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MEHALAHVOL. I,

MEHALAHASTORY OF THE SALT MARSHESIN TWOVOLUMESVOL. I.LONDONSMITH, ELDER, & CO., 15 WATERLOO PLACE1880[All rights reserved]

CONTENTSOPTHE FIRST VOLUME.CHAPTER . PAGEI. The Rat 1II. The Rhtn 22III. The Seven Whistlers .... 49IV. Red Hall 63V. The Decoy 83VI. Black or Gold 100VII. Like a Bad Penny"j 126VIII. Where is He 151IX. In Mourning 170X. Struck Colours 183XL A Dutch Auction 209XII. A Gilded Balcony 228XIII. The Flag Flies 242XIV. On the Burnt Hill 264XV. New Tear's Eve 285

MEHALAH:A STORY OF THE SALT MARSHES.CHAPTEE I.THE RAY.Between the mouths of the Blackwater and theColne, on the east coast ofEssex, lies an extensivemarshy tract veined and freckled in every partwith water. It is a wide waste of debatableground contested by sea and land, subject toincessantincursions from the former,but stubbornlymaintained by the latter. At high tide the appearanceis that of a vast surface of moss or Sargassoweed floating on the sea, with rents andpatches of shining water traversing and dapplingit in all directions. The creeks, some of considerablelength and breadth, extend many milesinland, and are arteries whence branches out aVOL. I.B

2 MEHALAH.fibrous tissue of smaller channels, flushed withwater twice in the twenty-four hours. At noontides,and especially at the equinoxes, the seaasserts its royalty over this vast region, and overflowsthe whole, leaving standing out of the floodonly the long island ofMersea, and thelesserislet,called the Eay. This latter is a hill of gravelrising from the heart of the Marshes, crownedwith ancient thorntrees, and possessing, what isdenied the mainland, an unfailing spring of purestwater. At ebb, the Eay can only be reachedfrom the oldEoman causeway, called the Strood,over which runs the road from Colchester toMersea Isle, connecting formerly the city of theTrinobantes with the station of the count ofthe Saxon shore. But even at ebb, the Eay isnot approachable by land unless the sun or eastwind has parched the ooze into brick; and thenthe way is long, tedious and tortuous, amongbitter pools and over shining creeks. It wasperhaps because this ridge of high ground wasso inaccessible, so wellprotected by nature,thatthe ancient inhabitants had erected on it a rath,or fortified camp of woodenlogs, which left itsname to the place long after the timber defenceshadrotted away.

THE RAY. 3A more desolate region can scarce be conceived,and yet it is not without beauty. Insummer, the thrift mantles the marshes with shotsatin, passing through all gradations of tint frommaiden's blush to lily white. Thereafter a purpleglow steals over the waste, as the sea lavenderbursts into flower, and simultaneously every creekand pool is royally fringed with sea aster. Alittle later the glass-wort, that shot up green andtransparent as emerald glass in the early spring,turns to every tinge of carmine.When all vegetation ceases to live, and goesto sleep, the marshes are alive and wakeful withcountless wild fowl. At all times they are hauntedwith sea mews and roysten crows, in winter theyteem with wild duck and grey geese. Thestatelyheronloves to wade in the pools, occasionally thewhooper swan soundshis loudtrumpet, and flashesa white reflectionin the still blue waters of thefleets. Theplaintive pipe of the curlewisfamiliarto those who frequent these marshes,and thebarkingof the brent geese as they return from theirnorthern breeding places is heard in November.At the close of last century there stood on theEay a small farmhouse built of tarred wreckagetimber, and roofed with red pan-tiles. TheB 2

4 MEHALAH.twisted thorntrees about it afforded some, butslight, shelter. Under thelittle cliff of gravel wasa good beach, termed ' a hard.'On an evening towards the closeof September,a man stood in this farmhouse by the hearth, onwhich burnt a piece of wreckwood, opposite anold woman, who crouched shivering with ague ina chair on the other side. He was a stronglybuilt man of about thirty-five, wearingfisherman'sboots, a brown coat and a red plush waistcoat.His hair was black, raked over his brow. Hischeekbones were high;his eyes dark, eager, intelligent,but fierce in expression. His nose wasaquiline, and would have given a certain nobilityto his countenance,had not his huge jaws andheavy chin contributed an animal cast to his face.He leaned onhis duck-gun, and glared fromunder his pent-house brows and thatch of blackhair over the head of the old woman at agirlwhostood behind, leaning on theback of her mother'schair, and whoreturned his stare with a look ofdefiance from her brown eyes.The girl might have been taken for a sailorboy, as she leaned over the chairback, but fortheprofusion of her black hair. She wore a blueknitted guernsey covering body and arms, and

THE ray.5across thebreast, woven inred wool, was the nameof thevessel, ' Gloriana.' Theguernsey had beenknitted for one of the crew of a shipof thisname,but had come into the girl's possession. On herheadshe wore the scarlet wovencap of a boatman.The one-pane window at the side of the fireplacefaced the west, and the evening sun fit herbrown gipsy face, burnt in her large eyes, andmade coppery lights in her dark hair.Theold woman was shivering with the ague,and shook the chairon whichher daughter leaned;a cold sweat ran off her brow, and every now andthen she raised a white faltering hand to wipe thedrops away that hung on her eyebrows like rainon thatching.' I'did not catch thechill here,' she said. Iketched it more than thirty years ago whenIwasonMersea Isle, and it has stuck in my marrowever since.But there is no ague on the Eay.This is the healthiest place in the world, Mehalahhas never caught the ague onit. Ido not wishever to leave it, and to lay my bones elsewhere.'' Then you will have topay your rent punctually,'said the manin a dry tone,not looking ather, but at her daughter.' Please the Lord so we shall, as we ever have

6 MEHALAH.done,' answered the ' woman; but when the chill'comes on me' Oh, curse the chill,' interrupted the man;' who cares for that exceptperhaps Glory yonder,who has to work for both of you. Is it so.Glory?'Thegirl thus addressed did not answer, butfolded her arms on the chairback, andleaned herchin uponthem. Sheseemed at that momentlikea wary cat watching a threatening dog,and readyata moment to show her clawsand show desperatebattle, not out of malice,but in self-defence.' Why, but for you sitting there, sweating andjabbering,Glory wouldnot be bound to this loneislet, but would go out and see the world,andtaste fife. She growshere like a mushroom, shedoesnot live. Isit not so, Glory ? 'The girl's face was no longer lit by the decliningsun, which had glided further north-west,but the flames of the driftwood flickeredin herlarge eyes that met those of the man, and the capwas still illumined by the evening glow, a scarletblaze against the indigo gloom.' ' Have you lost your tongue,Glory ? askedthe man, impatiently striking thebricks with thebutt end of his gun.

THE ray. 7' Why do you not speak, Mehalah ? ' said themother, turning her wan wet face aside, to catcha glimpse of her daughter.' I've answered him fifty times,' said the girl.' No,' protested the old woman feebly, ' youhave not spoken a word to Master Eebow.'' By God, she is right,' broke in the man.' Thelittle devil has a tongue in each eye,and shehas been telling me with each a thousand timesthat she hates me. Eh, Glory ? 'Thegirl rose erect, set her teeth, and turnedher face aside, andlooked out at thelittle windowon the decaying light.Eebow laughed aloud.' Shehated me before, and now she hates meworse, becauseIhave become her landlord.Ihave bought theEay for eight hundred pounds.The Eay is mine,Itell you. Mistress Sharland,you will henceforth have to pay me the rent, tome and to none other. Iam your landlord, andMichaelmas is next week.'' The rent shall be paid, Elijah!' said thewidow.' TheEay is mine,' pursued Eebow, swelling'with pride. Ihave bought it with my ownmoney — eight hundred pounds. Icould stubb

8 MEHALAH.up the trees ifIwould. Icould cart muck intothe well and choke it ifIwould. Icould pulldown the stables andbreak them up for firewoodifIchose. Allhere is mine,the Eay,the marshes,and the saltings,1 the creeks, the fleets, the farm.That is mine,' said he, striking the wall with hisgun, ' and that is mine,' dashing the butt endagainst the ' hearth; and you are mine, and Gloryis mine.'' That never,' said the girl stepping forward,and confronting him with dauntless eye and firmlips and folded arms.' Eh ! Gloriana! haveIroused you ? ' exclaimedElijahEebow, with a flash of exultation'in his fierce eyes. Isaid that the houseand themarshes, and the saltings are mine,Ihave boughtthem. And your mother and you are mine.'Never,' repeated the girl.'' ButIsay yes.'We are your tenants, Elijah,'' observed thewidow nervously interposing. Do not letMehalah anger you. She has been reared hereinsolitude, and she does not know the ways ofmen. She means nothing by her manner.'1 A saltingislandoccasionallyflooded,otherwiseservingaspasturage.Amarsh is a reclaimedsalting,enclosedwithina sea-wall.

THE EAY.' Ido,' said thegirl,' andhe knows it.'' She is a headlong child,' pursued the oldwoman, ' and when she fares to say or do a thing,thereisno staying tongue or hand. Do not mindher, master.'The man paid no heed to the woman's words,but fixed his attention on the girl. Neither spoke.It was as though a war of wills was proclaimedand begun. He sought to beat down her defenceswith the force of his resolve flung ather from hisdark eyes, and she parried it dauntlessly with herpride.' By God! ' he said at last, ' Ihave never seenanywhere else a girl of your sort. There is noneelsewhere. Ilike you.'' Iknew it,' said the mother with feeble'triumph inher palsied voice. She is a right goodgirl at heart, true as steel, and as tough in fibre.'' Ihave bought the house and thepasture,andthe marshes and the saltings,' said Elijah sulkily,' and all that thereon is. You are mine, Glory!You cannot escapeme. Give me your hand.'She remained motionless, with folded arms.He laid his heavy palm on her shoulder.' Give me your hand, and mine is light;Iwill help you. Let me lay it on you and it will9

10 MEHALAH.crush you. Escape it you cannot. This way orthat. My hand will clasp or crush.'She did not stir.'The wild fowl that fly here are mine,the fishthat swim in the fleets are mine,' he went on; ' Ican shoot and net them.'' So can I,and so can anyone,' said the girlhaughtily.' Let them try it on,' said Elijah; '" Iam notone to be trifled with, as the world well knows.Iwillbear no poaching here. Ihave bought theEay, and the fish are mine, and the fowl aremine, and you are mine also. Let him touchwho dares.'' The wild fowl are free for any man to shoot,the fish are free for any man to net,' said the girlscornfully.' That is not my doctrine,' answered Elijah.' What is on my soil andin my waters is mine,Imay do with them whatIwill, and so also allthat lives on my estate is mine.' Eeturning withdoggedness to his point, ' As you live in myhouse and onmy land, you are mine.'' Mother,' said the girl, ' give him notice, andquit theEay.'' Icouldnot doit,Mehalah,I couldnot do it,'

THE EAY.11'answered the woman. I've lived all my life onthe marshes, andIcannot quit them. But this isa healthy spot, and not like the marshes of DairyHouse where once we were, and whereIketchedthe chill.'' You cannot go till you have paid me therent,' said Eebow.' That,' answered Mehalah, ' we will do assuredly.'' ' So you promise, Glory! said Eebow.' Butshould — you fail to do it,Icould take every stickhere: That chair in which your mother shivers,those dishes yonder, the bed you sleep in, thesprucehutch 1 in which you keep your clothes. Icould pluck the clock, theheart of the house, outof it. Icould tear that defiant red cap off yourhead.Icould drive youbothout without a coverinto the whistling east \.Tind andbiting frost.''' Itell you, we can and we will pay.'But should you not be able at any time,Iwarn you what to expect.I've a fancy for thatjersey you wear with " Gloriana " right across thebreast. I'll pull it off and draw it on myself.''He ground his teeth. Iwill have it,if only towrap me in, in my grave. Iwill cross my arms1 Cypress-chest.

12 MEHALAH.over it, as you do now, and set my teeth, and nota devil inhell shall tearit off me.'' Itell you we willpay.'' Let me alone,let me talk. This is betterthan money. Iwill rip the tiling off theroof andflingit down between the rafters, if you refuse tostir;Iwill cast it at yourmother and you, Glory.Thered cap will not prots&ct 3'our skull from atile, will it? And yet you say,Iam not yourmaster.You do not belong to me, as do themarshes and the saltings, and the wild duck.'' Itell you we willpay,' repeated the girl passionately,as she wrenchedher shoulder from hisiron grip.' You don't belong to me! ' jeered Elijah.Then slapping the arm of the widow's chair, andpointing over ' his shoulder at Mehalah, he saidscornfully: She says she does not belong to me,as though she believedit. But she does, and youdo, and so does that chair, and the log thatsmoulders on the hearth, and the very hearthitself, with its heat, the hungry ever devouringbelly of the house. I'vebought the Eay andallthat is onit for eight hundred pounds. Isaw iton thepaper, it stands in writing andmay not bebroke through. Lawyers scripture binds and

THE EAY 13looses as Bible scripture.Iwillstick to my rights,toevery thread and breath of them. She is mine.'' But, Elijah, be reasonable,' said the widow,lifting herhand appealingly. The fit of ague waspassing away. 'We are in a Christianland. Weare not slaves to be bought and sold hke cattle.'' If you cannot pay the rent,Ican take everythingfrom you. Ican throw you out of thischair down on those bricks. Ican take thecrock and all the meat in it. Ican take the bedon which you sleep. Ican take the clothes offyour back.' Turning suddenly round on the girlhe glared, ' Iwillrip the jersey off her, and wearit tillIrot. Iwill pull the red cap off her headandlay it on my heart to keep it warm. Noneshall say me nay. Tellme, mistress, what are you,what is she, without house andbed and clothing ?Iwill take her gun,Iwill swamp her boat. Iwill trample down your garden. Iwilldrive youboth down with my dogs upon the saltings at thespring tide, at the full of moon. You shallnot shelter here,on my island,if you will not pay.Itell you,Ihave bought the Eay. Igave fcr iteight hundred pounds.''But Elijah,' protested the old woman, 'donot be so angry. We are sure to pay.'

14 MEHALAH' We willpay him, mother, and thenhecannotopen his mouth against us.' At that moment thedoor flew open,and two men entered, one young,the other old.' There is the money,' said the girl, as thelatter laid a canvas bagon the table.' We've sold the sheep — atleast Abraham has,'said the young man joyously, as he held out his'hand. Sold them well, too, Glory! 'Thegirl's entire face was transformed. Thecloud that had hung overit cleared, the hard eyessoftened, and a kindly light beamed from them.The set lips became flexible and smiled. Elijahsaw and noted the change, and his brow grewdarker,his eye more threatening.Mehalah strode forward, and held out herhand to clasp that offered her. Elijah swung hismusket suddenly about, and unlessshe hadhastilyrecoiled, the barrel would have struck, perhapsbroken,her wrist.' Yourefusedmy hand,' he said, ' althoughyouare mine. Ibought the Eay for eight hundredpounds.' Then turning to the young man with'sullenness, he asked, George De Witt, whatbrings youhere? '' Why, cousin, I've a right to be here as wellas you.

' No, you have not.THE EYA. 15Ihave bought the Eay,and ho man sets foot on this island against mywill'The young man laughed good-humouredly.' You won't keep me off your property then,Elijah, so long as Glory is here? 'Elijah made a motion as though he wouldspeak angrily, but restrained himself with aneffort. He said nothing, but his eyes followedevery movement of Mehalah Sharland. Sheturned to him Avith an exultantsplendour in herface, andpointing to the canvas bag onthe table,'said, There is the money.rent at once, or wait tillit is due.'' Itis not due tillnext Thursday.'' We do not pay for a few weeks.Will you take theThreeweeks' grace we have been hitherto allowed.'' Igive no grace.'' Then take your money at once.'' Iwill not touchit tillitis due. Iwill takeit next Thursday, You will bring it me then toEed Hall.'' Is theboat allright whereIleft her ? ' askedthe young man.' Yes, George! ' answered the girl, ' she is onthe hard where you anchored her this morning.

16 MEHALAH.What have you been getting in Colchester today?'' Ihave bought some groceries for mother,'he said, ' and thereis a present withme for you.But that Iwill not give up till by-and-bye.You will help me to thrust the boat off, will younot, Glory ? '' She is afloat now. However,Iwill comepresently,Imust give Abraham first his supper.'' Thank ye,' said the old man.' George deWitt and me stopped at the Eose and had abite. Imust go at once after the cows. You'llexcuse me.' He went out.' Will you stay and sup with us, George ?'asked the widow.' Thereis something in the potwillbe ready directly.'' Thank you all the same,' he replied, ' Iwantto be back as soon asIcan, the night will bedark; besides you and Glory have company.'Then turning to Eebow he added:'' So you have bought the Eay.'' Ihave.'Then Glory and her mother are yourtenants.'' They' are min^.'Ihope they will find you an easy landlord.'

THE EAY.17' Ireckon they will not,' said Elijah shortly.' Come along, Glory!' he called, abandoningthe topic and the uncongenial speaker, and turningto the girl. Help me with my'' boat.'Don't be gone for long, Mehalah ! ' said hermother.' Ishall be back directly.'Elijah Eebow kept his mouth closed. Hisface was as though cast in iron, but a living firesmouldered within and broke out through theeye-sockets, as lava willlie hard and cold, a rockycrust with a fiery fluid core withinthatat intervalsglares out at fissures. He did not utter a word,but he watched Glory go out with De Witt, andthen a grim smile curdled his rugged cheeks. Heseated himself opposite the widow, and spreadhis great hands over the sire. He was pondering.The shadow of his strongly featured face and expandedhands was cast on the opposite wall, asthe flame flickered, the shadow hands seemed toopen and shut, to stretch and grasp.The gold haddied out of the sky and only apearly twilight crept in at the window, the eveningheaven seen through the pane was soft andcoolin tone as the tints of the Glaucusgull. Theold woman remained silent. She was afraid ofcVOL. i.

THE EAY. 19' Saving mine at Eed Hall, and those at SalcotEising Sun,' interjected the man.' You see, Eebow, in times gone by, a greatmany smuggled^ goods were stowed away here;but much does not come this way now,' with asiah.'It goes to Eed Hall instead,' said Eebow.' Ah! if you were there, your life would be amerry one. There! take the keg. Ihave hadtrouble enough bringing it here. You stow itaway where you like, yourself; and draw me aglass,Iam dry.'He flung himself in the chair again, and letthe old woman take up and hug the keg, andcarry it off to some secure hiding-place where indays gone by manymuch larger barrels of brandyand wine had been stored away. She soonreturned.' Ihave not tapped this,''she said. Theliquorwill be muddy. Ihave drawn a little from theother that you gave me.'Elijah took the glass from her handand tossedit off. He was chuckling to himself.' You will say a word for me to Glory.''Eely on me, Elijah. None has been so goodto me as you. None has given me anything forc 2

20 MEHALAH.my chillbut you.ButMehalah will find it out,Ireckon; she suspects already.'He paid no heed to her words.' So she is not mine, nor the house, nor themarshes, nor the saltings, nor the fish and fowl! 'he muttered derisively to himself.' Ipaid eight hundred pounds for the Eay andall that therein is,' he continued, ' let alone whatIpaid thelawyer.' He rubbed his hands. Thenhe rose again, and took his gun.' I'm off,' he said, and strode to the door.At the same momentMehalah appeared at it,her face clear and smiling. She looked handsomerthan ever.' Well ! ' snarled Eebow, arresting her, ' whatdid he give you? '' That is no concern of yours,' answered thegirl, and she tried to pass. He put his fowlingpiece across the door and barred the way.' What did he give you? ' he asked in hisdogged manner.' 1might refuse to answer,' she said carelessly,' butIdo not mind your knowing;the wholeEay and Mersea, and the world outside mayknow. This! ' She produced an Indian red silkkerchief which she flung over her shoulders and

THE EAY.21knotted under her chin. With her rich complexion,hazel eyes, dark hair and scarlet cap, lit bythe red fire flames, she looked a gipsy, and splendidin her beauty. Eebow dropped his gun,thrust her aside with a sort of mad fury, andflunghimself out of the door.' He is gone at last! ' said the girl Avith a gaylaugh.Eebow put his head in again. His lips weredrawn back and his wdiite teeth glistened.' You will pay the rent next Thursday. Igive no grace.'Thenhe shut the door and was gone.

22 MEHALAH.CHAPTEE II.THE EIIYX.' Motiiee,' said Mehalah,' are you better now ? '' Yes, the fit is off me, butIam left terriblyweak.'' Mother, wall you give me the medal ? '' What ? Your grandmother's charm? Youcannot want it! '' It brings luck, and saves from sudden death.Iwish to give it to George.'' No, Mehalah ! This willnot do.keep it yourself' It is mine, isit not ? 'You must' No, child ; it is promised you, but is notyours yet. You shall have it some future day.'' Iwant it at once, thatImay give it toGeorge. He has made me a present of this redkerchief for my neck, andhe has given me manyanother remembrance, butIhave made him noreturn. Ihave nothing thatIcan give him savethat medal. Let me have it.'

