iestley the blacksmith who held out, for the sake of old
times.

"At any rate, a great many people will think me guilty, all their
lives, unless something turns up to prove my innocence. Mother says
we might settle somewhere else, where we ain't known; but I should
never feel safe. Years on, someone from Lewes might see me and tell
the story; or Tom Thorne might keep on my track. I won't risk it.

"I have been to Mr. Penfold, and he says if I am determined to go,
he will cancel my indenture for me. I have no doubt I shall find
work of some sort, out there. I am a pretty good workman now at my
own craft and, if I can't get work at that, I can turn my hand to
something else.

"My only trouble is about mother. I want her to go with me. I could
make a living for her out there, but she won't have it. She says
six months at sea will kill her, and then she has all sorts of
ideas in her head about the natives. However I hope that, in two or
three years' time, I shall be able to write and tell her that I
have comfortably settled, and have a good home ready for her to
come to; and that then she will join me."

"Never," Mrs. Whitney said, excitedly. "I was born at Lewes, and I
have lived near it all my days, and I will die here. I am not going
to tramp all over the world, and settle down among black people, in
outlandish parts. I could not do it, Mr. Shrewsbury. It's cruel of
him to ask me."

The schoolmaster was silent for a minute. He saw that Reuben's mind
was firmly made up, and he could not deny the force of his
reasoning. It was true that many people still considered him
guilty. It was true that this story might crop up again, years on,
and ruin his life. It did seem that the best thing he could do was
to leave the country.

"Australia is not so bad a place as you fancy, Mrs. Whitney," he
said at last. "They do have troubles with the natives, certainly,
in the outlying settlements; but in the towns you have no more
trouble than you have here. Besides, every year the white
population is increasing, and the black diminishing. Six months'
voyage is not so dreadful as it seems. And though I do think that,
if Reuben goes out, it will be better for you to remain quietly
here till he has a home prepared for you; I think that, when the
time comes, you will change your mind about it.

"As to Reuben himself, I must own there's a good deal of force in
what he says; and that until those Thornes have been sent out of
the count