ed promptly. "I
went of my own free will, and if I was let out, as long as I had a gun
and powder and shot, I should go and make use of it. But I don't want
to go to prison; and if I'm sent to sea, I should like to choose how and
when I am to go."

"You must find it very dull work sitting here all day, having nothing to
do," I remarked. "Would you like to make some blocks? I have got some
wood and a sharp knife, with a saw and file, in my pocket. It will be
better than doing nothing."

Mark gave a sharp look in my face, and said--

"Yes, that I should. I never like to have my hands idle. You shall
have the blocks for your cutter when I have finished them."

Thinking only of the amusement it would afford Mark, I handed him out
the necessary tools, and promised to obtain some more wood for him to
work on should he be sent to prison. The other two men were lying down,
apparently asleep, while I paid my visit to Mark. They took no notice
of me. After I left, instead of going directly home, I returned to old
Roger, that I might report the ill-success of my visit to Sir Reginald.

"I feared it would be so from the first," said Roger. "A prison is a
bad place for a boy, and I'd rather he had been sent off to sea."

"I'll ask my father to try what he can do, though I'm afraid he'll not
be more successful than I have been."

"Do, Master Dick," said Mrs Riddle. "We should not let any stone
remain unturned. I would not have our Mark sent to prison for anything.
It would be the ruin of the boy."

I of course promised to do my best. It was getting late in the day, for
I had spent a considerable time at the Hall, and a further period had
been occupied in getting to old Roger's cottage. Mrs Riddle insisted
on my stopping to take tea, and as I had had no dinner I was very glad
to accept her invitation. I remained on afterwards for some time,
talking to the old sailor, so that it was pretty late when I at length
set out to return home. As I had told Ned where I was going I knew that
they would not be anxious about me, and therefore did not hurry my
steps. I had got about half way, when feeling tired I sat myself down
to rest, with my back against the side of an old barn, at a spot whence
I could obtain a good view of the sea. I sat for some time watching the
vessels passing up and down channel, and observing a few boats putting
out for their night's fishing from Leighton Cove. The weather was warm,
and I was