eplied the other in the cordial tones
of the man who is always ready. "Pray be seated. He whose soul
thirsteth need offer no apology to the keeper of the spiritual
fountains."

"Quite so," replied the stranger dryly, seating himself as
suggested, "only in this case my wants are temporal rather than
spiritual. They, however, seem to me fully within the province of
the Church.^

"The Church attempts within limits to aid those who are materially
in want," assured Crane, with official dignity. "Our resources are
small, but to the truly deserving we are always ready to give in
the spirit of true giving."

"I am rejoiced to hear it," returned the young man, grimly; "you
will then have no difficulty in getting me so small a matter as a
rifle and about forty or fifty rounds of ammunition."

A pause of astonishment ensued.

"Why, really," ejaculated Crane, "I fail to see how that falls
within my jurisdiction in the slightest. You should see our
Trader, Mr. McDonald, in regard to all such things. Your request
addressed to me becomes extraordinary."

"Not so much so when you know who I am. I told you my name is Ned
Trent, but I neglected to inform you further that I am a captured
Free Trader, condemned to _la Longue Traverse_, and that I have in
vain tried to procure elsewhere the means of escape."

Then the clergyman understood. The full significance of the
intruder's presence flashed over his little pink face in a trouble
of uneasiness. The probable consequences of such a bit of charity
as his visitor proposed almost turned him sick with excitement.

"You expect to have them of me!" he cried, getting his voice at
last.

"Certainly," assured his interlocutor, crossing his legs
comfortably. "Don't you see the logic of events forces me to think
so? What other course is open to you? I am in this country
entirely within my legal rights as a citizen of the Canadian
Commonwealth. Unjustly, I am seized by a stronger power and
condemned unjustly to death. Surely you admit the injustice?"

"Well, of course you know--the customs of the country--it is hardly
an abstract question--" stammered Crane, still without grasp on the
logic of his argument "But as an abstract question the injustice is
plain," resumed the Free Trader, imperturbably. "And against plain
injustice it strikes me there is but one course open to an
acknowledged institution of abstract--and concrete--morality. The
Church must set itself against