erocious as he had become since
his sister's shame had been known to him, when he drank he only brooded
heavier upon it; and the hope of a more complete revenge only restrained
him then from some desperate act of violence. As he walked to and fro,
chafing with inward passion, he might have been compared to a caged wild
beast, hungry and with food in sight, yet unattainable.

'A curse upon you, Tom!' said he. 'Would you roast us alive, this hot
night? Leave the fire alone and bring your hang-dog face here!'

He treated his associate with the most bitter contempt.

'I doant fancy biding here with narra light!' said the fellow. 'There be
a mort of ugly things here!'

'There's nothing uglier than your own carcase. Drink and get courage. If
your heart is cold with fear, warm it with brandy.'

So saying he took a deep draught himself and handed the bottle to his
companion.

'I hate the stuff!' said he. 'Bah! it's poison--but it rouses me. Fire
this infernal cave! What's that?' A bat, disturbed by the smoke, flitted
close before his face. 'I have had nothing but evil omens to-day. What
is the day of the month?'

'I heern lawyer say the 26th, yesterday.'

'The 27th of August, then. By twelve o'clock to-night my time will be
up--then I shall be free to act. If that old seaman should play me false
now! I promised him to wait three years, and I have kept my word!' He
was speaking more to himself than to his companion. 'Three long
years--too long for vengeance for wrongs like mine to wait. But that he
swore, I should tame his pride--but that he spoke of hurling him from
his high estate, ere this I would have had the heart's blood of that
proud man. But to-night I shall be free, and then--'

He took from his vest a miniature, and gazed upon it long and earnestly.
Gradually his features softened, and burying his face in his hands, he
wept. There was yet one green spot in the desert of his heart--love for
the fair girl he had been betrothed to. Reader, it was a terrible thing
to see that man weep--it would have made your heart sicken and your
blood boil, while every scalding tear that fell would cry aloud in your
thoughts, 'Vengeance, vengeance!'

A strange proceeding now took place. Curly Tom took from his pocket a
small phial, and previously filling his own cup with brandy, poured the
contents into the bottle. He watched his companion intently during this
process, but his terrible emotion too completely mastered him for t