tty dearly for it now."

Nic's hearing was acute enough now, and he heard every word.

"Here, you," he gasped painfully. "Call them back."

"What for, Master Nic?" said Pete in an appealing whisper. "Don't; you
mustn't now. Ask me for what you want."

"I want to know what all this means," panted the young man. "Why am I
here? What place is this? I'm not--I will know."

"No, no; don't ask now, Master Nic," whispered Pete. "You aren't fit to
know now. I'm with you, my lad, and I swear I won't forsake ye."

"You--you will not forsake me?" said Nic, with a look of horror.

"Never, my lad, while I've got a drop o' blood in my veins. Don't--
don't look at me like that. It waren't all my fault. Wait a bit, and
I'll tell you everything, and help you to escape back to the old
country."

"To the old country!" whispered Nic, whose voice was panting again from
weakness. "Where are we, then?"

"Amerikee, among the plantations, they say."

"But--but why? The plantations? What does it mean?"

"Work," said Saunders, who had come up behind them. "Now then, look
sharp, and eat your bread. You'll get no more till to-morrow morning,
and in less than half-an-hour we shall start."

"Start?" cried Nic huskily, as he clapped his hands to his head and
pressed it hard, as though he felt that if he did not hold on tightly
his reason would glide away again.

"Yes, man, start," said Saunders. "Can you two fellows row?"

"He can't, sir; he's too weak," cried Pete eagerly; and the overseer's
face contracted. "But I can. Best man here with an oar. I can pull,
sir, enough for two."

"I'll put you to the proof before you sleep," said the overseer sharply.
"Now, Mr Groves, I'm at your service. I suppose I have some papers to
sign?"

"Yes," said the agent, and he led the way, while the overseer followed,
closing the door, placing a whistle to his lips and blowing a shrill
note which was answered by a deep baying from the dogs.

"Escape!" muttered Nic wildly. "Plantations! Why, I shall be a slave!"

"No, no, my lad; don't take it like that. I'll help you to get away."

"Will ye?" growled Humpy Dee, coming towards them. "Then I tells that
chap next time he comes. I splits on you as you splits on we; so look
out, I say, both of you; look out!"

"It's a lie, Master Nic--a lie," cried Pete fiercely. "I swear to you,
I never--"

Pete caught at the young man's arm as he spoke, and then loosened it
with a groan