ajesty of the king has been assailed."

"Unfortunately, for your reasoning," replied Hansford, "the term for
which Berkeley was appointed governor has expired some years since."

"That miserable subterfuge will scarcely avail, since you tacitly
acknowledged his authority by acting under his commission. But I have no
time to be discussing with you on the nature of your offence, of which,
at least, I am not the judge. I will only add, that conscious innocence
is not found skulking in dark forests, and obscure hiding places. Call
Thompson, with the horses, Holliday. It is time we were off."

"One word, before we leave," said Hansford, sadly. "My pistol ball took
effect, I know; who is its victim?"

"A poor Indian girl, who conducted us to your fastness," said Bernard.
"I had forgotten her myself, till now. Look, Holliday, does she still
live?"

"Dead as a herring, your honour," said the man, as he bent over the
body, with deep feeling, for, though accustomed to the flow of blood,
he had taken a lively interest in the poor girl, from what he had seen
and overheard. "And by God, Cap'n, begging your honour's pardon, a brave
girl she was, too, although she was an Injin."

"Poor Mamalis," said Hansford, tenderly, "you have met with an early and
a sad fate. I little thought that she would betray me."

"Nay, wrong not the dead," interposed Bernard, "I assure you, she knew
nothing of the object of our coming. But all's fair in war, Major, and a
little intrigue was necessary to track you to this obscure hold."

"Well, farewell, poor luckless maiden! And so I've killed my friend,"
said Hansford, sorrowfully. "Alas! Mr. Bernard, my arm has been felt in
battle, and has sent death to many a foe. But, God forgive me! this is
the first blood I have ever spilt, except in battle, and this, too,
flows from a woman."

"Think not of it thus," said Bernard, whose hard nature could not but be
touched by this display of unselfish grief on the part of his prisoner.
"It was but an accident, and should not rest heavily on your soul. Stay,
Holliday, I would not have the poor girl rot here, either. Suppose you
take the body to Windsor Hall, where it will be treated with due
respect. Thompson and myself can, meantime, attend the prisoner."

"Look ye, Cap'n," said Holliday, with the superstition peculiar to
vulgar minds; "'taint that I'm afeard exactly neither, but its a mighty
dissolute feeling being alone in a dark night with a corp. I'd ra