It's that Zamson and old Xerxes who take it away zomewhere in thenight, and walk or zwim back. "

"Very likely, Pete. "

"Yes, Master Nic; that's it; but keep on hoeing. I've laid awake nightsthinking about it, for we must have that boat. I don't mean Humpy Deeand his lot when I zay `we, ' because you will go off wi' me if I zee achance?"

"I--I think not, Pete. "

"Master Nic!"

"Well, yes, then; I will. "

"Hab, my lad; you zeem to ha' put life into a man. There's zummat tolive for now. I've thought and thought till I've felt zick; but that'sthe on'y way. I could risk running for it; but there's the dogs--thedogs--Pst! look out!"

The warning was needed, for there were steps coming in their direction, and directly after the overseer strode up. 

"I thought so, " he said; "I've had my eye on you--you scoundrel! Everynow and then your hoe has stopped, and I could tell from your mannerthat you were talking, and wasting your time. Here are you a good sixfeet behind this weak young fellow. Get on, and catch up to him. "

Nic felt stunned, and he turned to speak and exculpate his fellow-slave;but there was such an agonised, imploring look in Pete's eyes that hewas silent, and felt compelled to join in the little deception. 

"Yes, " said the overseer, "a good six feet behind you, my lad, when itought to be the other way on. Get on, you, sir, get on. "

"Yes, zur; zoon pull up, zur. "

"Zur and zoon!" cried the overseer. "Bah! what a savage burr you have. "

He went on, followed by one of the two dogs which accompanied him, theother hanging back to look up at Nic with its tail wagging slowly, tillits absence was noticed and a shrill whistle rang out, which fetched italong with a rush, doubtless caused by recollections of the whip. 

"Oh, Pete!" whispered Nic reproachfully. 

"It's all right, lad, " said the man, laughing merrily. "What a game itwas. I didn't mind a bit. "

"I did. "

"Then don't, Master Nic, zur. I can't have you wear yourself out. We've got to 'scape, my lad, and the boat's the thing; but if you couldget t'other two dogs as friendly as that one, we'd make for the woods. But anyhow, you've got to grow as strong as me; we can't do nothingwithout. Master Nic--"

"Yes. "

"If it was the last words I'd got to zay, I did fight for you thatnight, and it waren't my fault you was took. "

"I begin to believe it now, Pete, " was the reply. 

"Do, zur: do try hard. I aren't a bragger, Master Nic, but it's justtruth what I zay. I want to get you back again to the old country; andI can't think o' nought else night or day. If I can get you off, andcome with you, o' course I should like; but if I can't, and I can getyou off--there, I'll lie down and die to do it, lad. But look here, wemust only trust ourselves. If the other lot, who are making some planof their own, knew it, they'd tell upon us and spoil us. Master Nic, can't you believe in me!"

Nic was silent for a few moments as he turned to look in the man's eyes. 

"Yes, " he said at last; "I do believe in you. "

"And you'll trust me, zur?"

Again there was a momentary hesitation before Nic answered, "Yes. "

"Hoe, Master Nic, hoe, " whispered Pete excitedly; "he's been watchingus, and he's sent the dogs at us for not being at work. "

As proof thereof the two fierce-looking brutes came rushing down one ofthe rows, open-mouthed, and Pete raised his hoe as if to strike. 

"Me first, Master Nic, " panted Pete. "I aren't afeared. Let him dowhat he likes after; I'll kill one or both on 'em before they shalltouch you. "

At that moment there was a savage growling from the dogs not thirtyyards away, and they came rushing at the poor fellows as hard as theycould tear. 

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. 

A LURKING PERIL. 

In obedience to the order which had despatched them, the twowell-trained bloodhounds of the overseer tore on till they were about tobound upon the prisoners, when a sharp, shrill whistle arrested theirrush on the instant, and they stopped, growling fiercely, their whiteteeth menacing, and their eyes red, as with a smouldering fire. 

The next moment a different note was blown from a distance, a shrill, chirruping note which made the dogs turn and bark. Then one of them setoff at a steady trot, while the other, as if its duty were done, approached Nic in the most friendly way, with its tail waving from sideto side. 

The whistle chirruped again, and the dog gave vent to a sharp bark, asmuch as to say, "All right, I'm coming--" and bounded after itscompanion. 

"Well, we're out of that job, Master Nic. I did wonder at that dogcoming at you zo fierce. "

"Set at me, Pete, " said Nic quietly, "and education was stronger thannature. Keep on working now, and pray let me do my hoeing myself. "

Pete grunted, and was silent, as he chopped away with his hoe till ahorn was blown up at the house, when the tools were shouldered, and, hotand weary, the two companions trudged back to their barrack, to partakeof their evening meal together, Humpy Dee and his party sitting quitealoof, for the feud was stronger than ever. 

From that day a change seemed to have come over Nic. It was partly dueto the feeling of returning health, but as much to his growing belief inPete's sincerity, and to the conviction that under the fellow's roughshell there was an earnest desire to serve him and help him to escapefrom his terrible position. 

The despondency to which he had given way seemed cowardly now, and asthe days rolled on he worked as one works who is determined to make thebest of his position. All the same, though, he joined heart and soulwith Pete in the plans made for getting away. 

Drawn closer together as they were now, the subject was more and morediscussed, and in the long talks they had in whispers of a night, theycould not help dwelling on the difficulties they would have to encountereven if they did manage to escape. 

"But we will, Master Nic; you zee if we don't. They both talk aboutshooting us, and that zets me up. I don't want to hurt anybody; butwhen a man zays he's going to fire at me as if I was a wild beast, Idon't feel to mind what I do to him. Don't you be downhearted; we shalldo it yet. "

"But, " said Nic, "it is the getting taken in a ship if we manage to findour way to the coast. "

"If we find our way? We've on'y to get that boat. The river will showus the way down to the zea; and as to getting away then, all we've gotto do is to try and find a ship that wants men. "

"They will not take us, Pete; we shall be looked upon as criminals. "

"Not if the skipper wants men, " said Pete, laughing softly. "Long as aman can work hard, and is strong, and behaves himself, he won't ask anyquestions. "

The time went on, and there seemed to be no likelihood of any captainasking questions; for in spite of keeping a sharp watch, neither Nic norPete could obtain the information they wanted. The boat seemed todisappear in the most mysterious way after being used by the settler orhis overseer, and Nic grew more and more puzzled, and said so to hiscompanion. 

"Yes, it gets over me zometimes, Master, " said Pete; "but one has nochance. You see, there's always people watching you. It aren't as ifit were on'y the masters and the dogs, and the niggers who are ready todo anything to please old Zaunders; there's old Humpy Dee and theothers. Humpy's always on the lookout to do me a bad turn; and he hatesyou just as much. He's always thinking we're going to get away, and hemeans to stop it. "

"And this all means, " said Nic, with a sigh, "that we must be content tostay as we are. "

"Don't mean nothing o' the kind, " said Pete shortly. "It's a niceenough place, and there's nothing I should like better than staying herea bit, if we could go about the river and swamp and woods, fishing andshooting, and hunting or trapping; but one gets too much zun on one'sback, and when it's always chopping weeds with a hoe, and the weeds growfaster than you can chop, one gets tired of it. Pretty country, MasterNic; most as good as home, only zun is a bit too warm. "

Nic sighed. 

"That's 'cause you wants to write letters and get 'em sent, Master Nic, I know; but don't you worry 'bout that. You can't send letters herelike you do at home, so it aren't no use to worry about what you can'tdo. Worry 'bout finding the boat, dear lad; that's better thanletters. "

"I have worried about it, " said Nic, "but it is of no use till we get achance to go and wander about to try and discover where it is kept. "

"And that the skipper and old Zaunders won't let us do, you zee, " saidPete quietly. "They're a wicked pair, both on 'em. Might let us loosea bit on Zundays; but not they. Zunday and week-days all the zame. They've got us, and they mean to have their penn'orth out on us. Neverthought as I should have all my strength turned into sugar for some oneelse to eat. There, work away; old Humpy's watching us, and he'll goand tell the skipper we're hatching eggs. "

Nic smiled, for his companion's good temper and patience werecontagious, but he could not repress a sigh from time to time as hethought of home; and the beauty of the country, the waving fields oftasselled Indian-corn or beautiful sugar-cane, with the silver riverbeyond, the glorious slopes leading up to the distant blue mountains, and the gloomy, green, mysterious attraction of the swampy forestenhancing its attractions to an explorer, did not compensate for theabsence of liberty, though Nic was fain to confess that the plantationwould have been a glorious place for a few months' visit. 

The blacks were not friendly, as Nic soon found; but he attributed it tothe stern orders they had received; but now and then one or another madea little advance, by offering, on the sly, fish or flesh in the shape ofbird or 'possum which he had caught or trapped during the moonlightnights. For Saunders seemed to pay no heed to the black slaves slippingaway of a night on some excursion. 

"'Nuff to make a man wish for a kettle o' tar, or a pot o' black paint, "said Pete one day. "What for, sir? Just to put on a coat of it, andchange the colour of one's skin. They'd treat us better than they do. Makes me wish I was a nigger for a bit, so long as I could wash whitewhen I got away. "

"Master Nic, " said Pete one night when they were alone in their bunks, "I aren't going to share that bit o' 'possum. "

"What bit of 'possum?" asked Nic, as he lay listening to the low murmurarising from where Humpy Dee was talking to his fellow-prisoners, whowere all chewing some tobacco-leaf which the former had managed tosecrete. 

"Why, you know; that bit old Zamson give me, wrapped up in one o' thembig leaves. "

"Oh yes; I had forgotten. Eat it, then; I don't mind. "

"Likely, aren't it?" grumbled Pete. "Good as it smells, for them blackfellows do know how to cook a thing brown and make it smell nice. Can'tyou zee what I mean?"

"No. "

"Want it for the dogs. I'm going to slip off after that boat as soon asit's a bit later. "

"Impossible, Pete. Don't try; you'll be shot at. There is sure to beone of the blacks outside the door with a musket. "

"Let him stop there, then. I aren't going by the door. "

"How, then?"

"Climb up here to where I've got a couple o' them split wooden tiles--shingles, as they call 'em--loose. "

"But you can't climb up there. "

"Can't I? Oh yes, my lad. There's them knot-holes, and I've got somepegs cut as fits into 'em, ready to stand on. I can get up easyenough. "

"But the dogs?"

"Well, I smuggled a knife and sharpened it up, and it's tied to my legin a sheath I made out of a bit o' bamboo cane. "

"But it would be madness to fight the poor brutes, and the noise wouldbring out Saunders with a gun. "

"Just what I thought, my lad, " said Pete, laughing softly; "so I went onthe other tack this month past. "

"I don't understand you, Pete. "

"I'll tell you, then, my lad, " said Pete softly. "I made up my mind toget you back to the old country, and the on'y way to do it seems to beto make friends. "

"Make friends?"

"That's it. Way that big dog, Gripper, took to you zet me thinking. Ifhe was zet at you he'd lay hold, 'cause he's been taught to obey orders. He wouldn't want to, no more than a soldier might want to shoot a man;but if it was orders he'd do it. Well, I've thought a deal about themdogs, and dogs is dogs--eh, Master Nic?"

"Of course, " said the young man, smiling to himself. 

"And dogs has got zweet tooths, Master Nic; on'y the sugar they likes isa bit o' salt. "

"You mean you wanted that piece of roast 'possum to give the dogs ifthey came at you. "

"That's right, Master Nic. If old Zaunders was shouting 'em on, theywouldn't take no notice of the meat; but if he waren't there they'd befriends at once, and eat it. So I'm ready for 'em if they comes afterme. "

"And you're going to try if you can find where they keep the boatto-night?"

"_Sn-n-n-ork_!" said Pete, pinching his arm, and as the deep, low, snoring went on, Nic grasped the reason. 

For there was a faint rustling of the dry corn-leaves, which stopped, and went on again in the utter darkness, while beyond it the low murmurof talking continued. 

"The talking kept on to cover Humpy's movements, " thought Nic. "He hasheard us, and is coming to listen. "

Pete snored again, moved uneasily, and began to mutter in a low tone:

"Couldn't throw Humpy Dee?" he said. "Let you see. Better wrastlerthan him. _Snore--snurrk_!"

The rustling ceased, and then went on again. 

"Where's that there moog o' zyder, lads?" muttered Pete in a dull, stupid way. "Where's the huff-cap?"

Then he smacked his lips, and said "Hah!" softly, turned himself over, yawned, and began to snore, keeping it up steadily, while the rustlingwent on; but it sounded now as if the man who made it was retiring. 

Nic listened, with every nerve on the strain, while Pete kept on thesnoring, and a minute later he made out clearly enough that Humpy Deehad returned to his companions, and distinctly heard the change in theconversation, as the man whispered the result of his investigation. 

Pete's snore was lower now, and sounded as if it would last; but it didnot, for the next moment Nic was conscious that his comrade was leaningover him; a pair of lips touched his ear, and a voice whispered:

"He thinks he's clever, but we can be too sharp for him. "

"Don't talk any more, " whispered Nic softly, "or he'll come back. "

"Right, " said Pete, and the snoring recommenced. And as Nic lay therein the darkness, thinking over his companion's words, and feeling thatit would have been madness to have made any attempt to leave thebarrack-like shed, with watchful enemies both within and without, andthe certainty in his mind that Humpy Dee's intention was to betray Peteso as to get him flogged for attempting to escape, the snoring went on, with a strange lulling effect. He had toiled hard that day in theburning sunshine, and had lain down after his supper with that pleasantsensation of weariness which comes to the healthy and strong; and he hadbeen feeling a glow of satisfaction and thankfulness for the fullrecovery of all his faculties, when Pete had spoken as he did. It wasnot surprising, then, that the heavy breathing of his companion shouldhave the effect it had, and that, just when he was in the midst ofpleasant thoughts of the possibility of escape, he should suddenly passfrom extreme wakefulness into deep sleep, in which he saw the red cliffsof Devon again, with the sparkling sea, and listened to the soft murmurof the falls low down in the combe. Back home once more. 

Then he opened his eyes with a start. 

"I've been asleep, " he said to himself, as he listened to Pete's heavybreathing; "not for many minutes, though, " he mused; and then hewondered and stared, for he could see the cracks and knot-holes of thewooden building against the grey dawn of the rapidly-coming day. 

"Why, I must have been asleep for hours and hours!" he mentallyejaculated. 

Proof came the next moment that it must have been eight hours at least, for the dull booming bellow of the great conch shell blown by one of theblacks rang out, and Pete started up in his bunk to stare at Nic and rubhis calf softly. 

"Had a good night, Pete?" said the lad. 

"Tidy, " said the man softly; "but one o' the dogs had me by the leg. "

"What! Surely you didn't go?"

"Ay, but I did. He let go, though, when he smelt the roast meat. Smeltbetter than raw. "

"Pete!" ejaculated Nic, in his surprise. 

"Now then, rouse up, all on you, " shouted Humpy Dee, "or they'll besending in the dogs for us, and the cat for some one else. "

"Oh, " thought Nic, as a pang of agony shot through him; "that wretchmust have been on the watch. "

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. 

PETE THINKS HE HAS FOUND IT. 

In the morning, as the eternal hoeing went on, Pete found hisopportunity for telling of his adventures during the night. Humpy Deehad evidently heard nothing. 

"Keep at it, Master Nic, " he said; "this here stuff's growed up zo thatthere's no telling when they're coming on to you. It's all rightthough, now. "

"Tell me, then, quickly. You got out?"

"Zure I did. I meant to, and had a good long night of it. "

"And you're sure the dog hasn't hurt you much?"

"Nay, on'y a pinch; I had the meat ready to shove in his face, But therearen't much to tell you. "

"I was afraid so. We must be patient, Pete, and live on hope. "

"Can't live on hope, master. Hope's on'y the salt as makes the rest o'life tasty. Want zome'at else as well. But don't you be down. We'vegot to get away, and we'll do it afore we've done. "

"Then you found out nothing?"

"Oh yes, I did, " said Pete dryly. "I found out that it didn't matterwhich way I went there waren't what I wanted. "

"You mean the boat?"

"That's right, master. I went as far as I could get along the river oneway, and it waren't there; and I went as far as I could get t'other way, and it waren't there. Old Zam must get in and paddle it right awayzomewheres. There now, if I haven't found it after all!"

"What! Where it is hidden?"

"I believe I have; zeemed to turn it over and find it under this hereclod I'm breaking up with the hoe. Wish I'd looked when we was aboard. "

"Looked at what?"

"Her bottom. She's got a big bung-hole in her zomewhere, and he mustpole her along into a deep part, and take the bung out, and let her filland zink. Then he zinks the painter with a stone. "

"But she wouldn't sink, Pete. "

"Oh yes, she would, with ballast enough, sir; and all we've got to donow is to find out where she is. "

Nic shook his head sadly, for he was not convinced. 

"Don't you do that, my lad; that's not the way to get home. Maybe I'mwrong, but I think I'm right, and I dare zay, if we knowed where tolook, she's just close handy zomewhere. Zay, Master Nic, s'pose I getold Zamson down and kneel on his chest, and pull out my knife. I couldshow my teeth and look savage, and pretend I was going to cut his headoff if he didn't tell me. That would make him speak--eh?"

"Yes, to Saunders; and you would be punished, and we should be worse offthan ever. "

"That's about it, sir. I'm afraid I did no good last night. "

Pete chopped and broke clods, and muttered to himself in a way whichsuggested that he was by no means satisfied with his investigations. Then all at once he said:

"What do you zay to our going quietly down to the water some night, dropping in, and zwimming for it?"

"Into the jaws of the great alligators, Pete?"

"Didn't think o' that. Could hear 'em, too, as I walked along. Onewhacker went off from just under my feet once. I 'most fell over him, and he roared out like a bull calf. I thought he meant my legs. No, wecouldn't do that, Master Nic. We must get hold o' that boat. I'll haveanother try to-night. "

"Better not, " said Nic. "Some of the others will hear you. "

"And old Humpy be on'y too glad to get me in a row. Well, I mean tohave it zomehow. "

But Pete did not go upon any nocturnal excursion that night. Nature wastoo much for him. He dropped asleep, and did not wake till the conchshell sounded its braying note; and Nic rose once more to go to hislabour in the fields, asking himself if it was not all a dream. 

The next time the settler came that way the young man made an appeal tohim for permission to send off a letter to some one in authority; butthe angry refusal he received, coupled with a stern order to go on withhis work, taught him plainly enough not to place any confidence inobtaining his liberty through his employer, so he tried to move theoverseer the next time he came by. 