THE EHYX23' It must not go out of the family, Mehalah.'' It will not. You know what is betweenGeorge and me.'The old woman hesitatedand excusedherself,but was so much in the habit of yielding to herdaughter, that she was unable in this matter tomaintain her opposition. She submitted reluctantly,and crept out of the room to fetch thearticle demanded of her.When she returned, she found Mehalah standingbefore the fire with her back to the embers,andher hands knitted behind her,looking at thefloor,lost in thought.' Thereit is,''grumbled the old woman. ButIdon'tlike to part with it; and it must not goout of the family. Keep it yourself, Mehalah,andgiveit away to none.'The girl took the coin. It was a large silvertoken, the size of a crown, bearing on the face afigure ofMars in armour, with shield aud brandishedsword,between the zodiacalsigns of theEarnand the Scorpion.The reverse was gilt, and represented a squaredivided into five and twenty smaller squares, eachcontaining a number, so that the sum in eachrow, taken either vertically or horizontally, was

24 MEHALAH.sixty-five.The medal was undoubtedly foreign.Theophrastus Paracelsus, in his ' Archidoxa,' publishedin the year 1572, describes some suchtalisman, gives instructions for its casting, andsays: ' This seal or token gives him who carriesit about him strength and security and victory inall battles, protection in allperils. It enables himto overcomehisenemies and counteract theirplots.'The medal held by the girl belonged to thesixteenth century. Neither she nor her motherhad ever heard of Paracelsus,and knewnothing ofhis ' Archidoxa.' The figures on the face passedtheir comprehension. The mystery of the squareon the reverse had never been discovered bythem. They knew only that the token was acharm, and that family tradition held it to securethe wearer against sudden deathby violence.A hole was drilled through the piece, and astrong silver ring inserted. A broad silk ribandof faded blue passed through the ring, so that themedal might be worn about the neck. Eor a fewmoments Mehalah studied the mysterious figuresby the fire-light, then flung the riband round herneck, andhid the coin and its perplexing symbolsin her bosom.' I must light a candle,' she said; then she

THE EHYN.25stopped by the table on her way across theroom,and took up the glass uponit.' Mother,' she said ' sharply; who has beendrinking here ? 'DThe old woman pretended not to hear thequestion, and began to poke the fire.' Mother, has Elijah Eebow been drinkingspirits out of this glass ? '' To be sure, Mehalah,he did justtake a drop.'' '' Whence did he get it?Don't you think it probable that such a manas he, out much on the marshes, should carry abottle about with him ? Most men go providedagainst the chill who can afford to do so.'' Mother,' said the girl impatiently,' you aredeceiving me.Iknow he got the spirits here,and that you have had them here for some time.Iinsist on being toldhow you came by them.'The old woman made feeble andfutile attemptsto evade answering her daughter directly ; butwas at last forced to confess that ontwooccasions,of which this evening was one, Elijah Eebow hadbrought her a small keg of rum.' You do not grudge it me, Mehalah, do you ?It does me good whenIam low after my fits.'' Ido not grudge it you,' answered the girl;

26 MEHALAH.' butIdo not choose you should receive favoursfrom that man. He has to-day been threateningus, and yet secretly he is making you presents.Why does he come here ? ' She looked full in'her mother's face. Why does he give you thesespirits? He a man who never did a good actionbut asked a returnin fourfold measure.Ipromiseyou, mother, if he brings here any more, thatIwill stave in the cask and let the liquor you sovalue waste away.'The widow, made piteous protest, but herdaughter remained firm.' Now,' said the girl,' this point is settledbetween us. Be sureIwillnot go back from myword. Iwill innothing be behoven to the manIabhor. Now let me count the money.' Shecaught up the bag, then put it down again.She lit a candle at thehearth, drew her chair tothe table, seated herself at it, untied the stringknotted about theneck of thepouch, and pouredthe contents upon theboard.She sprang to her feet with a cry; she stoodas though petrified, with one hand to her head,the other holding the bag. Her eyes, wide openwith dismay, were fixed on thelittle heap shehademptied on the table — a heap of shot, great andsmall, some pennypieces, anda few bullets.

THE EHYN.'What is the matter27with you, Mehalah?What has happened ? 'The girl was speechless. The old womanmoved to the table and looked.' What is this, Mehalah? '' Look here ! Lead, not gold.'' There has been a mistake,' said the widow,nervously, ' call Abraham ;he has given you thewrong sack.'' There has been no mistake. Thisistherightbag. He had no other. We have,been robbed.'The old woman wTas about to put her hand ontheheap, but Mehalah arrestedit.' Do not touch anything here,' she said, ' letall remain as it is tillIbring Abraham. Imustascertain who has robbed us.'She leaned her elbows on the table; sheplatted her fingers overherbrow, and satthinking.What could have become of the money ? Wherecouldit have been withdrawn? Who could havebeen the thief?Abraham Dowsing, the shepherd, wasa simplesurly old man, honest but not intelligent, selfishbut trustworthy. He was a fair specimen of theEast Saxon peasant, a man of small reasoningpower, moving like a machine, very slow, muddy

28 MEHALAH.in mind, only slightly advanced in the scale ofbeings above the dumb beasts;with instinct justawaking into intelligence, but not sufficientlyawake to know its powers ; more unhappy andhelpless than the brute,for instinct is exhaustedinthetransformation process;nothappy as a man, forhe is encumbered with the new gift, not illuminedand assisted bj'it. He is distrustful of its power,inapt to appreciate it,detesting the exercise of it.On the fidelity of Abraham Dowsing,Mehalahfelt assured she might rely. He was guiltless ofthe abstraction. She relied on him to sell thesheep to the best advantage, for like everyone oflow mental organisation, he was grasping andkeen to drive a bargain. But when he had themoney she knew that less confidence could bereposed on him. He could think of but one thingat a time, and if he fell into company, his mindwould be occupied byhis jug of beer, his breadand cheese, or hiscompanion. He would nothaveattention at command for anything beside.Therustic brain has neither agility nor flexibility.It cannot shift its focus nor change itspoint of sight. The educated mind will peerthrough a needlehole in a sheet of paper, and seethroughit the entire horizonand allthe sky. The

THE EHYN.29uncultured mind perceives nothing but a hole, ahole everywhere without bottom, to be recoiledfrom,notsounded. When the oyster spat falls onmud in a tidal estuary, it gets buried in muddeeper with every tide, two films each twentyfourhours, and becomes a fossil if it becomesanything. Mind in the rustic is like oyster spat,unformed, the protoplasm of mind but not minditself, daily, annually deeper buried in the mud ofcoarse routine. Itnever thinks,it scarce lives, anddies in unconsciousness that it ever possessed life.Mehalah sat considering, her mother by her,with anxious eyes fastenedon her daughter's face.Themoney must have been abstracted eitherin Colchester or on the way home. The old manhad said that he stopped and tarried at the Eoseinn on the way. Had the theft been there committed?Who had been his associates in thattavern?' Mother,' said Mehalah suddenly,' has thecanvas bag been on the table untouched sinceAbraham brought it here ? '' To be sure it has.'' You have been in the room, in your seat allthe while? '' Of courseIhave. There was no one

30 MEHALAH.here but Eebow. You do not suspect him, doyou ? 'Mehalahshook her head' No,Ihave no reason to do so. You werehere all the while? '' Yes.'Mehalah dropped her brow again onherhands.What was to be done ? It wasinvain to questionAbraham. His thick and addled brain wouldbaffle enquiry. Like a savage, the peasant whenquestioned will equivocate, andrather than speakthe truth invent a lie from a dim fear lest thetruth should hurt him. The lie is to him whathis shell is to the snail,his place of naturalrefuge;he retreats to it not only from danger, but fromobservation.He does not desire to mislead the querist, butto baffle observation. He accumulates deception,equivocation,falsehood abouthim just as he allowsdirt to clothis person, for his own warmth andcomfort, not to offend others.The ghd stood up.'Mother,Imust go after George De Witt atonce. He was with Abraham on the road home,and he will tell us the truth. It is of no usequestioning the old man, he will grow- suspicious,

THE EHYN.31and think we are accusing him. The tide is atflood,Ishall be able to catch George on theMersea hard.''' Take the lanthorn with you.Iwill. The evening is becoming dark, andthere willbe ebb asIcome back. Imust landin the saltings.'Mehalah unhung a lanthorn from the ceilingandkindled a candle end in it, at the light uponthe table. She opened the drawer of the tableand took out a pistol. Shelookedat thepriming,and then thrustit through a leather belt she woreunder her guernsey.On that coast,haunted bysmugglers and otherlawless characters, a girl might well go armed.By the roadside to Colchester where cross waysmet, wTas growing an oak that had been plantedas an acorn in the mouth of a pirate of Bowhedge,not many years before, who had therebeenhung in chains for men murdered andmaidscarried off. Nearly every man carried a gun inhopes of bringing home wild fowd, and whenMehalah was in her boat, she usually took hergun with her for the same purpose. But menbore firearms not only for the sake of bringinghome game; self-protection demanded it.

32 MEHALAHAt this period, the mouth of the Blackwaterwas a great centre of the smuggling trade; thenumber andintricacy of the channelsmadeit asafeharbour for those who lived on contraband traffic.It was easy for those whoknew the creeks toeludethe revenue boats, and every farm and tavern wasready to give cellarage to run goods and harbourto smugglers.Between Mersea and the Blackwater wereseveral flat holms or islands, some under water athigh-tides, others only just standing aboveit, andbetween these the winding waterways formed alabyrinth in which it was easy to evade pursuitand entangle thepursuers. The traffic was thereforehere carried on with an audacity and opennessscarce paralleled elsewhere. Although therewas a coastguard station at the mouth of theestuary, on Mersea ' Hard,' yet goods were runeven in open day under the very eyes of therevenue men. Each public-hcuse on the island,and on the mainland near a creek obtained itsentire supply of wine and spirits from contrabandvessels. Whether the coastguard were bought toshut their eyes or were baffled by the adroitnessof the smugglers, cannot be said, but certain itwas, that the taverns found nodifficulty in obtain-

THE EHYN. 33ing their supplies as often and as abundant as theydesired.The villages of Virley and Salcot were thechieflanding-places, and there horses anddonkeyswere kept in large numbers for the conveyanceof the spirits, wine, tobacco and silk to TiptreeHeath,the scene of Boadicæa's great battle withthe legions of Suetonius, which was the emporiumof the trade. There a constant fair or auction ofcontraband articles went on, and thence they weredistributed to Maldon, Colchester, Chelmsford,and even London. Tiptree Heath was a permanentcamping ground of gipsies, and squattersran up thererude hovels; these were all engagedin the distribution of the goods brought from thesea.But though the taverns were able to supplythemselves with illicit spirits, unchecked, thecoastguard were ready to arrest and detain rungoods not destined for then- cellars. Deeds ofviolence were not rare, and many a revenueofficer fell a victim to his zeal. On SunkenIsland off Mersea, the story went, that a wholeboat's crew were found with their throats cut,they were transported thence to the churchyard,VOL. I.D

34 MEHALAH.there buried, and their boat turned keel upwardsover them.The gipsies were thought to pursue over-conscientiousand successful officers on the mainland,andremove them with a bullet should they escapethe smugglers on the water.The whole population of this region was moreor less mixed up with,andinterested in,thisillicittraffic, and with defiance of the officers of the law,from the parson who allowed his nag andcart tobe taken from his stable at night, left unboltedforthe purpose, and received a keg now and thenas repa3Tment, to the vagabonds who dealt at thedoor far inland insilks and tobacco obtained freeof duty on the coast.What was rare elsewhere was by no meansuncommon here, gipsies intermarried with thepeople, and settled on the coast. Thelife of adventure,danger, and impermanen.ee was sufficientlyattractive to them to induce them to abandonfor it their roving habits; perhaps thedifference of life wasnot somarked as to make thechange distasteful. Thus a strainof wild,restless,law-defying gipsy blood entered the veins of theEssex marshland populations, and galvanised intonew life the sluggish and slimy liquid thattrickled

THE EHYN.35through the East Saxon arteries. Adventurersfrom the Low Countries, from Erance, even fromItaly and Spain — originally smugglers, settled onthe coast, generally as publicans, in league withthe owners of the contraband vessels, married andleft issue. There were neither landed gentry,norresident incumbents in this district, to civilise andrestrain. The land was held by yeomen farmers,and by squatters Avho had seized on and enclosedAvaste land, no man saying them nay. At the revocationof the Edict of Nantes a large number ofHuguenot French families had settled in the' ' Hundreds and themarshes, andfor fulla centuryin several of the churches divine service Avas performedalternately in French and English. Tothe energy of these colonists perhaps are due thelong extended sea-walls enclosing vast tracts ofpasture from the tide.Those Huguenots not onlyinfused their Gallicblood into the veins of the people, but also theirPuritanic bitterness and Calvinistic partiality forOld Testament names. Thus the most frequentChristian names met with are those of patriarchs,prophets and Judaic kings, and the sire-names areforeign, often greatly corrupted.Yet, in spite of this infusion of strange ichorD 2

36 MEHALAH.from all sides, the agricultural peasant on thelandremains unaltered, stamped out of the old unleaveneddough of Saxon stolidity, forming a classapart from that of the farmers and that of theseamen, inintelligence, temperament,andgravitation.Allhe has derived from the French elementwhich has Avashed about him has been a nasaltwang inhis pronunciation of English. Yet hisdoaaed adherence to one letter. Avhich was ieopardisedby the Gallic invasion, has reacted, andimposed on the invaders, and the v is universallyreplaced on the Essex coast by a iu.In theplaster and oak cottages away from thesea, by stagnant pools, the hatching places ofclouds of mosquitos, Avhence rises with the nightthehaunting spiritoftertian ague,thehagthatrideson, and takes the life out of the sturdiest men andAvomen, and shakes and Avastes the vital nerves ofthe children, live the oldEast Saxon sloAv-movinf,never thinking, day labourers. In the tarredwreck-timber cabins by the sea just above thereachof the tide,besidethe shingle beach, swarmsa yeasty, turbulent,race ofmixed-breeds, engagedin the fishery andin the contraband trade.Mehalah Avent to the boat. It Avas floating.Sheplaced the lanthorn in the boAVS, cast loose,

THE EHYN.37andbegan to row. She would need the light onher return, perhaps, as with the falling tide shewould be unable to reach the landing-place underthe farmhouse, and be forced to anchor at theendof the island, andAvalk home across the saltings.To cross these Avithout a light on a darknight is not safe even to one knowing the lie ofthe land.A little light stilllingered iu the sky. ThereAvas a yellow grey glow in the west over theBradwell shore. Its fringe of trees, and oldbarn chapel standing across the Avails of theburied city Othona, stood sombre against thelight, as though dabbed in pitch on a fadedgolden ground. The water Avas still, as no AvindAvas blowing, and it reflected the sky and thestars that stole out, with such distinctness thatthe boat seemed to be swimming in the sky,among black tatters of clouds, these being thestreaks of land that broke thehorizon and thereflection.Gulls were screaming, and curlew utteredtheir mournful cry. Mehalah rowed swiftly downthe Ehyn, as the channel A\ras called that dividedthe Eay from the mainland, and that led to the' ' hard by the Eose Inn, and formed the high-

38 MEHALAH.way by which it drew its supplies, and fromAvhich every farm in the parish of Peldon carriedits casks of strong liquor. To the Avest extendeda vast marsh from which the tide Avas excludedby a dyke many miles in length. Against thenorthern horizon rose the hill of WigboroughcroAvned by a church and a great tumulus, andsome trees that served as landmarks to the vesselsentering theBlackwater. In ancientdays the hillhadbeen a beacon station, and it Avas reconvertedto this purposein timeof war. Aman Avas placedby order of Government in the tower, to light acrescet on the summit, in answer to a similarbeacon at Mersea, in the event of a hostile fleetbeintr seen in the offinjj.Noav andthen theboat — it Avasaflat-bottomedpunt — hissed among the asters, as Mehalah shotover tracts usually dry, but now submerged; sheskirted next a bed of bullrushes. These reedsare only patient of occasional flushes Avith saltwater, and Avhere they groAv itis at the openingof a land drain, or mark afresh spring. Suddenlyas she Avas cutting the flood, the punt Avas jarredand arrested. She looked round. A boat Avasacross her bows. It had shot out of the rushesand stopped her.

THE EHYN. 39' Whither are you going, Glory ? 'The voice was that of Elijah Bebow, the lastman Mehalah wished to meet at night, whenalone on the water.' That is my affair, not yours,' she ansAvered.' Iam in haste, let me pass.'' IAvill not. IAvill not be treated like this,Glory. Ihave shot you a couple of curlew, andhere they are.'He flung the birds into her boat. Mehalahthrew them back again.'Let it be an understood thing betAveen us,Elijah, that Ave Avill accept none of your presents.You have brought my mother a keg ofrum, andIhave sworn to beat in the head of the next yougive her. She will take nothing from you.'' There youare mistaken, Glory; she will takeas much asIwill give her. You mean that youwill not. Iunderstand your pride, Glory! andIlove you for it.'' Icare nothing for your love or your hate.We are naught to each other.'' Yes we are,Iam your landlord.We shallsee Iioav that sentiment of yours will stand nextThursday.'' What do you mean? ' asked Mehalah hastily.

40 MEHALAH.' What doImean? Why,Isuppose Iamintelligible enough in whatIsay for you tounderstand me without explanation. When youcome to pay the rent to me next Thursday, youAvill not be able to say Ave are naught to eachother. Why! you will have to pay me for everyprivilege of life you enjoy, for the house youoccupy, for the marshes that feed your cow andSAvell its udder with milk, for the saltings onwhich your sheep fatten and groAV their wool.'The brave girl's heart failed for a moment.She hadnot the money. What Avould Elijah sayand do when he discoA^ered that she and hermother were defaulters? However, she put abold face on the matter iioav,and thrusting offtheboat Avith her oar, she said impatiently, ' Youare causing me to waste precious time.Imustbe back before the water is out of the fleets.'' Whither are you going ?' again askedEebow,and again he drove his boat atliAvart her bows.' Itis not safe for a young girl like you to beabout on the water after nightfall Avith ruffians ofall sorts poaching onmy saltings andup and downmy creeks.''Iam going to Mersea City,' said Mehalah.' You are going to George De Witt.'

' What if Iam ?THE EHYN.41Thatis no concern of yours.'' He is my cousin.'' IAvish he were a cousin very far removedfrom you.'' Oh Glory! you are jesting.' He caught theside of the punt with his hand, for she made an'effort to push past him. Ishall not detain youlong. Take these curlew. They are plumpbirds; yourmother willrelish them. Take them,and be damned to your pride. Ishot them foryou.' 5' I Avill not have them, Elijah.'' Then Iwill not either,'andhe flung thedeadbirds into the Avater.She seized the opportunity, and dipping heroars in the tide, strained at them, and shot aw7ay.She heard him curse, for his boat had groundedand he could not folloAv.She laughed in reply.Intwenty minutes Mehalah ran her punt onMersea beach. Here a little above higliAvatermark stood a cluster of Avooden housesand an oldinn, pretentiously called the 'City,' a hive ofsmugglers. On the shore, somewhat East, andaway from the City, lay a dismasted vessel,fastened upright by chains, the keel sunk in the

42 MEHALAH.shingle. She had been carried to this pointat spring flood and stranded, and Avas touched,not lifted by the ordinary tides. Mehalah's punt,drawing no draught, floatedunder the side of thisvessel, and she caught the ladder by which accesswas obtained to the deck.' Who is there ? ' asked George De Witt lookingover the side.' Iam come after you, George,' answTeredMehalah.' Why, Glory! what is the matter ? '' There is something very serious the matter.You must come back with me at once to theEay.'' Is your motherill?'' Worse than that.'' Dead ? '' No, no!nothing of that sort. She is allright. ButIcannot explain the circumstancesnow. Come at once and with me.''IAvill get theboat out'directly.'Never mind the boat. Come in the puntwith me. You cannot return by water to-night.The ebb Avill prevent that. You Avill be obligedto go round by the Strood. Tell j'ourmother notto expect you.'

THE EHYN.' But what is the matter, Glory ?'' IAvill tell you Avhen Ave are afloat.'43' Ishall be back directly, butIdo not knoAvhow the old Avoman Avill take it.' He swunghimself down intothe cabin,and announced to hismother that he Avas going to theEay, and wouldreturn on foot by the Strood.A gurgle of objurgations rose from the hatch-Avay, and followed the young man as he made hisescape.' I Avouldn't have doneit for another,' said he;' the old lady is put out, and willnot forgive me.It will be bad walking by the Strood, Glory!Can't you put me across to the FreshMarsh ? '' If there is water enoughIwill do so. Bequick now. There is no time to spare.'He came doAvn the ladder and stepped intothe punt.' Give me the oars, Glory. You sit in thestern and take the lanthorn.'' Itis in the bows.'' Iknow that. But can you not understand,Glory, that whenIam rowing,Ilike to see you.Hold thelanthorn so thatImay geta peep of yourface now and then.''Do not be foolish, George,' said Mehalah.

44 MEHALAH.HoAvever, she did as he asked, and the yelloAvdulllight fell on her face, red handkerchief andcap. ' Youlook like a Avitch,' laughed De Witt.' IAvill steer, row as hard as you can, George,'said thegirl;then abruptly sheexclaimed, ' Ihavesomething for you. Take it noAV, and look at itafterwards.'She drew the medal from her bosom, andpassing the riband over her head, leaned for-Avard, and tossed the loop across his shoulders.' Don't upset the boat, Glory! Sit still; apunt is an unsteady vessel, and Avon't beardancing in. What is itthat you have given me ? '' A keepsake.'' I shall always keep it, Glory, for the sakeof the girlIlove best in the Avorld. Noav tellme; amIto roAv up Mersea channel or theEhyn?'' There is Avater enough in the Ehyn, thoughAve shall not be able to reach our hard. YouroAv on, and do not trouble yourself about thedirection,Iwill steer. We shall land on theSaltings. Thatis whyIhavebrought the lanthornAvith me.'' 'What are youdoing Avith the light ?

THE EHYN. 45' Imust put it behind me. With the blaze inmy eyesIcannot see where to steer.' She didas she said.'Noav tell me, Glory, what you have hungroundmy neck.'' Itis amedal, George.'' Whatever it be, it comes from you,and isAvorth more than gold.''It is worth a great deal.It is a certaincharm.'' Indeed ! '' It preserves him Avho wears it from death byA'iolence.'At the Avord a flash shot out of the rushes,andabullet whizzedpast the stern.George De Witt paused on his oars, startled,confounded.' The bullet A\ras meant for you or me,' said'Mehalah inalow voice. Had the lanthornbeenin the bows and not in the sternit Avould havestruck you.'Then she sprang up, and held the lanthornaloft, above her head.'Coward, whoever you are, skulking in thereeds. ShoAv a light,if you are a man. Show alight asIdo, andgive me a mark in return.'

