tor," roared the pirates, among whom the Lieutenant was the most excited.

Trevanion eyed them with a look of cold contempt; "you may bear me down by numbers," said he, "and glut your vengeance on an unarmed man, but you shall not compel me to shed the blood of those who never injured me. As for you, Captain Davis, I have merely to observe, that it is but a short time since you solemnly plighted your faith to me, that you would not attempt to coerce my inclinations till a full week had elapsed. As a man, then, and as a Christian-for I perceive you lay great stress on your religious duties-I call upon you to fulfil that promise."

The pirate was evidently staggered by this address. His first impression had accorded with his crew's, that the youth was an arrant coward; the cool and imperturbable demeanour of Trevanion, however, soon convinced him that this could not be the case, and he was already hesitating as to how he should act for he had as sincere a liking for John as it was possible for such a man to have when this appeal to his honour decided him. Assuming, therefore, a less savage aspect, he said, "the fool speaks truth, lads; I did pledge him my word, and I will not break it, be the risk what it may. One hand more or less will be of no consequence; and to-morrow he is ours, or up he goes to the yard-arm. 'Twas an absurd promise on my part, but I stand to it, as he shall to his. Heaven help the lubber, he has missed a glorious opportunity of making his for tune!"

An angry murmur here rose among the crew, who crowded close up to Trevanion as if they would have hacked him to pieces. The Lieutenant was the foremost, and was actually preparing to level his pistol at the youth's head, when the Captain, after wresting it from his hand, shouted in a voice of thunder," down with your barkers, the first who stirs, dies. D-n, have you no sense of religion, that you thus set your Captain's authority at naught? Away, each man to his post; see, the Don is preparing his broad-side! As for this youngster, since he is resolved for a few hours to remain neutral, I will put it out of his power to be treacherous, so down with you below decks; and woe to you if you play the same boy's game to-morrow."

Left to the solitude of his cabin, whither old Tom had hurried him, muttering, as he thrust him down the companion ladder, many a tough curse on the Captain's folly in having any thing to do with such a "fair-weather spark," John's thoughts were of the most distracting nature possible. Now he determined to rush up on deck and meet an honourable death, fighting side by side with the Spaniards, and now, as he recalled the image of Mary, he desisted from his desperate purpose. No, he said, while there is life there is hope, and possibly a few hours may procure me release from my prison. Courage then, all may yet be well, and the last as well as the first part of the witch's prediction be accomplished.

His reverie was here broken in upon by the tremendous uproar that now raged upon deck. To every broadside poured in by the Don, the pirates responded by a fierce yell of derision, and a cannonade that set the vessel quivering from stem to stern. Oh, how often did John pray for the success of the Spaniards, though his heart sank within him, while ever and anon he heard the pirate chief cheering on his men in such terms as "give her grape enough, lads-hurrah for the black flag-now's your time, Jack, lay us alongside her, and twenty piastres to him who first mounts her deck."

And now roared the full hurricane of battle. Hark to the crash of the falling mast-the demoniac cries of the bucaniers the blasphemous oath

the wild hurrah--the trampling of feet on the crimsoned deck, and the instant rush of life in one shrill, agonizing scream from some wretch shot right through the heart! And while this wholesale carnage is going forward all is peace and gentleness in surrounding Nature! Heaven's countenance is radiant with smiles-the wind, but of late so fresh, is lulledthe sea sleeps with scarce a wrinkle on its surface. Oh, man, man! if this world be a "vale of tears" it is thou chiefly that dost make it so!

Three times were the pirates repulsed, and as often did they make good their footing on the enemy's deck. John mean-while kept listening to the uproar above his head with feelings of indescribable agitation, which soon increased to such a degree that he could bear it no longer, and,

unarmed as he was, was in the act of rushing up to take part with the Spaniard, when two men came down bearing old Tom, mortally wounded, in their arms, whom with the utmost sang froid they left to bleed to death on the cabin floor.

Trevanion's feelings were now directed into a new channel. He approached the wretch, and strove to staunch the blood that was fast flowing from a gaping wound in his head. But the veteran waved him off. "Avast brother, avast," he feebly gasped out, "it's no use whatsomever all's up with me, tho'ff it might have been otherwise had the Cap'n given orders to board in time. In the good old days of".

"Let me raise you up," said John, softened by the sight of the pirate's agonies," and you will breathe more freely," at the same time applying his handkerchief to the wound.

