we could have taken her as a prize. These fellows are really worth nothing except as targets for our firelocks," returned Captain Broadbent. "I fear our skirts are scarcely clean in this matter of slave stealing. Here we have the example of our colonists purchasing and holding slaves, in direct violation of the English law regarding slavery, and had this piratical captain been an Englishman, and sailing under the British flag, it is extremely doubtful, to my mind, whether these law-abiding magistrates would deal out the punishment they will mete to this Dutch slaver skipper and his men," spoke Harrup. "An' I'll not dispute you there, Mr. Harrup," agreed Captain Broadbent, candidly, "though the tale told by this young savage concerning the cruelties practised during the voyage would bring the Dutchman and his crew under the ban as pirates. They are guilty of murder most foul." "Wholesale slaughter," commented Lawrence. "I make no doubt they will get their deserts. It would have been the work of a few minutes to have opened the hatches and set free the human beings, leaving them a chance for their lives. As it is, they went down loaded with fetters, or rather up, for they must have been blown to atoms," answered Captain Broadbent. 66 Even had we known these poor wretches were confined in the depths of that black hold we were powerless to save them," returned Lawrence. Hanging is far too mild a punishment for such devils as the captain of the Dragon and his cursed crew !" "We've got 'em," rejoined the Captain, grimly. We are on a war footing with our Dutch neighbours, and it will be no easy matter for these bloody sharks to slip their heads out of the noose-they should be drawn and quartered, after being strung up at the yardarm for a short space. I'll land my passengers, take in a supply, and sail for Saybrook Fort. Once in the hands of the authorities they'll get their deserts, I'll lay five pound." CHAPTER XLII A VOW FULFILLED "They say the tongues of dying men Where words are scarce they're seldom spent in vain, D AMARIS GORDON was alone in the wide world, an orphan, the last of her Very tenderly Henry Lawrence had broken the news of her bereavement, for Guy Kingsland, with a selfishness that was part and parcel of his nature, had shrunk from what he termed "a devilish disagreeable task." "My dear Colonel, I'd a thousand times rather you should do the job. I hate scenes, and these lasses are sure to faint, or something equally absurd and annoying, and it would be deucedly unpleasant, so I'll e'en take myself off for an hour or so, till she has leisure to lament in the most approved manner of her sex. Of course I'm no end of sorry, and all that, and properly shocked, at the Major's sudden taking-off," he added, as he noticed the shadow of contempt and anger on the Colonel's expressive face; but prithee, man, I fear I am really too sensitive to be the proper person. Besides I'm a deuced poor hand at telling bad news, and above all things I abhor tears-make me cursed uncomfortable, upon honour, so good luck to you!" and with this heartless avowal Guy sauntered away, his pipe between his lips. And strolling beyond the stockade, he took his way to the bluff overhanging the sea, musing upon the strangeness of events in this world in general, and the unpleasantness of the situation in particular evidently considering himself a much injured individual. "I'm a lucky dog in one respect," he ruminated. "I've no craving to have my neck encircled by the matrimonial noose until it is absolutely unavoidable, and she is sure to demand one year of mourning-a respite which will be by no means distasteful. Yes, I'll observe the proprieties with the utmost pleasure." It was Henry Lawrence's broad breast that had pillowed the orphan's head; his voice that was, in its modulations, a caress, that whispered words of comfort after the first great shock was over; while Guy kept aloof, answering never a word when he heard Lyon Gardiner shouting his name, as he sought through the grounds and groves in vain quest for the man who should have been the consoler of his promised wife, in this, her hour of greatest need and deepest woe. It was Henry Lawrence who clasped her hand, pressing it tenderly, when the four who had been detailed as bearers came slowly up the long avenue, and she saw, with pallid cheek, and through blinding tears, the black-draped coffin upon the bier. Her heart had been chill, but now it lay like a marble weight in her bosom while those strangers entered the hall. Not a word was uttered when Lyon Gardiner swung the door wide and led the way, and very reverently those bold marines passed on with slow, measured tread, as if their steps might disturb the sleeper. With careful hands they placed the coffin upon the trestles prepared to receive it, in the chamber the dead soldier had occupied while in life, It was Henry Lawrence who supported the halffainting girl when she followed the bearers to the chamber of death, where every item of furnishing, the trifles upon mantel and tables, spoke to the desolate mourner of the father lying in that narrow couch, with ears closed to every mortal sound, and eyes sealed in the last dreamless sleep. A thrill of anguish shot through her heart like a knife thrust, as her eyes wandered mechanically from one familiar object to another, but even then she could not comprehend the extent of her desolation. She dimly realised that others entered the chamber, that kind faces were near, pitying voices striving to comfort her, in words that were meaningless to her dull senses, and the speakers but actors or automatons in a tragedy in which she bore no part. One figure alone was real, the man who stood by her side, her hand clasped fondly in his own warm palm, while he smoothed her hair-oh, so pitifully! his stern lips quivering, and there was a suspicion of tears in his dark eyes as he closed the lids for an instant, to shut out the scene. There was a magnetism in his touch, but the spell was rudely broken by the entrance of Guy Kingsland, who came forward with firm step and stood in the place vacated by Colonel Lawrence. The girl covered her face with her hands, and a half-shudder chilled her as Guy's arm encircled her waist and she heard his murmured commonplaces. that fell icily upon her senses; and mechanically she held out her arms as if to clasp some beloved form, and raised her eyes as if in search of a beloved face. But Henry Lawrence had hurried from the room, the bearers and members of the family had slipped silently away, leaving her alone with the man to |