46 MEHALAH.' For heaven's sake, Glory,put out thecandle,'exclaimed De Witt in agitation.' CoAvard! sIioav a light, thatImay have ashot at you,' she cried again, without noticingwhat George said. In his alarm for her and forhimself, he raised his oar and dashed the lanthornout of her hand. It fell, and Avent out in thewater.Mehalah dreAV her pistol from her belt, andcockedit. She Avas standing, Avithout trembling,immovable in the punt, her eye fixed unflinchingon the reeds.' George,' she said,' dip the oars.Don't lether float away.'He hesitated.Presently a slight click Avas audible, then afeeble flash, as from flint struck Avith steel in thepitch blackness of the shore.Then a small red spark burned steadily.Not a sound, save theripple of the retreatingtide.Mehalah's pistol was levelled at the spark.She fired,and the spark disappeared.She and Georgeheld theirbreath.' ' I have hit,' she said. Noav run the puntinAvhere the fight Avas visible.'

THE EHYN.47' No, Glory! this Avill not do.Iam not goingto run you and myself into fresh danger.' Hestruck out.' George ! You are rowing away. Give methe oars. IAvill find out who it was that fired atus.T' This is foolhardiness,' he said,but obeyed. Acouple of strokes ran the punt among the reeds.Nothing was to be seen or heard. The night wasdark on the Avater,it was black as ink among therushes. Several times De Witt stayed his handand listened,but there was not a sound save thegurgle of the water, and the song of the nightAvind among the tassels and harsh leaves of thebullrushes.' She is aground,' said De Witt.' We must back into the channel, andpush onto the Eay,' said Mehalah.The young man jumped into the Avater amongthe roots of the reeds, and drew the punt out tillshe floated, then he stepped in and resumed theoars. ' Hist!' AvhisperedDe Witt,Bothheard the click of a lock.' Down!' he Avhispered, and threAv himself iuthe bottom of the punt,

48 MEHALAH.Another flash, report, and a bullet struck andsplintered thebulwark.De Witt rose, resumed the oars, and roAvedlustily.Mehalahhad not stirred.She had remainederect in the stern andnever flinched.' Coward!' she cried ina voice full of wrathand scorn, ' Idefy you to death, be you who youmay! '

49CHAPTEE III.THE SEATENWHISTLEES.The examination of old Abraham before GeorgeDe Witt did not lead to any satisfactory result.The youngman Avasunable to throw light on themystery. He had not been with the shepherd allthe while since the sale of the sheep;nor had heseen the money. Abraham had indeed told himthe sum for Avhich hehadparted with the flock,andin so doing had chinked the bag significantly.George thought it Avasimpossible for the shot andpennypieces that had been found in thepouch tohave produced the metallic sound he hadheard.Abraham had informed him of the sale in Colchester.Then they had separated, and the shepherdhadleft the town beforeDe Witt.The young man had overtaken him at thepublic-house called the Eed Lion at Abberton,half-Avay between Colchester andhis destination.He Avas drinking a mug of beer with some soa-VOL. I. K

50 MEHALAH.faring men; and they proceeded thence together.But at the Eose, another tavern a feAv milesfurther, they had stopped for a glass and somethingto eat. But even there De Witt had notbeen Avith the old man all the Avhile, for the landlordhad called him out to look at a contrivancehe had inhis punt for putting a false keel on her;with a bar,after a fashionhe had seen among theSouth Sea Islanders when he was a sailor.The discussion of this daring innovation hadlasted some time, and when De Witt returned tothe tavern, he found Abraham dozing, if not fastasleep, Avith his head on the table, and his moneybag inhis hand.' It is clear enough,' said the Avidow, ' that themoney was stolen either at the Lion or at theEose.'' Ibrought themoney safehere,' said Abraham'sullenly. Itis of no use your asking questions,and troubling my head about whatIdid here andthere. IAvas at the Woolpack at Colchester, attheLion at Abberton,and lastly at the Eose. ButItell youIbrought the money here all safe, andlaid it there on that table every penny.'' How can yoube sure of that, Abraham? '' IsayIknoAv it.'

THE SEVEN WHISTLERS.51' But Abraham, what grounds have you forsuch assurance? '' Did youcount the money at theEose ?' I don't care what you may ask or say.Ibrought the money here. If youhave lost it, orit has been bewitched since then,Iam not' toblame.''Abraham, it must have been stolen on theroad. There Avas no one here to take themoney.'' That is nothing to me.IsayIlaid themoney all right there! ' he pointed to the table.' Youmay go, Abraham,' saidMehalah.' Do you charge me Avith taking the money ?'the old man asked Avith moody temper.' ' Of course not,' answered the girl. We didnot suspect you for one moment.'' Then whom do youlay it on ? '' We suspect some one Avhom you met at oneof the taverns.'' Itell you,' he said Avith an oath,' I broughtthe money here.'' You cannot prove it,' said De Witt; ' if youhave anyreasons for sayingthis,let us hear them.'' Ihave no reasons,' answered the shepherd' butIknow the truth all the ame. IneverhaveIS 2

52 MEHALAH.reasons,Ido not want to have them, whenIknoAva fact.'' Did you shake thebag and make the moneychink on the way? '' IAvill not ansAver any more questions. Ifyou suspect me to be the thief, say so to my face,and don't go ferriting and trapping to ketchme,and then go andlay iton me before a magistrate.'' Youhadbetter go, Abraham. No one disputesyour perfect honesty,' said Mehalah.' ButIAvill not go, if anyone suspects me.'' We donot suspect' you.'Then Avhy do you ask questions ? "Who asksquestions Avho don't Avant to lay a wickednessonone ? '' Go off to bed, Abraham,' said widoAv Sharland.We have met Avith a dreadful loss, and'the Almightyknows Iioav we are to come out ofit.'The old man went forth grumbling imprecationson himself if he answered any morequestions.' Well,' asked Mehalah of De Witt, when the'shepherd was gone, Avhat do you think hasbecome of the money ? ''I suppose he was robbed at one of the

THE SEVEN AVHISTLERS. 53taverns. Isee no other possible Avayof accountingfor the loss. The bag was not touched on thetable from the moment Abraham set it down tillyou opened it.'' No. My mother washereallthe time. Therewas no one else in the room but Elijah Eebow.'' He is out of the question,' saidDe Witt.' Besides, my mother never left her seat whilsthe was here. Did you, mother? 'The old Avornanshook her head.' ' ' What are we to do? she asked ; we haveno money now for the rent ; and that must bepaid next Thursday.'' 'Have younone at all ?' Nonebut atrifle whichAveneedfor purchasesagainst the Avinter. There Avas more in the bagthan was needed for the rent, and how Ave shallstruggle through the Avinter Avithout it, heavenalone can tell.'' You have no more sheep to sell? '' None but ewes, which cannot be partedwith.'' Nor a cow ? '' It would be impossible for us to spare her.'' ThenIwilllend you themoney,' saidGeorge.* Ihave something laid by, and you shall have

54 MEHALAH.what you need for the rent out of it. Mehalahwill repay me some day.'' Iwill, George!Iwill! ' said the girlvehemently, and her eyes filled.She took thetwo hands of her lover in her own, and lookedhim full in the face. Her eyes expressed thedepth of her gratitude whichher tongue couldnotutter.' Now that is settled,' saidDe Witt,' let us talkof something else.'' Come along, George,' said Mehalah, hastily,'interrupting him. If you Avant to be put acrossonFresh Marsh, you must not stay talking here anylonger.'' All right, Glory!Iam ready to go with you,anywhere, to the Avorld's end.'As she drew him outside, she whispered, ' Iwas afraid of your speaking about the two shotsto-night. Ido not Avish my mother to hear ofthat; it Avould alarm her.'' ButI want to talk to you about them,' said'De Witt. Have you any notion whoit Avas thatfired at us ? '' Have you ?' asked Mehalah evading ananswer.' Ihave a sort of a notion.'

THE SEVEN WHISTLEES. 55' So have I. AsIwas going down the Ehynto fetch you,Iwas stopped by Elijah Eebow.'' Well, what did he want ? '' He Avanted me to take some curlew he hadshot;but that Avas not all,he tried to preventmygoing on. He said thatIought not to be on theAvater at night alone.'' He Avas right. He kneAV a thing or two."' He did not like my going to Mersea— toyou. ' Idare say not.He knew what was in thewind.'' What do you mean, George?'' He tried to prevent your going on? '' Yes, he did, more than once.'' Then he is in it. Idon't likeElijah,butIdid not think so badly of him as that.'' What do you mean, George ? 'As they talked they Avalked down the meadowto the saltings. They were obliged to go slowlyand cautiously. The tide had fallen rapidly, andleft the pools brimming. Every runnel was fullof water racing out with the rush of a millstream.' You see, Glory, the neAV captain of the coastguardhas been giving a deal of trouble lately.He has noticed the signal-flashing from the

56 MEHALAH.Leather Bottle at the city, and has guessed orfound out the key; so he has been doAvn thereflashing false signals with a lanthorn. By thismeans he has brought some of the smugglers veryneatly into traps he has laid for them. They areas mad as devils, they SAvear heis taking an unfairadvantage of them, and that they willhave his lifefor it. That is AvhatIhave heard Avhispered ;andIhear a great many things.'' Oh George! have you not Avarned him ? '' I! my dear Glory ! what canIdo? Heknows he is in danger as Avell asI. It is a battlebetween them, andit don't do for a thirdparty tostep between. That is what we have done tonight,and near got knocked over for doing it.Captain Macpherson is about, night and day.There never Avas a fellow more Avide aAvake, atleast not on this station. What do youthink hedid the other day? A vessel came in, and heoverhauled her, but found nothing; he sought forsome barrels drawn along attached behind her,below Avater level, but couldn't find them. As hewas leaving, he just looked up at the tackling.*' Haloo!" said he to the captain, " yourcordage isbegun to untwist, supposeIhave your old ropesand give you new ? " He sent a man aloft, and all

THE SEVEN WHISTLERS.57the ropes were made of twisted tobacco. Now, asyou may suppose, the smugglers don't much likesucha man.'' But George, he would hardly go about atnight with a lanthornin his boat.'' That is what he does— only it is a darklanthorn, and Avith it he flashes his signals. Thatis what makes the men so mad. It is not mydoctrine to shoot a man who doeshis duty. If aman is a smuggler let him do his duty as one. Ifhe is a coast-guard, let him do his duty by therevenue.'' But, George! if he Avere out watching forsmugglers, he Avould not have carried his lightopenly.'' He might have thought all Avas safe in theEhyn.'' Then again,' pursued Mehalah,'Ispoke, andthere Avas a second shot after that.'' Whoever Avas there Avaiting for the captainmay have thought you were a boy.Ido not believethe shot was at you,but at me.'' ButI held thelightup. It Avould have beenseen thatIwas a Avoman.'' Not a bit. All seen would be your cap andjersey, which are such as sailor boys wear.'

58 MEHALAH.Mehalah shook her head thoughtfully andsomewhat doubtfully, andpaced by the side of DeWitt. She did not speak for some time. Shewas not satisfied with his explanation, but shecould not state her reasons for dissatisfaction.Presently she said, ' Do you think thatit wasBebow who fired ? '' No,of course Ido not.He knew you wereout, and with alight; and he knows your voice.'' But yousaid he wasin theplot.'' Isaid thatIsupposed he knew about it ; heknew that there wrere men out in punts waitingfor the captain,he probably knew that there wassome fellow lurking in the Ehyn; butIdid notsay that he would shoot the captain. Ido not fora moment suppose he would. He is not greatlyaffected by his vigilance. He gets something outof the trade, but not enough to be ofimportanceto him. A man of his means would not think itworth his whUe to shoot an officer.'' Then you conjecture that he warned me, andwenthome.'' That is most likely,Iwould have done thesame; nay more,Iwould not have let yougo on,ifIknew there were feUows about this night withguns on thelook-out. He didnot dare to speak

TnE SEVEN WHISTLERS.59plainly what he knew, but he gave you a broadhint,andhis best advice, andIadmire and respecthim for it.'' You and Eebow are cousius ? '" His father's sister is my mother. The landand money all went to Elijah's father who is nowdead, and is now in Elijah's hands. My mothergot nothing. The family were angry with her formarryingoff the land onto the water. But you seeat EedHall she hadlived, so to speak, halfin andhalf out of the sea; she took to one element asreadily as to the other.'' Ican trace little resemblance in your features,butsomething in your voice.'' Now, Glory! ' said the young man, ' here isthe boat. Howr fast the tide ebbs here. She isalready dry, and we must shove her down overthe grass andmud till she floats. You stepin,Iwillrunher along.'The wind hadrisen,and was wailing over themarshes, sighing among the harsh herbage, thesea-lavender, sovereign wood, and wild asparagus.Not a cloud was visible. The sky was absolutelyunblurred and thick besprint with stars. Jupiterburned in the south, and cast a streak of silverover the ebbing waters.

60 MEHALAH.The young people stood silent by each otherfor a moment, and their hearts beat fast. Othermatters had broken inon and troubled the pleasantcurrent of their love; but now thethought ofthese was swept aside, and their hearts rose andstretched towards each other. They had knowneach other for many years, and the friendship ofchildhoodhad insensibly ripened in their hearts tolove. 'Ihave not properly thanked you,George, forthe promise of help in our'trouble.'Nor I, Mehalah, for the medal you havegiven me.''Promise me, George, to wear it ever.saved your life to-night,Idoubt not.'' What! Does it save from death?'' From sudden death,' answered Mehalah.told you so before, in the boat.'' Iforgot about it,Glory.'' Iwill tell you now all about it, my friend.It' IThe charm belonged to my mother's mother.She, asIdaresay you have heard, was a gipsy.My grandfather fellin love with her andmarriedher. He was a well-to-do man, owning a bit ofland of his own;but he would go to law with aneighbour and lost it, and it went to the lawyer.

THE SEVEN WHISTLERS.61Well, my grandmother brought the charm withher, andithasbeenin the family ever since. Ithadbeenin the gipsy family of my grandmother timeout of mind, and was lent about- when any of themen went on dangerous missions. No one whowearsit can die a sudden death from violence —thatis' — Mehalah qualified theassertion, ' onland.'' It doesnot preserve one on the water then ? 'said George, with anincredulous laugh.' I won't say that.It surely did so to-night.It saves from shot and stab.'' Not from drowning ? '' Ithink not.'' Imust get a child's caul, and thenIshall beimmortal.'' Don't joke, George,' said Mehalah gravely.' What Isay is true.''Glory!' said De Witt, 'I always thoughtyoulookedlike a gipsy with your dark skin andlarge brown eyes, and now from your own lipscomes the confession that you are one.'' There is none of the blood in my mother,'said she, ' she is like an ordinary Christian. Ifancy it jumps a generation.'' Well, then, you dear gipsy, here is my hand.Tell my fortune.'

62 MEHALAH.11cannot do that. ButIhave given you agipsy charm against evil men and accidents.''Hark!'Out of the clear heaven was heard plaintivewhistles,loud, high up, inexpressibly weird andsad, ' Ewe! ewe! ewe! ' They burst shrilly onthe ears, then became fainter, then burst forthagain, then faded away. It was as though spiritswere passing in the heavens wailing about abrother sprite that had flickered into nothingness.' The curlew are in flight. What is thematter, Mehalah? 'Thegirl was shivering.' Are youcold!'' George! those are the Seven Whistlers.'' They are the long-beaked curlew goingsouth.'' They arethe Seven Whistlers, and theymean death or deathlike woe. For God's sake,George,' she threw her arms round him, ' swear,swear to me, never to lay aside themedalIhavegiven you,but to wear it night and day.'' There! Glory,Iswear it.'

63CHAPTEE IV.RED HALL.The rent-paying day was bright and breezy.The tide was up in the morning, and Mehalahandher mother in a boat with sail and jib andspritsail flew before a north-east wind downthe Mersea Channel, and doubling Sunken Island,entered the creek which leads to Salcot andVirley, two villages divided only by a tidalstream, and connected by a bridge.The water danced and sparkled, multitudesof birds were on wing, now dippingin the wavelets,now rising and shaking off the glitteringdrops. A high sea-wall hid the reclaimed landon their left. Behind it rose the gaunt blackstructure of a windmill used for pumping thewater out of the dykes in the marsh. It wasworking now, the great black arms revolving inthe breeze, and the pump creaking as if theengine groaned remonstrances at being called to

A64 MEHALAH.toil on such a bright day. A little furtherappeared a tiled roof above the wall.' There is Eed Hall,' said Mehalah, as sheran the boat ashore and threw out the anchor.' Ihave brought the stool, mother,' she added,and helped the old woman to land dry-footed.The sails were furled, and then Mehalah andher mother climbed the wall and descendedinto the pastures. These were of considerableextent, reclaimed saltings, but of so old a datethat the brine was gone from the soil, and theyfurnished the best feed for cattle anywhereTere was not a tree near it. Itrose from the flat like a tower. The basementconsisted of cellars above ground, and therewere arched entrances to these from the twoends. They were lighted by two small roundwindows about four foot from the ground. Aflight of brick stairs built over an arch led froma paved platform to the door of the house,round. Several stagnant canals or ditches intersectedthe flat tract and broke it into islands,but they hung together by the thread of seawall,and the windmill drained the ditches intothe sea.In the midst of the pasture stood a tall redbrickhouses.

RED HALL.65which stood some six feet above the level ofthe marsh. The house had perhaps been thuserected in view of a flood overleaping the walls,and converting the house for a while into anisland, or as a preventive to the inhabitantsagainst ague. The sea-walls had been so wellkept that no tide had poured over them, andthe vaults beneath served partly as cellars, andbeing extensive, were employed with the connivanceof the owner as a store place for runspirits. The house was indeed very convenientlysituated for contraband trade. A ' fleet ' or tidalcreek on either side of the marsh allowed ofapproach or escape by the one when the otherwas watched. Nor was this all. The marsh itselfwas penetrated by three or four ramifications ofthe two main channels, to these the sea-wallaccommodated itself instead of striking acrossthem, and there was water-way across the wholemarsh, so that if a boat were lifted over thebank on one side, it could be rowed across, againlifted, and enter the other channel, before apursuing boat would have time to return to anddouble the spit of land that divided the fleets.The windmill which stood on this spit was in nofavour with the coastguard, for it was thoughtVOL. I.f

66 MEHALAH.to act the double purpose of pump and observatory.The channel south of these marshes, calledthe Tollesbury Fleet, was so full of banks andislets as to be difficult to navigate, andmore thanonce a revenue boat had got entangled andgrounded there, when in pursuit of a smuggledcargo, which the officers had every reason tobelieve was at that time being landed on the EedHall marshes, and carted into Salcot and Yirleywith the farmer's horses.The house was built completely of brick, thewindows were of moulded brick, mullions anddrip stone, and the roof was of tile. How thename of Eed Hall came to be given it, wTasobvious at a glance.Bound the house was a yard paved withbrick,and a moat filled with rushes and weed. Therewere a few low outhouses, stable, cowsheds,bakehouse, forming a yard at theback, and intothat descended the stair from the kitchen-doorover a flying arch, like thatin front.Perhaps the principal impression produced bythe aspect of Eed Hall on the visitor was itssolitariness. The horizon was bounded by seawall; only when the door was reached, whichwas on a level with the top of the mound, were

EED HALL.67the glittering expanse of sea, the creeks, and thewoods on Mersea Island and the mainlandvisible. Mehalah and her mother had neverbeen at Eed Hall before, and though they werepretty familiar with the loneliness of the marshes,the utter isolation of this tall gaunt house impressedthem. The thorntrees at the Eay gavetheir farm an aspect of snugness compared withthis. From the Eay, village-church towers andcultivated acres were visible, but so long as theywere in the pasture near the Hall, nothing wasto be seen save a flat tract of grass land intersectedwith lines of buUrush, and bounded by amound.Several cows and horses were in the pasture,but no human being was visible. Mehalah andher mother hesitated before ascending the stair.' This is the queerest place for a Christian'to live inIever saw,' said the widow. Lookthere, Mehalah, there is a date on the door, sixteenhundredand thirty-six. Go up and knock.'' Do you see that little window in the sea faceof the house,mother ' ?' Yes. Thereis none but it.'' Ican tell you what that is for. It is tosignal from with a light.'F 2

68 MEHALAH.' Idon't doubt it. Go on.'Mehalah slowly ascended the stair; it waswithout a balustrade. She struck against thedoor. The door was of strong plank thicklycovered with nails, and the date of which thewidow had spoken was made with nail-heads atthe top.Her knock met with no response, so shethrust the door open and entered, followed by hermother.The room she stepped into was large andlow.It was lighted by but one window to the south,fitted with lead lattice. The floor was of brick,for the cellarage was vaulted and supported asolid basement. There was no ceiling, and theoak rafters were black with age and smoke.Theonly ornaments decorating the walls were gunsand pistols, some of curious foreign make.The fire-place was large ; on the oak lintelwas cut deep the inscription: —' WHEN IHOLD (1636) I HOLD FAST.'Mehalah had scarce time to notice all this.when a trap-door she had not observed in thefloor flew up, and the head, then the shoulders.and finally the entire body, of Elijah Bebowemerged from the basement. Without taking

RED nALL.69notice of his tenants, he leisurely ran a stout ironbolt through a staple, making fast the trap at thetop, then he did the same with a bolt at thebottom.At the time, this conduct struck Mehalah assingular. It was as though Eebow were barringa door from withinlest he should be brokenin onfrom the cellar.Elijah slowly drew a leather armchair overthe trap-door, and seated himself in it. The holethrough which he had ascended was near thefire-place, and now that he sat over it he occupiedthe ingle nook.' Well, Glory! ' said he suddenly, addressing'Mehalah. So you have not brought the rent.You have come with your oldmother to blubberand beg compassionand delay. Iknow it all. Itis of nouse. Tearsdon't move me,Ihave no pity,andIgrant no delay. Iwant my money. Everyman does. He wants his money whenit's due. Icalculated onit,I've a debt whichIshaU wipe offwithit, so there;now no excuses,Itell you theywon't do. Sheer off'' Master Eebow— ' began the widow.' You may save your speech,' said Elijah,'cutting her short. Faugh ! when I've been

