stand afore him. I'd take my own matter in my own hands, and
make sure of vengeance. God doesn't take any notice.'

'I'm sure God sees,' answered Stephen; 'He is everywhere; and He isn't
blind, or deaf, only we don't understand what He is going to do yet. If
He didn't take any notice of us, He wouldn't make me feel so happy,
spite of everything. Oh, Thompson thee and the men were so kind to me
when I couldn't work, and I've never seen thee to thank thee. I can do
nothing for thee, except I could persuade thee to repent, and be as
happy as I am.'

'Oh, I'll repent some day,' said Black Thompson, loosing Stephen's arm;
'but I've lots of things to do aforehand, and I reckon they can all be
repented of together. So, lad, it's true what everybody is saying of
thee--thee has forgotten poor little Nan, and thy promise to thy
father!'

'No, I've never forgotten,' replied Stephen, 'but I'll never try to
revenge myself now. I couldn't if I did try. Besides, I've forgiven the
master; so don't speak to me again about it, Thompson.'

'Well, lad, be sure I'll never waste my time thinking of thee again,'
said Black Thompson, with an oath; 'thy religion has made a poor,
spiritless, cowardly chap of thee, and I've done with thee altogether.'

Black Thompson strode away into the darkness, and was quickly out of
hearing, while Stephen stood still and listened to his rapid footsteps,
turning over in his mind what mischief he wished to tempt him to now.
The open shaft was only a few feet from him; but it had been safely
encircled by a high iron railing, instead of being bricked over, as it
had been found of use in the proper ventilation of the pit. From
Thompson and his temptation, Stephen's thoughts went swiftly to little
Nan, and how he had heard her calling to him upon that dreadful night
when he went away with the poachers. Was it possible that he could
forget her for a single day? Was she not still one of his most constant
and most painful thoughts? Yes, he could remember every pretty look of
her face, and every sweet sound of her voice; yet they were saying he
had forgotten her, while the pit was there for him to pass night and
morning--a sorrowful reminder of her dreadful death! A sharp thrill ran
through Stephen's frame as his outstretched hand caught one of the iron
railings, which rattled in its socket; but his very heart stood still
when up from the dark, narrow depths there came a low and stifled cry of
'Stephen! Stephen!'