ith a good grace. There's no help for it. And now for my friend
Paterson, who was so anxious to furnish me with a hempen cravat, before
my neck was in order, he shall have an extra twist of the rope himself,
to teach him the inconvenience of a tight neckcloth when he recovers."
Saying which, he bound Paterson in such a manner, that any attempt at
liberation on the chief constable's part would infallibly strangle him.
"As to you, Mr. Coates," said he, addressing the trembling man of law,
"you shall proceed to Rookwood with us. You may yet be useful, and I'll
accommodate you with a seat behind my own saddle--a distinction I never
yet conferred upon any of your tribe. Recollect the countryman at the
Bowling-green at York--ha, ha! Come along, sir." And having kicked out
the turf fire, Dick prepared to depart.

It would be vain to describe the feelings of rage and despair which
agitated the major's bosom, as he saw the party quit the hovel,
accompanied by Coates. Aware as he was of their destination, after one
or two desperate but ineffectual attempts to liberate himself, by which
he only increased the painful constriction of his bonds, without in the
slightest degree ameliorating his condition, he resigned himself, with
bitterest forebodings, to his fate. There was no one even to sympathize
with his sufferings. Beside him lay the gory corpse of the ferryman,
and, at a little distance, the scarcely more animate frame of the chief
constable. And here we must leave him, to follow, for a short space, the
course of Luke and his companions.

Concerning themselves little about their own steeds, the party took
those which first offered, and embarking man and horse in the boat, soon
pushed across the waters of the lutulent Don. Arrived at the opposite
banks of the river, they mounted, and, guided by Luke, after half an
hour's sharp riding, arrived at the skirts of Rookwood Park. Entering
this beautiful sylvan domain, they rode for some time silently among the
trees, till they reached the knoll whence Luke beheld the hall on the
eventful night of his discovery of his mother's wedding ring. A few days
only had elapsed, but during that brief space what storms had swept over
his bosom--what ravages had they not made! He was then all ardor--all
impetuosity--all independence. The future presented a bright unclouded
prospect. Wealth, honors, and happiness apparently awaited him. It was
still the same exquisite scene, hushed, holy, tranquil