70 MEHALAH.down there,'— he pointed with his thumb towardsthe cellar — ' Ineed a smoke.' He drew forth aclay pipe and tobacco-box and leisurely filled thebowl. Whilst he was lighting his pipe at thehearth, where an old pile was smouldering, andemitting an odour likegunpowder,Mehalah drew apurse from her pocket and counted the amount oftherent on the table. Eebow did not observe her.He was engaged in making his pipe draw, and thetable was behind the chair.' Well ! ' said he, blowing a puff of smoke, andchuckling, ' Ifancy you are ina pretty predicament.Eead that over the fire, cut yonder, do"you see ? When Ihold,Ihold fast." Ididn'tcut that, but my fore-elders did, and we all dothat. Why, George De Witt's mother thought tohave had some pickings out of the marsh, she did,but my father got hold of it, and he held fast.He did not let go a penny;no,not a farthing. Itis a- family characteristic. Itis a family pleasure.We take a pride in it. Idon't care wdiat it is,whether it is a bit ofland, or a piece of coin, or agirl, it is all the same, andIthink you'll findit isso with me. Eh! Glory! When 1hold,Iholdfast.' He turnedin his chair and leered at her.' There, there,' said she, ' lay hold of your

RED HALL.rent, and hold fast till death.71We want none ofit.' 'What ' is that' ? exclaimed Eebow, startingout of his seat. What money is that ' ?' The rent,' said Mehalah; she stood erectbeside the table in her haughty beauty, andlaughed at the surprised andangry expression thatclouded Eebow's countenance.' Iwon't take it. Youhave stolenit.'' Master Eebow,' put in the widow, 'themoney is yours; it is the rent, not a pennyshort.'' Where did you get the money ? ' he askedwith a curse.' You bid me bring the money on rent-day,'and thereit is,' said Mehalah. But nowIwillask a question, andIinsist on an answer.'' 0 !you insist, ' do you?' Iinsist on an answer,' repeated the girl.' How did you come to think we were withoutmoney ? '' SupposeIdon't choose to answer.'' Ifyou don't— ' she began, then hesitated.' ' Iwill tell you,' he said, sulkily. AbrahamDowsing, yourshepherd, isn'tdumb,Ibelieve. Hetalks, he does, andhas pretty well spread thenews

72 MEHALAH.all round the country how he was robbed of hismoney at theEose.''Abraham has never said anything of the sort.He denies that he was robbed.'' Then he says he is accused ofbeing robbed,which is the same. Isuppose the story is true.'' It is quite true,Master Eebow,' answered thewidow.' It was a terrible loss to us.We hadsold all the sheep we could sell.'' Oh !a terrible loss,indeed! ' scoffed the man.' You are so flush of money, that a loss of ten orfifteen, or may be twenty pounds is nought toyou. You have your little store in one of thosecupboards in every corner of the old house, andyou put your hand in, and take out what youlike. You call yourself poor, do you, and thinknothing of a loss like this ? '' We are very poor,' said the ' widow; Heavenknows we have a hard battle to fight to makeboth ends meet, and to pay our rent.'' Idon't believe it. Youare telling me lies.'He took the coin, and countedit ;his darkbrow grew blacker; and he ground his teeth.Once he raised his wolfish eyes and glared on'Mehalah. That guinea is bad,' he said, and hethrew it on the floor.

RED HALL.73' It rings like a good one,' answered the girl,' pick it up and give it to me.Iwill let you"haveanotherin its place.'' Oh ho!your pocket is lined with guineas, isit? Iwill raise the rent of theEay. Ithoughtas much, the land is fatter than mine on thismarsh. You get the place dirt cheap. I'll raisetherent ten pounds.I'll raise it twenty.'' Master Eebow! ' pleaded the widow, ' theEaywon't allow us to pay it.'' Do not put yourself out, mother,' saidMehalah, ' we have a lease of twenty-one years;and there are seven more years to run, beforeEebow can do what he threatens.'' Oh, you are clever, you are, Glory! cursedclever. Now look here, Mistress Sharland, I'mgoing to have a rasher, andit's about dinner time,stop and bite with me; and that girl there, sheshall bite too. You can't be back till evening,and you'U be perished with hunger.''Thank you, master,' answered the widoweagerly.' AndI'llgive you a sup of the very primestbrandy.'' Mother, we must return at once. The tidewillebb, and we shall not be able to get away.'

74 MEHALAH.' That's a lie,' said Elijah angrily, ' as you'veThere's plenty ofIgot here, you can get away.water in the fleet, and willbe for three hours.knew you'd come, and soIgot some rashers allready on thepan; there they be.'' You're very kind,' observed the widow.' A landlord is bound, to give his tenantry adinner on rent-day,' said Eebow, with an ugly'laugh which displayed his great teeth. It'sMichaelmas, butIhave no goose. Ikeep plentyon the marshes. They do well here, and theypay well too.'' Iwill have a witness thatIhave paid the'rent,' said Mehalah. Call one of your men.'' Go and call one yourself. Iam going to frythe rashers.'' That guinea is still on the floor,' saidMehalah.' Ihave refused it. Pick it up, and give meanother.'' I will not pick it up;andIwill not giveyou another till you have convinced me that thecoin is bad.'' Then let it lie.'' Where are your men?'' I don't know,go and find them. They're attheir dinner now. Idare say near the pump.'

RED HALL. 75Mehalah left the house, but before she descendedthe steps, she looked over the flat. Therewas a sort of shed for cattle half a mile off, andshe thought she saw some one moving there. Shewent at once in that direction.Scarce was she gone when Elijah beckonedthe widow to draw over a chair to the fire.' You cook the wittles,' said he,' I'mmy owncook ingeneral, but when a woman is here, why,I'm fain to let her take the job off my hands.'The old woman obeyed with as much activityas she was mistress of. Whilst thus engaged,Elijah walked to the door, opened it, and lookedout. ' She's going as straight as a wild duck,' he'said, and laughed, she is a" damned fine girl.Listen to me, mistress, that daughter of yours,Glory, is too good-looking to be mewed up ontheEay. You should marry her, and then settleyourself comfortably down for the rest of yourdays in your son-in-law's house.'' Ah ! Master Eebow, she is poor, she is, andnow young men look out for money.'' You don't want a very young man for suchas she. Why she is as wild as a gipsy, andneedsa firm hand to keep her. He that has hold of hershould hold fast.'

76 MEHALAH.'The widow shook her head. We don't seemany folks on theEay. She will have to marrya fellow on the water.'' No, she won't,' said Eebow angrily.' Damnher, she shallmarry a farmer, who owns land andmashes, and saltings, andhousen, and takes rents,and don't mind to drop some eight hundredpound on a bit of a farm that takeshis fancy.'' Such men are not easy to be got.'' No, there you are right, mistress;but when'you find one, why he drew his pipe over the'inscription on the fireplace. I'm the man, andnow you holdme, hold fast.'' 'You,Master!' Aye,I. I like the girl. By God!Iwillhave Glory. She Was born for me. There isnotanother girlIhave seen thatIwould give anoystershell for, but she — — she she makes myblood run like melted lead, and my heart heregnaws andburns in my breast like a fiery rat. Itell youIwillhave her. Iwill.'' If it only rested with me,' moaned thewidow.' Look here,' said Eebow.' Lay that pan onone side and follow me. I'll show you over thehouse.' He caught her by the wrist,and dragged

RED HALL.77her from room to room, andup the stairs. Whenhe hadbrought her back to the principal apartmentin which they had been sitting, he chuckled'with pride. Ain't it a good house? It'stwentytimes better than theEay. Itismore comfortable,and there are more rooms. Andall thesemarshesand meadows are mine,andIhave alsosome cornfieldsin Virley, on the mainland. And then theEay is mine, with the saltings and all thereon; —Ibought it for eight hundred pounds.'' We are very much honoured,' said the'widow, but you do not consider how poorMehalah is;she has nothing.''Elijah laughed. Not so very poor neither,Ifancy. You lost the price of your sheep, and yetyou had money in store wherewith to pay therent.'' Indeed, indeed we hadnot.'' Where then did you get themoney ? '' It was lent us.'' Lent you, who by? ' askedElijah sharply.' George De Witt was so good-Elijah uttered a horrible curse.' Tellme,' he said furiously, coming up close tothe old womanandscowlingat her — intoher eyes.' Answer me without a lie; why, by what right

78 MEHALAH.didDe Witt lend, or give you, the money? Whatclaim had you onhim ? '' Well, Elijah,Imust tellyou. Mehalah'' Here Iam,' said thegirl throwing open the' 'door. Why amIthe subject of your talk ? Acouple of shepherds followed her.' Look here,' she said, counting the coin;' there is a guinea on the floor. Pick it up andtry it,if it be good.'' That's allright,' said one of themen ringingthe coin and then tryingit betweenhis teeth.' Thisis the sum due for our half-year's rent,''she went on. Is it not so, Master Eebow ? Isnot this the sum in full ? 'He sullenly gave an affirmative.' You see that Ipay this over to him. Idon'twant a writtenreceipt. Ipay before witnesses.'Eebow signed to the men to leave, and thenwith knitted brow collected the money andput itinhis pocket. The widow went on withthefryingof thebacon.' Come along with me, mother, to the boat.We can not stay to eat.'' Youshall eat with me. You have come forthe first time under my roof to-day, and youshallnot go from under it without a bite.'

RED HALL.79'' Ihave no appetite.'ButIhave,' said the'widow testily. Idon'tsee why you areinsuch a hurry, Mehalah; andwhat is more,Idon't see why you should behaveso unpolitely to Master Eebow Avhen he fares tobe so civil.'' Eat then,if you will,mother,' said Mehalah;' butI cannot. Ihave no hunger,' after a pause,firmly, ' Iwill not.'' Oh, you have a willindeed,' remarkedEebow'with a growl. A will it would be a pleasure tobreak, andI'll do it."The bacon was fried,andthe widow proceededto dish it up. There was a rack inthenextroom,as Elijah told her, with plates in it,and therewere knives and forks in the drawer.Whilst the old Woman was getting thenecessary articles,Eebow was silent, seated inhisleather chair,his elbows on his knees, with thepipe in one hand,and his head turned onone side,watchingMehalah out of his fierce, crafty eyes.Thegirl had seated herself on a chair against thewall, as far away from him as possible. Herarms were folded over her breast,andherhead wasbent, to avoid encountering his glance. She was

80 MEHALAH.angry with her mother for staying to eat with theman whom she hated.During this quiet — neither speaking — acurious grating noise reached her ear, and then aclank like that of a chain. She could not quitemake out whence the noise came. It was somelittle while beforeitsufficiently attractedher attentionto make her consider about it; and beforeshe had formed any conclusion, her mother returned,and spread the table, and placed the meaton a dish.' I'llgo and fetch the liquor,' saidEebow, andwent away. Whilst he was absent, again thesound met the girl's ears. Neither she nor hermother had spoken, but now she said, 'Listen,mother, what is that sound ? 'The old woman stood stillfor a moment, andthen proceeded with her task.' It is nothing,' she said indifferently, ' thesound comes up from below the floor. IreckonMaster Eebow has cows fastened there.'' By a chain,' added Mehalah, and dismissedthe matter from her mind; the explanation satisfiedher.Eebow returned the next moment with abottle.

RED HALL.81' This is prime spirit, this is,' said he.' Youcan't drink waterhere, it gives the fever. Youmust add spirits to it to make it harmless.'' You have no beautiful spring here, as wehave on the Eay,' observed the widow.' Not likely to have,' answered the surly landlord.Now sit down and eat. Come, Glory.''She did not move.' Come,Mehalah, draw up your chair,' said hermother.' Iam not going to eat,' she answered resolutely.' You shall,' shoutedElijah,risingimpetuously,'and thrusting his chair back. You are insultingme in my own house if you refuse to eat withme.' 'Ihave' no appetite.'You will not eat,Iheard you say so. Iknow the devilry of your heart. Youwill not,butIwill.' Inhis rage he stamped on the trap doorthat hehad uncovered, when removing the chair.Instantly a prolonged, hideous howl rose from thedepths and rang through the room. MistressSharland started back agast. Mehalah raised herhead, and the colour left her cheek.' ' ' Oh ho ! roared Elijah. You will join inVOL. I.g

82 MEHALAH.also, will you?' he drew the bolts passionatelyback.' Look ''here,' he cried to Mehalah. Comehere!Involuntarily she obeyed, and looked down.She saw into a vault feebly illuminated by daylightthrough one of the circular windows she hadnoticed on approaching the house. There shesawlooking up, directly under the trap, a face sohorrible in its dirt and madness that she recoiled.' She won't eat, she won't bite with me,'shouted Eebow, ' then neither shall her mothereat,nor willI. You shall have the wThole.' Hecaught up the dish, and threw down the rashers.The man below snapped, and caught like a wildbeast, anduttered a growl of satisfaction.Eebow flung the doorback intoits place; andrebolted it. Thenheplaced his chairinits formerposition, and looked composedly from the widowto Mehalah and seemed to draw pleasure fromtheir fear.' My'brother,' heexplained. Been mad froma child. A good job for me, as he was the elder.NowIhave himin keeping, and the land and thehouse and themoney are mine. WhatIhold,Ihold fast. Amen.'

83CHAPTEE V.THE DECOY.There was commotion on the beach at MerseaCity.A man of war, a schooner,lay off the entranceto theBlackwater, and was signalling with buntingto the coastguard ship, permanently anchoredoff the island, which was replying. War hadbeen declared with France some time, but as yethad not interfered withthe smuggling trade, whichwas carried on with the Low Countries. Cruisersin the Channel had made it precarious work alongthe South Coast, and this had rather stimulatedthe activity of contraband traffic on the East. Itwas therefore with no little uneasiness that a warship was observed standing off the Mersea flats.Why was she there ? Was a man of war to cruiseabout the mouth of the Colne andBlackwater continually?What was the purport of the correspondencecarried onbetween theschoonerand theG 2

84 MEHALAH.coastguard? Such were the queries put aboutamong those gathered on the shingle.They were not long left in doubt, for a boatmanned by coastguards left the revenue vesseland ran ashore, the captain sprang out, and wentup the beach to his cottage, followed by a coupleof the crew. The eager islanders crowded roundthe remainder, and asked the news.The captain was ajjpointed to the commandof theschooner, the ' Salamander,' whichhad comefrom the Downs under the charge of the firstlieutenant, to pick him up. The destiny of the' Salamander' was, of course, unknown.Captain Macpherson was a keen, canny Scott,small and dapper; as he pushed through thecluster of menin fishing jerseys and wading bootshe gave them a nod and a word, ' You ought tobe serving your country instead of robbing her,ye loons. Why don't you volunteer like men,there's more money to be made by prizes than byrunning spirits.'' That won't do, captain,' said Jim Morrell, anold fisherman.'We know better than that.There's the oysters.'' Oysters ! ' exclaimed the captain; ' there'llbe no time for eating oysters now, and no money

THE DECOY.85to pay for them neither. Come along with me,some of you shore crabs. Ipromise you bettersport than sneaking about the creeks. We'llhave at Johnny Crapaud with gun and cutlass.'Then he entered his cottage, which was nearthe shore, to say farewell to his wife.' If there's mischief to be done, that chap willdo it,' was the general observation, when his backwas turned.Attention was all at once distracted by ayoung womanin a talltaxcart who was endeavouringto urge her horse along the road, but theanimal, conscious ofhaving an inexperiencedhandon the rein,backed,and jibbed, andplayeda numberof tricks, to her great dismay.' Oh, do please some of you men lead himalong. Idaresay he will goif his headbe turnedEast, but he is frightened by seeing so many ofyou.'' Where are you going, PhSbe ? ' asked oldMorrell.' I'm onlygoing to Waldgraves,' she answered.' Oh bother the creature! there he goes again! 'as the horsedanced impatiently, and swunground.' De Witt!' she cried in an imploring tone,

86 MEHALAH.' dohold his head. It is a shame of you mennotto help a poor girl.'George at once went to the rescue.' Lead him on, De Witt, please, tiU we areaway from the beach.'The young man good-naturedly held the bit,and thehorse obeyed without attempting resistance.' There's a donkey on thelawn by Elm TreeCottage,' said the girl; ' she brays whenever ahorse passes, and I'm mortal afeared lest she scarethis beast, and he runs away withme. If he doso,Ican't hold him in,my wrists are so weak.'' Why, PhSbe,' said De Witt, ' what are youdriving for ? Waldegraves is not more than amile and a half off, and you might have Avalkedthe distance well enough.'' I've sprained my ankle, andIcan't walk. Imust go to Waldegraves,Ihave a message thereto my aunt, so Isaac Meadlent me the horse.'' If you can't drive, you may do wrorse thansprain your ankle, youmay break your neck.'' That is what Iam afraid of, George. Theboy was to have driven me, but he is so excited,Isuppose, about the man-of-war coming in, that hehas run off. There! take ' care!

THE DECOY. 87' Can't you go on now ? ' asked De Wittletting go the bridle. Immediately the horsebegan to jib and rear.' You are lugging at his mouth fit tobreak hisjaw,PhSbe. No wonder the beast won't go.'' Am I, George ? It is the fright. Idon'tunderstand the horse. 0 dear! 0 dear!Ishallnever get to Waldegraves by myself.'' Let the horse go, but don't job his mouth inthat way.'' There he is turning round. He will go homeagain. 0 George!save me.'' You are pulling him round, of course he willturnif you drag at the rein.'' Idon't understand horses,' burst forthPhSbe,'and she threw the reins down. George, there'sa good, dear fellow, jump in beside me. There'sroom for two, quite cosy. Drive me to Waldegraves.Ishall never forget your goodness.'She put her two hands together, andlooked piteouslyin the young man's face.PhSbe Musset was a very good-looking girl,fair with bright blue eyes, and yellow hair, muchmore delicately made thanmost of the girls in theplace. Moreover, she dressed above them. Shewas a village coquette, accustomed to being made

88 MEHALAH.much of, and of showing her caprices. Her fatherowned the store at the city where groceries anddrapery were sold, and was esteemed a well-to-doman. He farmed a littleland. PhSbe was hisonlychild, and she was allowed to dopretty muchas she liked. Her father and mother were hardworkingpeople,butPhSbe's small hands were everunsoiled, for they were ever unemployed. Sheneither milked the cows nor weighed the sugar.She liked indeed to be in the shop, to gossip withanyone who came in, andperhaps the only goodsshe condescended tosell was tobacco to the youngsailors, from whom she might calculate on a wordof flattery andalovelorn look. She wras alwayswell and becomingly dressed. Now, in a chipbonnet trimmed with blue riband, and tied underthe chin, with a white lace-edged kerchief overher shoulders, covering her bosom, she was irresistible.So at least De Witt found her, for hewas obliged to climb the gig, seat himself besideher, and assume the reins.' I'm not much of a steersman in a craft like'this,' said George laughing, but my hand isstronger than yours, andIcan save you fromwreck.'PhSbe looked slyly round, and her great blue

THE DECOY.89eyes peeped timidly up in the fisherman's face.' Thank you so much, George. Ishall never,never forget your great kindness.'' There's nothing in it,' said the blunt fisherman;' I'd do the same for any girl.'' Iknow howpolite you are,'continuedPhSbe,then putting herhand on the reins, ' Idon't thinkyou need drive quite so fast, George;Idon't wantto get the horse hot, or Isaac will scold.'' Ajog trot like this will hurt no horse.'' Perhaps you want to get back. Iam sorryIhave taken you away. Of course you havepressing business. No doubt you want to get tothe Eay.' A little twinkling sly look up accompaniedthis speech. De Witt waxedred.' I'm in no hurry,myself,' he said.'How delightful, George, nor am I.'The young man could not resist stealing aglance at the little figure beside him, so neat, sotrim, so fresh. He was a humble fellow, andnever dreamed himself to be on a level with sucha refined damsel. Glory was the girl for him,rough and ready, who could row aboat,and wadein the mud. He loved Glory. She was a sturdygirl, a splendid girl, he said to himself. PhSbewas altogether different, she belonged to another

90 MEHALAH.— sphere, he could but look and admire andworship perhaps. She dazzled him, but he couldnot love her. She was none ofhis sort, he said tohimself.' A penny for your thoughts ! ' said PhSberoguishly. Hecoloured. ' Iknow what youwerethinking of. You were thinking ofme.''De Witt's colour deepened. IwTas sure itwas so. NowIinsist on knowing what you werethinking ofme.'' Why,' answered George with a clumsy effortat gallantry, ' Ithought what a beauty you were.'' Oh, George, not when compared with Mehalah.'De Witt fidgeted in his seat.' Mehalah is quite of another kind, you see,Miss.'' I'm no Miss, if you please.Call me PhSbe.Itis snugger.'' She's more— ' he puzzled his head for an explanationofhis meaning. ' Sheis more boaty thanyou are — '' PhSbe.'' Thanyou are,' with hesitation,' PhSbe.'' I know ; — strides about like a man, smokesand swears, and chews tobacco.'