"Who speaks" exclaimed the dying man, deliriously. "Are you going to shove me overboard: Avast heaving-I arn't dead yet! Ah, they come! they warned me they would come when I flung 'em to the sharks at Vera Cruz. Save me, brother! see, they swarm in crowds about me! -now they are standing right ahead! -now-pipe all hands to prayersthat'll keep 'em off!—Hah, hah!" and raising himself with difficulty, the fear-stricken wretch just managed to scramble on his knees, and clasp his hands in prayer, when he fell back, and lay stretched a corpse at Trevanion's feet.

As the young man stood fixed in contemplation of the ghastly object before him, his ears were saluted by a tremendous shout of "Hurrah, the Don has struck his flag!" The sound thrilled to John's heart like the trump of doom. "Gone, all gone," he said, and for the moment meditated suicide -but soon his better genius came to his aid. Suddenly he heard the voice of Captain Davis, in reply to the lieutenant's question of "What shall we do with the prisoners?" make answer, "Overboard with them all, then look to the piastres, bring them on board, and scuttle the ship."

For some time after this brief dialogue all was comparative silence on board the pirate ship. At the expiration of an hour, however, the quick tramp of feet again sounded on

deck, for the ruffians were returning from the captured vessel, laden with plunder. In a few minutes steps descended the companion, and Trevanion could distinctly hear-for he had now retreated to his own berth-one or two men arranging the tables, and making preparations for a night of unusually drunken revelry, while others were piling up bags of moidores, piastres, and other treasure, in a spare corner of the cabin.

No sooner were these completed, and the corpse of old Tom heaved overboard, than the Captain hurried below, and accompanied by the skeleton of his crew-for the late conflict had seriously thinned their numberstook his seat at the head of the table. "No business to-night, lads," he said, it will be time enough to divide the booty to-morrow," and he tossed off a large horn-full of raw brandy to the success of the black flag.

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From this time all was clamour and confusion. Obscene songs, oaths, and frightful blasphemies, were bandied about as so many capital jokes—all talked, none listened, and it was plain from their excited condition, that the revellers would soon be in a state of utter insensibility. It was at this critical period that a wild desperate idea flashed across Trevanion's brain. What if he should remain concealed where he was till the pirates were past all power of movement! Nothing could be more evident than that the Captain, as well as the crew, had in the enthusiasm of the hour wholly forgotten him. It did not escape his recollection that, on the occasion of their last carousal, they drank like very bigots to the bottle, and he felt persuaded that in this instance their devotion would be still more intense. He remembered also having heard the cry of land raised from the mast-head, and could he but contrive to make his escape in the boat, which had been hoisted out to take up some wounded pirates who had fallen overboard at the close of the action, he did not despair of being able to reach it in safety. But he was unarmed. He must pass through the state cabin, and if but one eye recognised him, his doom was scaled. No matter-better die so than linger out existence among the very scum of society.

His heart swelled high with hope

as he pondered on this scheme, and sat listening, hour after hour, to the increasing uproar of the rioters. Shortly, to his no little delight, he heard the Captain, in husky and almost inarticulate tones, call for lights and more grog-on which there was a sudden movement among some of the crew, while the as sudden evanishment of others under the table, satisfied Trevanion that the party were fast approaching that consummation which he so ardently desired.

Another hour clapsed, and the noise momently grew less and less, though a couple of desperate Dutch prosers still kept up a steady, drony hum between them, like cockchafers on the wing. At length these too came to an anchor with their yarns; and now the entire fraternity, worn out with fatigue and excitement, having glided by a natural transition from the embraces of Bacchus into those of Morpheus, John, gathering courage, ventured to throw open his door and look in. What a sight presented itself! The table was strewed with horns, cans, and fragments of broken glass. On the floor lay many of the pirates unable to stir hand or foot-a few, seated on tubs, were leaning their backs against the wall, their faces, and great part of their clothes, spotted with dried blood, while the Captain was stretched full-length on a bench, snoring a tremendous trumpet solo, with his pistols placed on the table, and his sword dangling idly by his side. Never was seen so disgusting an exhibition of vile unmitigated debauchery! 'Twas as if Satan and his imps held carnival there.

For some minutes John stood gazing with a sickening sensation at the scene before him, fearing even to draw breath lest he might wake some of the slumbering innocents, particularly the Captain, whose sleep, from his comparative lightness of respiration, appeared to be such as he might be roused up from without much difficulty. But there was no symptom of a return to consciousness on the part of any one of the pirates, for the stifling heat of the cabin had overpowered them quite as effectually as their debauch. Having satisfied himself of their condition, John made his way into this worse than den of Comus, casting keen glances around him, as he crept on, and bowing his head and

knees, and screwing up his body into the smallest possible compass.

