nge," said Augustus Bramleigh.

"Why didn't you say she was here, and I'd not have made any 'bones'
about stopping? I don't know I was ever as spooney as I was about that
girl up at Albano. And did n't I work like a negro to get back her two
thousand pounds out of that precious coal mine? Aye, and succeeded too.
I hope she knows it was Tom Cutbill saved the ship. Maybe she 'll think
I 've come to claim salvage."

"She has heard of all your good-nature, and is very grateful to you,"
said Gusty.

"That's right; that's as it ought to be. Doing good by stealth always
strikes me as savoring of a secret society. It's Thuggee, or Fenian, or
any other dark association you like."

"I'll go forward and meet them, if you'll permit me," said Augustus,
and, not waiting a reply, hurried on towards the wood.

"Look here, Master Jack," said Cutbill, stopping short and facing
round in front of him. "If you mean as a practice to sit upon me, every
occasion that arises, just please to say so."

"Nothing of the kind, man; if I did, I promise you once would be quite
enough."

"Oh, that's it, is it?"

"Yes, that's it."

"Shake hands, then, and let us have no more squabbling. If you ever
find me getting into shoal-water, and likely to touch a sandbank, just
call out 'Stop her!' and you 'll see how I 'll reverse my engine at
once. It's not in my line, the locomotives, but I _could_ drive if I
was put to it, and I know well every good lesson a man acquires from the
practice."

"What do you think of this cause of ours, Cutty; how does it look to
your eyes?"

"Just as dark as thunder! Why you go to trial at all next term I can't
make out. Pracontal's case is clear as noonday. There's the proof of the
marriage,--as legal a marriage as if an archbishop celebrated it,--and
there 's the registry of birth, and there is, to confirm all, old
Bramleigh's letters. If you push on after such a show of danger signals
as these, it is because you must like a smash."

"You'd strike, then, without firing a shot?"

"To be sure I would, if it was only to save the expense of the powder;
besides, Pracontal has already declared, that if met by an amicable
spirit on your brother's part, there are no terms he would not accede
to, to secure recognition by your family, and acceptance as one of you."

"I 'm sure I don't see why he should care for it."

"Nor I, for the matter of that. If there's a lot in life I 'd call
enviable, it would be to be born i