THE DECOY.' No, no,you mistake me M-' PhSbe.'' You mistake me,PhSbe.'91' Ihaveoften wondered, George, whet attractedyou to Mehalah. To be sure, it will be a veryconvenient thing for you to have a wife who canswab the deck, and tar the boat and calk her.But thenIshould have fancied a man would haveliked something different from a — sort of a manwoman— a jack tar or Ben Brace inpetticoats,to sit by his fireside, and to take to his heart.But of course it is not for me to speak on suchmatters,'onlyIsomehow can't help thinking aboutyou, George, and it worries me so,Ilie awakeat nights, and wonder and wonder, whether youwill be happy. She has the temper of a torn cat,I'm told. She blazes up like gunpowder.'De Witt fidgeted yet more uneasily. He didnot like this conversation.' Then she is half a gipsy. So youmayn't betroubled with her- long. She'll keep with you aslong as she likes, and then up with her pack, onwith her wading boots. Yo heave hoy! andaway she goes.'De Witt, in his irritation, gave the horse astino-in" switch across the flank, and he started

92 MEHALAH.forward. A little white hand was laid,not now onthe reins,but onhis hand.' I'm so sorry, George my friend;after yourkindness,Ihave teased you unmercifully, butIcan't help it. WhenIthink of Mehalah inherwading boots and jersey and cap, it makes melaugh — and yet whenIthink of her and youtogether, I'm ashamed to sayIfeel as ifIcouldcry. George! ' she suddenly ejaculated.' Yes, Miss! '' PhSbe,not Miss, please.'' Iwasn'tgoing to say Miss.'' What were you going to say ?' Why mate, yes, mate!Iget into the habitofit at sea,' he apologised.' I like it. Call me mate. We are on acruise together now, you and I,andItrust myselfentirely in your hands, captain.'' What was it you fared to ask, mate, whenyou called " George ;' ? '' Oh, this.The wind is .cold, andIwantmy cloak and hood, they are down somewherebehind the seat in the cart. IfItake the reinswillyou lean over and get them? '' You won't upset the trap ?'' No.' He brought up the cloak and adjustedit

THE DECOY.93round PhSbe's shoulders, and drew the hood overher bonnet, she would have it to cover her head.' Doesn't it make me a fright ' ? she asked,looking into his face.' Nothing can do that,'' he answered readily.Well, push it back again,Ifeel asif it mademe one, and that is as bad. There now. Thankyou,mate! Take the reins again.'' Halloo ! we are in the wrong road. Wehave turned towards the Strood.'' Dear me ! so we have. That is the horse'sdoing. Ilet him go where he liked, andhe wentdown the turn. Idid not notice it. AllIthought of was holding up his head lest heshould stumble.'De Witt endeavoured to turn the horse.' Oh don't, don't attempt it! ' exclaimedPhSbe. 'The lane is so narrow, that we shallbe upset. Better drive on, and round by theBarrow Farm, there is not half-a-mile difference.'' A good mile, mate. However, if youwish it.'' Ido wish it. This is a pleasant drive, is itnot, George? '' Very pleasant,' he said, and to himselfadded, ' too pleasant.'

94 MEHALAH.So they chatted on till they reached the farmcalled Waldegraves, and there PhSbe alighted.' Ishall not be long,' she said, at the door,turning and giving him a look whichmight meana Tgreat dealor nothing, according to the characterof the Woman who cast it.When she came up she said, ' There, George,Icut my business as short as possible. Now whatdo you say to showing me the Decoy ?Ihavenever seen it,butIhave heard a great deal ofit, andIcannot understand how it is contrived.'' Itis close here,' said De Witt.' Iknow it is, thelittle stream inthis dip feedsit. Will you show me theDecoy ? '' But your foot— PhSbe. Youhave sprainedyour ankle.'" IfImay lean on your armIthinkIcanlimp down there.It is not very far.'' And then what about the horse ? '' Oh! the boy here will holdit, or put it upin the stable. Bun and callhim, George.'' Icould drive you down thereIthink, atleast withina few yards of the place, and if wetake the boyhe can hold thehorse by the gate.'' Ihad rather hobble down on your arm,George.'

THE DECOY. 95' Then come along, mate.The Decoy was a sheet of water coveringperhaps an acre and a half in the midst of awood. The clay that had been dug out for itsconstruction had been heaped up, forming alittle hill crowned by a group of willows. Noone who has seen this ill-used treeinits mutilatedcondition, cut down to a stump which bristleswith fresh withes, has any idea what a statelyand beautiful tree it is when allowed to grownaturally. The old untrimmed willow is oneof the noblest of our native trees. It may beseen thus in well-timbered parts of Suffolk, andoccasionally in Essex. The pond was fringedwith rushes, except at the horns, where the netsand screens stood for the trapping of the birds.From the mound above the distant sea wasvisible, through a gap in the old elm trees thatstood below the pool. In that gap was visiblethe war-schooner, lying as near shore as possible.George De Witt stood looking at it. The seawas glittering like silver, and the hull of thevessel was dark against the shining belt. A boatwitha sail was approaching her.' That is curious,' observed George.' I couldswear to yon boat. Iknow her red sail. She

96 MEHALAH.belongs to my cousin Elijah Eebow7. But he canhave nought to do with the schooner.'PhSbe was impatient with anything saveherself attracting the attention of the youngfisherman. She drew him from the mound, andmade him explain to her the use of the rushplattedscreens, the arched and funnel-shapednet, and the manner in which the decoy duckswere trained to lead the wild birds to theirdestruction.' They are very silly birds to be ledlike that,'said she.;They little dream whither and to what theyare being drawn,' saidDe Witt.' Isuppose some little ducks are dreadfullyenticing,' said PhSbe, with a saucy look and atwinkle of the blue eyes. 'Look here, George,my bonnet-strings are untied, and my hands arequite unable to manage a bow, unlessIam beforeaglass.' Do you think you could tie themfor me ?' Put up your elfin, then,' said De Witt witha sigh. He knew he was a victim ; he was goingagainst his conscience. He tried to think ofMehalah,but could not with thoseblue eyes lookingso confidingly into his. He put his finger

THE DECOY.97under her chin and raised it. He was lookingfull into that sweet saucy face.' What sort of a knot? Ican tie only sailor'sknots.'' Oh George! something like a true lover'sknot.'Was it possible to resist, with those damaskcheeks, those red lips, and those pleading eyes soclose, so completely in his power ? George didnot resist. He stooped and kissed the wickedlips, and cheeks, and eyes.PhSbe drew away her face at once, and hidit. He took her arm and led her away. Sheturned her head from him, and did not speak.He felt that the little figure at his side wasshaken with some hysterical movement, and feltfrightened.' Ihave offended you,Iam very sorry. Icould not help it. Your lips did tempt me so;and youlooked up at me just as if you were saying," Kiss " me! Icould not help it. You arecrying. Ihave offended you.''No, Iam laughing. Oh George! OhGeorge! 'They walked back to the farm without speak-VOL. I.H

98 MEHALAH."ing. De Witt was ashamed ofhimself, yet felt hewas under a spell which he could not break. Arough fisher lad flattered by a girl hehadlookedon as his superior, and beyond his approach, nowfound himself the object of her advances; thesituation was more than his rude virtue couldwithstand. He knew that this wasa shortdream ofdelight, Avhich would pass, and leave no substance,but Avhilst under the charm of the dream, heCould not cry out nor move a finger to arousehimself to real life.Neither spoke for a few minutes. But, atlast, George De Witt turned, and looking Avith apuzzled face at PhSbe Musset said, ' You askedme on our Avay to Waldegraves AvhatIAvas thinkingabout, and offered me a penny for mythoughts. NoavIwonder what you are lost in abroAvn study about, andIwill give you fourfarthings for Avhat is passing in your little goldenhead.'' You must not ask me, George — dearGeorge.'' Oh mate, you must tellme.'' Idare not. Ishallbe so ashamed.''' Then look aside Avhen you speak.'No,Ican't do that. Imust look you fullin

THE DECOY.99the face;and do you look me iu the face too.George,Iwas thinking — Why did younot comeand talk to me, before you Avent courting thatgipsy girl, Mehalah. Are yoit not sorry uoav thatyou are tied to her ? 'His eyes fell. He could not speak.H 2

100 MEHALAH.CHAPTER VIBLACKOR GOLD.When De Witt drove up to the ' City ' AvithPhSbe Musset, the first person he saw on thebeach Avas the last person that, under present circumstances,he Avished to see — Mehalah Sharland.PhSbe perceived her at once, andrejoiced at theopportunity that offered to profit by it.For a long time PhSbe had been enviousof the reputation as a beauty possessed byMehalah. Her energy, determination and couragemade her highly esteemed among the fishermen,and the expressions of admiration lavishedon her handsome face and generous character hadroused all the venom in PhSbe's nature. Shedesired to reign as queen paramount of beauty,and, like Elizabeth, could endure no rival.George De Witt Avas the best built and mostpleasant faced of all the Mersea youths, and hehad hitherto held aloof from her and paid his

BLACK OR GOLD.101homage to the rival queen. This had awakenedPhSbe's jealousy. She had no real regard, nowarm affection for the young fisherman; shethought him handsome, and was glad to flirt withhim,but he had made no serious impression onher heart, for PhSbe had not a heart on whichany deep impression could be made. She hadlaid herself out to attract and entangle him fromlove of power, and desire to humble Mehalah.She did not know whether anyactual engagementexisted between George andGlory, probably shedid not care. If there Avere, so much the better,it would render her victory more piquant andcomplete.She Avould trifle with the youngman for afewAveeks or a month, till he had broken withherrival, and then she would keep him or cast himoff as suited her caprice. By taking him up, shewould sting other admirers intomorefierypursuit,blow the smouldering embers into flamingjealousy,and thusflatter her vanity and assure hersupremacy. The social laAvs of rurallife are thesame as those in higher walks, but unglossed andundisguised. In the realm of nature it is thefemale who pursues and captures, not captivates,the male. As in Eden, so in this degenerate

102 MEHALAH.paradise, it is Eve Avho walks Adam, at first inAvide, thenin gradually contracting circles, aboutthe forbidden tree, till she has brought him totake the unwholesome morsel. The male birdblazes in gorgeous plumage and swims alone onthe glassy pool, but the sky is speckled withsombre feathered females who disturb his repose,drive him into a corner and force him to dividehis Worms, and drudge for them in collectingtAvigs and dabbing mud about their nest. Themale glow-Avorm broAvses on the dewy blades byhis moony lamp; it is the lack-light female thatbuzzes about him, coming outof obscurity, obscureherself, flattering andfettering him and extinguishinghis lamp.Where culture prevails, the sexes change theirhabits with ostentation, but remain the same inprocliAnties behind disguise. The male is supposedto pursue the female he seeks as his mate,to hover roundher ; and she is supposed to coylyretire, and start from his advances. But hermodesty is as unreal as the nolo episcopari of asimoniacal bishop-elect. Bashfulness is a productof education, a mask made by art. The cultureddamsel hunts not openly,but like a poacher, in thedark. Eve put off modesty when she put on figleaves;in the simplicity of the country, her

BLACKOR GOLD.103daughters walk without either. The female giveschase to the male as a matter of course, as systematicallyand unbluslfingly in rustic life, as inthe other grades of brute existence. Themotheradorns her daughter for the war-path Avith paintand feathers, and sends her forth with a blessinganda smile to fulfil the first duty of Avoman, andthe meed of praise is hers Avhen she returns with amasculine heart, yet hot and mangled, at her belt.TheEarly Church set apart one day in sevenfor rest; the Christian pagans set it apart for theexercise of the man hunt. The Stuart bishopspublished a book on Sunday amusements, andalloAved of Sabbathhunting. They followed, anddid not lead opinion. It is the coursing day ofclays whenmarriage-wanting maids areinfull cryand scent of allmarriageable men.A village girl Avho does not Avalk about herboy is an outlaAV to the commonAvealth, a renegadetoher sex. A lover is held tobe of as muchnecessity as an umbrella, a maiden must not goout without either. If she cannot attract one byher charms, she must retain him with a fee.Eural morality moreover allows her to change thebeau on her arm asoften as theriband in her cap,but not to be seen about, at least on Sunday, devoidof either.

104 MEHALAH.PhSbe Musset intended some day to marry,but had not made up her mind whom to choose,and when to alter her condition. She wouldhave liked a well-to-do young farmer, but therehappened to be no man of this kind available.There were, indeed, at Peldon four bachelorbrothers of the name of Marriage,but they Averegrowngrey in celibacy andnot disposed to changetheir lot. One of theprincipal Merseafarmers wasnamed Wise, and hada son of age, but he was — anidiot. Therest Avere afflicted Avith only daughtersafflicted from PhSbe's point of vieAv, blessed fromtheir own. There was a widower, but to take awidower was like buying a broken-kneed horse.George was comfortably off. He oAvned someoyster pans and gardens, andhad a fishing smack.But he was not a catch. There were,however,no catches to be angled, traAvled or dredgedfor. PhSbe did not trouble herself greatly aboutthe future. Her father and mother would, perhaps,not be best pleased were she to marry offthe land, but the wishes ofher parents were of noweight with PhSbe, who was determined to suither own fancy.As she approached the ' City,' she saAv Glorysurrounded by young boatmen, eager to get a

BLACK OR GOLD.105word from her lips or a glance from her eyes.PhSbe's heart contracted with spite, but nextmoment SAvelled with triumph at the thought thatit lay in her power to woundher rival and exhibither own superiority,before the eyes of all assembledon the beach.'There is the boy from the Leather Bottle,George,' said she, ' he shall take the horse.'De Witt descended and helped her to alight,then directly, to her great indignation, made hisway to Mehalah. Glory put out both hands tohim and smiled.Her smile, which Avasrare, wassweet;it lighted up and transformed a face some-Avhat stern and dark.' Where have youbeen, George? '' Ihave been driving that girl yonder, what'sher-name,to Waldegraves.''What, PhSbeMusset? Idid not know youcould drive.'' Ican do more than toav a boat and catchcrabs, Glory.'' 'What induced you to drive her?' Icould not help myself,I Avas driven intodoing so. You see, Glory,a felloAv is not alwayshis own master. Circumstances are sometimesstronger thanhis best purposes, and like a massof

106 MEHALAH.seaweed arrest his oar and perhaps upset hisboat.'' Why, bless the boy! ' exclaimed Mehalah,' What are all these excuses for ? Iam notjealous.'' But Iam,' said PhSbe Avho had come up.' George, you are very ungallant to desert me.Youhave forgotten your promise, moreover.'' What promise ?'' There! what promise you say, as if yourhead were a riddle and everything put in exceptclots of clay and pebbles fell through. Mehalahhas stuck in the wires, and poor littleIhavebeen sifted out.'' But what didIpromise ? '' To show me the hullin which youand yourmother live, the " Pandora " Ithink youcallher.'' DidIpromise?'' Yes you did, Avhen we were together at theDecoy under the willoAvs. Itold youIwishedgreatly to beintroducedto theinterior and see howyoulived.' Turning to Mehalah, ' George andIhave been to the Decoy. He was most goodnatured,and explained the whole contrivance tome, and — andillustrated it. We had a very pleasantlittle trot together, had we not, George? '

BLACK OR GOLD.107' Oh! this is Avhat's-her-name, is it? ' saidMehalah in a Ioav tone with an amused look.She Avas neither angry nor jealous, she despisedPhSbe too heartily to be either, though withfeminine instinct she perceived Avhat the girl wasabout, and saAV through allher affectation.' IfImade the promise,I must of course keepit,' said George, ' but it is strangeIshouldnotremember havfing madeit.'' Idare say you forget a great many thingsthat Avere said and done at theDecoy, but,' Avith alittle affected sigh, ' Ido not,Inever shall,Ifear.'George De Witt looked uncomfortable and'aAvkAvard. Will not another day do as Avell? '' No,it Avill not, George,' said PhSbe petulantly.IknoAv you have no engagement, you'said so Avhen you volunteered to drive me toWaldegraves.'De Witt turned to Mehalah, and said, ' Comealong Avith us, Glory!my mother will be glad tosee you.' Oh ! don't trouble yourself, Mss Sharland—or Master Sharland, Avlfich is it? '— staring first atthe short petticoats, and then at the cap andjersey.' Come, Glory,' repeated De Witt, andlooked

108 MEHALAH.so uncomfortable that Mehalah readily compliedAvith his request.' Ican give you oysters and ale, natives, youhave never tasted better.'' ' No ale for me, George,' said PhSbe. It isgetting on for five o'clock whenItake a dish oftea.' 'Tea! ' echoed De Witt, ' Ihave no suchdainty on board. ButIcan give you rum orbrandy, if you prefer either to ale. Motheralways has a glass of grog about this time;thecockles ofher heart require it, she says.'' You must give me your arm, George, youknoAvIhave sprained my ankle. Ireally cannotAvalk unsupported.'De Witt looked at Mehalah and then atPhSbe, Avho gave him such a tender, entreatingglance that he was unable to refuse his arm. Sheleaned heavily on it, and drew very close to hisside; then, turning her head over her shoulder,with a toss of the chin, she said, ' Come along,Mehalah! 'Glory's brow began to darken. She wasdispleased. George also turned and nodded tothe girl, Avho Avalked in the rear Avith her headdown. He signed to her to join him.

BLACK OR GOLD.109' Do you knoAv, Glory, what mother did theother night whenIfailed to turn up — that nightyou fetched me concerning the money that Avasstolen? She was vexed at my being out late, andnot abed,at eleven. As youknoAv,Icould not beso. Ileft the Bay as soon as all Avas settled, andas you put me across to the Fresh Marsh,Igothome across the pasture and the fields as quicklyasIcoidd,but was not here till after eleven.Mother was angry, she hadpulled up theladder,but before that she tarred the vessel all round,and she stuck a pail of sea water atop of theplace where theladder goes. Well, then,Icamehome and found the ladder gone, soIlaid holdof the rope that hangs there, and then souse overme came the water. IsaAv mother was vexed,and Avanted to serve me out for being late;however,Iwouldnot be beat, soItried to climb theside, andgot covered Avith tar.'' Yougot in, hoAvever ? '' No,Idid not,Iwent to thepublic-house,and laid the night there.'' Iwould have gone through tar, Avater, and'fire,' said Glory vehemently. Iwould not havebeenbeat.''Ihave no doubt about it, you would,' ob-

110 MEHALAH.served George, ' but you forget there might beworse things behind. Anold Avoman after a stiffglass of grog, when her monkey is up, is betterleft to sleep off her liquor and her displeasurebefore encountered.'' I would not teU the story,' said Mehalah; ' itdoes you no credit.'' This is too bad of you, Glory! You ran mefoul of her, and uoav reproach me for mysteering.'' You will runinto plenty of messes if you goafter Mehalah at night,' put in PhSbe Avith asaucy laugh.' Glory ! ' said De Witt, ' come on the otherside of PhSbe and give her your arm. She islame. She has hurt her foot, and Ave are comingnoAV to themud.'' OhIcannot think of troubling Mehalah,'said PhSbe sharply; ' you do not mind myleaning my Avhole weight on you,IknoAv, George.You did not mind it at theDecoy.'' Here is the ladder,' said De Witt; ' step onmy foot and then you will not dirty your shoeleatherin the mud. Don't think you Avillhurtme. A light feather like you will be unfelt.'' Do you keep the ladder doAvn day andnight ? ' asked Glory.

BLACK OR GOLD. 111' No. It is always hauledup directlyIcomehome. Only that one night did mother draw itup without me. We are as safe in the "Pandora"as you are at the Eay. '' And there is this in the situation Avhich islike,' said PhSbe, pertly, ' that neither can enticerobbers, andneed securing, as neither has anythingtolose.'' Ibeg your pardon,'answered George,' thereare my savings on board. My mother sleepssoundly, so she will not turnintill theladder isup. That is the same as locking the door on'land. If you have money in the till' There always is money there, plenty of ittoo.' ' Ihave no doubt about it,PhSbe. Underthese circumstances you do not go to bed andleave your door open.'' Ishould think not. You go first up theladder,Iwill follow. Mehalah can stop andpaddle in her native mud, or come after us assuits her best.' Turning her head to Glory shesaid, ' Two are company, three are none.' Thento the young man, ' George, give me your handto help me on deck, you forget your manners.Ifear the Decoy is Ayhere you have left and lostthem.'

