he had obtained sufficient for his
purpose, and then, returning within, said, "I'll stop your
wandering," went up to the child, sprinkled some water over it
and said, "Mehetabel, I baptize thee--"

The cat made a spring and dashed past.

Down went the contents of the bowl over the babe, which uttered
a howl lusty, loud enough to have satisfied any nurse that the
baptism was valid, and that the devil was expelled.

CHAPTER VI.

MEHETABEL IT MUST BE.

In at the barn door came Mrs. Verstage, Iver's mother.

"Iver! Wot's up?"

"Oh, mother!"

"Where's that babe?"

"Here, mother, on the ground."

"On the ground! Good life! Sowsed, soaked through and through,
whatever have you been doin'? Holdin' it under the spout?"

"Baptizin' it, mother."

"Baptizin' of it?" The woman stared.

"I thought the creetur was dyin'."

"Well, and wot then?"

"Mother. Lest it shud take to wanderin'."

"Baptizin' of it. Dear life! And what did you call it?"

"Mehetabel."

"Mehetabel! 'Taint a human name."

"It is, mother. It's a Scriptur name."

"Never heard on it."

"Mehetabel was the wife of Hadar."

"And who the dickens was Hadar?"

"He was a dook--a dook of Edom."

In the churchyard of Thursley stands a large white stone, on
which is carved a medallion, that contains the representation
of a man falling on the ground, with one arm raised in deprecation,
whilst two men are robbing and murdering him, and a third is
represented as acting sentinel lest the ruffians should be
surprised. On the ground are strewn the garments of the man who
is being killed. Beneath this rudely sculptured group is this
inscription:--

I N M E M O R Y O F

A generous, but unfortunate Sailor,
Who was barbarously murdered on Hind Head,
On September 24th, 1786,

B Y T H R E E V I L L A I N S,

After he had liberally treated them and promised
them his farther Assistance on the Road
to Portsmouth.

In the "Royal Huts," a tavern, in which now very good entertainment
for man and beast may be had, a tavern which stands somewhat
further along the way to Portsmouth than Hind Head, may be seen
at this day some rude contemporary paintings representative of
the murder.

The ruffians after having killed their victim, robbed him, not
only of his money, but also of his clothes, and hastened on their
way.

A hue and cry were raised, when the corpse had been discovered,
and the men were arrested upon the following