Nic fared worse. 

"Look here, my lad, " said Saunders; "your country said you were betterout of it, and we've taken you, and mean to try and make somethingdecent of you. We're going to do it, too. "

"But that was all a mistake, sir, as I told you, " pleaded Nic. 

"And this is a bigger one. Who is to believe your word? Get on withyour work, and if you worry me again with your whining I'll shorten yourrations, and keep you on the hardest jobs about the plantation. "

"It's of no use, Pete, " said Nic as soon as he could speak unobserved;"there is nothing to hope for here. We must escape somehow, or else diein trying. "

"That's sense, Master Nic, all but the last part. I don't see any funin dying for ever so long. I'm going out to-night to find that boat, and if I do, next thing is to zave up some prog and be off. There's onething to do, though, 'fore we start. "

"What's that?"

"Borrow a couple o' guns and some powder and shot. "

"Impossible, Pete. No; I think I could manage it. "

"How, my lad? It has bothered me. "

"There are two ways. Get at the guns one day when Samson is cleaningthem; or else creep to the house some hot night, risk all, and climb inby one of the windows. I think in time I shall know whereabouts theyare kept. "

"Risk getting zeen and shot?"

"We must risk something, Pete, " said Nic quietly. "It is for liberty. I should leave it to the last moment, and get them when the boat was allready; then, if I were heard there would be somewhere to make for, andonce afloat we should be safe. But there, we have not found out wherethe boat is yet. "

"And, " said Pete thoughtfully, "there's zomething else we haven't tookcount of. "

"What's that?" said Nic eagerly. 

"The dogs, my lad; the dogs!"

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. 

A FIGHT WITH MORPHEUS. 

Nic had no faith in his companion's notions about the boat lying sunk inthe creek or river; but as the time wore on he could suggest no betteridea. 

Still, he did find out where the guns were kept one day when, in companywith a man of Humpy Dee's party, he was ordered up to help in stowingsome bales of tobacco-leaf in a kind of store at the back of the lowwooden building. 

The work was pretty hard, but Nic hardly felt it, for in going to andfro he had to pass an open door which led into the place used by thesettler and Saunders for their dining and sitting room. It was a veryrough spot, and the furniture was all home-made--that is to say, it wasmanufactured by the blacks. But Nic hardly heeded its contents afterseeing a series of hooks driven into the wall, and upon each pair amusket, with powder-flask and bullet-pouch attached. 

He could think of nothing else as he walked away, for these weaponsmeant a supply of food if he and Pete took to the woods, and that nighthe communicated the discovery to his companion. 

"It ought to be easy to borrow a couple of them, " said Petequietly--"zome night when the two gaffers are asleep. On'y one thing tohinder it, as I zee, for I don't believe they shut themselves up, feeling as they do that we're under lock and key. "

"What is to prevent me creeping in and getting them, Pete?"

"Dogs, " said the man quietly. "Now, if we was at home I could walk intoPlymouth and go to a druggist's shop, and for twopence buy zomething Iknows of as would zend those dogs to sleep till we'd done what wewanted; but there aren't no shops in the woods here. "

"And we haven't found the boat, Pete. "

"And we haven't found the boat, my lad. But here's a little bit of atool here I've got for you at last. Better one than mine. One of theblacks had been cutting up zome meat with it yesterday, and left it outon the bench--forgetted all about it--they're good ones at forgetting;and zo I scrambled back and got hold of it, sharpened it up at thepoint, and made a wooden sheath for it, so as you can wear it in yourbelt under your shirt. "

"A knife!" whispered Nic excitedly as Pete thrust the weapon into hishand. "No; I don't want to shed blood. "

"I didn't say it was to kill men with, did I? S'pose one of them dogshad you by the throat, wouldn't it be useful then? or to kill a deer outin the woods? or skin a 'possum? Might even be useful to stick into a'gator's throat. Better take it, master. "

Nic's hand closed upon the handle of the keen blade, and he transferredit to his belt; when, as the hard sheath pressed against his side, hefelt that, after all, it was one step towards liberty. 

The next morning Pete told him that he had had another good hunt by theriver-side, going as far as he dared, but without result. 

"And 'twix' you and me, Master Nic, I suppose it's being a bit of acoward, but I dursen't go no more. I aren't afraid o' things you cansee; but when you're down by the water o' nights listening to thestrange birds making queer noises, and the big bats whuzzing round you, to say nothing of the 'gators walloping about at the edge, and othergashly things zeeming to be lying wait for you, it's a bit too much forme. "

"It must be very nervous work, Pete. "

"Last night about settled me that we must go right up-country or throughthe woods, for I trod on a big snake, and felt it twissen round my leg. Ugh! I don't mind a conger, because, even if he bites you, it's on'y abite, and it gets well; but a snake! Why, they tell me--leastwise oneof the blacks did--as a bite from one of the rattlesnakes'll finish youoff in 'bout an hour. "

"But you were not bitten?"

"S'pose not, and I've been thinking since I must ha' trod on the gashlything's head. Anyhow it did scare me, and I mean to chop every one Izee while I'm hoeing. I have killed four since we've been here. "

"You must not try it again, Pete, " said Nic. 

"Then we shall have to take to the woods, master, for I don't zee anychance o' getting the boat. "

That day, while the two prisoners were hoeing together, the settler cameround, stood watching them for a time, and then came nearer and examinedtheir work, saw nothing to complain of, but still being dissatisfied, heturned upon Pete. 

"Here, you get chattering too much with this lad, " he cried; "be offacross to the long corn-field behind the house and join that gang. Workwith them, and send black Jupe here to take your place. "

"Yes, master, " said Pete quietly; and as he shouldered his hoe and thesettler walked away, he made an offer at him with the hoe, when one ofthe dogs growled savagely. 

Suspicious of danger, the settler turned sharply, to see Pete slouchingaway with his eyes on the ground; so, after an angry word or two at thedog, the master went on again, leaving Nic hoeing away, thinking howdreary the days would pass if he were to have no better companionshipthan that of the black. 

Half-an-hour passed before the slave came slowly along the row Nic washoeing--for the waving growth completely shut them from sight--and uponreaching his fellow-prisoner's side he made a few scrapes with his hoeand then stopped, with his black face shining as he showed his teeth. 

"You had better go on with your work, " said Nic quietly; "the masterwill be back. "

"Not a day, sah, " said the black. "Him going get boat and go up ribber'long o' Massa Saunder. "

Nic looked at the man sharply as he uttered the word _boat_. Wouldn'tit be possible to hear from him where the boat was kept?

"Berry hot. Take four boy row de boat, and tell Sam and Zerks load degun and shoot ebbery white body who done work. "

"Ah!" said Nic. 

"Dat so, sah, " said the man, laughing. "No shoot black fellow. "

He said no more, but went on chopping away in the hot sunshine farfaster than Nic could manage, and the intense heat did not seem toaffect him. For it was so hot that the prisoner felt exhausted, earlyas it was in the day, the tall growth around keeping off the breeze. 

But he worked away, with the perspiration streaming down his face, thinking what an opportunity this would be for taking to the woods orthe open country, but with his heart sinking as he dwelt upon thepossibility of Humpy Dee and the others fighting against such a planfrom pure malice. And besides, Pete was not there to discuss thematter. There were the armed blacks, too, and the dogs. 

Nic went to the end of his row, turned, and worked away back, forgetfulof his black companion, till he was half-way along the return row, whena peculiar sound startled him, and stepping aside among the canes, hisheart gave a big throb, for the black seemed to have fallen fromexhaustion. The next minute he smiled, for he realised that the man wasfast asleep. 

And how hot it was! Nic's throat was dry, his tongue parched, whileonly some three hundred yards from where he toiled there was the greenband of cane and reed jungle, and just beyond that the bright, coolwaters of the river. 

Oh, if he could only be where he could lie down and take one long, deepdraught!

The thought of it increased his thirst. 

Well, why not? The black had shown him that there was no danger. Theirtyrants had started in the boat by now, or the idle rascal would nothave lain down so coolly to sleep, and this terrible thirst--

"Oh, I must go and have a drink, " muttered Nic wearily; and then, layingdown his hoe, he walked swiftly to the end of the row, turned at rightangles along by the ditch which divided the field from the next field, and, satisfied that he could not be seen from the house, kept on and on, startled more than once by the rustle of a gliding snake, till thenarrow patch of jungle was reached, and he plunged into it, to force hisway along to the edge of the river. 

The reeds and dense water-growth ended suddenly, and he was about topeer out, up and down, to make sure that he was not seen, thinking thewhile of how easy escape seemed, when he drew back and stood watchingwith starting eyes. 

But it was not at the alligator six feet long which lay between him andthe gliding river, nor yet at that other, a dozen yards away, sunningitself at the surface of the water; but at the black woolly head of aswimmer nearly at the other side, making easily and well for the mouthof an overhung creek nearly opposite to where Nic crouched, and quiteregardless of the dangerous reptiles which might be near. 

The feeling of thirst died out as Nic watched, seeing that there was away of escape after all by the river; for if that man dared trusthimself to swim in open daylight to the other side, surely he and Petemight venture, even if the place did swarm with reptiles?

Nic's heart beat with a strange feeling of satisfaction. Here, then, was one of his unfortunate companions taking advantage of the master'sabsence to escape. Why was not Pete there to join him, and they mightall get away together?

In another minute Nic would have been on his way back to try and getspeech with Pete, and tell him what he had seen. He might, he thought, elude Samson's watchfulness, when, to his astonishment, the man reachedthe farther shore, stepped out, and shook himself, when Nic felt that hemust be dreaming, for it was Samson himself. 

The next minute Nic saw him plunge into the thick growth overhanging thenarrow creek and disappear. 

"Left his musket behind because he felt doubtful about getting itacross, " thought Nic, and once more he was about to hurry back, when astrange rustling sound caught his ear, followed by the rattle as of apole; and directly after the mystery of the boat's hiding-place was laidbare, for it glided out from among the waving canes, and there wasSamson standing upright, dipping the pole first on one side, then on theother, sending the boat across as it glided down with the stream, passedthe watcher, and evidently was being directed for the other creek. 

"Poor old Pete, how glad he'll be!" thought Nic. "That's it, plainenough; kept over there because they think no one would dare to swimacross; but we dare. "

"Dare we?" said Nic to himself the next minute, as he saw an unusuallylarge alligator make a swirl in the water and dart by; and he shudderedas the thought occurred to him that, though the reptiles might not touchthe blacks, with a white man it might mean something very different. 

"Ugh! you little beast, " he muttered, as there was a rustle in the moistpatch of jungle, and he caught sight of the loathsome blunt muzzle ofwhat looked like a monstrous eft staring hard at him, not a couple ofyards distant. 

A quick movement sent the reptile scuffling away; then there was asplash, and forgetful entirely of his thirst, Nic hurried back, feelinga lingering doubt as to whether the settler or his overseer might nothave been to the field during his absence, as they were certainly notgone. 

But upon reaching the place where he had left his hoe, there it lay withthe handle too hot to hold, and the slave close at hand, shining andhappy, fast asleep, with his mouth open, and the red lips attracting theflies, as if it were some huge ugly red blossom from which they mightsip. 

That day seemed as if it would never come to an end. But at sunset theconch shell was blown, and the black started up, just as Nicstraightened his weary back, and came slowly towards him down the row hehad hoed. 

"Um tink um been fass 'sleep, sah, " said the black, grinning. "You tellMass' Saunder? No, you not tell um, and me shut de eye nex' time you go'sleep. "

"I shan't tell tales, " said Nic good-humouredly. "But I say, do youever think about running away?"

"Run away? What for? No use run away. Set dogs to catch you 'gain. An' if dogs not catch um, where run to? Plantations all alike. "

"To you, " thought Nic. "Yes; where could he run to--back to Africa?What then? Only to be caught and sold again. Poor wretch! Worse offthan I. There is no pleasant Devon for him to reach, as we must andwill reach it some day. Yes, there are slaves far worse off than I. What can the dear old dad have thought when he found me gone? There isonly one answer to that, " said Nic, with a weary sigh--"that I wasdrowned in the pool struggle and swept out to sea. "

The next minute Pete came into sight, and their eyes met, Nic giving theman so long and intent a look that he did not see Humpy Dee watchinghim, only that Pete's face worked a little, as if he grasped the factthat his companion had some news to impart. 

But they had no chance of communicating then, for Samson and Xerxes wereready to count them as they went up to their shed; the dogs looking onand trotting about busily, as if helping two black shepherds by roundingup their flock. 

It was hard work to eat that night, and the evening meal seemed morethan ever to resemble a mash prepared for fattening cattle such as theyseemed to be. 

But Nic felt that food meant strength when the time for escaping came, and he forced himself to devour his portion as if ravenously. 

The night soon came there, and they were locked up once more, Niceagerly waiting for the chance to tell all he knew. 

As he lay in his bunk listening, it was evident, from the low, guardedtone in which their companions talked, that they were in ignorance ofthe fact that their masters were absent, and all was very still outside, till one of the men spoke out angrily. Then a bang on the door from thebutt of a musket, followed by a burst of deep-toned barking, toldplainly enough that proper precautions were taken, Samson's voice comingloudly and hoarsely with an order to keep quiet and lie down before hehad to shoot. 

"But there's light ahead, " thought Nic; and he waited till he thought hecould communicate his news to Pete; but, to his disgust, the deep, lowbreathing close at hand told that he was asleep. 

"Worn out with his weary toil last night, " thought Nic. "Well, I'llkeep watch to-night until he wakes, and tell him then. "

But hour after hour went sluggishly by, with the watcher trying to thinkout the plan by which they could escape in the easiest way. 

In spite of the excitement produced by the knowledge that a door wasopen by which they could get away, there was a hindrance to his thoughtscoming clearly. That long day's toil in the burning sun made his plansrun together till they were in a strange confusion; and at last he wasswimming the river to reach the boat, when a dozen of the reptiles whichhaunted the water seemed to be tugging at him to drag him down, barkingfiercely the while. Then he started up, to find that he had been fastasleep, and that the dogs were barking loudly because of their master'sreturn. 

"What's the row about?" Nic heard Humpy Dee growl. 

"Then I was right, " said another of the men. "The gaffers have been offsomewhere, and have just come back. I thought so, because neither ofthem showed up in the fields after quite early. "

"Why didn't you tell me?" growled Humpy; and he whispered to hiscompanions very earnestly. 

Just then the voices of the settler and the overseer were heard talkingto Samson; the dogs came smelling about the door, and the sentry spokeloudly to them to get away. Then by degrees all grew silent again, anda rustling sound told Nic that Pete was moving in his bunk. 

"Couldn't help it, lad, " he whispered; "I was zo worn out, I went offfast. You've got zome'at to tell me?"

"Yes. "

"I knowed it; but if I'd had to save my life I couldn't ha' kep' my eyesopen. What is it?"

Nic told him, whispering earnestly in his excitement. 

"What a vool--what a vool!" whispered Pete. "On'y to think o' me neverthinking o' that. Then it's all right, Master Nic. We can just gettogether enough prog to last us, borrow the guns, pick out the nightthat zuits us, and then go quietly off. "

"But would you dare to swim across the river--the alligators?"

"Yes, " said Pete; "if they was twice as big; and if they touch me--well, they'll find out what an edge and point I've given my knife. It's allright, Master Nic, and I'm glad it's you as found out the way. "

"Hist!" whispered Nic, laying a hand on the man's mouth. 

For there was a rustling not far from where they lay; and Nic felt as ifa hand were catching at his throat, for the thought came to thrill himthrough and through that Humpy Dee had crept nearer to hear what, intheir eager excitement, they had said; and if he had heard--

Pete put it this way:

"If he knows, the game's at an end. "

Nic slept little more that night; not that he and Pete talked againabout their plans, but because his brain was full of the momentousquestion:

Had their treacherous companion heard?

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. 

THE TIME AT LAST. 

It was nervous work during the next few days, neither Nic nor Petedaring to take any step towards making their escape, for the feeling wasstrong upon both that they were in their enemy's hands, and that he wasonly waiting his time before betraying them to the overseer. 

"That's his way, Master Nic, and it always was. Once he had a grudgeagen a man he'd never forgive him, " said Pete one night, "and he'd waithis chance to serve him out. I never liked Humpy, and he never likedme; zo, after all, it was six o' one and half-a-dozen o' the other. "

"I can't help thinking that we are worrying ourselves about nothing, Pete, " replied Nic. "It's a case of the guilty conscience needing noaccuser. "

"That it aren't, sir, " said the man sturdily. "I aren't going tobelieve you've got any guilty conscience, and there aren't nothing worseon mine than a bit o' zalmon. "

Nic smiled in the darkness, and Pete went on:

"Well, if you think like that, Master Nic, let's risk it. Old Humpy'scunning enough, but p'raps two heads'll be better than one, and we canbeat him. What do you zay to trying, then?"

"Anything is better than this terrible suspense, Pete, " said Nic. "Idid manage to bear my fate before, but the thought now of that boatlying ready to carry us down the river is too much for me, and there aremoments when I feel as if I must say to you, `Come on; let's run down tothe river and dash in, risking everything. '"

"What! and them zee us go, Master Nic?"

"Yes; I am getting desperate with waiting. "

"Wouldn't do, my lad. They'd chivvy us, them and the blacks and Humpyand t'others. Why, bless you, nothing old Humpy would like better. "

"I'm afraid so. "

"That's it, zir, whether you're 'fraid or whether you bean't. Ands'posing we got the boat, what then, zir? Them seeing us and goingalong by the bank shooting at us. "

"We might lie down, Pete. "

"Yes; and they'd send in half-a-dozen niggers to zwim to the boat andbring it ashore. What do you say to that, zir?"

"That I'm half-mad to propose such a thing, " replied Nic. 

"Talk lower, zir. I can't hear old Humpy; but let's be on the lookout. "

"Better give up all thought of getting away, " said Nic despondently. 

"Bah! Never zay die, Master Nic. Why, there's the old place at homeseeming to hold out its finger to us, beckoning-like, and zaying `Come, 'and once I do get back, you'll never ketch me meddling with no one'szalmon again. But look here, zir, we thought it all out before, and Idon't see as we can better it. "

"I feel hopeless, Pete. "

"And I feel as if I've got 'nough o' that stuff in me for both. Wish wecould be hoeing together again, so as we could talk it over. "

"I wish so too, Pete. "

"It aren't half so pleasant hoeing along with the blacks as it is withyou, zir. "

"Thank you, Pete, " said Nic, smiling to himself. 

