m speechless,
and he half turned away.

Fred sprang at once to his side, and his quick movement excited
Scarlett's suspicion for the moment; but he thrust his sword back into
its sheath, and stood there motionless.

"Look here," said Fred, excitedly, "of course, we're enemies, Scar; but
we want to help you all the same."

"I suppose we must surrender now," said Scarlett, sadly. "I can do no
more. Have you your men outside?"

"No; I haven't got my men outside," cried Fred, in a boyish, petulant
way. "Can't you believe me? What am I to say?"

"Nothing, Fred Forrester," replied Scarlett, mournfully. "I believe
you, though we can't shake hands now."

"Can't we?" said Fred, in a disappointed tone.

Scarlett shook his head.

"I have held out as long as I could. I thought we might escape; but it
was impossible with two wounded men, and I could not get through the
lines in search of food."

Fred raised the light above his head, and then bent down over where he
could see some one lying on the stone floor.

"Yes; he is asleep," said Scarlett, sadly.

"Is he much hurt?" whispered Fred.

"Terribly; but he is better now, and--"

"Here he is, Master Fred," whispered Samson, as he knelt beside the
grim-looking figure of his brother, who seemed to be smiling mockingly
in his face. "Nice object, isn't he? Brother to be proud on!"

"Silence!" said Fred, sternly; and at that moment there was an
ejaculation, a hasty movement, and Sir Godfrey made an effort to raise
himself upon his arm, the light, feeble as it was, dazzling him so that
he could not see.

"Scarlett! My boy! Are we prisoners, then?"

"No, Sir Godfrey," cried Fred, hastily; "right or wrong, I'd sooner go
and jump off Rill Head into the sea than give you up."

"Ah, my lad," said Sir Godfrey, faintly, "these are sad times; but, for
pity's sake, tell me--my wife and child?"

"Quite, quite safe, Sir Godfrey."

"Ah!" ejaculated the wounded man; and then, as he stretched out his hand
to Fred, "God bless you for that news!"

Fred eagerly grasped the extended hand, and wrung it, to turn directly
after in a shamefaced way toward Scarlett, as if apologising to him for
letting his father grasp hands with so bitter a foe.

Scarlett stood gazing sadly at him for a few moments, and then slowly
raised his own cold, thin hand, which was literally snatched by Fred,
and the lads stood together in silence, neither daring to trust himself
to speak.

Fred w