And now he is standing-say rather crouching-right opposite the dreaded pirate chief, to whose ensanguined features the glimmer of the lamp imparts a still ghastlier expression. Hah, the ruffian's eyes are slowly opening! God of Heaven, is he awake! 'Twas a moment of intense anxiety. John stood like one spell-bound, bowed down beneath the influence of some mighty curse, while the stony gaze of those fixed still orbs remained rivetted on him. Had a spectre crossed his path at midnight on some blasted heath he could not have been more bewildered. His teeth chattered. the sweat stood on his brow-his knees knocked convulsively together. His agitation, however, was but momentary, for the pirate showed not the slightest token of recognition, perceiving which John hastened to seize one of his pistols, and then moved on towards the door.

Unfortunately, when he reached the further end of the table, he made a false step, and stumbled with some violence against one of the spirit casks.

The Captain's ears caught the sound. "Gomez, is that you?" he enquired, in a thick tone of voice full of sleep.

Trevanion made no reply, but adroitly secreted himself beneath the table, keeping his forefinger on the trigger of the pistol, with the determination to blow out the brains of the first ruffian who should approach him.

But fortune favoured him in this critical emergency, for the Captain, after shifting about on his bench, and half raising himself on his elbows, sank back into his old position, and in a few minutes was as fast asleep as

ever.

Trevanion now ventured to emerge from his hiding-place, and soon reached the cabin steps, up which he swiftly hurried, halting, however, when his head was on a level with the deck, and directing a searching glance fore and aft to ascertain whether any of the crew were on the watch. The night, however, being cloudy, he was unable to satisfy himself on this point, but fancied that he could perceive the dark outline of two figures stretched upon deck with their heads resting on a

coil of rope near the ship's bows. Here was fresh cause for anxiety. But John had gone through too much to be daunted by this new obstacle-he waited, therefore, a few minutes before he ascended into the open air, and then hearing no sound or stir of life, stole noiselessly along the quarterdeck.

When he reached the further end, what was his dismay to see lying fulllength on deck, close by the helm, a silent solitary figure. Curses on him!" said the young man, grinding his teeth with vexation," shall I No, the sound of the pistol would rouse the whole crew-besides he may be so fast locked in sleep as to be able to offer no interruption. I will be quiet, therefore, for caution is now my only chance."

Accordingly, he took his station near the sleeper, hoping the best, yet prepared to brave the worst; the hectic fever of his frame cooled by the gentle night-air, which played over him with a freshness the more grateful from the noxious heat and fumes of the den he had just quitted. After waiting near ly a quarter of an hour in a state of utter inactivity, he could bear this suspense no longer; and finding that the figure neither breathed nor stirred, he knelt down beside him, and looked closely into his face. 'Twas a corpse he gazed on--a corpse gashed with so many frightful wounds that scarce a single feature was discernible!

At any other time such a sight would have completely unhinged Trevanion, but now austere and desperate thoughts engrossed him; and, availing himself of the favourable moment, he darted forward, and leaning over the stern, saw, as he had anticipated, the object of his fondest hopes, which was moored by a rope to the ship. "Thank heaven!" he exclaimed, concealing the pistol," oars too in the boat! Now then, or never is my time; the sea has gone down, and I may possibly contrive to reach land; but if not, why, a watery grave is the very worst fate I can meet with, and as certain destruction awaits me if I remain here." Thus soliloquizing, he prepared to undo the tastenings, but finding this a more troublesome job than he had calculated on, he took up a small dagger that lay near the corpse, and had just succeeded in severing the rope, when he heard steps ascending from

the cabin. In an instant he threw down the weapon, and had barely time to fling himself along the quarterdeck, as if in profound sleep, when the Captain stumbled over him.

"Halloo," hiccuped the pirate chief, "who the hell have we got here?"

Trevanion started to his legs, and was beginning, with well affected anger, to expostulate with the individual who had thus disturbed his repose, when the Captain, who at once recognised him, said, "What, is it you, youngster? Why, I had quite forgotten you; how is it you did not join our brave fellows below? But perhaps you were as well away, for these bouts of ours are apt to play strange tricks with a man's noddle. Devil a soul is able to stir but myself; however, it's no great odds, for the night's as calm as a sleeping babe; and Morgan's squadron will be heaving in sight shortly, and it will then be time enough to be on the alert. As for me, I'm just as sober and fit for duty as ever I was," and so saying, after vainly endeavouring to balance himself, he gave a sudden lurch that nearly threw him on his beam-ends.