"I aren't got nought agen 'em. They can't help having black skins andthem thick lips, and they're wonderful good-tempered. Just bigchildren, that's what they are. Fancy a man being a zlave and ready tozing and dance 'cause the moon zhines, ready to go out hunting the coonsand 'possums as if there was nothing the matter. "

"It's their nature to be light-hearted, " said Nic. 

"Light-hearted, zir? Why, there's one o' the gang along with me asallus seems as if you were tickling him. Only to-day he drops hisselfdown and rolls about in the hot sun, and does nothing but laugh, justbecause he's happy. Why, I couldn't laugh now if I tried. "

"Wait, Pete; perhaps you may again some day. "

"I want to laugh to-morrow night, zir. "

"What?"

"When we've got a couple o' guns aboard that boat, and we're going downthe river, " whispered Pete excitedly. "I can laugh then. "

"We couldn't do it, Pete. "

"We could, zir, if we zaid we would. "

"There is the risk of that man watching us and telling. "

"He'd better!" growled Pete. "Look here, zir; let's have no moreshilly-shallying. Say you'll go to-morrow night, and risk it. "

"Why not wait for a good opportunity?"

"'Cause if we do it mayn't never come. "

"But food--provisions?" said Nic, whose heart was beginning to throbwith excitement. 

"Eat all we can to-morrow, and chance what we can get in the woods, orgo without a bit. I'd starve two days for the sake of getting away. Will you risk it, zir?"

For answer Nic stretched out his hand and grasped Pete's, having his ownhalf-crushed in return. 

"That settles it, then, " whispered Pete hoarsely. "Zave a bit ofbread-cake if you can. May come in useful. To-morrow night, then. "

"To-morrow night. "

"Are you two going to keep on talking till to-morrow morning?" growled adeep voice. "Zum on us want a bit o' sleep. Look here, mates; I'mgoing to speak to the gaffer to-morrow, to ax if them two chatterin' oldwomen can't be put somewheres else. "

Nic turned cold, and Pete uttered a deep sigh, for if this were donethey would, he knew, have to begin making their plans again. 

But hope cheered them both as the next day dawned and passed on withoutincident. Humpy Dee's was evidently only an empty threat, and asevening drew on Nic's excitement increased, and with it came a sensationof strength such as he had not enjoyed for months. 

It was as if his companion had endowed him with a portion of his ownelastic temperament, and success was going to attend their efforts. Allthe weary despondency had passed away, and in imagination Nic saw theboat floating down the river towards the sea, where, hope whispered, itmust be very easy to find some British ship whose captain would be readyto listen to their unhappy story, and let them hide on board till he setsail, and then let them work their passage home. "For, " argued Nic nowin his excitement, "no Englishman could be so hardhearted as to refusehelp to a white slave. "

He saw nothing of Pete after they had started for their day's work, their duties taking them to different parts of the plantation; but thatwas no more than he expected, and he toiled away with his hoe, tellinghimself that this was the last time he would handle it, for they would--they must--escape; and he wondered now that he could have hesitated solong, and have let the notion that Humpy Dee was quietly trying toundermine them act like a bugbear. 

One thing was difficult, though, and that was to eat heartily inreadiness for what might be a long fast. Nic ate all he could forcedown, however, and hid away the rest. But how long that hot day seemed, before the darkness closed in and the strange sounds began to rise fromthe woods and river!

Never had all these sounded so loudly before; and when at last Nic laydown in his rustling bunk, and the place had been locked and the blacksentry placed at the door, it seemed to the listener as if the greatgoat-suckers were whirring about just outside, and the bull-frogs hadcome in a body to the very edge of the woods and up the ditches of theplantation to croak. 

Humpy Dee and his companions were talking together; the black sentryyawned, and began to hum an air to himself; and soon after the voices ofthe settler and the overseer passed, discussing some plan in connectionwith the crops; but Nic did not hear either of the dogs bark, neitherdid the one which had shown friendliness towards him come snufflingabout the entrance of the low shed. 

"Why doesn't Pete say something?" thought Nic, who began to wonder atthe silence of his companion, not a word having passed since they met atthe rough supper; and now, for the first time that day, Nic's heart sanka little, for it seemed to him that his fellow-plotter had shrunk fromthe risks they would have to encounter--risks which might mean beingshot at, worried by the dogs, dragged down by the alligators to ahorrible death, perhaps fever and starvation in the swamp, or beingdrowned at sea, if they reached the river's mouth, and were swept awayby one of the fierce currents along the shore. 

It meant waiting two hours at least before they could begin theirattempt; but still Nic wanted to get rid of the oppression whichtroubled him, and to feel that they really were going to make theirescape; but the murmuring of their companions' voices went on, and stillPete made no sign. 

At last Nic could contain himself no longer. He was all eagerness now;and, if they were not going to make the attempt, he wanted to know theworst. He spoke in a whisper:

"Pete, Pete!"

"Phew! how hot--how hot!" muttered the man. 

"Pete!" whispered Nic again. 

"I wish you wouldn't keep on talking, " said Pete loudly. "You know howit set them grumbling last night. "

Nic drew a deep breath through his teeth, as he lay there in the hot, oppressive darkness. They were not going, then. It was the way with aman of Pete's class to pick a quarrel upon some other subject when hewanted to find an excuse and back out of an arrangement. 

"Ay, you had a narrow escape on it, " said one of the men surlily. "OldHumpy was pretty nigh going to the gaffer to-day. "

"It's all over, " thought Nic, as a feeling of bitterness ran throughhim. Only four-and-twenty hours earlier he had been ready to give upand accept his position. Then Pete had touched the right chord in hisnature, and roused him up to a readiness to run any risk, and make abrave dash for liberty; while now the man seemed to have shrunk backinto his shell, and to be completely giving up just when the call wasabout to be made upon his energies. 

At another time Nic might have argued differently; but, strung up as hehad been, his companion's surly indifference was crushing, and it seemedthat the wild, exciting adventures of the night were to give place to acowardly, sordid sleep. 

"If anything big is to be done, one must depend upon one's-self, "thought Nic at last; and, angry with the whole world, bitter at his ownhelplessness, as he felt how mad it would be to attempt the venturealone, he turned over in his bunk, throwing out one hand in themovement, and it came in contact with Pete's, to be gripped fast. 

In an instant the blood was dancing through his veins, and a chokingsensation as of impending suffocation troubled him; the arteries in histemples beat painfully, and he lay breathing hard. 

For it was to be after all, and this conduct was his companion's way ofshowing him that it was better to lie in silence, waiting till the timearrived for commencing their task. 

Nic lay there listening to the low murmur of his fellow-prisoners'voices and the chorus of strange sounds from the forest and river; andin the stillness of the night, every now and then, a faint splash cameplainly to where he lay, sending a thrill through him, as he thoughtthat, if all went well, before very long he might be swimming across theriver, running the gauntlet of the horrible-looking reptiles, and hisleft hand stole down to his belt to grasp the handle of the sharpenedknife, while he wondered whether the skin of the alligators would behorny or tough enough to turn the point. 

How long, how long it seemed before all was perfectly still in the long, low shed, and not a sound could be heard outside but the faint hummingnoise made by the black sentry!

Then all at once there were steps. 

Some one had come up, and in a low whisper Nic heard the words:

"All right?"

"Yes, massa. "

Then the steps passed away again, and Pete gripped Nic's hand as he laystraining his hearing to try and ascertain whether the overseer hadentered the house; but the barking or croaking of reptiles was the onlysound. 

Another hour must have passed, and then Nic's blood rushed through hisveins, for a hand touched his again lightly, and seemed to seek for theother. Directly after he felt a hot breath upon his face, and lips tohis ear, uttering the one word:

"Come!"

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. 

FOR LIFE AND LIBERTY. 

Before Nic Revel's mental sight the difficulties rose like a great blackrock, but he did not shrink. He rose softly from his bunk, strivinghard to keep the corn-stalks from crackling, and felt Pete as the mantook a couple of steps from his sleeping-place and stood with his faceto the back of the shed. 

Then, in the midst of a very faint rustling, Nic knew that his companionhad thrust a couple of pegs into the knot-holes in the stout planks, andraised himself by hand and foot till he could softly draw the woodenshingles of the roof aside, and the cool, moist air of the night camedown. Then for a moment or two Nic saw a bright star, which was blottedout by something dark as the faint rustling continued. 

Nic turned to listen, but all was well within the shed. He could hearthe deep breathing of sleepers, and the low humming song of the sentryoutside the door. 

"How long will it be?" thought Nic, who was trembling with excitement;but the suspense was soon over. All at once there was a dull sound, such as might be made by two bare feet alighting on the earth outside, and he knew that his turn had come. 

He was lightly enough clothed, merely in short-sleeved, striped cottonshirt, and breeches which did not reach the knee, and his feet werebare, so that there was nothing to hinder his efforts as he reached uptill he could place one foot upon the first peg. Then, seeking for theother, he seized it in his hand, and drew himself into a standingposition upon the first, reached up to the rafters, drew himself fartherup till he could rest his foot on the second peg and pass his head andshoulders through the hole in the roof; then, resting a hand on eitherside, he drew his legs through, turned and lowered himself down, anddropped upon the ground almost without a sound. 

It was intensely dark, but every step was familiar enough, and there wasno need for words: their plans had been too well made. But as theymoved off towards the house, one thought was in both minds as presentingthe greatest obstacle they had to dread:

Where were the dogs? If loose, and their approach were heard, the greatbrutes would set up a fierce baying directly, preliminary to a savageattack; and then--

They neither of them cared to reckon more in advance than that, and wentsoftly on, to receive proof directly that the dogs were not loose, forthere came from the back of the house the rattle of a chain being drawnover wood, followed by a low, muttering growl, as if one of the animalswas uneasy. 

This ceased directly; and, treading cautiously, Nic went straight up tothe front of the building, feeling as if, at any moment, he might seethe flash of a musket and hear its roar. 

But the place was dark and still, and the croaking and other soundswhich came in chorus were quite loud enough to drown their lightfootsteps as they approached. 

The door was closed, but the two long, low windows in the veranda provedto be open; and, as Nic approached the one upon his right and listened, he could distinctly hear the heavy breathing of a sleeper. He drewcautiously back, to come in contact with Pete, who was taken by surpriseat the sudden movement made. 

Then they stood with hearts thumping against their ribs, feeling certainthat they must have been heard; but not a sound followed. After waitingnearly a minute, a fresh movement was made, Nic stepping softly to thewindow on his left, the perspiration streaming down his face, for theheat was intense. 

He listened here, with Pete close behind, but all was still, the windowwide open to admit the air; and he knew that all he had to do was topass softly in, take down a couple of the guns, passing one out at atime through the window to Pete, beat a retreat, and then all would beas easy as possible. It was only cool, quiet action--that was all; butNic for a time could not move, only stand there, breathing heavily, inthe full expectation of hearing his companion say something to urge himon. 

Pete did not stir: he felt that he must trust to his companion'scommon-sense, and leave him to act as was best. 

Then the power to act seemed to come, and Nic softly grasped thewindow-sill, passed one leg in, then the other, and stood upon the barefloor, fully expecting to hear a bullet whiz past his head, even if itdid not strike. 

But he could hear nothing; the house might have been unoccupied; and, drawing a deep breath, he acted quickly now, turned to his left, raisedhis hands, and pressed forward till they touched one of the weaponshanging upon the wall. 

A sudden feeling of elation now came over him, for it all seemed to beso astonishingly easy, as he stepped softly to the window to pass out amusket with its flask and pouch, feeling it taken from his handdirectly. 

The next minute he was in front of the other pieces, and took down asecond musket, felt that the flask and pouch were attached to it, and, with his pulses hard at work, he was about to make for the window whenevery drop of blood in his veins seemed to stand still. For there was asharp, angry oath, a quick start, and the overseer, who had beensleeping upon a rough couch, rose to a sitting position. 

It was too dark for Nic to make out anything more than a shadowy figurewithin ten feet of him; and he stood as if petrified, holding themusket, meaning to use it as a club at the first attack; one whichseemed to be strangely deferred, for the figure sat as if staring at himin astonishment. 

How long this pause lasted it is impossible to say, but to the intruderit seemed like minutes before he heard a faint rustling movement as ifthe overseer was about to lie down again. 

"He can't see me, " thought Nic. "It is too dark. "

Then his heart seemed to stand still again, as the horrible thoughtoccurred that the rustling meant getting something out of a pocket, andthat something must be a pistol. 

Instinct taught the listener that to save his life he must spring at hisenemy before he could take aim, and, nerving himself for a leap forwardto dash the musket he held upon the man's face, he was almost in the actof bounding across the room when there was a low gurgling sound, and hisnerves and muscles relaxed, for he realised the fact--the overseer hadawoke suddenly from some nightmare-like dream, and it was no pistol hehad taken out, but a flask of spirits. 

It was plain enough now--the gurgling of the flask, the smack of thelips in the darkness, and the long, satisfied breath taken, before thebottle was replaced and its owner sank back upon his couch. 

In another minute the breathing had grown deeper and sounded stertorous;and, without pausing longer, Nic stepped to the window, handed out thegun, and felt it taken quickly from his hands. 

Just then there was a faint muttering which almost paralysed Nic, whoturned to meet an attack; but none came, and in another instant or twohe had slipped out of the window and was following Pete, who had handedback one gun, with the warning to beware of the dogs. 

Pete's stooping figure was just visible as Nic followed, him in silencetill they were about a hundred yards away, making for the spot where theboat was hidden, when one of the dogs barked loudly. 

"Mustn't stop to load, " whispered Pete. "Let's get to the water, andthen they can't take up the scent. "

They hurried on, listening the while; but the dog quieted down again;and with his spirits rising, Nic closed up alongside of his companion. 

"That was a near touch, master, " whispered Pete. "I waited ready tojump in and help you, for I zomehow thought it was too dark in there forhim to zee you, and you hadn't made any noise. Lucky for him he laydown again. "

Nic made no reply, but he thought a great deal; and no more was saidtill they had crossed a couple of the great fields and knew by thesounds they heard that they must be close to the long, low band of reedygrowth which ran by the river-side. 

"You lead now, my lad, " whispered Pete. "Get as nigh as you can towhere you think the creek is on the other side. "

"It is so dark, " whispered Nic; "but I think we are right. "

He went to the front, assailed by a horrible doubt now that he had takenthe wrong way, and was some distance farther up the river; but, as hebent down to part the low growth, to peer through over the dark water, there was a scuffle and a splash, telling of some reptile taking flight, and he shrank back. 

But he hardly heeded it, for he had dimly made out a solitary treeacross the river, some eighty or a hundred yards away, which he hadmarked down for bearings. 

"This is the place, Pete, " he whispered. "If you stand here and lookacross, the creek is a little way up to the right. "

"That is good, my lad; I was beginning to be feared that we should haveto wait for daylight, and be missed. Now then, take my gun and thetackle, and while I'm gone you load both on 'em. "

"While you are gone?" whispered Nic excitedly. "You are not going; Iknow the way, and I'll fetch the boat. "

"That you don't, Master Nic, " said the man sturdily. "That therewater's full o' them great brutes, and one of 'em might pull you down. "

"I know it is; and one of them might pull you down. "

"He'd be zorry for it if he did, for I'd zoon zend my knife through hiscarcass. It's my job, zir, and I'm going. "

"I tell you I know just where it is, and I'm going to fetch it. "

"That you aren't, zir. I won't have you risk it. "

"Then we'll swim the river together, Pete. "

"And what about the guns?"

"Leave them on the bank, and come back and fetch them. "

"Never find 'em again in the darkness and hurry, my lad. Now, do bezensible. "

"I'm master, and I order you to stay. "

"Which you aren't master, zir, for we're both zlaves, and if you talk soloud you'll be bringing down the dogs and I'm off. "

Almost before Nic could realise it, Pete had slipped across the narrowspace, lowered himself into the water, and swum away, leaving hiscompanion horrified at the sounds he heard. For directly after the manhad struck out there was a tremendous wallowing splash, which Nic feltcertain had been caused by some monstrous reptile; and he crouched theregrasping the guns, with a chilly perspiration breaking out over hisbrow. 

It was some minutes before he thought of the loading, and when he did hecould not follow out his instructions for listening and staring acrossthe dark, gliding water, which was full of life, startling him with thebelief that Pete had been attacked when some louder splash than usualcame from the direction the man had taken. Then the horrible thoughtcame that the poor fellow had been seized the moment he plunged in, andthat that loud wallowing noise was when he was dragged underneath. For, though he listened so hard, there was nothing to prove that his comradewas still swimming across the river; and his heart sank at the thoughtof what would be a most horrible death. 

Everything served to depress him more as he crouched there in theenforced inaction; he could hear rustlings in the low water-growth as ofreptiles creeping along, the splashes in the river, and all about himthe croaking, hooting, and barking of the nocturnal creatures which madethe place their home; while, as if these were not sufficient, there wasthe dread of pursuit, with their enemies hounding on the savage dogs, which might spring upon him at any moment. 

"Not without giving notice, though, " he said to himself. "What anervous coward all this has made me! Why, the hounds would begin to bayas soon as they took up the scent. "

He listened again; but all was still save a splash or two, and hebitterly repented that they had not thought of some signal--a whistle orthe like--to give warning that the river had been successfully crossed. 

"He would do it, " thought Nic, trying to be firm. "He is a splendidswimmer. Why, it was wonderful what I believe he did when he tried tosave me--in irons, too. "

Nic paused for a few moments longer to listen to the splashing whichwent on; and then, recalling once more his companion's words, heprepared to load the muskets. 

But the first he tried proved to be loaded, and, on replacing the ramrodand opening the pan, he found the priming all right. The next proved tobe in the same condition; and, once more laying the pieces down, hecrouched with his ear near the water to listen to the lapping andsplashing which went on. But there was nothing that he could interpretto mean the movement of an oar or pole on a boat, and his heart began tosink again lower and lower, till wild thoughts arose about hiscompanion's fate. 

He would not give harbour to the suggestion that he had been draggeddown by the reptiles, but fancied that the boat might be securelypadlocked, or that Pete had got it out, and, not knowing the force ofthe stream, had been swept away past where he should have landed, andwith so big and heavy a boat he might not be able to get back. If thiswere the case Pete would escape, and he would have to go back to hisprison. 

"No, he would not forsake me, " muttered Nic, with a strange glow abouthis heart as he thought of the man's fidelity to his cause; and he hadjust come to this conclusion when he heard a rustling behind him as ofsome creature creeping up. It was forgotten, though, the next moment, for unmistakably there was the sound of an oar whishing about in thewater, as if someone had it over the stern and, fisherman fashions wassculling the boat towards the bank. 

