seizing his hand and leading him into the house, the back door of which
she locked and barred.

"There, get in," cried the girl, opening a low door in the wall, which
revealed the coal-hole of the establishment.

Bill's brow flushed. He drew back with a proud stern look and
hesitated.

"Oh, do! for _my_ sake," implored Nell.

A thundering rap on the front door resounded through the cottage; the
sailor put his pride in his pocket, stooped low and darted in. Nelly
shut the door, and leaned a baking-board against it.

"Let us in!" said a deep voice outside.

"Never!" replied Bessy, stamping her foot.

"You had better, dear," replied the voice, in a conciliatory tone; "we
won't do you any harm."

"Go along with you--brutes!" said the girl.

"We'll have to force the door if you don't open it, my dear."

"You'd better not!" cried Bessy through the keyhole.

At the same time she applied her eye to that orifice, and instantly
started back, for she saw the leader of the gang retire a few paces
preparatory to making a rush. There was short time for action,
nevertheless Bessy was quick enough to fling down a large stool in front
of the door and place herself in an attitude of defence. Next moment
the door flew open with a crash, and a sailor sprang in, cutlass in
hand. As a matter of course he tripped over the stool, and fell
prostrate at Bessy's feet, and the man who followed received such a
well-delivered blow from the crutch that he fell on the top of his
comrade. While the heroine was in the act of receiving the third she
felt both her ankles seized by the man who had fallen first. A piercing
yell followed. In attempting to free herself she staggered back and
fell, the crutch was wrenched from her grasp, and the whole gang poured
over her into the kitchen, where they were met by their comrades, who
had just burst in the back door.

"Search close," cried one of these; "there's a big fellow in the house;
we saw him run into it."

"You may save yourselves the trouble; there's no man in this house,"
cried Bessy, who had risen and followed her conquerors, and who now
stood, with dishevelled locks, flushed countenance, and gleaming eyes,
vowing summary vengeance on the first man she caught off his guard!

As the men believed her, they took care to keep well on their guard
while engaged in the search. Poor old Mrs Blyth looked absolutely
horror-stricken at this invasion of her cottage, and Nelly stood beside