spoken of save with
reverence. For I know that, although Naomi had spoken but few words to
me, and that I had only a hope of her loving me in some far-off time,
yet the thought that she cared for me ever so little made me rich in
spite of my poverty, and caused the wailing winds to sing glad songs to
me. No man is poor while his love loves him, and even a hope of that
love is the life of God surging in the heart of a man.

And so I came up to the spot where I had fastened my horse, glad at
heart, although I knew not where to go or what to do. I rode a mile or
two, and then I remembered that if I were discovered with Cap'n Jack's
mare I should be in danger of being hanged for horse stealing. So I
jumped from her back, tied the halter around her neck, and told her to
go home. She sniffed around for two or three minutes, and then started
to trot steadily along the road toward Kynance, and over which I had
rode her hours before.

This done, I started to walk to Falmouth; as I trudged along I had to
pass close to Elmwater Barton, but my heart felt no bitterness, for it
was filled with love. When I came to Betsey Fraddam's cottage I stopped,
intending to go in; but thinking better of it I made no sound, and a few
minutes later was on the main road to Falmouth Town.

I did not walk rapidly, for a great peace was in my heart. I did not
fear Cap'n Jack's gang, although I felt sure they would follow me, and I
knew that Israel Barnicoat would do all in his power to embitter Cap'n
Jack against me. I felt strong enough to overcome everything, so great
is the power of hope.

So slowly did I walk that I did not get near Falmouth Harbour until the
gray morning began to dawn. I looked eagerly among the vessels, thinking
of the fate of the craft Cap'n Jack's gang had intended to wreck. I
wondered, too, whether Israel Barnicoat had been discovered, and if
Cap'n Jack knew of what I had done. As I drew nearer I determined that I
would speak to the first person I should meet, and ask what vessels had
arrived, but scarcely had the thought formed itself in my mind when I
felt my arms pinioned.

I struggled like a mad man for my liberty, because I saw that two
Preventive men had attacked me, and I believe I should have freed myself
from them had not a third come to the help of the other two.

"What is the meaning of this?" I said, when they had tied my hands.

"Hanging," was the reply.

"What for?"

"Showing a false light by the Liza