Then for a moment Nic was doubtful, for the sound ceased. 

"It was one of the alligators, " he muttered through his teeth, "and thepoor fellow--"

There was a faint chirrup off the river, and once more Nic's heart beatwildly as he answered the signal. Then the sculling began again, therustling was repeated somewhere behind where Nic crouched, and he feltfor the muskets to take them up. 

"Whatever it is, I shall be aboard in a moment or two, " he thought, witha strangely wild feeling of exultation; for he heard the oar drawn in, the head of the boat suddenly appeared close at hand, and it was runinto the muddy, reedy bank a couple of yards away, while Pete leapedashore with the painter. 

"Now!" cried a loud voice, when, with a rush, half-a-dozen men sprangupon them from the bed of reeds and a fierce struggle began. 

CHAPTER THIRTY. 

MAKING FRIENDS OF ENEMIES. 

The struggle was very fierce but short. Nic fought his best, and, inspite of the excitement, wondered at his strength. He was encouraged, too, by Pete, whom he heard raging and tearing about; and, hard pressedas he was, he yet had a thought for his companion. 

"Never mind me, Master Nic, " he shouted. "Zwim for it--the boat. Nevermind me. "

Then his voice was smothered, and there was the sound of a heavy fall, but the struggle went on. 

"Hold on!" came the voice of the overseer, giving his orders; and thenthat of the settler:

"Give in, you scoundrels!" he raged out. Then fiercely, "Hold theirheads under water, boys, if they don't give in. "

"All done now, sah, " panted Samson, with his lips close to Nic's head, for he was across his prisoner's chest, and a couple of the blacks wereholding his legs. 

"Yes, we must give up, Master Nic, " cried Pete. "I've got five loads o'black stuff sitting on me. "

"Have you your whip with you, Saunders?" cried the settler. 

"No, sir; I wish I had. But it is hanging by the door, and we can givethem a better taste by daylight. "

"You use it on him, " roared Pete fiercely, "and I'll kill you. "

"Silence, you scoundrel!" cried the settler, "or I'll have you gagged aswell as ironed. I warned you both of what would happen if you tried toescape. "

"Lucky for them I let loose the black dogs instead of the brown, " criedthe overseer. "We should not have had the trouble of taking them back. Tie their hands behind their backs, Samson, and have the irons ready assoon as we get to the house. "

"Got no rope, sah. "

"What!" cried the settler. "Why didn't you bring some, you black fool?"

"No time, sah, " said the black humbly. "Soon as dat ugly ruffyum, Humpy, come knock at door and say dey 'scape, Zerk call me quite sharp, an' I come tell you, and dey fetch de boy and have 'em back. Me not'ink 'bout no rope, sah; on'y t'ink dey go swim for de boat and catch'em first. "

"Quite right, " said the settler more calmly. "There, one of you go infront of each man, and two others take fast hold of a wrist on eachside. Cock your pistols, Saunders. "

There was a sharp clicking sound. 

"Walk behind that big scoundrel, and if he makes the slightest attemptto escape send a bullet through him. I'll look after this one. Pity wedidn't stop to loose the dogs. Ready?"

"Iss, sah, " came from Samson, as Nic felt a strong hand like a livehandcuff upon each wrist. 

"Lead on, then. "

"You be very careful, please, massa; no make mistake and shoot dis boy. "

"Oh yes, I'll take care. "

The march back began, and at the second step Nic felt that a cold ringof iron had been pressed between his shoulders--the pistol-muzzleresting upon his skin where the shirt had been torn down from neck towaist. 

He could not suppress a shiver, for the heat and passion of the strugglehad passed away, leaving him weary, aching, and depressed. 

But in a few minutes the pistol-muzzle was withdrawn, it being awkwardfor the holder to walk over the rough ground and keep it there; and theprisoner marched on between his black warders as patiently as Pete infront, thinking perhaps the same ideas. 

For he felt that they had not taken warning by the hints they hadreceived. Humpy Dee had been on the watch, and, in his malignity, letthem get away before giving notice to the sentry, that they might becaught, ironed, and flogged, or perhaps meet their death in thestruggle. 

But Nic had yet to find that Humpy Dee's designs were deeper than this. 

The walk back was not long enough for a hundredth part of the bitterthoughts that crowded into Nic Revel's brain; neither would they havegot a hearing had the distance been a thousand times the length, onaccount of the one dominant horror which filled his brain: "Will theyflog us?--will they flog us?" That question was always repeatingitself, and, when the prisoner heard Pete utter a low groan, he wasconvinced that the poor fellow was possessed by similar thoughts. 

Only so short a time before that they had left their quarters, and nowthey were back in the darkness, their plans crushed, and only thepunishment to look forward to. 

"Now, Sam, be sharp with a couple of lanthorns and those irons, " criedthe overseer. 

"Iss, sah. "

"Prisoners been quiet?" whispered the settler to the sentry. 

"Iss, sah, berry quiet; all fass asleep;" and the man let his musketfall down upon the ground with an ominous thud as, in obedience to anorder, he unlocked the shed-door and lowered the huge bar before drawingit open. 

"Now then, " muttered the overseer, "how long is he going to be with thatlanthorn? Here, in with them, boys; but don't loose your hold till Itell you. "

Nic and Pete were hurried on; and, as soon as they were inside, thesettler and his lieutenant stood in the doorway, pistol in hand, whileNic's face was involuntarily turned in the direction of the corner whereHumpy Dee's bunk lay, in the full expectation of hearing some banteringsneer. 

But the man made no sign, and directly after the _pad_, _pad_ ofSamson's feet was heard, and a faint light threw up the figures of thoseat the doorway. Then Samson's big black face appeared, lit up by thelanthorns he swung, one in each hand. 

"I take in de light, sah, and den go fetch de irons?"

"Yes; look sharp, " cried Saunders. 

He made way for the black to pass, and the man raised one of thelanthorns to hang it upon a hook. He did not do this, but raised theother lanthorn and hurriedly took a few steps in the direction of thebunks, to begin shouting directly:

"Hyah!" he cried, "whar dem oder white fellow? You, Zerk, what you goand done wid de oder man?"

"What!" roared the settler and the overseer in a breath as they rushedforward, pistol in hand. 

"All gone, sah, " cried Samson, beginning to tremble. 

"Bah! you 'most fass 'sleep, " cried Xerxes, who had come in at the callof his companion; "dey all tuck under de corn-'talk. "

"You black idiot!" roared the overseer, turning upon the sentry sosavagely that the man's knees began to knock together; he let go hishold of his musket, and it fell on the floor with a thud, followed by aflash and an explosion, while the man escaped a knockdown blow byducking. 

"Here, quick!" cried the settler, who had seized one of the lanthornsfrom Samson and convinced himself that the other prisoners had takenadvantage of the hole made by Pete, and, as soon as the chase began, climbed quietly out in turn. "All of you follow. Pick up that musketand load it again, you black fool!"

"No 'top clap irons on dese two, sah?" cried Samson. 

"No. Here, Saunders, fetch another musket. Samson, you and Nero guardthese two while we're gone; and if you let them escape I'll shoot you. "

"No, no, " said Saunders quickly; "I'll manage them. We want all ourmen. Here, Sam; go and let loose the dogs. "

"But these two?" cried the settler impatiently. 

"Well, the dogs will watch them. "

"We want them, man, to track the other scoundrels. "

"We can do that ourselves. They followed us, for a hundred pounds, andhave taken the boat by now. "

The settler uttered a furious oath and stamped his foot. 

"Sharper than we are, " he roared. "Yes, that is right. "

Just then the dogs, newly set at liberty, came bounding up, followed bySamson; and the overseer went up to the two prisoners. 

"There, lie down in your kennels, " he snarled. "We shall not be long, and it depends upon yourselves whether we find you when we come back. Iwarn you that if you move the hounds will tear you to pieces. "

"Saunders!" whispered the settler. 

"Their lives will be in their own hands, sir, " cried the overseerwarmly. "Let me have my own way, please; it is the only thing to do. "

The settler shrugged his shoulders, and the blacks all stood thereround-eyed and staring, while the two unfortunates lay down in theirbunks, and the overseer called up the dogs and bade them couch. 

"Watch, " he said fiercely, and a deep-toned growl arose. "Stay thereand watch. "

"Now, sir, " he said coldly, "the sooner we are off the better. Out withyou, boys, and bring the lights. "

The blacks ran out, the settler followed, and the overseer went to thedoor last. 

"I've warned you, " he said fiercely, as he turned to face the prisoners. "Make the slightest movement, and those hounds will be at your throatsand rend you limb from limb. Good dogs, then--watch, " he shouted; thenhe banged the door, locked and barred it, and just then the settler'svoice was heard at a little distance. 

"Here, Saunders, " he cried; "two of the loaded muskets have been takenfrom the hooks. "

"Hor, hor!" laughed Pete savagely; "just found that out?"

He ceased, for three dogs sprang to their feet, uttering a furiousbarking trio which made his heart seem to leap to his throat. 

In the intense desire to save himself, Nic sprang up into a sittingposition and spoke quickly and gently, calling to the dog which hadshown a friendly disposition towards him from the first. 

"Don't do that, Master Nic, " said Pete hoarsely. 

But even as the man spoke the dog was upon Nic's bunk, whining, pawingat him, and thrusting its great muzzle in his hand, uttering the while alow, eager bark. 

The others barked too, and, as if in imitation of their companion, madeat Nic as well, favouring him with their clumsy caresses, and ending bysitting close up to him, panting loudly. 

"Have they killed you, Master Nic?" whispered Pete hoarsely, eliciting afierce growl from one of the brutes. 

"Quiet, " cried Nic loudly, and the growling ceased; while the nextmoment from out of the darkness a great head began to nestle upon hisshoulder. "Good dog, then!" cried Nic, patting and stroking its head. "There, I think you may venture to talk, Pete. "

"Do you, zir? If I waren't beginning to think they'd done for you. Aren't you hurt, then?"

"No; they are used to us now, and I don't think there's anything tofear. Look here; do you dare to reach out your hand and pat him?"

"No, zir; I'm too great a coward. I was always feared of a dog's bite;not of the dog. "

Nic was silent for a few moments, and then he began to pat first one dogand then another heavily, the great brutes submitting to thefamiliarities evidently with satisfaction, one of them beginning tobound about the shed, and returning to be caressed again. 

"You order me to come close and pat one of 'em, Master Nic, and I will, "said Pete hoarsely. 

"Come on, then. "

The man drew a deep breath and made the venture, with so much successattending it that he tried it upon the others. 

"Master Nic, " he whispered excitedly, "what do you think of that?"

"Of what?"

"Here's one of 'em licking my face. Oh, I zay, it don't mean tasting mefirst to zee whether I'm good, do it?"

"No; the poor brutes believe we are friends, I suppose, from being shutup with us. But, Pete, they've all gone off after the others. Couldn'twe try to escape again?"

"Nay; t'others have got the boat. "

"But the high ground yonder, or the woods?"

"Nay; they'd hunt us down with the dogs. The beggars would go at us ifthey hounded 'em on. "

Nic was silenced for a few moments, and he sat with a dog on either sideand his arms on their necks. 

"But we could get out again; the shingles must be off the roof. "

"Yes; that's how Humpy and the others got out, zir. They must ha' knownall our plans. "

"Let's creep out, then; the dogs couldn't follow. "

"S'pose not, zir; but they'd make howl enough to bring the gaffers backto lay 'em on our scent. I don't think it's any use to try. I'd faceit and the dogs too with my knife; they never took it away from me. Didthey take yourn?"

"I don't know, Pete. No: here it is. "

"And it would be too hard on you to have to face 'em. Best not to try. We had our go and missed; p'raps we'd better take what they give us andnot grumble. "

"Impossible, Pete. I'd rather face the dogs than the lash. But I don'tbelieve they'd hurt us now. "

"P'raps not, zir, " said Pete sadly. "This here one's as playful as apuppy. He's 'tending to bite my arm, but he don't hurt a bit. "

There was silence again for a few minutes, during which time Nic satwith his heart beating hard, listening to the familiar sounds which camefrom the forest, while the passionate desire to flee grew and grew tillit swept everything before it. 

"Pete, " he cried at last, "we must escape. Better starve in the woodsthan lead such a life as this. We shall be flogged to-morrow, and itwill kill me, I know. "

"The dogs'll hunt us down if we go, lad, and we shall get it worse. Better face what we've got to have. "

"I will not; I cannot, Pete. The way is open, man. Let's try for ourliberty before these wretches come back. "

"Zay the word, then, Master Nic; but the dogs is friends now, as long aswe're quiet; they won't let us go. "

"Ah, I know!" cried Nic wildly. "Why didn't I think of it before?"

"Think of what, zir?"

"This. Perhaps they might attack us if they thought they were going tobe left. "

"That's zo. "

"And if we got away they'd be laid on our track. "

"O' course, zir. "

"Then we will not give Saunders the chance. "

"I dunno what you mean, zir; but I'm ready for anything you tell me todo. What is it?"

"Take the dogs with us, man. I believe they'll follow us now. "

"Take 'em with us?" panted Pete. "Why, o' course! I never thought o'that. But we can't, Master Nic; we're locked in. "

"The roof's open. Look here, Pete; I'm going to climb out at once. Thedogs will begin to bay at this, but as soon as I'm on the roof, ready todrop down, you get up, put your hands against the boards, and laya-back. Then I'll call them. They'll scramble up, and I'll help themthrough. You come last. "

"Think they'll do it?" said Pete, panting like one of the hounds. 

"I'm sure they will. "

"Be worse than the flogging, " cried Pete excitedly; "they'll tear allthe skin off my back. But I don't care; I'm ready. They'll leave thebones. "

"Ready, then?" cried Nic. "The moment there's room make a back for thedogs. "

The eager talking excited the great animals, and they began to sniff atthe speakers and growl; but Nic's blood was up, and he was ready to riskan attack on the chance of his scheme succeeding. 

"A dog is a dog, whether it's here or at home, and I know their naturepretty well. "

The next moment he was proving it by leaping to his feet. 

"Hey, boys, then!" he cried loudly; "the woods--a run in the woods!"

The dogs sprang round him, and began leaping up, barking excitedly. 

"Come on, then, " he shouted, though his heart leaped with a chokingsensation at his mouth; and, scrambling up to the opening by means ofthe pegs, he was the next minute squeezing himself through, the dogsbounding up at him as he went, and nearly causing him to fall. For onemoment he felt he was being dragged back, and shuddered at the thoughtof what might happen if the excited animals got him down. 

But the dread passed away as quickly as it had come. He tore offanother of the shingles to widen the opening, and shouted down into theshed:

"Come on, then. Come on. "

Already the hounds were growing savage in their disappointment, andbaying and growling with tremendous clamour, as they kept on leapingover each other and dropping back. 

But at the words of encouragement from above one of them awoke to thefact that there was a step all ready in the darkness, and, leaping uponit, the great creature reached up, got its paws on the sides of theopening, scrambled through without help from Nic, as he sat on the roof, and leaped down. 

That was enough; the others followed quickly, and the next minute Petewas up, seated by Nic's side, the dogs now leaping at them from below, barking loudly. 

"Hurt?" panted Nic. 

"Not a bit. Durst us jump down?"

"We must, " cried Nic firmly; and, shouting to the dogs, he loweredhimself down, dropped to the ground, and was followed by Pete. 

"Hie on, boys! Forward, then!" cried Nic, as the dogs leaped andbounded around him, and he began to trot away from the river. 

"Which way?" said Pete, who was as excited now as his companion. 

"Wherever the dogs lead us, " replied Nic. "Anywhere away from thisslavery and death. Forward, then, boys! Hie on!"

The dogs ceased barking and began dashing on through the plantationleading to the nearest wood. The hunt was up, and Nic had rightlyweighed their nature. They were off in chase of something; that wasenough, and the two men followed, feeling that at last they were on thehighroad to freedom, with their most dreaded enemies turned to friends. 

"Master Nic, " said Pete hoarsely as they trotted on, step for stepfollowing the sound made by the heavy dogs, "I aren't never been a'ligious sort of a chap, but would it be any harm if, instead o'kneeling down proper, I was to try and say a prayer as we run?"

"Harm, Pete?" cried Nic, with a wild, hysterical ring in his voice; "itcould not be. Why, I've been praying for help ever since I leaped downamong those savage beasts. I could not have ventured but for that. "

Sound travels far during the night, and, though the fugitives were notaware of it, their attempt to escape was known. For, just when the dogswere free of the shed and were baying their loudest, the settler, at thehead of his men, turned to Saunders:

"Hear that?" he said hoarsely. 

"Yes. They've risked it, and the dogs are running them down. Well, they have only themselves to thank; I wash my hands of it all. "

The settler shuddered, for his companion's words had brought up athought that was full of horror; and for a moment he was about to orderhis blacks to turn back. But just then the overseer whispered:

"Keep up, sir; not a sound, please. We shall have them now. "

"No firing, " said the settler quickly; "they will be unarmed. "

"I don't know that, " said the overseer; "but we shall soon know. Hadn'twe better deal with them as they deal with us? Hark! the dogs are quietnow. They've got their prisoners, and, if I'm not wrong, in a fewminutes we shall have taken ours. "

"Heah dat, Zerk?" whispered Samson. 

There was a grunt. 

"You an' me's gwan to have de arm-ache to-morrow morn' wid all dat lotto flog. "

"Iss, " whispered Xerxes; "and den got to go and bury dem oder onebones. "

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. 

A NIGHT'S MUDDLE. 

On went the dogs, apparently following the track of some animal; and, asthey seemed to be leading the fugitives farther and farther away fromthe plantation, nothing Nic felt, could be better. 

For, in spite of the long imprisonment at the settler's place, theknowledge of the prisoners was confined to the river and the clearingsabout the house. Certainly they had had a view of the distant hills;but all beyond the plantation, save towards the swamp, was unknown land. 

"We can't do better than go on, Pete, " said Nic, after following thedogs for about an hour. 

"Don't see as we can, zir. They're hunting after zomething they've gotthe zmell of, and maybe, if we cross their scent, they may begin huntingus; zo I zay let 'em go. You zee, they're mostly kep' chained up inthem gashly kennels o' theirs; and they're enjoying a run in the woods. Any idee where we be?"

"Not the slightest, Pete; but at any rate we're free. "

"Till we're ketched again, Master Nic. But I zay, you'll show fight ifthey should catch up to uz?"

