decided manner--

"Yes, Master George, we've done our duty as far as we can, and there's
only one more thing left to do--when the time comes, sir; when the time
comes."

Just then, to my utter astonishment, there was a movement among the men,
and one of them came up close to me.

"You'll shake hands, sir," he said. "I've taken a deal of notice of
you, different times."

I held out my hand mechanically, felt it warmly wrung, and then had it
seized in turn by the others, while I was struggling to speak words that
would not come. At last though they burst forth.

"But the women and children!" I cried, as my heart seemed to stand
still.

"Better than being butchered by those savages," said Morgan, gloomily.
"I'd sooner see my poor wife die than fall into their hands."

His words silenced me, for I knew that they could expect no mercy. Then
feeling utterly exhausted, I was munching a piece of bread, where I sat
on a rough case, and sipping a little water from time to time, when just
as the fire was at its height, with great waves of flame floating gently
away from the great pine-wood building and illumining the wide clearing
all round, I heard a familiar voice behind me say in his droll, dry
fashion--

"What pity!"

"Ah, Pomp!" I cried, turning to him; "you there?"

"Iss, Mass' George. When we go home again? Pomp done like dis place
'tall."

"No, nor nobody else, boy," said Morgan, sadly. "Hark! Hear anything?"

He seized his gun as he spoke, but it was only a hissing scream made by
one of the water-soaked timbers as the steam was forced out.

"Nobody come. Injum all gone away."

"How do you know?" I cried, eagerly.

"Pomp done know. Tink um all gone. No shoot arrow now."

"Wrong, boy," said Morgan. "They are hatching some fresh scheme, and
they'll be down upon us directly."

There was a pause.

"And then it will be all over," muttered Morgan, as he turned towards
Pomp, looked at him firmly, and then held out his hand.

"Come here, boy," he said.

"Wha' for? Pomp no do nuffum. Can't do nuffum here."

"Come and shake hands."

Pomp laughed and held out his hand, which Morgan took.

"If I don't see you again, boy, good-bye, and I'm sorry I've been so
rough to you sometimes."

"Mass' Morgan go walking out in wood? Take Pomp."

Morgan heaved a deep sigh. "Ah, you don't bear any malice," he said.

Pomp shook his head, and looked at me, for it was Greek to him.

"Not so bad as