ou they won't--but I say if they do--you'll see he'll go home
in the coffin that's made for him--an' I know how that'll happen. Now at
eleven we'll meet here if we can to-morrow."

The two men then slunk out, and with great caution proceeded towards
different directions of the town, for Nell had recommended them to keep
as much asunder as possible, least their grouping together might expose
them to notice. Their place of rendezvous was only resorted to on urgent
and necessary occasions.

The next morning, a little after the appointed hour, Nell, Rody, and
Nanse McCollum, were sitting in deliberation upon their future plans of
life, when he of the red hair entered the cabin.

"Well," said Nell starting up--"what was done? show me?"

The man produced a dagger slightly stained with blood.

"_Damno orrum!_" exclaimed the aged fury, "but you've failed--an' all's
lost if he beats the black."

"I did fail," said the miscreant. "Why, woman if that powerful active
fellow had got me in his hands, I'd have tasted the full length of the
dagger myself. The d----l's narrow escape I had."

"The curse of heaven light on you, for a cowardly dog!" exclaimed Nell,
grinding her teeth with disappointment. "You're a faint-hearted villain.
Give me the dagger."

"Give me the money," said the man.

"For what? no, consumin' to the penny; you didn't earn it."

"I did," said the fellow, "or at all evints attempted it. Ay, an' I must
have it before I lave this house, an' what is more, you must lug out my
share of the black's prog."

"You'll get nothing of that," said Rody; "it was Nell here, not you, who
took it."

"One hundred of it on the nail, this minnit," said the man, "or I bid
you farewell, an' then look to yourselves."

"It's not mine," said Rody; "if Nell shares it, I have no objection."

"I'd give the villain the price of a rope first," she replied.

"Then I am off," said the fellow, "an' you'll curse your conduct."

Nell flew between him and the door, and in his struggle to get out,
she grasped at the dagger, but failed in securing it. Rody advanced to
separate them, as did Nanse, but the fellow by a strong effort attempted
to free himself. The three were now upon him, and would have easily
succeeded in preventing his escape had it not occurred to him that by
one blow he might secure the whole sum. This was instantly directed at
Rody, by a back thrust, for he stood behind him. By the rapid change of
their positions, ho