"Yes, Pete; I should feel so desperate that I should be ready to diesooner than give up now. "

"That's me all over, lad, " said Pete. "I zay, though; couldn't get tobe more friends still wi' the dogs, and make 'em fight for uz, couldwe?"

Nic laughed bitterly, and then stopped short, for the yelping hadceased. 

"Can you hear the hounds now?"

A sharp burst of barking a short distance away told of their direction, and after wandering in and out among the trees for a few minutes, theyfound the three great creatures apparently waiting for them to come upbefore starting off again. 

This went on for a full hour longer, the dogs leading them on and on, evidently getting scent of one of the little animals the blacks huntedfrom time to time; but from their clumsiness, and the activity of thelittle quarry, each run being without result. 

"Where are we now?" said Pete at last, after the yelping of the littlepack had ceased. 

"It is impossible to say, " replied Nic. "It is all so much alike herein the darkness that I have felt helpless ever since we started; but wemust be many miles away from the plantation, and I hardly know how thenight has gone in this excitement; but it must be near morning. "

"Must be, " said Pete, "for my clothes are quite dry again, and I'mgetting thirsty. What are we going to do now?"

"Keep on, and coax the dogs more and more away. We must not let them goback. "

"No; that wouldn't do, Master Nic. On'y if they don't ketch anythingthey'll get hungry, and if they gets hungry they'll grow zavage; and ifthey grow zavage, what's going to happen then?"

"Wait till the trouble comes, Pete, " replied Nic; "then we'll see. "

"That's good zense, Master Nic; and I b'lieve them brutes are lying downand resting zomewhere. Shall I give a whistle?"

"Yes; it would do no harm. "

Pete uttered a low, piping sound such as would be given by a bird, andit was answered by a bark which showed the direction; and, on turningtowards it, a minute had not elapsed before they heard the heavy pantingof the three animals, which sprang up and came to them, lolling outtheir tongues to be caressed. 

"Good old dogs, then, " said Nic, patting their heads. "Go on, and takeus right away, and when it gets daylight you may all have a good sleep. Hie on, then, boys; hie on! Right away. "

The dogs threw up their heads, snuffed about a bit, and then started offonce more at a steady pace, which soon slowed down, and made the task offollowing them in the darkness much less difficult. Then all at onceone of them uttered a low, whining sound and sprang off a little faster. 

For the ground was more open here, the trees bigger, and theundergrowth--the great hindrance--scarce. 

"Better going here, Master Nic, if it waren't for the great rootssticking out. Now, if the day would only break we should be able to zeebetter what we were doing. My word! if we could only come across a goodwild-apple orchard it wouldn't be amiss. "

"And that we shall not find. "

"Never mind, zir; we'll find zum'at else--toadstools on the trees, orwild berries, or zomething; and if them dogs don't run down anythinggood for a roast, why, they don't come up to one of our old Devonlurchers. If this was one of our woods we shouldn't be long withoutsomething between our teeth. Don't you be downhearted; I'll findzome'at we can eat. "

"I am not downhearted, Pete; and, if we can do so in safety, we'll go onwalking all day. "

"That's right; on'y we don't want to run upon no more plantations. "

"No; we must trust to the wild country, Pete, till we can reach thesea. "

"And not feel zafe when we get there, zir. Zay, Master Nic, I don'tthink much of a country where they has zlaves, whether they're white orwhether they're black. "

"Never mind that now, Pete; we have escaped. "

"And without my having a chance to thrash Humpy Dee, and giving MasterZaunders one for his nob. "

"Hist! what's that?" whispered Nic, as a peculiar sound came through thetrees. 

"Water!" said Pete excitedly. "The dogs lapping. Come on, zir. Mymouth's as if it was full of dust. The very thing we want. "

The next minute the darkness seemed to be less intense, and in anotherthey were close to a little stream, where the dogs were drinking deeply;but they left the edge as the fugitives came up, shook themselves, andstood by while Pete sought for a place a little higher up. 

"Here you are, Master Nic, " he said. "They might ha' let uz have firstgo; but I forgive 'em for finding it. Lie down on your face and drink. "

Nic needed no incitement, and Pete followed his example, both enjoyingthe sweetest, most refreshing draught that had ever passed their lips. 

"Hall!" ejaculated Pete as he raised himself into a sitting posture. "Can't drink any more. Hope we aren't zwallowed no young 'gators or asnake; but if we have, zir, it'll be vittles as well as drink, and do uzgood. "

"Ugh! don't talk about it, " said Nic. "But where are the dogs?"

"Eh? Gone on, I s'pose; and we must trot on too. I'm ready foranything now. "

"Look, Pete. Yonder's the east. "

"That's our way then, zir. "

"And the sun will not be long before it's up. It is getting light fast. Come along and find the dogs. We came up from the left; they will goright on to the right. We should have heard them if they had crossedthe stream. "

"That's right, lad. What a good--" Pete was going to say poacher, buthe checked himself--"wood-man you'd have made. Forward, then. It's allopen yonder. "

A minute later they had stopped short, to see the three dogs walkingacross a clearing, plainly seen in the grey dawn, while to the left thestream had widened out. 

It was only a momentary pause, and then the fugitives shrank back intocover, chilled to the heart by the dreadful truth. 

The dogs, quite at home in the neighbouring forest, had taken them along round, and brought them back to the plantation; and now, weariedout, they were making their way to their kennel at the back of the houseand sheds. 

The night's labour seemed to have been all in vain; and Nic laid hishand upon his companion's shoulder as he said, with a bitter sigh:

"Pete, Pete, it is hopeless. We shall never see the old home again. "

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. 

NEVER SAY DIE. 

"What zay?" cried Pete sharply. "Never zay die, lad. English lads arenever beat. Look at that!"

He pointed through the trees at where the streamlet widened into thelittle creek where they had first landed, and Nic rubbed his eyes, refusing to believe in what he saw. 

But there it was plain enough in the dim, grey dawn--the boat lying tiedup to the post; and a great sob rose to the poor fellow's lips, whilefor a few moments he could not stir. 

Then a thrill of excitement ran through him as he looked round and sawthat the dogs had passed out of sight beyond the long, low shed whichhad been their jail. 

It came like a flash to him now what must have taken place--one of thoseguesses at the truth which hit the mark. He knew that his enemies haddashed off in pursuit of the men who had made for the boat. 

They must have been overtaken during the night, brought back, and weredoubtless at that moment shut up in their old quarters. 

Nic hurriedly told Pete his impression, and the latter slapped his leg. 

"That's it, " he said, "and zarve 'em right, zir. That's tumbling intothe hole you made for zomebody else, isn't it? That's why they've notblown the old shell yet and didn't put the boat back. Been out allnight. "

"Could we make sure by trying to see whether there is any one on guardat the barrack-door?"

"Zoon do that, zir, " said Pete; and, going down upon hands and knees, hecrawled away among the bushes, to be back in a few minutes. 

"Old Zamson and Zerk both there at the door, zir, with guns. "

"Then they have caught them, " said Nic excitedly. "But the blacks areboth sitting down, fast asleep, zir. "

"Worn out with their night's work, Pete; but the prisoners will be wellironed and safe enough. "

"Ay, zir, or they'd have had the boat by now. "

"Now then, can we crawl to it under cover? We must be off at once. "

"Couldn't on'y crawl half-way, zir, and then it's all open, and we mightbe shot at if they zaw us from the house. Better make a dash for it atonce and chance it. "

"Come on, then, " cried Nic; and they ran as quickly as they could downby the side of the creek, reached the boat in safety, found that thepoles and oars were in their places, and jumped in. 

There was no stopping to untie the rope which ran across the gunwale. Pete's knife flew out and sawed through it in a moment or two. Then onevigorous thrust sent the craft into the stream; but before they hadcleared the creek there was a shout, followed by the whiz of a bulletand the report of a musket. 

"All right; fire away. Shouldn't come back if you was a ridgment ofzojers, " cried Pete, who was sending the boat along vigorously with thepole. "Lie down, Master Nic; they're going to shoot again. "

"And leave you there?" cried Nic. "No. "

Instead of screening himself by the boat's side, Nic seized two oars, got them over the rowlocks, and as soon as they were in the river hebegan to pull with all his might, watching the figure of Saunderslimping slowly down after them and stopping from time to time for ashot; Samson and Xerxes, wakened by the firing, hurrying up, handing hima fresh musket, and reloading each time. 

"Don't see nothing of the gaffer, " said Pete coolly; "he must have beenhurt too, or he'd have been after us. There come the blacks. Hearthat?"

Plainly enough, for the whistle was very shrill, and it was answered bythe dogs, which came tearing round the end of the shed to follow theoverseer. 

"Row faster than they can zwim, " said Pete, laying down the pole. "Here, give us one oar, Master Nic, " he continued; and, taking his seat, the oar was handed to him, and, aided by the current, the boat began tomove more swiftly. 

"Why, there's the gaffer, " cried Pete suddenly; and Nic saw that thesettler was coming down from the house by the help of a stick, while thedogs stood close by Saunders, barking loudly. 

"There must have been a desperate fight in the night, Pete, " cried Nic. "Look, there are two of the blacks with their heads tied up. "

"And jolly glad I am, Master Nic. I shouldn't have cried much if they'dall killed one another and left nothing but the bones. There, put thatgun away, stoopid; you can't hit us at this distance. "

The overseer seemed to have thought so too, for he lowered the musket, and Nic just caught sight of him striking savagely with it at the dogs, which began to bay and make rushes at him. But Nic saw no more, for abend in the river, with a clump of trees thereon, hid the plantationfrom their sight; while Pete began to sing an old West-country ditty, something about a clever moneyless adventurer who, no matter what taskhe undertook, always succeeded in getting the best of his adversaries. 

The words were absurd and often childish, but there was a ring in thefamiliar old melody that went straight to Nic's heart and brought astrange moisture to his eyes, for it thrilled him with hope, and broughtup memories of the far-away home that he began to feel now he might seeagain. And that feeling of hope drove away the horrible dread and themiserable sensation of weariness, sending vigour through every nerve, and making him bend to his oar to take a full grip of the water andswing back at the same moment as Pete, making the river ripple and plashbeneath the bows and driving the boat merrily along, just as if the twofugitives were moved by the same spirit. 

 "Zome zaid a penny, but I zaid five poun'. The wager was laid, but the money not down. Zinging right fol de ree, fol de riddle lee While I am a-zinging I'd five poun' free, "

chanted Pete in a fine, round, musical bass voice, and the trees on oneside echoed it back, while the ungreased rowlocks, as the oars swung toand fro, seemed to Nic's excited fancy to keep on saying, "Dev-on, Dev-on, Dev-on, " in cheery reiteration. 

"Zinging right fol de ree!" cried Pete. "Zay, Master Nic, why don't youjoin in chorus? You know that old zong. "

"Ay, Pete, I know it, " said Nic; "but my heart's too full for singing. "

"Nay, not it, lad. Do you good. That's why I began. Mine felt so fullthat it was ready to burst out, and if I hadn't begun to zing I shouldha' broken zomething. I zay, Master Nic, get out o' stroke and hit me agood whack or two with your oar and fisties, right in the back. "

"What for?"

"To waken me up. I'm dreaming, I'm afraid, and I'd rather be roused upthan go on in a dream like this. It's zo hearty, you zee, and makes mefeel as if I could go on rowing for a month without getting tired. "

"So do I now, Pete. "

"Well, that's real, Master Nic. I dunno, though; p'raps it aren't, andI want it cut short. It would be horrid to wake up and find it allzleep-hatching; but the longer I go on the worse I shall be. It'sdreaming, aren't it, and we didn't get away?"

"You know it is not a dream, Pete, " replied Nic. "We have escaped--Imean, we have begun to escape. "

"Begun, lad? Why, we've half-done it, " cried Pete, who was wild withexcitement. "Pull away, and let's zhow 'em what West-country musclescan do. Pull lad, pull, and keep me at it, or I zhall be getting up anddancing zailor's hornpipe all over the boat, and without music. Music!Who wants music? My heart's full of music and zinging of home again, and I don't know what's come to my eyes. Master Nic, all this river, and the trees, and fog rising on each zide through the trees, looks zobeautiful that I must be dreaming. Zay, lad, do tell me I ra-ally amawake. "

"Yes, Pete, awake--wide awake; and I am feeling just the same. Myheart's beating with hope as it never beat before. "

"Hooroar for Master Nic's heart!" cried the big fellow wildly. "Beataway, good old heart, for we're going to do it, and it'll be just aseasy as kissing your hand. "

"We mustn't be too sanguine. "

"Oh yes, we must, lad. I don't know what being zangwing is, but if it'sanything to do with fancying we shall get away, I zay let's be aszangwing as we can. None of your getting into the dumps and `shan't doit' now. We're free, my lad--free; and I should just like to have a cutat any one as zays we aren't. Zlaves, indeed! White zlaves! But Iknowed it couldn't last. You can't make a zlave of an Englishman, Master Nic. You may call him one, and put irons on him, or shut him uplike zyder in a cask, and hammer the bung in; but zooner or later he'llzend the bung out flying, or burst the hoops and scatter the staves. Itwas only waiting our chance, and we've got it; and here we are rowingdown this here river in the boat, and they may hoe the old plantationthemselves. Zay, Master Nic. "

"Yes, Pete. "

"Don't it zeem strange what a differ a black skin makes in a man?"

"What do you mean--in the colour?"

"Nay-ay-ay-ay, lad! I mean 'bout being a zlave. Here's these niggersbrought here and made zlaves of, and they zettles down to it ashappy-go-lucky as can be. They don't zeem to mind. They eat and drinkall they can, and zleep as much as they can, and they do as little workas they can. Why, I zometimes did three times as much hoeing as one o'they in a day; and that aren't bragging. "

"No, Pete; they took it very easy. "

"I should just think they did, my lad; and then the way they'd laugh! Inever zee any one laugh as they could. I s'pose that's what makes theirmouths zo big and their teeth zo white. Gets 'em bleached by openingtheir mouths zo wide. "

"Look, Pete!" whispered Nic. "Wasn't that something moving on the rightbank?"

"Yes; I zee it, Master Nic. Dunno what it was, but it waren't a man onthe watch. Zay; they aren't got another boat anywhere, have they?"

"Oh no; I feel sure they have not, " said Nic sharply. 

"Then we're all right. This water's running zwift, and we're making theboat move pretty fast. They can't zwim half as fast as we're going, andthey've no horses, and the dogs can't smell on the river, even if theymade a raft of the trees they've got cut down yonder. "

"It would take them a day, Pete. "

"Ay, it would, Master Nic; and going on as we're going, we shall be along way on at the end of a day. "

"Yes; we shall be some distance towards the mouth. I begin to think, Pete, that we shall really manage to escape. "

"Yes, we've done it this time, Master Nic; and we only want a veal-pie, a cold zalmon, a couple o' loaves, and a stone bottle o' zyder, to be'bout as happy as any one could be. "

"But do you think we can reach the mouth of the river without beingstopped?"

"Don't zee who's to stop uz, zir, " said Pete coolly. "What we've got todo is to row a steady stroke till we come to a place where we can getzome'at to eat; and then we'll row right out to zea, and get ourselvespicked up by the first ship we can board. But we zeem to want thatthere veal-pie, cold zalmon, two loaves, and the stone bottle. "

"Yes, we want provisions, Pete. Are you keeping a good, sharp lookout?"

"I just am, Master Nic. I'm afraid it's taking zome of the bark offwhen I look among the trees. But we needn't; nobody can't overtake uzunless we tie the boat up to a tree on the bank and lie down to go tozleep. "

"And that we shall not even think of doing, Pete. "

"That's zo, Master Nic. But by-and-by, when the zun gets hot and you'rea bit tired, we'll get ashore zomewhere to break off a few good leafyboughs and make a bit of a shelter in the stern of the boat, zo as youcan lie down and have a zleep. "

"Or you, Pete. "

"When it's my turn, Master Nic. We'll take watch and watch, as thezailors call it, zo as to keep the boat going till we get aboard a ship. I zay, how far do you make it to the landing-place where we come aboardthe boat?"

"I can't say, Pete, " replied Nic. "I was in such a confused state thatI have lost all count. "

"And I aren't much better, zir. You zee, we landed and slept on theroad, and that took up time; but I've allowed us three days and nightsas being plenty to get down to the zea; and that means tying up to thebank when the river's again' uz--I mean, when we come to where the tideruns, for we should knock ourzelves up trying to pull this heavy, lumbering old boat against the stream. "

Nic nodded, as he kept on looking anxiously astern; but he said nothing, and they rowed steadily on. 

"Zay, Master Nic, " said Pete suddenly. 

"Yes. "

"Getting hot, aren't it?"

"Terribly. "

"Well, I can't zay that, zir, because the zun aren't shining now on azlave's back; it's on a free man's, and that makes all the differ. Butwhat are you thinking about?"

"The possibility of seeing another boat coming round the bend of theriver. "

"It's unpossible, zir. The gaffer hadn't got no other boat to come in. I believe we was the only other planters up the river, and that there'llbe no boat till we come to the places where we stayed of a night, andit's a zight nearer the zea. I keep on thinking, though, a deal. "

"What about--our escaping?"

"Nay. It's very queer, Master Nic, and I s'pose it's because I'm zoempty. "

"Thinking of food, Pete?" said Nic sadly. 

"Yes, Master Nic. More I tries not to, more I keeps on 'bout veal-pie, cold zalmon, and zyder. "

"Ah yes, we must contrive to get some provisions after a bit. "

They rowed on in silence for some time, with the sun gathering power andbeating down upon their heads, and flashing back from the surface of theriver, till at last Pete said suddenly:

"We must run the boat ashore close to those trees, Master Nic, or weshall be going queer in the head for want of cover. "

"Yes; I feel giddy now, Pete. Do you think we could tie a few leavestogether for hats?"

"You'll zee, my lad, " said the man. "I could do it best with rushes, but I'll work zomething to keep off the zun. "

The boat was run in under the shade of a tree whose boughs hung down anddipped in the running stream; and as Pete laid in his oar he glanceddown over the side and saw fish gliding away, deep down in thetransparent water. 

"Zee um, zir?" said Pete. 

"Yes; there are some good-sized fish, Pete. "

"And either of 'em would make uz a dinner if we'd got a line. "

"And bait, Pete. "

"Oh, I'll manage a bait, Master Nic. Dessay they'd take a fly, abeetle, or a berry, or a worm, but I aren't got neither hook nor line. I'm going to have one, though, zoon, for the way I'm thinking o' coldzalmon is just horrid. I could eat it raw, or live even, withoutwaiting for it to be cooked. These aren't zalmon, but they're vish. "

Nic said little, for he could think of nothing but the overseer cominginto sight with musket and dogs, and his eyes were constantly directedup the river. 

