very
bright star just above me; and as I looked at it it appeared as if it
were an eye beaming down upon me, and piercing into my breast. I turned
away from it, and then looked at it again--still it had the same
appearance: I thought it was the eye of God--I trembled, and I resolved
to reveal the whole to Anderson the next day, when I heard the sound of
oars. I looked in the direction, and perceived a wherry with two men
pulling in: I was down on the steps, under the shadow of the wall, and
they did not see me. They landed, and handed out of the wherry three
large and full canvas bags. "It's more than we can carry," said the
voice of a waterman I well knew; "we must leave one in the boat; and be
quick, for they are on our scent. Hollo! who's that? what are you doing
here? Poor Jack, I declare."

"Well, mayn't I have a little night work as well as you?"

"Oh! you've come to that, have you?" replied he. "Well, as you're
waiting for something else, I suppose you could not help us with one of
these bags?"

"Yes, I can," replied I, forgetting all my resolutions; "put it on my
back, if it's not too heavy."

"No, no; you're stout enough to carry it. I say, Jack, can you tell us,
does old Nanny fence again, or has she given it up?"

"I believe she does not," replied I.

"Well," said he, "just put the question to her to-morrow morning, for
she used to be a good 'un; now follow us."

I walked after them with my load until we came to a by-street; at the
shutters of a shop they rapped three times on the iron bar outside which
fixed them up; the door was opened, and we put the bags down in the
passage, walked out again without a word, and the door was immediately
closed.

"Well, Jack," said the waterman, "I suppose we must tip handsome for the
first time: here's ten shillings for you, and we'll let you know when we
want you to be on the look-out for us."

Ten shillings! and five before--fifteen shillings! I felt as I were a
rich man; all scruples of conscience were, for the time, driven away.

I hurried home rattling the silver in my pocket, and opening the door
softly, I crept to bed. Did I say my prayers that night? No!!

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

I AM TEMPTED AGAIN--MY PRIDE IS ROUSED, AND MY COURSE OF LIFE IS CHANGED
IN CONSEQUENCE.

I passed a dreaming restless night, and woke early. I recalled all that
had passed, and I felt very much dissatisfied with myself; the fifteen
shillings, with the added pro