lied Luke, who could ill tolerate his companion's
familiarity.

"Give me to drink," said Alan, walking feebly towards the fire, and
extending his skinny fingers before it. "I am chilled by the damps of
that swampy cave--the natural heat within me is nigh extinguished."

"Here is that shall put fresh marrow into your old bones," returned Jem,
handing him a tumbler of brandy; "never stint it. I'll be sworn you'll
be the better on't, for you look desperate queer, man, about the
mazard."

Alan was, in sooth, a ghastly spectacle. The events of the last few days
had wrought a fearful change. His countenance was almost exanimate; and
when, with shaking hand and trembling lips, he had drained the fiery
potion to the dregs, a terrible grimace was excited upon his features,
such as is produced upon the corpse by the action of the galvanic
machine. Even Jem regarded him with a sort of apprehension. After he had
taken breath for a moment, Alan broke out into a fit of wild and
immoderate laughter.

"Why, ay," said he, "this is indeed to grow young again, and to feel
fresh fire within one's veins. Who would have thought so much of life
and energy could reside in this little vessel? I am myself once more,
and not the same soulless, pulseless lump of clay I was a moment or two
back. The damps of that den had destroyed me--and the solitude--the
_waking dreams_ I've had--the visions! horrible! I will not think of
them. I am better now--ready to execute my plans--_your_ plans I should
say, grandson Luke. Are our horses in readiness? Why do we tarry? The
hour is arrived, and I would not that my new-blown courage should
evaporate ere the great work for which I live be accomplished. That
done, I ask no further stimulant. Let us away."

"We tarry but for Turpin," said Luke; "I am as impatient as yourself. I
fear some mischance must have befallen him, or he would have been true
to his appointment. Do you not think so?" he added, addressing the
ferryman.

"Why," replied Jem, reluctantly, "since you put it home to me, and I
can't conceal it no longer, I'll tell you what I didn't tell afore, for
fear you should be down in the mouth about it. Dick Turpin can do
nothing for you--he's grabb'd."

"Turpin apprehended!" ejaculated Luke.

"Ay," returned Jem. "I learnt from a farmer who crossed the ferry at
nightfall, that he were grabb'd this morning at York, after having
ridden his famous cherry-colored prad to death--that's what hurts me
mo