But Pete took it all more calmly. He had dragged the boat beneath theshade of the overhanging tree, secured it to one of the boughs with theremains of the rope, several feet having fortunately been passed throughthe ring-bolt to lie loose in the bottom; and while Nic kept watch heroughed out something in the shape of a couple of basket-like caps, wovein and out a few leaves, and ended by placing them before his companion. 

"They aren't very han'some, Master Nic, " he said, "but they'll keep thezun off. What do you zay now to lying down and having a nap while Itake the watch?"

"No, no, " cried Nic excitedly; "let's go on at once. "

"I'm ready, Master Nic, but, if you could take both oars, I've beenthinking that I could cut off one sleeve of my shirt, loosen and pullout the threads, and then twissen 'em up into a sort o' fishing-line, paying it over with some of the soft pitch here at the bottom of theboat, so as it would hold together a bit. "

"And what about a fish-hook?" asked Nic. 

"Ah, that's what bothers me, master. I've been thinking that when weget on into that great big marsh of a place where the river runs throughthe trees we might stop and vish, for there must be plenty there, orelse the 'gators wouldn't be so plentiful. I did zee one big fellow, close to the top, in the clear water where it looked like wine. Ithought it was a pike as we come up, and I felt as if I should like totry for him; but how to do it without a hook's more than I can tell. But we must have zomething to eat, Master Nic, or we shall be starved, and never get away after all. "

"Go on making your line, " said Nic thoughtfully. "I'll row. "

As Nic took both oars Pete unfastened the piece of rope, and the boatbegan to glide along with the stream, while the latter burst into a lowand hearty laugh. 

"On'y think o' that now, Master Nic. There's no need for me to spoil myshirt when there's a vishing-line half-made, and a hook waiting to befinished. "

"Where? What do you mean?" cried Nic excitedly. "Why, here in thebows, lad. I've on'y got to unlay this piece o' rope--it's nearly new--and then I can twist up yards o' line. "

"But the hook, man--the hook?"

"There it be, Master Nic--the ring in the bolt. I've on'y got to zaw itthrough with my knife, bend it to get it out, and then hammer one partout straight, ready to tie on to the line, and there you are. "

"But--"

"Oh, I know; it won't be as good as a cod-hook, because it won't have nopoint nor no barb, but I'll tie a big frog or a bit o' zomething on toit, and if I don't yank a vish out with it afore night I never caught azalmon. "

Nic winced a little at the word "salmon, " but he kept his thoughts tohimself and went on rowing; while Pete set to work with such goodwillthat he soon had plenty of the rope unlaid, and began to plait thehempen threads into a coarse line, which grew rapidly between his cleverfingers. But many hours had passed, and they were gliding through theinterminable shades of the cypress swamp before he prepared to saw atthe ring. 

It was Nic who made the next suggestion. 

"Pete, " he said quickly, "why not take the head off the pole? It isvery small for a boat-hook, and it is quite bright. There's a hole foryou to fasten the line to, and a big pike-like fish might run at it asit is drawn through the water. "

"Of course it might, lad. Well, that is a good idea. Why waren't Iborn clever?"

Pete set to work at once, and after a great deal of hard work he managedto cut away the wood from the nail-like rivet which held the head on tothe shaft, after which a few blows sufficed to break the iron hook away, with the cross rivet still in place, ready to serve as a hold for thenewly-made line. 

"Wonder whether a vish'll take it, Master Nic, " said Pete as he stood upin the boat. "Now if it was one o' them 'gators I could lash my knifeon to the end of the pole and spear a little un, but I s'pose itwouldn't be good to eat. "

Nic shook his head. 

"Might manage one to-morrow, zir, if we don't ketch a vish. "

Nic shook his head again. 

"I mean, zir, when we're nex' door to starvation-point. Don't feel asif I could touch one to-day. "

"Don't talk about the horrible reptiles, Pete, " said Nic, with ashudder. 

"Right, Master Nic, I won't, for horrid they be; and I don't mindtelling you that when I zwimmed across to get this boat I was in such afright all the time that I felt all of a zweat. I don't know whether Iwas, for it don't zeem nat'ral-like for a man to come all over wet whenhe's all wet already; but that's how I felt. There we are, then. I'mready, Master Nic, if you'll go on steady, on'y taking a dip now andthen to keep her head straight. "

He held up the iron hook, which began to spin round, and he chuckledaloud. 

"I wouldn't be zuch a vool as to throw a thing like that into the waterat home, Master Nic, " he said, "for no vish would be zuch a vool as torun at it; but out here the vish are only zavages, and don't know anybetter. That's what I hopes. "

Nic began to dip an oar now and then, so as to avoid the rotten stumps, snags, and half-fallen trees, as the stream carried them on, so that hehad little opportunity for noting the occupants of this dismal swamp;but Pete's eyes were sharp, and he saw a good deal of the hideous, greatlizard-like creatures lying about on the mud or upon rotten trunks, withtheir horny sides glistening in the pencils of light which pierced thefoliage overhead, or made sunny patches where, for the most part, allwas a dim twilight, terribly suggestive of what a man's fate might be ifhe overbalanced himself and fell out of the boat. 

"I believe them great 'gators are zo hungry, " said Pete to himself, "that they'd rush at one altogether and finish a fellow, bones and all. "

At last: "Looks a reg'lar vishy place, Master Nic; zo here goes. "

Pete gave the bright hook a swing and cast it half-a-dozen yards fromthe boat to where it fell with a splash, which was followed by a curiousmovement of the amber-hued water; and then he began to snatch with theline, so as to make the bright iron play about. 

Then there was a sudden check. 

"Back water, Master Nic, " cried Pete. "I'm fast in zomething. "

"Yes, " said Nic, obeying his order; "you're caught in a sunken tree. Mind, or you'll break your line. "

"That's what I'm feared on, Master Nic, but it's 'bout the liveliesttree I ever felt. Look where the line's going. I'm feared it's gone. "

The line was cutting the water and gliding through Pete's fingers tillhe checked it at the end, when a black tail rose above the surface andfell with a splash, and the line slackened and was hauled in. 

"Hook aren't gone, zir, " said Pete as he drew it over the side. "Rumvishing that there. Why, it were one o' them 'gators, five or six footlong. Let's try lower down. "

They tried as Pete suggested, and there was another boil in the water, but the hook was drawn in without a touch; and Pete tried again andagain, till he felt the glistening iron seized by something which heldon fast. 

"Got him this time, zir, " said Pete, with his face lighting up. "It's avish now. One o' they pike things, and not zo very big. "

"Haul in quick, " cried Nic. 

It was an unnecessary order, for the line was rapidly drawn closeinboard, and Pete lowered one hand to take a short grip and swing hiscaptive out of the water. But he put too much vigour into the effort, and flung his prize right over just as it shook itself clear of thehook, and fell upon the gunwale before glancing off back into the water. No fish, but an alligator about thirty inches long. 

"Ugh!" ejaculated Pete; "and I thought I'd got a vish. Never mind, Master Nic. We'll have zomething good yet. "

His companion did not feel hopeful. It was evident that the waterswarmed with the reptiles, and in spite of the terribly faint sensationof hunger that was increasing fast, Nic felt disposed to tell hiscompanion to give up trying, when suddenly there was a fierce rush afterthe glistening hook as it was being dragged through the water, a suddencheck, and the water boiled again as Pete hauled in the line, seafishing fashion, to get his captive into the boat before it couldstruggle free from the clumsy hook. 

This time success attended Pete's efforts. He got hold of the lineclose to the iron, and with a vigorous swing threw his prize into theboat just as the hook came away, leaving the fish to begin leapingabout, till Nic stunned it with a heavy blow from the boat-hook pole. 

"I knowed we should do it, Master Nic, " said Pete triumphantly. "Therenow, aren't it zummat like one of our big pike at home? Now, that'sgood to eat; and the next game's tie up to the zhore where there's somedry wood, and we'll light a fire. "

"Yes, " said Nic as he bent over their prize. "I suppose it's what theycall the alligator-gar, Pete. "

"Dessay it is, zir; but I don't care what they calls it--Ah, would you?"cried Pete, stamping his bare foot upon the great fish as it made a leapto escape. Nic too was on the alert, and he thrust the ragged head ofthe pole between the teeth-armed, gaping jaws, which closed upon itfiercely and held on. 

But Pete's knife was out next moment, and a well-directed cut put thesavage creature beyond the power to do mischief. 

"A twenty-pounder, Master Nic. Wish it were one o' your zalmon. There, I'll zoon clean him, while you run the boat in at a good place. "

"But how are we to get a fire, Pete?" said Nic anxiously, for an intensefeeling of hunger now set in. 

"I'll zoon show you that, lad, " replied Pete; and he did. In a veryshort time after, by means of a little flint he carried in company withhis pocket-knife, the back of the blade, and some dry touchwood from arotting tree, he soon had a fire glowing, then blazing, for there wasdead-wood enough to make campfires for an army. 

Another quarter of an hour passed, and the big fish was hissing andspluttering on a wooden spit over the glowing embers; and at last theywere able to fall to and eat of the whitest, juiciest flesh--as itseemed to them--that they had ever tasted. 

"Bit o' zalt'd be worth anything now, Master Nic, and I wouldn't turn upmy nose at a good thick bit o' bread and butter, and a drop o' zyder'dbe better than river water; but, take it all together, I zay as zalmon'snothing to this here, and we've got enough to last uz for a couple orthree days to come. "

"Now for a few big leaves to wrap the rest in, " said Nic at last, afterthey had thoroughly satisfied their hunger. 

"Right, Master Nic; but I must have a good drink o' water first. "

"Yes, " said Nic, suddenly awakening to the fact that he was extremelythirsty, and he rose to his feet to utter a cry of horror. 

"Pete--Pete! The boat! the boat!"

Pete leaped up and stared aghast, for the action of the running streamhad loosened the thin remnants of the rope with which they had mooredtheir boat. These had parted, and the craft was gliding rapidly away, aquarter of a mile down the river. 

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE. 

A STERN-CHASE. 

"Oh, why didn't I watch it?" groaned Pete, in agony; and his next glancewas along the bank of the river, with the idea of running till oppositethe boat. 

He groaned again as he grasped the fact that he could not run, only walkfor two or three yards before the dense tangle of the forest commenced, and progress through that was impossible. 

"Means zwim for it, Master Nic, " he cried, with an attempt at beingcheery; "but look here, lad, if you zee me pulled down by them 'gatorsor vish, let it be a lesson to you. Don't you try the water. "

Then to himself, as he plunged in:

"Why, o' course he wouldn't. What's the good o' saying that?"

The water was deep and clear close in to the overhanging bank, and Petedived out of sight, scaring some occupant of the river, which sweptitself away with as much commotion in the water as was caused by theman's dive; but when he rose to the surface, yards away, shook his head, and glanced back over his left shoulder, it was to see Nic's head rise ashort distance behind him, for the younger man had followed on theinstant. 

Pete ceased swimming, to allow his companion to come abreast. 

"Oh, Master Nic!" he cried, "you zhouldn't ha' done that;" and heglanced wildly about him as if expecting to see the rugged head of analligator rise close by. "Go back, lad; go back. It's on'y one man'swork. "

"Go back? No, " said Nic firmly. "We must fight it out, shoulderstogether, Pete. Come on. "

Pete gave vent to something like a sob, and his face grew wrinkled; butthe next moment he forced a smile. 

"Well, you're master, " he said cheerily; "zo now for it, zir. You zwimlighter than I do, but I'll race you down to the boat. Virst to lay ahand on gunwale wins. "

"Come on, " said Nic, fighting hard to master the horrible feeling thatat any moment they might be attacked from beneath by one or other of thefierce creatures which inhabited the stream--Nic's dread being mostlyrespecting the shark-like gar-fish, which he knew must be abundant. 

Pete shared his dread, but they both kept their thoughts to themselvesas they swam on with strong, steady strokes, their light clothing ofshirt and short drawers impeding them but slightly. Life from childhoodon the seashore had conduced to making them expert swimmers; the swiftstream helped them famously; and, keeping well away towards the middleto avoid the eddies near the shore, they went on steadily after theboat. 

But this, in its light state, was being swept rapidly on, and had sogood a start that for some time the swimmers did not seem to gain uponit in the least, and at last, as the distance still remained about thesame, a feeling of despair began to attack them. 

Pete saw the change in his fellow-swimmer's countenance. 

"Take it easy, Master Nic. Long ztroke and zlow. We could keep this upall day. On'y got to zwim steady: river does all the work. "

"We must swim faster, Pete, or we shall never reach the boat, " criedNic. 

"Nay, lad; if we zwim hard we shall get tired out, and lose ground then. Easy as you can. She may get closer in and be caught by zome of thebranches. "

Nic said no more, but swam on, keeping his straining eyes fixed upon theever-distant boat, till at last hope began to rise again, for the craftdid happen to be taken by the eddy formed by a stream which joined theriver, and directly after they saw it being driven towards one of thehuge trees which dipped its pendent boughs far out in the water. 

The feeling of excitement made Nic's breath come thick and fast as hesaw the boat brush against the leafage, pause for a few moments, and theyoung man was ready to utter a cry of joy, but it died out in a lowgroan, for the boat continued its progress, the twigs swept over it, andthe power of the stream mastered. But it was caught again, and they sawit heel over a little, free itself, and then, swaying a little, itseemed to bound on faster than ever. 

"Never mind, lad, " said Pete coolly; "it'll catch again soon. "

Pete was right; the boat was nearer to the wall of verdure, and it oncemore seemed to be entangled in some boughs which dipped below thesurface and hung there, while the swimmers reduced the distance betweenthem and the boat forty or fifty yards. Then, with a swift glidingmotion, it was off again. 

"That's twice, " cried Pete. "Third time does it. Zay, Master Nic, aren't the water nice and cold?"

The look which Nic gave the speaker in his despair checked Pete'sefforts to make the best of things. 

"A beast!" he muttered to himself. "I should like to drive my hoofthrough her planks. Heavy boat? Why, she dances over the water like acork. "

At that moment Nic could not suppress a sharp cry, and he made aspasmodic dash through the water. 

"Eh, my lad, what is it?" cried Pete, who was startled. 

"One of the great fishes or reptiles made a dash at me and struck me onthe leg, " gasped Nic. 

"Nay, nay, don't zay that, lad. You kicked again a floating log. There's hunderds allus going down to the zea. "

Nic shook his head, and Pete felt that he was right, for the next minutehe was swimming on with his keen-edged knife held in his teeth, readyfor the emergency which he felt might come; but they suffered no furtheralarm. Disappointment followed disappointment, and weariness steadilyset in; but they swam steadily on, till Nic's strength began to fail. He would not speak, though, till, feeling that he had done all that waspossible, he turned his despairing eyes to Pete. 

Before he could speak the latter cried:

"I knowed it, Master Nic, and expected it ever so long past. Now, youjust turn inshore along with me; then you shall lie down and rest whileI go on and ketch the boat. But how I'm to pull her back again' thiszwiff stream, back to you, my lad, is more'n I know. "

Nic made no reply, but, breathing hard, he swam with Pete to an openspot at the side, and had just strength to draw himself out by a hangingbranch, and then drop down exhausted, with the water streaming from him. 

"No, no; don't leave me, Pete, " he cried hoarsely. 

"Must, my lad, must;" cried the man, preparing to turn and swim away. "You stop there, and I can zee you when I come back. "

"It is impossible to overtake it. We must try and get down through thetrees. You can't do it, I tell you. "

"Must, and will, my lad, " cried Pete. "Never zay die. "

Nic sank back and watched the brave fellow as he swam away morevigorously than ever. At every stroke Pete's shoulders rose well abovethe surface, and, to all appearance, he was as fresh as when he started. 

But there was the boat gliding down the stream, far enough away now, andbeginning to look small between the towering trees rising on either sideof the straight reach along which Nic gazed; and the watcher's agonygrew intense. 

"He'll swim till he gives up and sinks, " said Nic to himself; "or elseone of those horrid reptiles will drag him down. "

He drew breath a little more hopefully, though, as he saw a bright flashof light glance from where Pete was swimming, for it told that the keenknife was held ready in the strong man's teeth; and he knew that the armwas vigorous that would deliver thrust after thrust at any enemy whichattempted to drag him down. 

With the cessation of his exertion, Nic's breath began to come moreeasily, and he sat up to watch the head of the swimmer getting rapidlyfarther away, feeling that he had been a hindrance to the brave fellow, who had been studying his companion's powers all the time. But how muchfarther off the boat seemed still!--far enough to make Nic's heart sinklower and lower, and the loneliness of his situation to grow so terriblethat it seemed more than he could bear. 

For a full half-hour he sat watching the dazzling water, from which thesun flashed, while he was in the shade. Pete had not reached the boat, but he seemed now to be getting very near, though Nic knew how deceptivethe distance was, and gazed on, with a pain coming behind his eyes, tillall at once his heart leaped with joy, as now he could just make outthat the boat was very near the shore, apparently touching some droopingboughs. Then his heart sank again, for he told himself that it was onlyfancy; and he shivered again as he felt how utterly exhausted Pete mustbe. Every moment he felt sure that he would see that little, dark speckdisappear, but still it was there; and at last the watcher's heart beganto throb, for the boat must have caught against those boughs. It wasnot moving. 

The watcher would not believe this for a long time, but at last heuttered a cry of joy, followed by a groan; for, though the boat wasthere, the dark speck which represented Pete's head had disappeared;and, to make the watcher's despair more profound, the boat began to moveonce more, unmistakably gliding from beside the trees. All was overnow, for Nic felt that to struggle longer was hopeless: there wasnothing more to be done but lie down and die. 

He held his hands over his brows, straining his failing, aching eyes tokeep the boat in sight as long as he could; and then a strange chokingsensation came into his throat, and he rose to his knees, for there wasa flash of light from the water close to the boat, and another, andanother. There was a strange, indistinct something, too, above the tinyline made by the gunwale, and it could only mean one thing: Pete hadovertaken it, climbed in, and the flashes of light came from thedisturbed surface of the river. 

Pete must be trying to row her back to take him up. 

The intense sensation of relief at knowing that the brave fellow wasalive and safe seemed more than Nic could bear. He was already upon hisknees. His face was bowed down upon his hands, and for a few minutes hedid not stir. 

