until now that you were so bold and brave. And so strong too! I am proud of you. You can't tell what may happen. Think of this strange new world you are going to now, Jo, and of the strange things the Old Sailor has told us of it. You have no more idea of the wonders you will see than I have. But you will see them, and I shall see them through you. Listen now to me, Jo. I love you, my dearest friend and brother, and you have my undying love and confidence. I, a poor helpless cripple, had no future of my own; and you have given me one. I live in you. I shall follow you in my thoughts, in my dreams. Somehow, Jo, our minds have grown together, and I smile at your words that you might turn out bad. Could you believe it of me, if I was strong like you even ?'

'No.'

'You answer for me, Jo. You have always been noble and good to me, and you will always be the same. I would not think of thanking you, Jo, for what you have done for me-I would not think of thanking you for making my poor crippled legs a blessing to me instead of a burden. Not with words do I or can I repay you-but with undying love and confidence. Kiss me now, Jo, and say that

you fully understand my friendship and my truth.'

Fully, Dan;' kissing him. And I have never forgotten what I promised you a long time ago, Dan. Wherever I am, and whatever I shall see, I will think, "Dan is here with me, although I cannot see him." Although we are parted, we shall be together.'

'Yes, in spirit, Jo dear,' said Dan, with a beautiful light of happiness upon his face. 'And

'If I am asleep in the morning, Jo, do not wake me. I am content to part from you now with this good-night.'

'Very well, Dan. Good-night.'

'Good-night, MY FRIEND.'

With that Dan turned to the wall, and Joshua, going to the bird-cages hanging in the room, said good-night to the birds. They were asleep on their perches, and he did not disturb them. They will give me a chirrup in the morning,' he thought, and, blowing out the candle, he said his prayers and went to bed. But he could not sleep; the events of the day presented themselves to his mind in the strangest forms. Minnie and her

shell came and faded away, and her place was filled by Susan nursing Basil Kindred; then came the ugly figure of the Lascar crouching down, and afterwards making a cross against him and cursing him; his father reading the Psalm, while they all stood round; he and his mother standing in the dark passage, and his mother sobbing over him; Ellen kissing him and nestling close to him, O, so prettily and innocently! All these pictures presented themselves to him consecutively at first; but presently they grew disturbed, and the Lascar, the evil genius of the group, was mischievously and triumphantly at work, now in one shape, now in another. Joshua and Ellen were sitting together when the Lascar came between them, and struck Ellen out of the picture. Then the two were locked in a deadly struggle on the ground, and the Lascar, overpowering him, knelt upon his chest and hissed, 'I could take your life, but that won't satisfy me. More than your life shall pay for what you have done.' Other phases of his fancies were, that Dan believed him to be false. 'My doing!' hissed the Lascar. That Ellen believed him to be wicked. 'My doing!' hissed the Lascar. That they all believed

him to be bad. My doing!' hissed the Lascar.

That they were all grouped together, and were turning from him, and that the Lascar, holding him fast, whispered that that was his revenge. At length the combinations became so distressing, that Joshua, to shake off the fancies, rose in his bed and opened his eyes. The moonlight was streaming in through the window, and Joshua crept quietly to the water-jug and sprinkled some water over his face. Then, his mind being calmer, he knelt down by the side of the bed; and Dan, who had not slept, raised himself upon his elbow, and, seeing his friend in prayerful attitude, smiled softly to himself and was glad.

CHAPTER XI.

WHAT OCCURRED AFTER JOSHUA'S DEPARTURE.

THE nicest mathematical calculations of the probability of events are not uncommonly subjected to shocks which, to those dull and unreflective persons who cannot distinguish between rule and exception, seem to give the lie to science. Yesterday the world was at peace, and rulers and politicians were eloquent in phrases of friendship and good-will to the inhabitants of every nation on the face of the earth. To-day the world is at war, and rulers and politicians, hot with wrath at a cunningly-provoked insult, are eager to avenge traditional wrongs at any expense of blood and human suffering, and to resent what they chose to call national humiliation. Yesterday two nations clasped hands, and smiled upon one another. Suddenly, as thus they stood, a firekindled by the worst of secret passions and by the lust of self-aggrandisement-flashed into their palms, and they threw each other off, and drew