112 MEHALAH.She jumped on deck. Mehalah followerwithout asking for or expecting assistance.The vessel was an old collier, A\diich George'father had bought when no longer seaworthy fo»a few pounds. He hadrun her up on the Harddismasted her, andconverted her into a dwellingIn it George had been born andreared.' Theris one advantage in living in a house such as this.said De Witt; ' we pay neither tax,nor tithe, noirate.'' Is that you?' asked a loud hard voice, and ahead enveloped in a huge mob cap appeared fron'the companion ladder. What are you donuthere, gallivanting with girls all day ? Conndown to me and let's have it out.''Mother ' is touchy,' said George ina subduedvoice; shegets a littlerough andknotty at time;-but she is a rare woman for melting and untyingspeedily.'' Come here, George! cried the rare woman.' Iam coming, mother.'He showed the t\v

BLACK OR GOLD.113at a sign from George she Avent down, and wasfolioAved by Mehalah. Bending her head, shepassed through the small fore-cabin Avhere wasGeorge's bunk, into the main cabin Avhich servedas kitchen, parlour, and bedroom to Mrs. DeWitt. A table occupied the centre, and at theend was an iron cooking stove. Everything wasclean, tidy, and comfortable. On a shelf at theside stood the chairs. Mrs. De Witt Avhisked onedown.' Your servant,' said she to PhSbe, with more'amiability than thegirl anticipated. Yours too,Glory,' curtly to Mehalah.Mrs. De Witt Avas not favourable to her son'sattachment to Glory. She Avas an imperious,strong-minded woman, a despot in her ownhouse, and she had no Avish to see that houseinvaded by a daughter-in-laAv as strong of willand iron-headed as herself. She Avished to seeGeorge mated to a girl whom she could broA\'-beat and manage as she browbeat and managedher son. George's indecision of character wasdue in measure to his bringing up by such amother. He hadbeen cuffed and yelled at frominfancy. His intimacy with the maternal laphad been contracted head downwards, and wasVOL. I.i

114 MEHALAH.connected with a stinging sensation at the rear.Self-assertion had been beat or bawled out ofhim. She Avas not a bad, but a despotic Avoman.Sheliked to have her OAvn way,and she obtainedit,first with her husband,and then A\fith her son,and the ease Avith which she had mastered andmaintained the sovereignty had done her as muchharm as them.If a beggar be put on horseback he Avillrideto the devil, anda Avomanincommand Avill proceedto unsex herself. She was a good-heartedAvoman at bottom, but then that bottom wherethe good heart lay was never to be foimd withan anchor, but lay across the course as a shoalwhere deep Avater Avas desired. Her son knewperfectly Avhere it was not, but never where itwas. Mrs. De Witt in face somewhat resembledher nephew,Elijah EeboAV, but sheAvas his seniorby ten years. She had the same hawk-like noseand dark eyes,but was without the wolfish jaw.Nor had she the eager intelligence that spoke outof Elijah's features. Hers were hard and coarseand unillumined with mind.When she saw PhSbe enter her cabin sheAvas both surprised and gratified. A fair, feeble,bread-and-butter Miss, such as she held the girl

BLACK OR GOLD. 115to be, was just the daughter she fancied. Wereshe to come to the ' Pandora ' Avith whims andgraces, the month of honey Avith George wouldassume the taste of vinegar Avith her, and wouldend in the new daughter's absolute submission.She would be able to convert such a girl veryspeedily into a domestic drudge and a recipientof her abuse. Menmake themselves, but womenare made, and the making of women, thoughtMrs. De Witt, should bein thehands of women;men botched them, because they let them taketheir own way.Mrs. De Witt never forgave her parents forhaving bequeathed her no money; she could notexcuseElijah for having taken all they left, withoutconsidering her. She found a satisfaction indischarging her wrongs on others. She was asaving woman, and spent little money on her personaladornment. What coinIdrop,' she' wasAvont to say, ' Idrop in rum, and smuggled rumis cheap.'But though an article is cheap, a great consumptionof it may cause the item to be a seriousone; andit was so wfith Mrs. De Witt.The vessel to Avhich she acted as captain,steAvard, and cook, was named the ' Pandora.'i2

116 MEHALAH.The vicar Avas wont to remark that it Avas a ' Pandora's' box full of all gusts, but minus gentleZephyr.' Will you take a chair ? ' she said obsequiouslyto PhSbe,placing the chair for her, afterhaving first breathed on the seat and wipeditAvith her sleeve. Then turning to Mehalah, she'asked roughly, Well, Glory!Iioav is that oldfool, your mother ? '' Better than your manners,' replied Mehalah.' Iam glad you are come, Glory,' said Mrs.De Witt, ' IAvant to have it out with you. Whatdo you mean by coming here of a night, andcarrying off my son Avhen he ought to be underhis blankets inhis bunk ? IAvon't haveit. Heshall keep proper hours. Such conduct is notdecent. What do you think of that? ' she asked,seating herself on the other side of the table, andaddressing PhSbe, but leaving Mehalah standing.' What do you think of a girl coming here afternightfall, and asking my lad to go off for a roAVAvith her all in the dark, and the devil knowswhither they went, and the mischief they Avereafter. It is not respectable, is it ? '' George shouldnot have gone Avhen she askedhim,' said the girl.

BLACKOR GOLD.117' Dear Sackalive!shetwists'him round herlittlefinger. Heno more daredeny heranything thanhedaredefy me. ButIAvill have myboyrespectable,Ican promise you. Icombed his head Avell forhim Avhenhe came home,Idid by cock! He shallnot do the thing again.'' Look here, mother,' remonstrated George ;' wash our dirty linenin private.'' Indeed ! ' 'exclaimed Mrs. De Witt. That isstrange doctrine! Why, Avho Avould knoAv weAvore any linen at all next our skin, unless Aveexposed it Avhen washed over the side of theAvessel ? Noav you come here. Ihave a bone topick along with you, ' George!To be on a level Avith her son, and stare himfull in the eyes, a Avay she had with everyone sheassailed, she sat on the table, andput her feet onthe chair.' What has become of the money ? Ihavebeen to the box, and there are twenty poundsgone out of it, all in gold. Ihaven't took it, soyou must have. NowIwant to know what youhave done with it. Iwill have it out. Iendureno evasions. Where is the money ? Fork it out,orIAvill turn all your pockets inside out,and findandretake it. You want no money, not you. I

118 MEHALAH.provide you with tobacco. Where is the money?Twenty pounds, and all in gold. Iwas like ashrimp in scalding water whenIwent to the boxto-day and found themoney gone. Iturned thatred you might have said it was erysipelas. Ishruck out that they might have heard me at theCity. Turn your pockets out at once.'George looked abashed; he Avas coAved by hismother.' ' I'lltake the carving knife to you! said thewoman, ' if youdo not hand me over the cash atonce.'' Oh don't, praydon't hurt him! ' criedPhSbe, interposing her arm, and beginning tocry. 'DearSackalive! ' exclaimed Mrs. De Witt,' I am not aiming at his witals, but at his pockets.Where is themoney ? '' I have hadit,' said Mehalah, stepping forwardand standing between De Witt and his mother.' George hasbehaved generously, nobly byus. Youhave heard how Ave Avere robbed of our money.We could not have paid our rent for the Eay hadnot George let us have tAventy pounds. He shallnot loseit.'' You hadit, you!— you!' cried Mrs. De Witt

BLACKOR GOLD.119'in Avild and fierce astonishment. Give it up tome at once.'' Ican notdo so. The greater part is gone.Ipaid the money to-day to Eebow, our landlord.'' Elijah has it ! Elijah gets everything. Myfather left me Avithout a shilling, and now he getsmy hard-won earnings also.'' It seems to me, mistress, that the earningsbelong to George,and surely he has a right to dowith them what he Avill,' said Mehalah, coldly.' That is your opinion, is it ?Itis not mine.'Then she mused: ' Twenty pounds is a fortune.One may do a great deal Avith such a sum as that,Mehalah;tAventy pounds is twenty pounds whatever you may say; and it must be repaid.'' It shallbe.''When?'' As soon asIcan earn the money.'Mrs. De Witt's eye now rested on PhSbe,and she assumed a milder manner. Her moodwas variable as the colourof the sea; ' I'm obligedto beperemptory at times,' she ' said; Ihave tomaintain order in the wessel.You will stay andhave something to eat ? '' Thank you; your son has already promisedus some oysters, — that is, promised me'

120 MEHALAH.' ' Come on deck,' said George. We willhavethem there, and mother shall breAv the liquorbeloAV.'The mother grunted a surly acquiescence.When the three had re-ascended the ladder,the sun was setting. The mouth of the Black-Avater glittered like gold leaf fluttered by thebreath. The tide had begun to flow, and alreadythe Avater had surrounded the ' Pandora.' PhSbeand Mehalah would have to return by boat, or becarried by De Witt.The tAvo girls stood side by side. The contrastbetAveen them was striking, and the youngman noticed it. Mehalah was tall,lithe, and firmas a young pine, erect in her bearing, with everymuscle Avell developed, firm of flesh, her skin arichripe apricot, and her eyes, now that the sunwas in them, like volcanic craters, gloomy, butfull of fire. Her hah-, rich to profusion, Avasblack,yet Avith coppery hues init when seen with a sidelight. It Avas simply doneup in a knot, neatlynot elaborately. Her navy-blue jersey and skirt,the scarlet of her cap and kerchief, and of apetticoat that appeared beloAV the skirt, made herarich combination of colour, suitable to a sunnyclime rather than to the misty bleak east coast.

BLACK OR GOLD. 121PhSbe was colourless beside her, a faded picture,faint in outline. Her complexion was delicate asthe rose,her frame slender, her contour undulatingand Aveak. She Avas the pattern of a trimEnglishvillage maiden, with the beauty of youth, and theSAveetness ofripening womanhood, sans sense,sanspassion, sans character, sans everything — prettyvacuity. She seemed to feel her own inferioritybeside the gorgeous Mehalah, and to be angry atit. She took off her bonnet, and the wind playedAvith her yellow curls, and the setting sun spunthem intoa halo of gold about her delicate face.'Loose your hair, Mehalah,' said the spitefulgirl. 'What ' for ?' IAvant to see Iioav it Avill look in the sun.'' Do so, Glory!' begged George.' Howshining PhSbe's locks are. One might melt andcoin them into guineas.'Mehalah pulled out a pin, andletherhair fall,a flood of warm black Avith red gleams in it. Itreached her Avaist, and the wind scattereditabouther like a veil.If PhSbe's hair resembled a spring fleecycloud gilded by the sun,buoyantin the soft warmair,that of Mehalah Avas like an angry thunder

122 MEHALAH.shower Avith a promise of sunshine gleamingthrough the rain.' Black or gold, which do you most admire,George? ' asked the saucy girl.' That is not a fair question to put to me,' saidDe Witt in reply;but heput his fingers throughthe dark tresses of Mehalah,and raised them tohis lips. PhSbe bit her tongue.' George,' she said sharply.' See the sun isin myhair. Iam in glory. That is better thanbeing so only in name.'' But your glory is short-lived, PhSbe; thesun will be set in a minute, and then it is nomore.'' And hers,' she said spitefully,' hers— youimply — endures eternally. IAvill go home.'' Do not be angry, PhSbe, there can not bethunder in such a golden cloud. There can benothing worse than a rainbow.'' What have you got there about your neck,George ? ' she asked, pacified by the compliment.' A riband.'' Yes, and something at the end of it — a locketcontaining a tuft of black horsehair.'' No, there is not.'' Call me" mate," as you did Avhen Ave were

BLACK OR GOLD. 123at the Decoy. How happy we Avere there, butthen Ave were alone, that makes allthe difference.'George did. not answer. Mehalah's hot bloodbegan to fire her dark cheek.' Tell me what you have got attached to thatriband; if you love me, tell me, George. Wegirls are ahvays inquisitive.''' A keepsake, PhSbe.'A keepsake ! ThenImust see it.'Shesnatched at the riband Avhere it showed aboveDe Witt's blue jersey.' I noticedit before, Avhen you were so attentiveat theDecoy.'Mehalah interposed her arm, and placing heropenhand on George's breast, thrust him out ofthe reach of the insolent flirt.' For shame of you, how dare you behavethus! ' she exclaimed.' Oh dear! ' cried PhSbe, ' Isee it all. Yourkeepsake. How sentimental! Oh, George!Ishall die of laughing.*She went into pretended convulsions ofmerriment.'I cannot help it, this is really tooridiculous.'Mehalah Avas trembling with anger. Hergipsy blood was in flame. There is a flagrant

124 MEHALAH.spirit in such veins Avhich soon bursts into anexplcsion of fire.PhSbe stepped up to her, and holding herdelicate fingersbeside the stronghandofMehalah,whispered, 'Look at these little fingers. Theywill pluck your love out of your rude clutch.'She saw that she Avas stinging her rival pastendurance. She Avent on aloud, casting a saucyside glance at De Witt, ' Ishould like to addmy contribution to the trifle that is collecting foryou since youlost your money. Isuppose thereis abrief. Off with the red cap and pass it round.Here is a crown.'The insult Avas unendurable. Mehalah'spassion overpoAvered her. In a moment she hadcaught up the girl, and without considering whatshe Avas doing, she flung her into the sea. Thenshe staggered back andpanted for breath.A cry of dismay from De Witt. He rushedto the side.' Stay ! ' said Mehalah, restraining him withone hand and pressing the other to her heart.' She Avill not drown.'The Avater Avas not deep. Several fisherladshad already sprung to the rescue, and PhSbewas drawn limp and dripping towards the shore.

BLACK OR GOLD. 125Mehalah stooped, picked up the girl's straAv hat,and slungit after her.A Ioav laughburst from someone riding in aboat under the side of the vessel.' Well done, Glory! You served the prettyvixen right. Ilove you for it.'She kneAv the voice. It Avas that of Eebow.He must have heard, perhaps seen all.

126 MEHALAH.CHAPTER VII.LIKE A BAD PENNY.' For shame, Glory! ' exclaimed De Witt Avhenhe hadrecovered from his surprise but not from'his dismay. Hoav could you do such a Avickedandunwomanly act ? '' For shame, George! ' answered Mehalah,'gasping for breath. You stoodby all the while,and listened Avhilst that jay snapped and screamedat me, and tormented me to madness, Avithoutinterposing a Avord.'' I am angry.Your behaviour has been thatof a savage! ' pursued George, thoroughly roused.' Ilove you, Glory, you knoAvIdo. But this isbeyond endurance.'' If you are not prepared, or Avilling to rightme,Imust defend myself,' said Mehalah; ' andIAvill doit. Ibore aslongasIcouldbear, expectingevery moment that you Avould silence her,and speak out,and say, " Glory is mine, andIwill

LIKE A BAD PENNY. 127not alloAV her to be affronted." But not a stepdid you take, not a finger did youlift; and then,at last, the sire in my heart burst forth and sentup a smoke that darkened my eyes and be-Avildered my brain. Icould not see,Icould notthink. Idid not know, till all was over, AvhatIhad done. George!IknoAvIam rough andviolent, Avhen these rages come over me,Iamnot to be trifled Avith.'' Ihope they never may come over you Avhenyou have to do Avithme,' saidDe Witt sulkily.' Ihope not, George. Do not trifle Avith me,do not provoke me. Ihave the gipsy inme, butunder control. All at once the old nature burstsloose, and thenIdoIknow not what. Icannotwaste my energy in Avords like some, andIcannotcontend Avith such a girl as that with the tongue.'' What Avill folks say of this?' 'Idonot care. They may talk. But now,George, let me Avarn you. That girl has beentrifling Avith you, and you have been too blindand foolish to see her game and keep her at arm'slength.'' You are jealous becauseIspeak to anothergirl besides you.'' No,Iam not.Iam not one to harbour

128 MEHALAH.jealousy. WhomItrustItrust with my wholeheart. WhomIbelieveIbelieve Avith my entiresoul. IknoAv you too Avell to be jealous. Iknow as well that you could not be false to me inthought or in act asIknoAv my truth to you. Icannot doubt you, for hadIthought it possiblethat you would give me occasion to doubt,Icould not have loved you.'' Sheer off! ' exclaimed George, looking over'his shoulder. Here comes the old Avoman.'The old woman appeared, scrambling on deck,her cap-frills bristling about her ears, like thefeathers of an angry Avhite cockatoo.' What is all this ? By jaggers! Avhere isPhSbe Musset ? What have you done withher ?Where have you put her ? What were thosescreams about ? '' Sheer off while youmay,' whisperedDeWitt,' the old woman is not to be faced Avhen wexedno more than a hurricane. Strike sail, and runbefore the wind.'' What haveyou clone with theyoungwoman ?Where is she? Produce the corpse. Iheard heras she shruck out.'' She insulted me,' said Mehalah, still agitatedby passion, ' andIflung her overboard.'

LIKE A BAD PENNY. 129Mrs. De Witt rushed to the bulwarks, andsaw the dripping damsel being carried — shecould not walk — from the Strand to her father'shouse.' You chucked her overboard ! ' exclaimed theold woman, and she caught up a SAvabbing-mop.' How dare you ? She was my visitor; she cameto sip my grog and eat my natives at my hospitableboard, and you chucked her into the sea asthough she Avere a picked cockleshell! '' She insultedme,' said Mehalah angrily.' Iwillteachyou to play thedog-fish among myherrings, to turn this blessed peaceful " Pandora "into a cage of bears! ' cried Mrs. De Witt, chargingwith her mop.Mehalah struck the weapon down, andput herfoot on it.' Take care! ' she exclaimed, her voice'trembling with passion. In another momentyou will have raised the devil in me again.'' He don't take much raising,' vociferatedMrs. De Witt. 'I will teach you to assault agenteel youngfemale who comes a Avisiting of meandmy soninour own wessel. Do you think youare already mistress here ? Does the " Pandora"belong to you ? AmIto be chucked overboardAT0L. I.k

130 MEHALAH.dong Avith everylass that Avexes you? AmIofno account any more in the eyes of my son, thatIsuckled from my maternal bottle, and fed withegg and pap out ofmy own spoon? ''' For heaven's sake,' interrupted George,sheer off, Mehalah. Mother is the dearest oldlady in the Avorld Avhen sheis sober. She is aPacific Ocean Avhen not vexed Avith storms. SheAvill pacify presently.''I Avill go, George,' said Mehalah, pantingwith anger, her veins swollen,her eye sparkling,'andher lip quivering " Iwill go, andIwillneverset foot in this boat again, till you and yourmother have asked mypardon for this conduct;she for this outrage, you for having allowed meto receive insult, white-livered coAvard that youare.'She flung herself doAvn the ladder, and wadedashore.Mrs. De Witt's temper abated as speedily asit rose. She retired to her grog. She set feetdownwards on the scene;the last of her stalwartform to disappear Avas the gloAving countenanceset in Avhite rays.George Avas left to his oavu reflections. HesaAv Mehalah get into her boat and x-oavaAvay.

LIKE A BAD PENNY.131He waved his cap to her, but she did not returnthe salute. She Avas offended grievously. GeorgeAvas placed in a difficult situation. The girl toAvhom he AAras betrothed Avas angry, and haddeclared her determination not to tread theplanks of the ' Pandora' again, and the girl whohadmade advances to him, and whom his motherAvould have favoured, had been ejected unceremoniouslyfrom it, and perhaps injured, at aUevents irretrievably offended.It was incumbent on him to go to the houseof the Mussets and enquire for PhSbe. He coulddo no less; so he descended theladder and tookhis way thither.PhSbe Avas not hurt, she Avas only frightened.She had been wet through, and was at once putto bed. She cried a great deal, and oldMussetvowed he Avould take out a summons against theaggressor. Mrs. Musset wept in sympathy withher daughter, and then fell on De Witt forhaving permitted the assault to take place unopposed.' How couldIinterfere ? ' he asked, desperate'with his difficulties. It Avas up and over withher beforeIAvas aware.'' My girl is not accustomed to associate AvithK 2

132 MEHALAH.cannibals,' said Mrs. Musset, drawing herself outlike a telescope.As George returned much crestfallen to thebeach, now deserted, for the night had come on,he was accostedbyElijah Eebow.' George ! ' said the owner ofEed Hall, layinga hand on his cousin's shoulder, ' you ought notto be here.'' Where oughtIto be, Elijah ? It seems tome thatIhave been everywhere to-day whereIought notto be. Iam left in ahopeless muddle.'' You ought not to allow Glory to part fromyouin anger.'' How canIhelp it ? Iam sorry enough forthe quarrel, but you must allow her conduct wastrying to the temper.'' She had great provocation. IAvonder shedid not kill that girl. She has a temper, hasMehalah, that doesnot stick at trifles;but she isgenerous and forgiving.'' She is so angry withme thatIdoubtIshallnot be able to bring her back to good humour.'' Idoubt so, too, unless yougo the right wayto Avork with her; and that is not Avhat you aredoingnoAv.'' Why, what oughtIto do, Elijah? '

LIKE A BAD PENNY. 133'Do you Avant to break with her, George?Do you want to be off Avith Glory and on withmilk-face ? '' No,Ido not.'' You are set on Glory still ? You wiU cleaveto her tillnaught but death shall youpart, eh ? '' Naught' else.'George! That other girl has good looksand money. Give up Mehalah, and hitch on toPhSbe. Iknow yourmother willbe best pleasedif you do, and it Avill suit your interests well.Glory has not a penny, PhSbe has her pocketsfined. Take my word for it you can have milkfacefor the asking, and now is your opportunityfor breaking Avith Gloryif you have a mind todo so.'' ButIhave not, Elijah'' What can Glorybe to you, or you to Glory ?She Avith her great heart, her stubborn will, herstrong soul, and you— you— bah ! '' Elijah, say Avhat you like, butIwill hold toGlory till death us dopart.'' Your hand on it. Youswear that.'' Yes, Ido. Iwant a wife who can row aboat, a splendid girl, the sight of whom lights upthe Avhole heart.'