At last, with a wave of strength and confidence seeming to run throughevery fibre of his body, Nic rose up, feeling fully rested; and, as heshaded his eyes once more to gaze down the river at the boat, the cloudof despair had floated away, and the long reach of glistening waterlooked like the way back to the bright world of hope and love--the wayto home; while the thought of lying down there to die was but the filmyvapour of some fevered dream. 

Pete was coming back to him: there could be no mistake about that, forNic could see more clearly now, and there were moments when he coulddistinctly see the flashing of the water when the oars were dipped. 

"Oh!" cried Nic, with his excitement rising now to the highest pitch, "and there was a time when I looked upon that brave, true-hearted fellowwith contempt and disgust. How he is slaving there to send the great, heavy boat along!"

Nic watched till his eyes ached; and once more his heart began to sink, for the truth was rapidly being forced upon him that, in spite of Pete'sefforts, the boat remained nearly motionless--the poor fellow wasexhausting himself in his efforts to achieve the impossible. 

What to do?

Nic was not long in making up his mind. He knew that Pete would trytill he dropped back in the boat, and it would have been all in vain. The pair of them could hardly have rowed that heavy boat up-stream, andthey were as yet far above the reach of the tide, or Pete might havewaited and then come up. There was only one thing to do--go down tohim. 

A minute or two's trial proved to Nic that he could not tear his waythrough the dense growth on the bank till he was opposite his companionand could hail him to come ashore. There was only one thing to bedone--swim down, and that he dared not do without help. 

But the help was near, and he set to work. 

He still had his keen knife, and the next moment he was hewing away at apatch of stout canes growing in the water, and as he attacked them heshuddered, for there was a wallowing rush, and he caught a glimpse of asmall alligator's tail. 

He did not stop, though. He knew that he had frightened the reptile, and this knowledge that the creatures did fear men gave himencouragement, making him work hard till he had cut a great bundle, ample to sustain him in the water. This he firmly bound with cane, andwhen this was done he once more gazed at the distant boat, which did notseem to have moved an inch. 

How to make Pete grasp the fact that he was coming to join him? Foreven if he saw something floating down he would never think that it washis companion. 

This task too was easy. 

Cutting the longest cane he could reach, he cut off the leafy top, madea notch in what was left, and then inserting the point of his knife inthe remaining sleeve of his shirt, he tore it off, ripped up the seam, and after dragging one end down through the knot and slit in the cane, he bound up the end with a strip of cotton, stuck the base firmly in thebundle or truss he had bound together, and so formed a little whiteflag. 

"If he sees that he'll know, " said Nic triumphantly; and without amoment's hesitation he thrust off from the bank with his cane bundleunder one arm, and struck out with the other, finding plenty of support, and nothing more to do than fight his way out to where the stream ranmost swiftly. 

The scrap of white cotton fluttered bravely now and then, as, forcinghimself not to think of the dangers that might be around, Nic watchedand watched. He soon began to see the boat more distinctly, and in goodtime made out that his companion in misfortune grasped the position, rowing himself to the nearest drooping tree, making fast to a bough, andthen laying in one oar and fixing the other up astern as a signal forhis companion's guidance. 

How short the time seemed then, and how easily Nic glided down, till hebecame aware of the fact that Pete was leaning over the side, knife inhand, watching eagerly. This sent a shudder through the swimmer, setting him thinking again of the perils that might be near, and howunlikely any effort of Pete's would be to save him should one of thereptiles attack. 

The dread, however, soon passed off, for Nic's every nerve was strainedto force the bundle of canes across the stream, so that it might driftright down upon the boat. 

He could only succeed in part, and it soon became evident that he wouldfloat by yards away; but Pete was on the alert. He cast the boat adriftfrom where he had secured it to a drooping bough, and giving a fewvigorous pulls with one oar, in another minute he had leaned over thebows, grasped his companion's hands, dragged him into the boat, andthen, as the buoyant bundle of canes floated away, the poor fellow sankback in the bottom of the boat and lay staring helplessly. 

"Don't you take no notice o' me, Master Nic, " he said hoarsely. "Justput an oar over the ztarn and keep her head ztraight. Zhe'll go downfast enough. We ought to row up to fetch that fish we left, but wecouldn't do it, zir; for I'm dead beat trying to get to you--just deadbeat. "

He closed his eyes, and then opened them again as he felt the warm graspof Nic's hand, smiled at him, till his eyelids dropped again, and thensank into a deep stupor more than sleep. 

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. 

WOMAN'S PITY. 

The sun sank lower and disappeared behind the trees straight away as theboat drifted on; the sky turned of a glorious amber, darkened quickly, and then it was black night, with the eerie cries of the birds rising oneither side, and the margins of the swift river waking up into life withthe hoarse bellowings and croakings of the reptiles which swarmed uponthe banks. Every now and then there was a rush or a splash, or theheavy beating of the water, as some noisome creature sought its prey;and Nic sat there watching and listening, wakeful enough, and always onthe alert to catch the breathing of his companion, who for hours had notstirred. 

"Beat out, " said Nic to himself; "utterly exhausted, poor fellow! If Icould only feel that it was a natural sleep. "

He was thoroughly done-up himself, and in spite of his efforts to keepawake, and the dread inspired by the movements of the strange creaturessplashing about in the water, and often enough apparently close at hand, he could not keep from dozing off time after time, but only to start upin an agony of fear. He hardly lost consciousness, and at such timesthe startling noises and movements around him in the darkness seemed tobe continued in the wild dreams which instantly commenced. 

Now in imagination he saw through the transparent darkness some hugealligator making for the boat, where it reared itself up, curved over, and seemed about to seize upon Pete, when he raised the oar with whichhe was keeping the boat's head straight and struck at the monster withall his might, and in the act awoke. 

Another time Nic dropped off, to imagine that they were slowly glidingbeneath the far-spreading boughs of a gigantic forest tree; and, as theyswept on, something soft and heavy suddenly hung down into the boat, began crawling about, and at last stopped its progress by coiling itselfround one of the thwarts, and then raising its head high in the air andbeginning to dart its tongue, now at Nic, now at the motionless body ofPete, who still lay sleeping soundly. 

Nic felt powerless, and lay watching the approach of the huge boa, seeing it plainly in spite of the darkness and suffering an agony ofhorror as he felt that he could not move, but must lie there, quite atthe mercy of the powerful reptile, which drew the boat over so much onone side that the water, as it rippled by, rose apparently higher andhigher till it was about to pour in. 

Ripple, ripple, ripple, against the sides, while the boughs of a treeswept over his face, the touch awakening the dreamer, who uttered a lowgasp of relief as he realised how much the water and the brushing of theleaves over his face had had to do with the dream from which he had justbeen roused. 

Morning at last, with the east all aglow, and the beauties of river andtree sweeping away the horrors of the black night. 

Pete awoke as if by instinct, and started into a sitting position, tostare hard at his companion. 

"Why, Master Nic, you aren't never gone and let me sleep all night?"

"Indeed, but I have, Pete, " replied Nic. "Feel better?"

"No, zir. Never felt so 'shamed of myself in my life. Oh dear! ohdear! To think of my doing that! Where are we, zir? 'Most got to thatt'other zattlement, aren't uz?"

"What! where we rested for the night, Pete? No; I don't think we arenear that yet. "

"Then get nigh we must, " cried Pete, putting out his oar. "We've got tofind some braxfuss there. What we had yes'day don't zeem to count abit. I zay, though, you don't think they got another boat and passed uswhile we were asleep, do you?"

"No, Pete, " replied Nic, smiling; "and I don't think that we shall dareto land at that plantation lower down. The man there would know we areescaped slaves, and stop us. "

"He'd better not, " said Pete, with a curious look in his eyes. "He'sthe only man there. "

"There are several blacks. "

"Blacks!" cried Pete contemptuously. "I'm not afraid o' them. It's o'no use, Master Nic; I've tried hard to bear it, and I can bear a deal, but when it comes to starvation it's again' my natur'. I must eat, andif he calls twenty blacks to stop me I mean to have zomething, and zoshall you. Why, lad, you look as if you're half-dead wi' want o' zleepand a morsel o' food. Nay, nay; you leave that oar alone, and coveryour head up with those leaves while you have a good rest. By that timep'raps we may get a bit o' braxfuss. "

"I'm not sleepy, Pete, " said Nic sadly. 

"P'raps not, zir; but man must eat and he must zleep, so you lie back inthe bottom of the boat. Now, no fighting agen it, zir; you worked allnight, zo I must work all day. "

"Well, I'll lie down for an hour, Pete, for I do feel very weary. Assoon as you think an hour's gone, you wake me up. "

"Right, Master Nic, I will, " cried Pete heartily; and after a glance upand down the river, the young man sank back in the bottom of the boat, settled the leafy cap and veil in one over his face to shield it fromthe sun, and the next minute--to him--he unclosed his eyes to find thatPete was kneeling beside him with a hand on each shoulder as if he hadbeen shaking the sleeper. 

"Hullo! Yes; all right, Pete, I've had such a sleep. Why, Pete, itmust be getting on for noon. "

"Ay, that it is, my lad; noon to-morrow. But don't bully me, zir; youwas zleeping just lovely, and I couldn't waken you. Here we are at thatfarm-place, and I don't zee the man about, but yonder's the two women. "

"And the dogs, Pete?"

"Nay, don't zee no dogs. Maybe they're gone along wi' the master. Comeon, lad; I've tied the boat up to this post, and we'll go up and ask thewomen yonder to give us a bit o' zomething to eat. "

The place looked very familiar as Nic glanced round and recalled thetime when he reached there, and their departure the next morning, withthe looks of sympathy the two women had bestowed. 

Just as he recalled this he caught sight of the younger woman, who camefrom the door of the roughly-built house, darted back and returned withher mother, both standing gazing at their visitors as they landed fromthe boat. 

"Must go up to the house quiet-like, Master Nic, or we shall scare 'em, "said Pete. "Just you wave your hand a bit to show 'em you know 'em. Dessay they 'members we. "

Nic slowly waved his hand, and then shrugged his shoulders as he glanceddown at his thin cotton rags; and his piteous plight made him ready togroan. 

"We must go up to them as beggars, Pete, " he said. 

"That's right enough for me, Master Nic; but you're a gentleman, zir, and they'll know it soon as you begin to speak. Let's go on, zir. I'mthat hungry I could almost eat you. "

Nic said nothing, but began to walk on towards the house by hiscompanion's side, anxiously watching the two women the while, in thefull expectation that they would retreat and shut the door against theirvisitors. 

But neither stirred, and the fugitives were half-way to the house, whensuddenly there was a growl and a rush. 

"Knives, Master Nic, " cried Pete, for three great dogs came chargingfrom the back of the low shed which had given the slaves shelter ontheir journey up the river. The dogs had evidently been basking in thesunshine till they had caught sight of the strangers, and came on bayingfuriously. 

Nic followed his companion's example and drew his knife, feeling excitedby the coming encounter; but before the dogs reached them the two womencame running from the door, crying out angrily at the fierce beasts, whose loud barking dropped into angry growls as they obeyed the calls oftheir mistresses--the younger woman coming up first, apron in hand, tobeat off the pack and drive them before her, back to one of theout-buildings, while her mother remained gazing compassionately at thevisitors. 

"Thank you, " said Nic, putting back his knife. "Your dogs took us forthieves. We are only beggars, madam, asking for a little bread. "

"Have you--have you escaped from up yonder?" said the woman, sinking hervoice. 

"Yes, " said Nic frankly. "I was forced away from home for no causewhatever. I am trying to get back. "

"It is very shocking, " said the woman sadly, as her daughter camerunning up breathlessly. "Some of the men they have there are bad andwicked, and I suppose they deserve it; but Ann and I felt so sorry foryou when you came that night months ago. You seemed so different. "

"You remember us, then?" said Nic, smiling sadly. 

"Oh yes, " cried the younger woman eagerly. "But they are hungry, mother. Bring them up to the house; I've shut-in the dogs. "

"I don't know what your father would say if he knew what we did, " saidthe woman sadly. "It's against the law to help slaves to escape. "

"It isn't against the law to give starving people something to eat, mother. "

"It can't be; can it, dear?" said the woman. "And we needn't help themto escape. "

"No, " said Pete; "we can manage that if you'll give us a bit o' bread. I won't ask for meat, missus; but if you give us a bit, too, I'd thankyou kindly. "

"Bring them up, mother, " said the girl; "and if father ever knows I'llsay it was all my fault. "

"Yes; come up to the house, " said the elder woman. "I can't bear to seeyou poor white men taken for slaves. "

"God bless you for that!" cried Nic, catching at the woman's hand; buthis action was so sudden that she started away in alarm. 

"Oh mother!" cried the girl; "can't you see what he meant?"

The woman held out her hand directly, and Nic caught it. The nextmoment he had clasped the girl's hands, which were extended to him; butshe snatched them away directly with a sob, and ran into the house, while the mother bade the pair sit down on a rough bench to rest. 

The girl was not long absent; but when she returned with a big loaf anda piece of bacon her eyes looked very red. 

"There, " she said, setting the provisions before them; "you'd bettertake this and go, in case father should come back and see you. Don't, please, tell us which way you're going, and we won't look; for weshouldn't like to know and be obliged to tell. Oh!"

The girl finished her speech with a cry of horror; for how he hadapproached no one could have said, but the planter suddenly came up witha gun over his shoulder, and stood looking on as, with a quick movement, Pete snatched at the loaf and thrust it under one arm. 

"Hullo!" said the man quietly as he looked from one to the other; "whereare the dogs?"

"I shut 'em up, father, so as they shouldn't hurt these two poor men. "

"An' s'pose these two poor men wanted to hurt you; what then?"

"But they didn't, father, " said the girl, as the mother stood shivering. "They were hungry, and only wanted something to eat. "

"Yes, that's right, master, " said Pete stoutly. "We shouldn't hurt noone. "

"Let's see, " said the planter; "I've seen you both before. My neighbourbrought you up months ago. "

"Yes, " said Nic firmly; "but he had no right to detain us as slaves. "

"Humph! S'pose not, " said the planter, glancing sharply from one to theother. "So you're both runaways?"

"We are trying for our liberty, " replied Nic, who was well upon hisguard; but the man's reply disarmed him. 

"Well, it's quite nat'ral, " said the planter, with a chuckle. "Hot workhoeing the rows, eh? Took the boat, I s'pose, and rowed down?"

"Yes, " said Pete gruffly. 

"Hungry too, eh?"

"Yes, " said Pete again. 

"Course you would be. Quite nat'ral. They've give you a bit to eat, Isee. Well, then, you'd better come and sit down out o' the sun and eatit, and then be off, for your overseer won't be long before he's downhere after you. He's a sharp un, Master Saunders, aren't he?"

"Yes; he's sharp enough, " said Pete quietly. 

"He'll be down after you with his dogs, and then, if he catches you, there'll be a big row and a fight, and I don't want nothing o' thatsort, my lads. Come on, and bring your bread and meat in here. --Ann, mygal, get 'em a pitcher o' cool, fresh water. "

"Yes, father, " said the girl; and, as the planter turned off to lead theway, Nic caught the lass's eyes; for she began to make quick movementsof her lips, and her eyes almost spoke as she pointed towards the riverand signed to them to go. 

Nic gave her an intelligent nod, and followed Pete after the planterinto the great, barn-like place which had been their prison for thenight when they were there before; but as he passed the door he noticedthe great wooden bar turning upon a bolt, and fully realised that thegirl's signs were those of warning, for treachery was meant. 

"Nice and cool in here, " said the man. "Sit ye down on the corn-husksthere. My gal will soon be back with the water; and I wouldn't be long, if I were you, in case Master Saunders should come down the river, forwhen he asked me if you two was here I couldn't tell a lie about it, could I?"

"No, " growled Pete. "That would be a pity. "

"Ay; it would. But he'd know you was both here by the boat. Where didyou tie it up?"

"Just at the bottom there, by the trees, " said Nic, to whom these wordswere addressed. 

"Ah, 'tis the best place, " said the man, halting by the door, andstanding aside to make room for the young men to pass. "In with you. It's better than being in the hot sun. Seems a bit dark; but it'scooler to have your dinner there. Well, " he continued, "why don't yougo in? The dogs are not here. "

"Because it looks like a trap, sir, " said Nic firmly. "Do you want toshut us up there, and keep us prisoners till your neighbour comes?"

"Yes, I do, " cried the planter fiercely as he stepped back, and with onemotion brought down and cocked his piece, which he presented at theyoung man's breast. "In with you both, or I'll shoot you like dogs!"

He raised his gun to his shoulder and drew the trigger; but it was toolate. Nic had sprung forward, striking up the barrel; and, as themother and daughter shrieked aloud from the house door, there was asharp report, which set the dogs baying furiously from the shed in whichthey were fastened. 

A short struggle followed, in which the gun was wrested from theplanter's hands by Nic, and the next moment Pete had joined in the fray, securing the planter's arms, and then with Nic's help he was dragged andthrown into the great barn. Then the door was banged to and fastenedwith the bar; and the prisoner began to call and threaten what he woulddo if his people did not let loose the dogs. 

What followed would have seemed almost comic to a spectator, for the twowomen came hurrying up with their fingers stuck in their ears. 

"Run--run to your boat!" they whispered. "We can't hear what he saysnow, but we must soon, and then we shall be obliged to let out thedogs. "

"Oh, mother!" cried the girl, "the blacks will be here directly. "

"Yes, yes, " cried the elder woman, who somehow seemed to have heardthat. "Run, then, run, and get away before it is too late. "

"God bless you both for what you have done for us!" cried Nic. "I praythat you may not get into more trouble on our account. "

"Oh, father won't hurt me, " said the girl; "and he shan't hurt mother. Serve him right for being so cruel. You never did him any harm. "

"Oh, run, run!" cried the woman, with her fingers still in her ears; andthe two young men dashed off to the boat and leapt in, Nic's nextaction, as Pete unfastened the slight cord, being to fling the gun asfar out into the river as he could. 

"Oh!" cried Pete, "what did you do that for?" as the gun fell with asplash and disappeared. 

"I was not going to steal the scoundrel's gun, " said Nic, seizing anoar. 

"Well, it wouldn't ha' been any use without powder and zhot, " said Peteas he thrust the boat out into the stream. "Good-bye to you both, " heshouted, waving his hand to the two women, who stood waving theiraprons. 

"But it seems cowardly, Pete, to go and leave them in the lurch. "

"Ay, it do, Master Nic; but it only means a rowing for them, and it'slife and liberty for us. "

There was another wave of a white apron as the boat glided out intomid-stream, and Nic responded with his hand. Then trees interposed andhid the house and sheds from view, and the fugitives went on strainingat their oars till they felt that their safety was assured, when theyrelaxed their efforts. 

