me, as
kind as a mother could be."

Mrs Chopper hugged him to her breast, and then said, in a hurried tone,
as she dropped on the bed,--"There; go, go."

Nancy took up Joey's bundle in one hand and Joey by the other, and they
went down stairs. As soon as they were in the street, Nancy turned
short round, and went to the house where she usually slept, desiring
Joey to wait a moment at the door. She soon returned with her own
bundle, and then, with a quick pace, walked on, desiring Joey to follow
her. They proceeded in this manner until they were clear of the town,
when Joey came up to Nancy, and said, "Thank you, Nancy; I suppose we'd
better part now?"

"No, we don't part yet, Peter," replied Nancy.

"But where are you going, and why have you that bundle?"

"I am going with you, Peter," replied Nancy.

"But, Nancy--," replied Joey; and then, after a pause, "I will do all I
can for you--I will work for you--but I have no money, and I hope we
shall not starve."

"Bless you, boy! bless you for that kind feeling! but we shall not
starve; I have Mrs Chopper's leave to go with you; indeed, she wished
me so to do, and she has given me money for you--it is for you, although
she said for both."

"She is very kind; but why should you go with me, Nancy? You have
nothing to fear."

"We must not talk now, Peter; let us walk on; I have more to fear than
you."

"How is that? I fear being taken up for that of which I am not guilty,
but you have nothing to fear."

"Peter, dear," replied Nancy, solemnly, "I do not fear for anything the
world can do to me--but don't talk now; let us go on."

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

IN WHICH THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE BRINGS OUR HERO'S NOSE TO A GRINDSTONE.

When Nancy and our hero had proceeded about three miles on their way,
Nancy slackened her pace, and they entered into conversation.

"Which way are you going?" demanded Joey.

"I'm cutting right across the country, Peter, or rather Joey, as I shall
in future call you, for that is your real name--the marine told me it
was Joseph Rushbrook; is it not?"

"Yes, it is," replied Joey.

"Then in future I shall call you so, for I do not want to hear even a
name which would remind me of the scene of my misery; and Joey, do you
never call me Nancy again, the name is odious to me; call me Mary."

"I will if you wish it; but I cannot imagine why you should run away
from Gravesend, Mary. What do you mean to do? I ran away from fear of