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Steady, brother, steady, and be damned to you," he continued, "can't you stand where you are, without running athwart my hawse? but I see how it is, you've got your grog abroad; well, another glass will do neither of us harm, so come down with me below deck."

"Excuse me, Captain Davis, for this one night; to-morrow I am at your service, and join your brave crew."

"Well said, lad, did'nt I tell you you'd think better of it? You've heard of course that old Tom is gone?" "Yes, I was with him in his last moments."

"Ah! poor soul, you've lost a good friend in him, though mayhap you did not know it. It was only this morning he was advising me to make you walk the plank; but that's his way, he was always so full of fun. Well, he's gone, but it's some comfort to think that he died like a Christian in the discharge of his duty. Poor Tom, I could grieve for him"-and here the pirate's drunkenness took a sentimental turn-"if I could grieve for any thing, for I had always a d-d soft heart-Ah! lad, you should have seen the fun we had to-day with the Span

iards, such kicking, and squalling as we flung 'em-but zounds, my head spins round like a top; well, I'll just go and snooze away an hour or two; and if you'd take my advice, you'd do so to. What, you won't? well, you shall have your own way; so good by, I shall be up again within the hour;" and away went the Captain, swaying to and fro like a lugger in a heavy swell.

No sooner was he gone, than John,

who had with difficulty kept his passion under restraint, glided stealthily towards the ship's bows, and finding the watch still fast asleep, having confided, like Palinurus, to the serene aspect of sea and sky, he hurried back again to the stern, swung himself into the boat, and pushed off from the vessel, plying the oars with a speed and energy marvellously quickened by his apprehensions.

Two years have elapsed since the events mentioned in the last chapter. The space measured by the ordinary length of human existence is a brief one; but brief as it is, what an amount of joy and grief, startling circumstance, and bitter experience may not be comprised in it! Some have lived a whole life in two years, while others have slumbered through the same period, unconscious of aught but that they breathe vital air. Two years have changed the destinies of heroes and of nations. In 1812 Napoleon was conqueror of Europe; in 1814 he was a hopeless exile, doomed to see the most colossal empire that earth has yet known, fall with a stunning crash, leaving scarce a fragment to show that it had once existed. Two years have delved wrinkles in the brow of beauty; taught buoyant youth that he is mortal; and unwilling age that the grave is but a step off him. Where is that fair girl whom I saw but two short years since shedding sunshine around her by her presence? I look for her she is gone; the light of her young eye is quenched; the smile has passed for ever from her lips; and I see instead-what? a pale, deserted wife hanging in tears over her firstborn. And have two years, gentle reader, wrought no change in you? Are you the same man now, that you were then? Have you had no hopes subdued, if not crushed; seen no golden visions "fade into the light of common day;" lost no dear friends or relatives, and with them a portion of yourself? Alas, not so! The iron has entered into your soul as it has into mine. The weight of two years hangs heavy on both of us, as it did also on poor John Trevanion, the sequel of whose strange fortunes I now proceed to relate.

It was, then, just two years after the events alluded to in the foregoing chapter, that late one summer afternoon a young man, whose countenance bore the trace of many trials, entered the village of South Zeal, and hurrying rapidly past the main street, turned up a shady lane that led to the cottage of Mr Mordaunt. That gentleman, who chanced to be in his garden at the time, no sooner cast his eyes on the stranger who had halted at the gate, than he at once recognised Trevanion, and hastening up to him, and shaking him cordially by the hand, he said, "welcome, my boy, a thousand welcomes; this is indeed a surprisewho'd have thought it? Why, John, do you know I had given you up for lost, having never once heard of, or from you, since your departure; however, better late than never, so come in, my boy, come in, and let us hear your adventures;" with which words Mr Mordaunt entered the cottage, followed by the eager Trevanion.

When they had taken their seats, "Well, and when did you arrive, John?" exclaimed the old gentleman, "and where have you been to? and how's your father? You've seen him of course."

"Not yet," replied John, looking anxiously towards the door, as if he momently expected Mary would enter.

"Not yet?" repeated Mr Mordaunt with surprise.

"No, but I shall see him this evening. You know, sir, I could not pass your cottage on my road to the Hall, and not stop for an instant to enquire after old friends; why, it is now three years since I have seen Mary; I trust she has not forgotten me."

"Oh no-that is, I mean-but let me hear your adventures, John," said