before, and I was in deep reverie, watching the changes
of her beautiful countenance, when she looked up. Our eyes met: she
must have read my thoughts in mine, for from that moment each hour
increased our intimacy and confidence. We were no longer afraid of each
other.

A day or two after this conversation an opportunity was given to me of
going up the river, which I did not neglect; and having delivered up
charge of the ship, I hastened down to Greenwich. I found everything in
_statu quo_ at my mother's house, and Virginia much pleased at there
being no lodgers. Anderson I met walking with Ben the Whaler and my
father. He told me that Spicer had refused to have his leg amputated,
when the surgeon had pointed out the necessity of the operation; and
that it was now said that it was too late to have the operation
performed, and that there was little or no chance of his recovery. They
asked me many questions relative to the narrow escape of Bramble, and
the behaviour of Bessy.

As soon as I could get away, I set off to the hospital to see Spicer;
for, as the reader must be aware, I had many reasons for having
communication with him,--not that I expected that at first he would
acknowledge anything: I knew that his heart was hardened, and that he
had no idea of his danger; but I had his secret,--he was indeed in my
power, and I hoped by terrifying him to obtain the information which I
wished.

I found him in bed, in the corner of the hospital ward, to the left. He
was looking very pale, and apparently was in great pain.

"Spicer," said I, "I have come to see you; I am sorry to hear of your
accident. How is your leg? is it better?"

"No, not much," replied he, writhing, "I am in great pain; another man
would scream out with the agony, but I'm like the wolf,--I'll die
without complaint."

"But you don't think that you're going to die, Spicer?"

"No, Jack, I don't think that; I never have thought that, when I have
been worse than now. I'll never believe that I'm dead until I find
myself so. It must come some time or another, but I'm hale and hearty
in constitution as yet, and my time is not yet come."

"It was the iron railings which you fell over, was it not? I fell over
them myself the same night when I landed, on the Monday, going up to old
Nanny's."

"Who told you it was those cursed spikes? Well, well, so it was; but
not on the Monday, Jack, it was on the Wednesday."

"Nay, that cannot be; for on