"That was close, Master Nic, " said Pete. "Treacherous martal. Wish I'dgive him a good topper before we zhut the door. "

"I'm glad you did not, for his wife and daughter's sake, " replied Nic. "Poor things! they will suffer for their gentle, womanly compassiontowards a pair of poor escaped slaves. "

"Ay, it was good of 'em, Master Nic. Zees how hungry we were, andfetches that fresh brown loaf, and all that pink-and-white bacon aslooks d'licious. Zo, as we're going gently on, and not likely for himto take boat after us, what do you say to staying all that horridgnawing of our insides with a good bite and sup? But--I say, MasterNic, what did you do with that bacon and bread?"

Nic looked sharply up at Pete, and the latter uttered a dismal groan. The bread and bacon had gone, neither knew where, in the struggle, andthe landing and encounter had all been for nothing. 

"Not quite, " Nic said later on. They had learned how much gentlecompassion existed for the poor white slaves, even in a district wherethe sight of them was so common. 

"P'raps so, Master Nic; but I'd give all the compassion in the worldjust now for a zlice of that bacon and a hunk of bread. What's to bedone now, zir?"

"Row, Pete, row; and let's try and forget our hunger in the knowledgethat we are so far free. "

"Right, zir; we will. But what about that treacherous hound? Thinkhe's got a boat?"

"Sure to have, " replied Nic. 

"Then he'll come after as zoon as he can get help; and if he do--Well, Ishould be sorry to hurt him, on account of them as was kind to us; butif he does ketch it, mind, Master Nic, it's his fault and not mine. "

There was no more talking, for both felt morose and weak, their growingsense of hunger making them more and more silent and disinclined tospeak. 

Still, fortune favoured them to a certain extent, for there had beenrain somewhere inland, and the stream ran as if it were in flood higherup, so that their rate of progress was swift. 

As the hours went on and there was no sign of pursuit--no enemies whohad made a short cut to the river-bank waiting to fire at them fromamong the trees--the fugitives grew more and more confident; and when atlast they reached another swamp, the alligators appeared to be lessmonstrous and the gloomy place lost half its forbidding aspect. 

At last, after endless difficulties, and nearly starved, the tidal partof the river was reached, and, to the delight of both, they found thatthey had hit exactly the right moment, for the tide was at its height, and stood as if waiting to bear them onward towards the sea. 

Excitement had kept off all thought of food; but when, after a longjourney, they approached the straggling town at nightfall and saw thetwinkling lights, an intense desire seized upon both to land as soon aspossible and satisfy their needs. 

"You see, we lost everything, Master Nic, in that struggle. What youlooking at, zir?"

"You, Pete. I was thinking. "

"What about, zir?"

"About this place. If we land we must go to some house for food; andwhen we two half-naked, miserable, starved wretches have obtained whatwe want we shall be asked to pay. "

"My word!" gasped Pete, ceasing to row. "I never thought of that. Andwe aren't got any money. "

"Not a coin. "

"And they'd want it here just the same as they would at home, though itis a foreign country?"

"Of course. "

"Then I tell you what, Master Nic, " said Pete after a long pause; "wemust go straight to zomebody and tell 'em how we've been zarved, and askhim to help us. "

"We should have to tell them everything, Pete. "

"Of course, zir; downright honest. "

"And who would believe us at a place like this, where we know that poorwretches are brought to go up to the plantations?"

"Oh, hark at him!" sighed Pete. "And I'd been thinking our troubleswere over, and we'd got nothing to do but get plenty to eat and a goodship to take us home. You're right, zir; it would be as mad as Marchhares to go ashore. They'd put us in prison and keep us there till oldZaunders come again with his dogs and guns and niggers to take us back;and when we got to the plantation it would be the lash and shortcommons, and the hoe again out in the hot sun. "

"Yes, Pete, " said Nic sadly; "that is what I fear. "

"And you're a deal longer-headed than me, master. It's going and givingourselves up for the sake of a good dinner. Master Nic!"

"Yes, Pete. "

"Just buckle your belt a bit tighter, two or three holes, like this. That's the way. Now then, take hold of your oar again. We can hold outanother day or two on what we can find, while we coast along till we seea ship outward bound somewhere. Sure to be lots. Then we'll row tillthey see us and pick us up. They won't bring us back, that's forsartain, but to the port they're going to; and of course they can'tstarve us. Then they'll hand us over to a judge o' some kind, and assoon as he hears your story you'll be all right; and--and--"

"Yes, Pete?"

"I know I've been a bad un; Master Nic; but I'm going to turn over a newleaf, zir, and never meddle wi' the zalmon again. You'll put in a goodword for a poor fellow, won't you?"

"A good word for you--for one who has been ready to risk his life againand again to help me? Pete, we have been brothers in our greatmisfortune, and we must hold together, come what may. "

"Then take a good grip of your oar, Master Nic, and let's forget beingempty by taking our fill of work. Pull away, my lad, right out, and Idessay the tide'll run us along the shore, as it does at home. When theday comes again we shall zoon zee a zhip. We can't give up now. Ready?"

"Yes. "

"Then pull. "

And in their desperate strait, feeling as they did that they wouldstarve sooner than go back to slavery, those two bent to their oars inthe darkness that closed them in, and rowed on with the swift tide. Thelights on the shore grew fainter, the tide swifter, and the water becamerough; but they rowed on, hungry, exhausted: on and on, ignorant of theset of the tides, of the trend of the coast, and without a drop of freshwater to satisfy their thirst. A mad, mad attempt; but it was forliberty--for all that man holds dear. What wonder that when the daydawned both had sunk forward over their oars and were sleeping heavily, to wake at last with the southern sun beating down upon their heads, andthat they gazed at each other in a half-delirious, stupefied way, wondering what had happened and where they were. 

There was a faint appearance as of a cloud low down on the waterfar-away, but no cloud overhead, nothing but the burning, blistering sunto send a fierce energy through Nic's veins, which made him keep callingwildly upon Pete to row, row hard, before they were overtaken anddragged back to a white slave's life. 

Pete's eyes were staring fiercely, and looked bloodshot, while histhroat was hot and dry, his brain felt as if on fire; but at every orderfrom Nic he bent down over his oar and pulled and pulled, till hisstrokes grew more and more wild, and at last, as he made one moredesperate than ever, he did not dip the blade, but fell backward fromthe thwart. Then, after vainly trying to pull with both oars himself, Nic turned to face his companion in misfortune, wondering in hisdelirium why he was there. 

The sun went down like a ball of fire on his left, and directly after, as it seemed, rose like a ball of fire on his right. It was that, hefelt, which caused all his suffering, and in his rage and indignation heturned upon it fiercely, and then bent down to lap up the sparklingwater which tempted him and seemed to promise to allay his awful thirst. 

He reached down and dipped his hand, but the attitude seemed to send theblood like molten lead running to his brain, and with a weary groan hefell sidewise and rolled over in the bottom of the boat. 

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. 

SAFE AT LAST. 

"Looks like a ship's longboat, sir; but she's right under the sun, and Ican't make her out. "

"Any one in her?"

"No, sir; not a soul. "

The conversation was between the captain and one of the foremast men ofthe good ship _Sultan_, bound from a western city with passengers andsugar to the port of Bristol. The wind was very light, and men were upaloft, setting the main top-gallant sail, when the boat was sighted onlya little way out of the vessel's course. 

Then the captain argued, as he took a look at her from the main-top, that a boat like that might be battered, and not worth the trouble ofpicking up; but, on the other hand, she might; and finally, after takingthe first-mate into debate, it was decided to steer a point or two tothe west and pick her up. 

"For who knows what she may have aboard, or what good ship may have beenwrecked?" the skipper said to one of the passengers brought on deck bythe news of a boat in sight, for such an event broke the monotony of thetedious voyage. 

As the news spread through the ship the rest of the passengers came ondeck, and when the boat was neared, the captain, as he stood inspectingthe object through his glass, began to be satisfied that the find was ingood condition, and then the announcement came from aloft that therewere two bodies lying in the bottom. 

The excitement now became fierce; one of the ship's boats was swung outon the davits ready for lowering, manned, and dropped, and finally theprize was brought alongside, with its freight still alive, butapparently at their last gasp. 

Fortunately the captain was a man of old experience in the tropics, andnoting that there was neither food nor water on board, he put the rightconstruction upon the poor fellows' condition--that they were dying ofhunger and thirst, after escaping from some wrecked or sinking vessel. 

Merchant captains have a smattering of knowledge, and a medicine cheston board, and there were willing hands to take charge of "the poorshipwrecked men;" but it was a hard fight with the raging fever anddelirium from which both suffered, and again and again they were givenover, and were still too weak to answer questions when Bristol port wasreached, and they were taken to hospital ashore. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was quite a month before the journey home could be taken in the oldstage-coach bound from Bristol to Plymouth. 

But Nic bore it well, for Captain Revel was seated by his side, holdinghis hand as if afraid that after all his son might slip from his graspand the old suffering recommence. 

"It nearly killed me before, my boy, " he said piteously, as he urged hisson to be careful not to exert himself in the least. "I gave you up fordead, and I was following you fast, Nic, for I don't believe I shouldhave lived another year. "

"I'll take care, father; never fear, " said the young man cheerily, for, though thin and worn, his eyes were brightening, and there were signs ofreturning health in his cheeks. "I only need a good, quiet rest in theold place, where I can lie and watch the sea, or go down the shady oldcombe, to listen to the falls and watch the salmon leap. "

"Ugh! don't talk about the fish, " cried the Captain, with a shudder;"they were the cause of all this suffering. "

"Oh no, " said Nic, smiling. "It was all that terrible mistake. "

"Well, don't let's talk about the past, " said the Captain hurriedly; "oronly about one thing, my boy. I did want to consult you about thatfellow who's up aloft with William Solly. "

"About Pete, father?"

"Yes, the scoundrel! He was as bad as the salmon. "

"Poor old Pete!" said Nic, smiling. "He saved my life over and overagain, father. I want you to take him into your service. "

"What! that poacher who used to defy us all?"

"Poachers make the best keepers, father, when they reform; and Pete hasproved himself a good man and true. Will you tell him he is to stay?"

"I'll keep a dozen of such fellows if you'll only get strong and wellagain, my boy, " said the old sailor eagerly. "I'll tell him next timewe change horses. But I shall never forgive Lawrence. "

"What, father!" cried Nic, smiling. "Why?"

"An old comrade like he has always been, to have such a stupid blundermade by those under his command. "

"A terrible mistake, father; but, to be quite fair, it was all my doing, and I was hoist with my own petard. "

"No, no, Nic; you're wrong, " said the old man, "and William Solly--animpudent rascal!--was right. "

"How, father?"

"Well, my boy, it was all my fault for making such a fuss about a fewsalmon. William Solly had the insolence to tell me I made a troubleabout nothing, and wanted a real one to do me good. This has been areal one, Nic, and I've suffered bitterly. "

"But there's fair weather ahead, father. "

"Please God, my boy, " said the old man piously, and with his voicetrembling, "and--and there, Nic, I've got you back again, and you willget well, my boy--you will get well, won't you?"

"Fast, father, " replied Nic, pressing the old man's hand. 

Nic did mend rapidly in the rest and quiet of his old home, where oneday Captain Lawrence, newly returned from a long voyage, came to see hisold friend, and heard Nic's adventures to the end. 

"A bitter experience, my dear boy, " he said; "but let's look to thefuture now: never mind the past. "

But one day, when the convalescents had been for two months drinking inthe grand old Devon air, Nic was rambling through the combe with Pete, both pretty well strong again, when the latter said:

"I want to be zet to work now, Master Nic, or to be zent away; for Ifeel as if I ought to be doing zomething, instead of idling about here. "

"You've talked like that before, Pete, " said Nic, smiling. "Have alittle patience, and then you shall begin. "

"But it zeems zo long, zir. I zay, though, it's rather queer, isn't it, for me to be water bailiff and keeper over the vish as I used to take. Think Humpy Dee and them others will get away and come back again?"

"I hope so, " said Nic slowly and thoughtfully. "They deserved theirpunishment, but they will have had enough by now. "

"Nay, you're a bit too easy, Master Nic. Humpy's a down bad one, and Ishould like the others to have one year more out yonder, and Humpy too. "

"Too long for white slaves, Pete, " said Nic. "We have suffered withthem, and know what the sufferings are; so I forgive them. What sayyou?"

"Zame as you do, Master Nic; o' course, that is, if they don't come backand meddle with our zalmon again--_our zalmon_! That zounds queer, Master Nic, don't it? I can't quite feel as if it's all true. "

"But it is true, Pete; and we are here safe in the good old home, afterwhat seems now like an ugly dream. "

"Dinner-bell's rung twice, Master Nic, " said William Solly, coming uponthem suddenly from behind the trees; "and you can't 'spect to get yourstrength up proper if you aren't reg'lar at the mess. I run out to lookfor you, to keep the skipper from--Well, there now--if he aren't come tolook for you hisself! Give him a shout, and say you're coming. "

Nic hailed, and hurried back to meet the old officer, while WilliamSolly turned to Pete:

"Come along, messmet; the beef and soft tack's waiting. And so you'regoing to stop here altogether!"

"I s'pose so, " said Pete. 

"And we're to be messmets reg'lar sarving under Captain Revel and MasterNic?"

"That's it, " said Pete sturdily. 

"Well, " said Solly, "I aren't jealous, for you did the right thing bythe young master; so let's shake hands. "

This was solemnly done, and Solly went on:

"As good a skipper as ever stepped a deck, and as fine a boy as everbreathed. Pete, messmet, you've dropped into a snug thing. "

"Which that zame I know, " said Pete gruffly. 

"But you saved Master Nic's life, and the skipper's too, by bringing theyoung master back; and I'm glad you're going to stay. So suppose weshakes hands agen?"

They did, as if they meant it, too. 

They did mean it, and somehow a great attachment sprang up between thosetwo men, while as time rolled on Nic smiled more than once on meetingthem consulting together about matters connected with the estate, andmade Solly wince. 

At last, after a good deal of hesitation, Solly turned upon his youngmaster. 

"Beg pardon, sir, " he said; "speaking respeckful like--"

"What is it?" said Nic, for the man stopped. 

"Well, sir, you know; and it goes hard on a chap as is doing his dootyand wants to keep things straight. "

"I still don't understand you, Solly, " said Nic. 

"Well, sir, it's all along o' that there chap, Pete: you never ketch mea-talking to him, and giving him a bit o' good advice about what theskipper likes done, but you grins. "

"Grins?"

"Oh, it's no use to make believe, Master Nic, because you do, and ithurts. "

"They were not grins, " said Nic. "I only smiled because I was glad tosee you two such good friends. "

"Ho!" ejaculated Solly; "that was it, sir? I thought you was grinningand thinking what an old fool I was. "

"Nothing of the sort. "

"Well, I'm glad o' that, Master Nic, though it do seem a bit queer thatI should take a lot o' notice of a feller as fought agen us as he did. But we aren't friends, sir. "

"Indeed!" said Nic. 

"It's on'y that I can't help taking a bit to a man as stood by you as hedid over yonder in furren abroad. You see, a man like that's got themaking of a good true mate in him. "

"Yes, Solly, of as good a man as ever stepped. "

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two years had passed, when one day Solly watched his opportunity ofcatching Nic alone in the grounds, and followed him. 

"Master Nic!" he whispered hoarsely. 

The young man turned round, and Solly "made a face" at him. That is tosay, he shut his left eye very slowly and screwed up the whole of hiscountenance till it was a maze of wrinkles. 

"What is it, Solly?"

"Pete's over yonder, sir, by the combo, and wants to speak to you. "

"Oh, very well, I'll go, " said Nic, and the old sailor nodded, lookedmysterious, slapped his mouth to indicate that it was a secret mission, and hurried away. 

"What does it all mean?" said Nic to himself. "Why, I do believe Peteis going to tell me that he wants to be married, and to ask if my fatherwill object. "

He reached the combe, to find Pete, now a fine sturdy-looking Devon manin brown velveteen jacket and leather gaiters, counting the salmon inthe pool. 

Pete turned sharply directly he heard Nic approach, and the serious lookin the man's face told that something unusual had occurred. 

"Morn', Master Nic, zir. "

"What is it, Pete? Surely you don't mean that we've had poachersagain?"

"Poachers it be, zir, " said the man mysteriously; "but they won't comehere again. Master Nic, there's three on 'em come back, and I've zeen'em. "

"What! From the plantation?"

"Yes, zir; after a long spell of it they managed to give the dogs zomepoison stuff they got out of the woods. The blacks told 'em of it. Manshy something it was. "

"Manchioneel! I know, " said Nic. 

"That's it, zir, and it killed 'em. They got away in a boat--a new un, I s'pose. "

"I'm glad they escaped, poor fellows, " said Nic; "but is that scoundrelDee with them?"

Pete was silent. 

"Dead, Pete?"

"Yes, zir, 'fore we'd been gone two months, " said the man gravely. "Hewent at Zaunders one day with his hoe, and nearly killed him; but thedogs heard the fight, and rushed down. "

"Ah! the dogs!" cried Nic. 

"Yes, zir, and what with their worrying and a shot he'd had fromZaunders, it meant a couple o' the blacks with spades, and a grave inthe woods. "

"Horrible!" ejaculated Nic. 

"Yes, zir, horrible. Humpy allus hated me, and I s'pose I never likedhim; but if I'd been there, zir, I'd ha' helped him fight for his lifeagen them zavage dogs. "

"I know you would, Pete, " cried Nic warmly. "But what about these men--are they going to stay in the neighbourhood?"

"Not they, zir. They belong to the crew of a ship in Plymouth harbour;and zomehow they got to know that I was here. They walked all the wayo' purpose to wish me luck and zhake hands and zay they hadn't aughtagen me, for they'd found out how it was they was took. It was poorHumpy as made 'em believe it was me. They went back lars night. "

"Poor Humpy!" said Nic wonderingly. 

"Well, yes, zir. You zee, he waren't like other men, " said Pete simply. "He was born all crooked and out o' shape and ugly, and got teased andkicked about when he was a boy; and I zuppose it made him zour andevil-tempered. Then he grew up stronger than other men, and he got tolove getting the better of them as had knocked him about. I dunno, butit allus zeemed zo to me. Well, poor chap, he's dead, and there's anend on it. "

"Yes, " said Nic, gravely repeating the man's words, "there's an end ofit. "

THE END.