ry, his story might follow him. And I have no doubt he
would do well out there. He is a good workman for his age and, as
he says, can turn his hand to almost anything. Labour is scarce out
there and, as he has got his head screwed on the right way, I have
no doubt that he will fall on his feet."

"I didn't expect this of you, Mr. Shrewsbury," Mrs. Whitney said,
beginning to cry. "I thought you would have taken my part, and now
you are going right against me."

"Not against you, Mrs. Whitney, for I think that Reuben's plan is
best for you both. He cannot but suffer, if he remains here; and
you will be unhappy in seeing him suffer. Great as the loss would
be to you, I believe that you would be happier here, alone, than
you would be were you to see him in constant trouble and worry. At
any rate you would have the option, if you found life intolerably
dull here, of joining him out there at any time.

"But how do you intend to get out, Reuben?" he asked, seeing that
Mrs. Whitney made no answer, but again relapsed into tears.

"I shall work my way out," Reuben replied. "I can do any rough work
as a smith or a carpenter, and I should think I ought to get my
passage for my work. Anyhow, I have got twelve pounds saved up; and
if I can't get out free, that and my work ought to take me."

In a short time Mrs. Whitney, finding that Reuben was not to be
shaken in his determination, ceased to oppose it; and began to busy
herself in preparations for his departure, which he had arranged to
take place as soon as possible.

A day or two before starting, he walked over to say goodbye to Mrs.
Shrewsbury. He stopped as he passed the smithy and, seeing Jacob
Priestley at work alone, he went in.

"Ah, Reuben, is it you?" the smith said. "Better here than in the
dock at Lewes, eh? I hears a talk of your going to foreign parts."

"Yes, I am off," Reuben said, "and I have just come over to say
goodbye to Mrs. Shrewsbury; so I looked in as I passed, knowing as
you were one of those who found me not guilty, and would perhaps
give me a shake of the hand, before leaving."

"That will I, lad. Yes, I found you not guilty; and I jest tipped
you a wink, from the box, to let you know as it were all right; but
my eye! what a game we had had of it. Never had such a game, in all
my born days."

And the blacksmith sat down on a stool, to indulge in a great fit
of laughing.

"What was the game?" Reuben asked.

"Well, you know, Stokes he was th