ll, 'Quick! march!' and away they went. And the word
does go around as, after the court term is over, the judge he means to
take Miss Claudia over the seas to forrin parts to see the world."

"Which--which road did they take, Jovial?" gasped Ishmael, striving hard
to recover breath and strength and the power of motion.

"Law, sir, the Baymouth road, to be sure! where they 'spects to take the
'Napolis boat, which 'ill be a nigh thing if they get there in time to
meet it, dough dey has taken the sleigh an' the fast horses."

Ishmael heard no more. Dropping his books, he darted out of the gate,
and fled along the road taken by the travelers. Was it in the mad hope
of overtaking the sleigh? As well might he expect to overtake an express
train! No--he was mad indeed! maddened by the suddenness of his
bereavement; but not so mad as that; and he started after his flying
love in the fierce, blind, passionate instinct of pursuit. A whirl of
wild hopes kept him up and urged him on--hopes that they might stop on
the road to water the horses, or to refresh themselves, or that they
might be delayed at the toll-gate to make change, or that some other
possible or impossible thing might happen to stop their journey long
enough for him to overtake them and see Claudia once more; to shake
hands with her, bid her good-by, and receive from her at parting some
last word of regard--some last token of remembrance! This was now the
only object of his life; this was what urged him onward in that fearful
chase! To see Claudia once more--to meet her eyes--to clasp her hand--to
hear her voice--to bid her farewell!

On and on he ran; toiling up hill, and rushing down dale; overturning
all impediments that lay in his way; startling all the foot-passengers
with the fear of an escaped maniac! On and on he sped in his mad flight,
until he reached the outskirts of the village. There a sharp pang and
sudden faintness obliged him to stop and rest, grudging the few moments
required for the recovery of his breath. Then he set off again, and ran
all the way into the village--ran down the principal street, and turned
down the one leading to the wharf.

A quick, breathless glance told him all. The boat had left the shore,
and was steaming down the bay.

He ran down to the water's edge, stretching his arms out towards the
receding steamer, and with an agonizing cry of "Claudia! Claudia!" fell
forward upon his face in a deep swoon.

A crowd of villagers g