134 MEHALAH.' Itell you Glory is not one for you. Seehow passionate she is, she blazes up in a moment,and then she is one to shiver you if you offendher. No, she needs a man of other stamp thanyou to manage her.'' She shall be mine,' said George; ' IAvant noother.'' Thisis your fixed resolve ? '' My fixed resolve.'' For better for Avorse ? '' For better for worse, till death us do part.' Till death youdo part,' Elijah jerked out a'laugh. George, if you are not the biggest foolIhave set eyes on for many a clay,Iam muchmistaken.''Why so?'' Because you are acting contrary to your interests.You are unfit for Glory, you do notnow, you never will, understandher.'' What do youmean ? '' You let the girl row away, offended, angry,eating out her heart, and you shoAv no sign thatyou desire reconciliation.'' Ihave though. IAvaved my hat to her,butshe took no notice.'' Waved your hat!' repeated EeboAV, with

LIKE A BAD PENNY. 135'suppressed scorn. You never will readthat girl's heart, and understand her moods.Oh you fool! you fool! straining your armsafter the unapproachable,'unattainable star!Ifshe Avere mine he stamped and clenchedhis fists.'But she is not going to be yours, Elijah,'said George with a careless laugh.' No, of course not,' said Elijah, joining in the'laugh. She is yours' till deathyou dopart.'Tell me, what haveIdone wrong? ' askedDe Witt.' There— you come to me, after all, to interpretthe writing for you. It is there, Avritteninletters of fire, Mene, mene, tekel, Upharsin!Thou art weighed in the balance and foundAvanting, and this night shall thy kingdom be'taken from thee and given to'Elijah,Ido not understand this language.What ought ' Ito do to regain Mehalah'sfavour?' You must go after her. Do you not feel itin eveiy fibre, that you must, you mud-blood?Go after her at once. She is now at home,sitting alone, brooding over the offence, sore atyour suffering her to be insulted without making

136 MEHALAH.remonstrance. Her wrong will grow into amountain in her heart unlessit be rooted up tonight.Her pride will flame up as her passiondies aAvay,and she will not let you speak to heranother tender Avord. She wiU hate and despiseyou. The little crack will spht into a widechasm. Iheard her call you a white-liveredcoAvard.'' She did ; you need not repeat it. She willbe sorry Avhen she is cool.'' That is just it, George. As soon as passionabates, her generous heart will turn to selfreproach,and she will be angry with herself forwhat she has done. She Avill accuse herself withhaving been violent, with having acted unworthilyof her dignity, Avith having grown intoo great a heat about a Avorthless doll. Shewill be vexed Avith herself, ashamed of herself,unable in the twilight of her temper to excuseherself. Perhaps she is now in tears. But thismood Avill not last. To-morroAv her pride Avillhave returned in strength, she will think overher wrongs and harden herself in stubbornness;she Avill knoAv that the world condemns her,andshe Avill retire into herself in defiance of theworld. Look up at the sky. Do you see, there

tLIKE A BAD PENNY.137is Charles' Wain, and there is Cassiopæa's Chair.There the Serpent and there the SAvan. Icansee every figure plain, but your landsman rarelycan. SoIcan see every consteUationin the darkheavenof Mehalah's sotd, but you cannot. Youwould be wrecked if you Avere to sail by it.Now, George, take Glory AA-hile she is betweentAvo moods, or lose her for ever. Go after her atonce, George, ask her forgiveness, blame yourselfand your mother, blame that figure-head miss,and she will forgive you frankly, at once. Shewill fall on your neck and ask your pardon forwhat she has done.'' Ibelieve you are right,' said De Witt,musing.' IknowIam. AsIhave been workinginmy forge,Ihave Avatched the flame on the hearthdance and waver to the clinking of the hammer.There was something in the flame,Iknow notwhat, which made it wince or flare, as theblowsfell hard or soft. So there are things in Naturerespond to each other without your knowing whyit is, and in Avhat their sympathy consists. SoIknow allthat passesinMehalah's mind. Ifeel myown soul dance and taper to her pulses. If youhad not been a fool, George, you would already

138 MEHALAH.have been after her.What are youstaying fornow?'' My mother; what will she say ?'' Do you care for her more than for Glory ?If you think of her now, you lose Glory for ever.Once moreIask you, do you waver? Are youinclined to forsake Mehalah for milk-face ? '' Iam not,' said De Witt impatiently;' Avhydo you go on Avith this ?Ihave said already thatGlory is mine.'' Unless deathyou dopart.'' Till deathus dopart, is what Isaid.'' Then make haste. An hour hence the Bayhouse Avill be closed, and the girl and her motherin bed.'' IwiU get my boat and toav thither at once.'' You need not do that. Ihave my boathere, jump in. We will each take an oar, andIw7ill land youon the Ray.'' You take a great interest in my affairs.'' Itake a very great interest in them,' saidRebow dryly.' Lead the way, then.'' Follow me.'Rebow walked forAvard, over the shingle towardshis boat, then suddenly turned, and askedin

LIKE A BAD PENNY.139a suppressed voice, ' Do you knoAv Avhither youare going ?' '' To the Ray.'To theRay, of course. Is there anyone onthe Hard?''Not a soul. HadInot better go to mymother ' beforeIstart and say thatIamgoing Avithyou ?' On no account. She will not allow you togo to theRay. Youknow she Avill not.'De Witt Avas not disposed to dispute this.' You are sure,' asked ReboAV again,' thatthere is no one on the Hard. No one sees youenter my boat. No one sees you push off Avithme. No one sees Avhither we go.'' Not a soul.'' Then here goes!' Elijah EeboAV thrust theboat out till she floated, sprangin and took hisoar. De Witt Avas already oar in hand on hisseat. ' The red curtain is over the AvnidoAv at the'LeatherBottle,' said George. No signalling tonight,the schooner is in the offing.'' A red signal. It may mean more than youunderstand.'They rowed on.

140 MEHALAH.' Is there a hand on that crimson pane,' askedEeboAV in a low tone, ' Avith the fingers dipped infire, ' Avriting?' Not thatIcan see.'' Nor do you see the Avriting, Mene, menetekel, Upharsin.'' 'You jest,Elijah!' A strange jest. Perhaps the Avriting isinthevulgar tongue, thou art weighed and found wanting,feeble fool, and thy kingdom is taken fromthee, and given to ME.'Mehalah sat by thehearth, on the floor,in thefarm-house at the Eay. Her mother Avas abedand asleep. The girl had cast aside the cap andthroAvn off her jersey. Her bare arms Averefolded on her lap ; and the last flicker of the redembers fell on her exposed andheaving bosom.Elijah EeboAV on the Hard at Mersea hadreadaccurately theAvorkings andtransitionsin the girl'sheart. Precisely that Avas taking place Avhich hehad described. Thetempestof passionhadroaredby, and now a tide of self-reproach rose and overflowedher soul. She was aAArare that she hadacted Avrongly, that Avithout adequate cause shehad given Avay to an outburst of blind fury.

LIKE A BAD PENNY. 141PhSbe Avas altogether too Avorthless a creature forher jealousy, too Aveak to have been subjected tosuch treatment. Her anger against George hadexpired. He did Avell to be indignant with her.It was true he had not rebuked PhSbe nor restrainedhismother, but the reason was clear. Hewas too forbearing with Avomen to offend them,however frivolous and intemperate they might be.He had relied on the greatness of his Glory'sheart to stand above and disregard these pettystorms.She had throAvn off her boots and stockings,and sat with her bare feet on the hearth. Thefeet moved nervously in rhythm to her thoughts.She couldnot keep them still. Her trouble wasgreat. Tears were not on her cheeks; in thisalone Avas Elijah mistaken. Her dark eyes Averefixed dreamily on the dying fire — they Averelikethemarsh-pools Avith the Avill-o'-the-whisp in each.They did not see the embers, they lookedthrough theiron fireback, and thebrick wall,overthe saltings, over the water,intoinfinity.She loved George. Her love for him was theone absorbing passion of — her hfe. She loved hermother, but no one else only her and George.She had no one else to love. She Avas without

142 MEHALAH.relations. She hadbeenbrought up withoutplayfelloAvson that almost inaccessible islet, only occasionallyvisiting Mersea, and then only for anhour. Shehad seen and knoAAm nothing of theworld save the Avorld of morass. Shehad mixedAvith nolife,save thelifeof the flocks ontheEay, ofthe fishes and the seabirds. Her mind hungeredfor something more than thelittle space of theRaycould supply. Her soid had Avings and sought tospread them and soar aAvay, Avhither, however shedid not knoAv. Shehada dim prevision of somethingbetter than thesordidroundof common caresAvhich made up the life she kneAV.With a heart large and ftdl of generous impulses,shehad spent her girlhood Avithout arecognitionof its poAvers. She felt that there Avas avoice within Avhich talked in a tongue other fromthat which struck her ears each day,but what thatlanguage was,and what the meaning of that voice,she didnot know. She had met with De Witt.Indeed they had knoAvn each other, so far asmeeting at rare intervals went, for many years;she had not seen enough of him to know him ashe really Avas, she therefore loved him as sheidealisedhim. The great cretaceous sea was fullof dissolved silex penetrating the waters, seeking

LIKE A BAD PENNY.143to condense and solidify. But there was nothingin the ocean then save twigs of weed and chips ofshells, and about them that hardestofall elementsdreAv together and grewto adamant. The soul ofMehalah was some such vague sea fullof ununderstood,unestimatedelements, seeking their severalcentres for precipitation, and for want of better,condensing about straws. To her, George de Wittwas the ideal ofall that Avas true and manly. Shewas noble herself, and her ideal Avastheperfectionof nobility. She was rude indeed, and theimageofher Avorship Avas rough heAvn, but still with theoutline and carriage of a hero. She could not,shewould not, suppose that George de Witt was lessgreat than her fancypictured.The thought of life with him filled her Avithexultation. She could leap up,like the Avhooperswan, spread her silver Avings, and shout her songof rapture and of defiance, like a trumpet. HeAvould open to her the gates into that mysteriousAvorld into Avhich she now only peeped, he wouldsolve for her the perplexities of her troubled soul,he Avould lead her to the light which Avould illumineher eager mind.Nevertheless she Avas ready to wait patientlythe realisation of her dream. She was in no

144 MEHALAH.hurry. She knew that she could not live in thesame house or boat with George's mother. Shecould not leave her OAvn ailing mother, whollydependent on herself. Mehalah contentedly tarriedfor what the future would unfold, with thatsteady confidence in the future that youth sogenerally enjoys.The last embers went out, and all was darkwithin. No sound Avas audible, save the tickingof the clock, and the sigh of the wind about theeaves andin the thorntrees. Mehalah did not stir.She dreamed on with her eyes open, still gazinginto space,but now with no marsh firesin thedarkorbs. The grey night sky and the stars looked inat the windoAV at her.Suddenly, as she thus sat, an inexpressible distresscame over her, a feeling as though GeorgeAvere in clanger, and were crying to her for help.She raised herself on the floor, and drew her feetunder her, and leaning her chin on her fingerslistened. The Avind moaned under the door;everything else Avashushed.Her fear came over her like an ague fit.She wiped her forehead, there Avere cold dropsbeading it. She turned faint at heart;her pulsestood still. Her soul seemed straining, drawn as

LIKE A BAD PENNY.145by invisible attraction, and agonised because thegross body restrained it. She felt assured thatshe was wanted. She must not remain there.She sprang to her feet and sped to the door, unbolteditand Avent forth. The sky was cloudless,thick strewn with stars. Jupiter gloAved overMersea Isle. A red gleam Avas visible, far awayat the ' City.' Itshone from the tavern window,acoloured star set in ebony. She went withinagain.Thefire was out. Perhaps this wasthe vulgar causeof the strange sensation. She must shake it off.She Avent to her room and threAv herself on thebed. Again, as though an icy wave washed overher, lying on a frozen shore, came thatawful fear,and then, again, that tension ofher soulto be free,to fly somewhere, aAvayfrom the Eay,but Avhithershe could not tell.Where was George? Was he at home ? Washesafe? She triedinvain to comfort herself withthe thought that he ran no danger, that he wasprotectedby her talisman. She felt that withoutananswer to these questions she couldnot rest, thather night would be a fever dream.She hastily drew on her jersey and boots;sheslipped out of the house,unloosed her punt, andAOL. I.L

146 MEHALAH.shot over the water to Mersea. The fleet was silent,butas sheflew into the openchannelshe couldhear the distant throb of oars on rowlocks, awayin the dark, out seaward. She heard the screechof an owl about the stacks of a farm near thewaterside. She caught as she sped past theLeather Bottle muffled catches of the nauticalsongs trolled by the topers Avithin.She met no boat, she saw no one. She ranher punt on the beach and walked to the 'Pandora,'now far above the water. The ladderwas still doAvn; therefore George was not within.' Who goes there?' asked the voice of Mrs. De'Witt. Is that you, George? Are you cominghome at last? Where have you been aU thisAvhile?'Mehalah dre\v back. George Avas not onlynot there, but his mother knew not where hewas.The cool air and the exercise hadin the meantime dissipated Mehalah's fear. She argued withherself that George wasin the tavern, behind thered curtain, remaining away from his mother'sabusive tongue as long as he might. His boatlay on theHard. She saw it, with the oars in it.He Avas therefore not on the water;he was on

LIKE A BAD PENNY.147land, and on land he was safe. He wore themedal about his neck, against his heart.How glad and thankful she was that she hadgiven him the precious charm that guarded fromall danger save drowning.She rowed back to the Eay,more easy in hermind, and anchored her punt. She returnedcautiously over the saltings, picking her way bythe starlight, leaping or avoiding therunnels andpools,now devoid of water,but deep in mudmostadhesive and unfathomable.She felt a little uneasy lest her mother shouldhave awoke during her absence, and missed herdaughter. She entered the house softly; thedoor was without a lock, andmerely hasped, andstole to her mother's room. The old Avoman waswraptin sleep, and breathing peacefuUy.Mehalah drew off her boots,and seatedherselfagain by the hearth. She was not sleepy. SheAvould reason with herself, and account for thesensation that had affected her.Hark! she heard some one speak. She listenedattentively with a flutter at her heart. Itwas her mother. She stole back on tiptoe to her.Theold woman was dreaming, and talking inherL 2

148 MEHALAH.sleep.She had her hands out of bed togetherand parted them, and waved them, 'No, Mehalah,no! Not George! notGeorge! ' shegave emphasisAvith her hand, then suddenly grasped herdaughter's wrist, ' But Elijah! ' Next moment hergrasp relaxed, and she slept calmly, apparentlydreamlessly again.Mehalah Avent back.It Avas strange. No sooner was she in herplace by the hearth again than the same distresscame over her. It Avas as though a black cloudhadSAvept over her sky andblotted out everylight,so that neither sun, nor moon, nor star appeared,as though she were left drifting without a rudderand Avithout a compass in an unknown sea, undermurky night Avith only the phosphorescent flashof the Avaves about, not illumining the wray butintensifying its horror. It was as though shefound herself suddenly in some vault, in utter,rayless blackness,knowing neither how she camethere nor whether there Avas a Avay out.Oppressed by this horror, she lifted her eyesto the Avindow, to see a star, to see alittle light ofany sort. What she there saAV turned her tostone.At the window, obscuring the star's rays, was

LIKE A BAD PENNY.149the black figure of a man. She could not see theface, she saw only the shape of the head, andarms, and hands spread out against the panes.The figure stood looking in and at her.Her eyes filmed over, and her head swam.She heard the casement struck, and the tearof thelead and tinkleof broken glass on thebrickfloor, and then something fell at her feet with ametallic click.When she recovered herself, the figure Avasgone, but the Avind piped and blew chill throughthe rent lattice.How many minutes passed before she recoveredherself sufficiently to rise and light acandle she never knew, nor did it matter. Whenshe had obtained a light she stooped with it, andgroped upon the floor.Mrs. Sharland was awakened by a piercingscream.She sprang from her bed and rushed into theadjoining room. There stood Mehalah, in thelight of thebroken candle lyingmelting and flaringon the floor, her hair fallen about hershoulders, her face the hue of death, her lips

150 MEHALAH.bloodless, her eyes distended with terror,gazingon themedal ofParacelsus, which she heldinherhand, the sea-water dripping from the Avet ribandwound about her fingers.' Mother!Mother! He is droAvned. Ihaveseen him. He came andreturned me this.'Then she fell senseless on the floor, Avith themedal held to her heart.

151CHAPTEE VIII.WHERE IS HE?If there had been excitement on the Hard atMersea on the preceding day Avhen the schooneranchored off it, there Avas more this morning.The Avar-vessel had departed no one knewwhither, and nobody cared. The bay Avas fullof whiting; the waters Avere alive Avith them,and the gulls were flickering over the surfaceAvatching, seeing, plunging. The fishermen Averegetting their boats afloat, andall appliances readyfor making harvest of that fish which is mostdelicious Avhen fresh from the water, most flatwhen out ofit a feAv hours.Down the side of the ' Pandora ' tumbled Mrs.De Witt, her nose sharper than usual, but hercap more flabby. She wore a soldier's jacket,bought second-hand at Colchester. Her face wasof a warm complexion, tinctured Avith rum andwrath. She charged into the midst of the fishermen,asking ina loudimperative tone for her son.

152 MEHALAH.To think that after the lesson delivered himlast week, the boy should have played truantagain! The world was coming to a pretty pass.Thelast trumpet might sound for aught Mrs. DeWitt cared, and involve mankind in ruin, formankind was past ' worriting ' about.George had defied her, and the nauticalpopulation of the ' City ' had aided and abettedhim inhis revolt.' This is what comes of galiwanting,' saidMrs.De Witt ' ; first he galiAvants Mehalah,and thenPhSbe. No good ever came ofit. I'd pass alaw, AvereIking, against it, but that smugglingin love would go on as free under it as smugglingin spirits. Young folks now-a-days is grownthatwexing and wicious Where is my George? 'suddenly laying hold of Jim Morell.Theoldsailor jumped asif hehadbeen caughtby a revenue officer.' Bless my life, Mistress! You did give me aturn. What isit you want ? A pinch of snuff? '' I want my George,' said the excited mother.' Where is he skulking to ? '' How shouldIknoAv ?' asked Morell,' he isbig enough to look after himself.'' He is among you,' said Mrs. De Witt ;' I

WHERE IS HE? 153know you have had him along with a party ofyou at the Leather Bottle yonder. You menget together,and goad the young oninto rebellionagainst their parents.'' Iknow nothing about George.Ihave notevenseen him.'' I've knitted his guernseys and patched hisbreeches these twenty years, and now he turnsabout and deserts me.'1Tom! ' shouted Morell to a young fisherman,' have you seen George De Witt this morning?'' No, Ihave not, Jim.'' Oh, you young feUows! ' exclaimed the oldlady, loosing her hold on the elder sailor, andcharging among and scattering the young boatmen.Where is my boy ? What have you'done with him that he did not come home lastnight, andis nowhere wisible ? '' He went to the Musset's last evening, Mistress.We have not set eyes on him since.'' Oh! he went there did he ? Galiwantingagain! ' She turned about and rushed over theshingle towards the grocery, hardware, drapery,and general store.Before entering that realm of respectability,

154 MEHALAH.Mrs.De Witt assumed an air of consequence andgravity.She reduced her temper under control, andwith an effort calledup an urbane smile on herhard features when saluting Mrs. Musset whostood behind the counter.' CanIserve you with anything, ma'am ?'asked the mother of PhSbe, with cold self-possession.'Iwant my George.'' We don't keep him instock.'' He Avashere last night.'' Do you suppose Avekept himhere the night ?Are you determined to insult us, madam? Youhave been drinking, andhave forgot yourself andwhere you are. We wish to see no more of yourson. My PhSbe is not accustomed to demeanherself by association with cannibals. Itis unfortunatethatsheshould have stepped beyondhersphere yesterday, but she has learned a lesson byit which wiU be invaluable for the future. Idonot know,Ido not care, whether themisconductwas that of your son or of your daughter-in-laAv.Birds of a feather flock together, and lambs don'tconsort withwolves. Ibeg, madam, thatit be anunderstood matter between the families that, ex-

AYHERE IS HE? 155cept in the way of business, as tobacco, sugar,currants, or calico, intimacy must cease.'' Oh indeed! ' exclaimed Mrs. De Witt, thecolour mottlingher cheek. ' Youmean toinsinuatethat our social grades are so wery different.'' Providence, madam, has made distinctionsinhuman beings as in currants.and some half gravel.'Some are aU fruit,' You forget,' said Mrs.De Witt, ' thatIwas— aEebow a EeboAV of Eed Hall. It Avas thenceIinherit the bloodin my Aveins and thebridge ofmy nose.'' And that was pretty much all you did inheritfrom them,''observed Mrs. Musset. Muchvalue they must be to you, as you have nothingelse to boast of.'' Oh, indeed, Mistress Musset! '' Indeed, Mistress De Witt! ' with a profoundcurtsey.Mrs. De Witt attempted an imitation, buthaving been uninstructed in deportment as achild, and inexperienced in riper years, she gother limbs entangled, and when she had arrivedat a sitting posture Avasunable to extricate herselfwith ease.In attempting to recover her erect position

156 MEHALAH.she precipitated herself against a treacle barreland upset it. A gush of black saccharine matterspread over the floor.' Where is my son?' shouted Mrs. De Witt,her temper having broken control.'You shall pay for the golden syrup,' saidMrs. Musset.' Golden syrup!' jeered Mrs. De Witt,' commontreacle, the cleanings of the niggers' feet thattread out the sugar-cane.'' It shall be put down to you ! ' cried the mistressof the store, defying her customer across the'black river. Iwillhave a summons out againstyou for the syrup.'' AndIwill have a search-warrant for myson.'' Ihave not got him.Ishould be ashamedto keep him under my respectable roof.''What is this disturbance abouc? ' asked Mr.Musset, cominginto the shop with his pipe.' Iwant my son,' cried the incensed mother.' He has not been seen since he came here lastnight. What have youdone to him? '' He is not here, Mistress. He only remaineda few minutes to inquire after PhSbe, and thenhe left. We have not seen him since. Go to the

WHERE IS HE? 157Leather Bottle; you will probably find himthere.'The advice was reasonable; and having dischargeda parting shot at Mrs. Musset, thebereaved mother departed and took her way tothe quaint old inn by the Avaterside, entitled theLeatherBottle.Mrs. De Witt pushed the door open and strodein. No one was there save thehost, Isaac Mead.He knew nothing of George's whereabouts. Hehad not seen him or heard him spoken of.Mrs.De Witt having entered, felt it incumbent on herto take something for the good of the house.The host sat opposite her at the table.' Where can he be ? ' asked Mrs. De Witt.' Theboy cannot be lost.'' Have you searched everywhere ? '' I have asked the lads, they either knoAvnothing, or Avon't tell. Ihave been to theMusset's. They pretend they have not seenhimsince last night.'' Perhaps he rowed offsomewhere.'' His boat is on the Hard.'' Do not bother your head about him,' saidthe host with confidence, ' he will turn up. Markmy words.Isay hewill certainly turnup,perhaps

158 MEHALAH.not when you Avant him, or where you expecthim, but he assuredly willreappear. Ihave hadseven sons, and they got scattered aH over theAvorld, but they have all turned up one after another,and,' he added sententiously, ' the world isbigger than Mersea. It is nothing to be aAvayfor twelve or fourteen hours. Lads take noaccount of time, they do not walue it any morethan they walue good looks. We older folks do;we hold to that whichis slipping from us. Whenwe was children, Ave thought we could deal withtime as with the sprats. We draw in aU andthrow what Ave can't consume away. At last wefind we have spoiled our fishing, and we mustuse larger meshes in our net. Iwill teH youanother thing, Mistress,' continued the host, whodelighted to moralise, ' time is like a clock, whenyoung it goes slow, and when old it gallops.When you andIAvaslittle, Ave thought a day aslong as noAv we find a year. As Ave grew olderyears went faster; and the older we wax thegreater the speed with which time spins by; tillat last it passes with a whisk and a flash, and thatis eternity.'' He cannot be droAvned,' said Mrs. De Witt.' That Avould be too ridiculous '

WHERE IS HE? 159'It would, just about.' After a moment'sconsideration Isaac added, ' Iheard that ElijahRebow was on theHard last night, maybe yourGeorge is gone off withhim.'' Not likely, Isaac. Iand Elijah are not ongood terms. My father left me nothing. Elijahtook aU after his parents, andIdid not get apenny.''You know Ave have war with foreigners,''observed the publican. Now Iobserve thateverything in this Avorld goes by contraries.When there's peace abroad, there is strife athome, and vice versa. There was a man-of-war inthe bay yesterday. Ishould not wonder if thatput it into George's head to be a man-of-peace onland. When you want to estimate a person'sopinions, first ask what other folks are sayinground him, and take the clean contrary, andyou hit the bull's-eye. If you see anythinglike to draAv a man in one direction, look theopposite way, and you will find him. Therewas pretty strong intimation of Avar yesterdaywith the foreigners, then you may be deadcertain he took a peaceful turn in his perwersevein, and went to patch up old quarrels withElijah.'

160 MEHALAH.' It'is possible,' said Mrs. De Witt. IwiUrow to Eed Hall and find out.'' Have another glass before you go,' said the'landlord. Never hurry about anything. IfGeorge be at hiscousin's he will turn up in time.There is more got by waiting than by worrying.'' But perhaps he is not there.'' Then he is elsewhere.'' He may be drowned.'' He will turn up. DroAvned or not, he wiHturn up. Inever knew boys to fail. Ifhe Averea girlit Avould be different. You seeit is so whenthey droAvn. A boy floats face upwards, and agirl with her face doAvn. It is so alsoin fife. Ifa girl strays from home, she goes to thebottomlike a plummet, but a boy on the contrary goesuplike a cork.'Mrs. De Witt so far took IsaacMead's advicethat she waited at her home till afternoon. Butas George did not return, she became seriouslyuneasy, not so much for him as for herself. Shedid not for a moment allow that any harm hadbefallen him,but she imagined this absence to bea formal defiance ofher authority. Such arevoltAvas not to be overlooked. In Mrs. De Witt'sopinion no man Avas able to stand alone, he must

WHERE IS HE? 161fall under female government or go to the dogs.Deliberate bachelors Avere,in her estimation, godforsakenbeiugs, abvays in scrapes, past redemption.She had ruled her husband, and he hadsubmitted Avith a meekness that ought to haveinherited the earth. George had been alwaysdocile. She had bored docility into him Avithher tongue, and hammered it into him with herfist.— The idea came suddenly on her, What ifhehad gone to the Avar schooner and enlisted? butAvas dismissed as speedily as impossible. Tales ofill-treatment in the Navy were rife among theshoremen. The pay was too small to entice ayouth who OAArned a vessel, a billyboy, and oysterpans. He might do well in his trade,he mustfare miserably intheNavy. Captain MacPhersouhad indeed invited George and others to followhim, but not one had volunteered.She determined at last, in her impatience, tovisit BedHall, and for that purpose she got intotheboat. Mrs. De Witt was able to row as wellas aman. She did notstart for Bed Hall withoutreluctance. She had not been there since hermarriage,kept aAvay by her resentment. Elijahhad made no overtures to her for reconciliation,VOL. I.M

162 MEHALAH.had never invited her to revisit her native place,and her pride prevented her from making firstadvances. She had been cut off by her father,the family had kept aloof from her, and this hadrankled in her heart. True, Elijah's father andmother were dead, and he was not mixed upin the first contentions; but he had inheritedmoney which she considered ought to have fallentoher.She was,however, anxious to seethe old placeagain. Her younglifetherehad not beenhappy;quite the reverse, for her father had beenbrutal,and her mother Calvinistic and sour. Yet EedHall Avas, after all, her old home;its marshesAvere the first landscape on Avhich her eyes hadopened, its daisies had made her first necklaces,its bullrushes her first Avhips, its seawall theboundary ofher childish Avorld. It Avas a yearningfor a Avider, less level Avorld, Avhich haddriven her in a rash moment into the arms ofMoses De Witt.The tide Avas out, so Mrs. DeWitt Avas obligedto land at the point near the Avindmill. SheAvalked thence on the seawall. She knew thatAvail Avell, fragrant withsovereign wood insummer,and rank with sea spinach. The aster blooming

WHERE IS HE? 163time was past, and the violet petals had faUenoff,leaving only the yelloAv centres.There, before her, like a stranded ark, wasthe old red house, unaltered, lonely, without abush or tree to screen it.The cattle stoodbrowsing in thepasture as ofold. In the marsh was a pond, a flight of wildfowl was wheeling round it, as in the autumnslong ago. There was the little creek where herpunt had lain, the punt in which she had beensometimes sent to Mersea to buy groceries for hermother.The hard crust about the heart of Mrs. DeWitt began to break,and the warm feeling Avithinto ooze through. Gentler sentiments began topreA'ail. She would not takeher sonby the earsandbang his head, if she should find him at RedHall. She would forgive himina Christian spirit,and grant his dismissal Avith an innocuous curse.She walked straight into the house. Elijahwas crouchedinhis leather chair, with his headon one side, asleep. She stood over him andcontemplated his unattractive face in silence, till'he suddenly started, and exclaimed, Who ishere? Who is this ? 'Next moment he hadrecognised his visitor.M 2

164 MEHALAH.'So you are come, Aunt. You have nothonoured me before. Will you have someAvhisky ? ''Thank you, Elijah, thank you. Iam drywith roAving. But hoAv come you to be asleep atthis time of day?Were you out after duckslast night ? '' No, IAvas not out. Ilay abed. Iwent tobed early.'' Elijah, where is my son? 'He started, and looked at her suspiciously.' How amIto knoAv ? '' I cannot findhim anywhere,' said themother.' Ifear the boy has levanted. Imay have beena littlerough Avith him, but it was for his good.You cannot clean a deck Avith whiting, you musttake holystone to the boards, and it is so Avithchildren. If you are not hard, you get off noedges, if you Avant to polish them, you must begritty yourself. Idoubt the boy is off'' 'What makes youthink' so ?Ihave not seen him. Nobody at Merseahas seen him. Have you? '' Not since last night.'' You saAV him then? '' Yes, he was on the beach going to Mehalah.'

WHERE IS HE? 165' ' Galiwanting! exclaimedMrs. De Witt.' Ohwhat wickedness comes of galiwanting! ' Then,recovering herself, ' But how could he get there ?His boat was left on theHard! '' I suppose he went by land. He said somethingto that effect. You see the tide wouldhavebeen outifhe purposed to stay some time.'' But what should make him go to theEay ?He had seen Mehalah on his boat.'' He said there had been a quarrel, and hewas bent on making it up. Go and look forhim on the Ray. If he is not back on yourboat already, you will find him, or hear of him,there.'' Oh the worries to parents that come of galliwanting!' moaned Mrs. De Witt, ' none Avhohavenot experienced can teU. Do not stay me, Elijah.Dear sackalive!Imust go home. Idare say theboy is now on the " Pandora," trying to lookinnocent.' She rubbed her hands, and her eyes' 'glistened. By cock! she exclaimed,' Iwouldnot be he.' She was out of the room, Avithout afarewell to her nephew, down the steps,awayoverthe flat to the seawall and her boat, her heartpalpitating Avith anger.It was late in the afternoon before Mrs. De

166 MEHALAH.Witt got back to Mersea. She ascended herladder and unlocked the hatches. She lookedabout her. No George was on deck. Shereturned to the shore and renewed her enquiries.He had not been seen. No doubt he was stiUgalivanting at theEay. The uncertainty becameunendurable. She jumped into her boat oncemore, androwed to the island inhabitedby Gloryand her mother.With her nose high in the air, her cap-frillsquivering, she stepped out of the skiff. She haddonnedher military coat, to add to her imposingand threatening aspect.The door of the house was open. She stoodstill andlistened. She didnothear George's voice.She Avaited;she saAv Mehalahmovingintheroom.Once thegirl lookedat her, but there was neitherrecognition nor lustrein her eyes. Mrs. De Wittmade a motion towards her, but Glory did notmove to meether in return.As she stepped over the threshold, Mrs.Sharland, Avho was seated by the fire, turned andobserved her. The Avidow rose at once AATith alook of distress in her face, and advanced towardsher, holding out her hand.'Where is George?' asked Mrs. De Witt,

WHERE IS HE? 167ignoring the outstrechedpalm,'inahard,impatienttone.' ' George! echoed Mehalah, standing still,' George is dead.'' What nonsense ! ' said Mrs.DeWitt, catchingthegirlby the shoulder and shaking her.' Isaw him. He is dead.' She quivered likean aspen.The blood had ebbed behind her brown skin.Her eyes looked inMrs. DeWitt's face Avitha flashof agony in them.' He came and looked in at the Avindow at me,and cast me back the keepsakeIhad given him,and wffiich he swore not to part Avith while lifelasted.'' Dear sackalive! ' exclaimed Mrs. De Witt;' the girlis dreaming or demented. What is themeaning of all this, Mistress Sharland? '' Last night,' explained the widow, ' as Mehalahwas sitting here in the dark, some one came tothe window, stove itin,— — look how theleadis torn,and the glass fallen out and cast at the feet ofMehalah a medal she hadgiven George on Thursday.She thinks,' added the old Avoman in asubdued tone, ' that Avhat she saAv was his spirit.'Mrs. De Witt was aAved. She was not a

168 MEHALAH.woman Avithout superstition, but she was not oneto allow asupernaturalinterventiontill allpossibleprosaic explanations hadbeen exhausted.' Is this Gospel truth? ' she asked.' Itis true,' ansAvered the widow.' Did you see the face, Glory ? Are you surethat what you saw Avas George ? '' Idid not see the face. Isawonly thefigure.Butit was George. It couldhave beenno other.He alone had themedal, and he brought it backto me.'' Yousee,' explained the Avidow Sharland, ' thecoin Avas an heirloom; it might not go out of thefamily.'' Isee it all,' exclaimed Mrs.De Witt.' Galiwantingagain! He came to return the keepsaketo Mehalah, because he Avanted to break Avith herand take on with another.'' No, never!' exclaimed Mehalah vehemently.' He could not do it. He was as true to me asIam to him. He cotdd not do it. He came to tellme that all Avas over.'' Dear sackalive! ' said Mrs. De Witt, ' youdon't know men asIdo. You have hadno moreexperience of them than you have of kangaroos.IAviU not believe he is dead.'

WHERE IS HE ? 169' He is dead,' Mehalah burst forth with fierce'vehemence. Heis droAvned, he is not false. Heis dead, he is dead.'' IknoAv better,' said Mrs. De Witt in a low'tone to herself as she bit her thumb. That boyis galiwanting someAvhere; the only question tome is Where. By cock ! I'd give a penny toknow.'

170 MEHALAH.CHAPTER IX.IN MOURNING.A month passed, and no tidings whatever ofGeorge De Witt had reached his mother orMehalah. The former constantly expected newsofher son. She Avould not believe in his death,and was encouraged in her opinion by IsaacMead. But Mehalah hadnever entertainedhope;she didnot look for neAvs, she knew that Georgewas drowned.His body had not been found. His disappearancehad been altogether mysterious. Mrs.De Witt used every effort to tracehim, but failed.From the moment the door of the Mussets hadclosed upon him, no one had seen him. Withthe closing of that door the record of his life hadclosed. He had passed as completely beyondpursuit as though he hadpassed through the gateof death.ThereAvas but one possible way of accounting

IN MOURNING. 171for his disappearance, and it was that at whichpublic opinion arrived. He had gone round bythe Strood from Mersea to reach theRay, Avhichwason that side accessible, but withdifficulty, andoccasionally only by land, had losthis way amongthe saltmarshesin the night, had fallen into oneof the myriad creeks that traverse this desolateregion, and had been engulfed in the ooze. Thesea willgive up her dead after a storm and Aviththe tide, but the slime of the marshes never.Mehalah made no attempt to account for thedisappearance of George;it Avas sufficient for herthat he Avaslost to her for ever. But his mothermade enquiries when seUing shrimps along theColchester road, and on theisland. Hehad nowherebeen seen. He hadnot visited the Rose.It was Elijah Eebow who finally broughtMrs. De Witt to admit that her son was entirelylost to her.He visited her in November. She was surprisedand pleased to see him. Since the disappearanceof George, Mrs. De Witt had takenmorevigorously than before to grog. Her feelingsneeded solace, and she found it in her glass.Perhaps the presence of George had acted as arestraint on his mother. She had not wished

172 MEHALAH.him to suppose her a habitual tippler. Herlibations had been performed Avhenhe was away,orunder the excuse ofstomachics. On thesubjectof her internal arrangements, discomforts, andrequirements, Mrs. De Witt had afforded her soninformation more copious than interesting. Herdigestion sympathised Avith all the convulsionsthen shaking Europe. Eevolutions were broughtabout there by the most ordinary edibles, andAvere always to be reduced by spirituous drinkables.The topic of her internal economy, when introducedby Mrs. De Witt, always prefaced aresolve to try a drop of cordial. Now thatGeorge was gone, Mrs. De Witt brooded over herloss at home, stirring her glass as ifit were themud of the marshes, and she hoped to turnGeorge up out of the syrup of the dissolvingsugar.Mrs. De Witt had laid aside her red coat, asinappropriate to her forlorn condition. Themonth of October had seen a sad deterioration inthe mistress of the ' Pandora.' Her funds hadbeenfast ebbing. The bread-winner Avas gone, andthe rum-drinker had obtained fresh excuse fordeep potations. Therewere fish in the sea to be

IN MOURNING.173caught, but he that had netted them was nowunder the mud. Things could not go on thus forever.Mrs. De Witt was musing despondingly overher desperate position,whenElijah appeared abovethehatchway and descended to the cabin.Mrs. De Witt had stuck a black boAv in hermob cap, as a symbol of her Avoe. She hardlyneeded to hang out the flag, for her whole faceand figure betokened distress. It cannot be saidthat her maternal boAvels yearned after her sonout oflove forhim so much as out of solicitudeforherself. She naturally -grieved for her ' poorboy,'but her grief for him Avas largely tinctured Avithanxiety for her own future. Hoav should shelive? On what subsist ? She hadher husband'soldhull as a home, and a fishing smack, and arowing boat. There Avas some moneyin thebox,'but not much. There's been no wasteful' outlayover a burying,' said Mrs.De Witt. Thatis agood job.'But,as already said,Mrs. De Witt only yieldedreluctantly to the opinion that her boy wasdroAvned. She held resolutely in public to thisview for reasons she confided to herself over her'rum. It is no use dropping a pint of money in

174 MEHALAHdragging for the body,andburyingit when you'vegot it. To my notion that is laying out fivepound to have the satisfaction of spending anotherfive. George was a gentleman,' she said with'pride. Ifhe was to go from his pore mother, hewent as cheap from her as alad could do it.'Another reason Avhy she refused to believe inhis death was characteristic of the illogicality of'her sex. This she announced to Eebow. Youhave it in a nutshell. How can the poor boy bedrowned ? For,if so, what is to become of me,andIa widow ? '' Mrs. De Witt,' said EeboAV, helping himselfto some rum, ' youmay as well make your mindeasy on this point. If George be not deadwhere can he be ? '' ThatIdo not take on myself to say.'' He is noAvhere on Mersea, is he ? '' Certainly not.''He did not go along the Colchester road,beyond the Strood? '' No, orIshould have heard ofhim.'' Moreover, he told me he purposed going totheRay.'' To be sure he did.'' Andhe never reached the Ray.'

IN MOURNING. 175' No, for certain.'' Thenit is obvious he must have been lostbetweenMersea and the Ray.'' There is something in what you say, Ehjah;thereis what we may term argument in it.'' There was a reason why he shoidd go to theRay-'' Isuppose there was.'' He had quarrelled with Glory, anddesired tomakeit up that night.'' I knoAv therehad been a squaU.'' Then do not flatter yourself Avith false hopes.George is gone past recaH; you and Glory mustgive him up for ever.'Mrs. De Witt shook her head, wiped her eyeswith the frill of her cap, looked sorroAvfully intoher glassand said, ' Pore me! '' You are poor indeed,' said Elijah, ' but howpoorIsuspect rather than know. What haveyou got tolive upon ? '' That is just it,' answered Mrs.De Witt ;' myheadhasbeenlike the Swin fight, a rewolvingand a rewolving. But there is this difference, theSwinrewolves firstlight andthendark alternately,whereas in my head there has been naught rewolvingbut warious degrees of darkness.'

176 MEHALAH.' What do you propose doing ?''Well,Ihave an idea.' Mrs. De Witthitched her chair nearer to her nephew, andbreathed her idea and her spirit together into his'ear. I thinkIshall marry.'«You—! ''Yes,I. Why not? There is the billyboyrunning to waste, rotting for wrant of use, cryingout for a master to takeher out fishing. There areas many fisherboys onshoreas there are sharks intheocean,readyto snapmeup wereIflung tothem.Ihave felt them. They have been a nibblingroundme already. Consider, Elijah! thereis the" Pandora," good as a palace for a home, and thebillyboy and the boat, and the nets, and theoyster garden, andthen there is my experience tobe thrown ingratis,and above all,' she raisedherself,' there is my person.'EeboAV laughed contemptuously.' What have these boys of their oAvn? ' askedMrs. De Witt laying doAvn the proposition Avith'her spoon. They have nothing, no more thanthe sea-cobs. Theyhave naught to dobut swoopdown on Avhatever they can see, sprats, smelt,mullet, whiting, dabs, and Avhen thereis naughtelse, winkles. Their thoughts do not rise that

IN MOURNING.177proudly tome,andImuststoopto them.ItellyouAvhat, Elijah,ifIwas to be raffledfor, at a shillinga ticket, there would be that run among the boysfor me, thatIcould make a fortune. ButIwon'tdemean myself to that. Ishall choose thestoutestand healthiestamong them, thenIcan sendhimoutfishing, andhe can earn me money, asdid George,and soIshallbe able to enjoy ease,ifnot'opulence.'But suppose' thelads decline the honour.'Ishouldlike to see the impertinence' of thelad that did,' said Mrs. De Witt firmly. Ihavehad experience Avith men, andIknoAv them inand out that familiarly thatIcould find my wayabout their brains or heart, as you would aboutyour marshes, in the dark. No,Elijah, the questionisnot will they have me, but whetherIwillbe bothered Avith any more of the creatures. IAvill not unlessIcan help it. Iwill not unlessthe worst comes to the worst.But awomanmustlive, Elijah.'' Hoav much have you got for current expenses? '' Only a few pounds.'' There are five and twenty pounds owed youby the Sharlands. You are not going to let themhave it as a present ? 'VOL. I.n

178 MEHALAH.' No,certain, Iam not.'' Do youexpect to getit by waiting for it ? '' To tell you the truth, Elijah,Ihadn't giventhat five and twenty pounds a thought.Iwillgoover to the Eay and claim the money.'' You will not get' it.'Imust haveit.'' They' can not possibly pay.'But they shall pay. Iwant and will havemy money.'' Mehalah Avill pretend that George gave herthe money.'' No, she Avill not. She acknoAvledged thedebt tome before George's face. She promisedrepayment as soon as she had sufficient.'' Ifyou do not seize on their goods, or some ofthem, you will never see the colour of the coinagain.' Imust and Avill haveit.'' Then follow my advice. Putinan execution.IAvilllend you my men. Adi you have to do isto give notice on this island when thesaleis to be,get together sufficient to bid and buy, and youhave your money. You must have an auction.''CanIdo so, Elijah?'' Of course you can. Go over to the Eay at

IN MOURNING. 179once and demand your money. If they decline topay, alloAV them a Aveek's grace, moreif you like.I'U go Avith you, when the sale is to take place,and perhaps bid. We willhave aDutch auction.'' By cock! I'll do it. Iwill go there righton end.'At once, Avith her naturalimpetuosity, the oldAvoman started. Before departing, however, toheighten her importance, and give authority andsternness toher appearance, she donned her redcoat. In token ofmourning she wrapped a blackraground her left arm. Over her cap she put abroad-brimmed battered straw hat, in front ofwhich she affixed with a hair-pin the large blackbow that had figured on her cap. Thus arrayedshe enteredher boat and rowed to theRay.The demand for themoney filled Mrs. Sharlandwith dismay. It was a demand as unexpectedas it was embarrassing. She and Mehalah Avereabsolutely Avithout the means of discharging thedebt. They had, indeed, a few pounds by them,Avhich had been intended to serve to carry themthrough the winter, and these they offered Mrs.De Witt, but she refused to receive a portion onaccount Avhen she wanted the whole of the debt.Mrs. Sharland entreated delay till spring, bi.tN 2

180 MEHALAH.Mrs. De Witt was inexorable. She would allowno longer than a week. She departed, declaringthat she would sell them up, unless the five andtwenty pounds were produced.Since the death or disappearance of GeorgeDe Witt,Mehalah had gone about her usual Avorkin a mechanical manner. She was in mourningalso. But she did not exhibit it by a black bowon her cap or a sable rag round her arm, like themother of the lostlad. She still wore herredcap,crimson kerchief and blue jersey. But the lustreAvas gone from her eyes,thebloomfrom her cheek,animation from her lips. There Avasno spring inher step, no lightness inher tone. The coav Avasmilked as regularly as usual, and foddered asattentively as before. The house was kept asscrupulously clean, Mrs. Sharland ministered towfith the same assiduity,but the imperiousness ofMehalah's nature had gone. The Avidow foundtoher astonishment that she Avas alloAved to directwhat Avas to be done, and that her daughter submittedwithout an objection.Itis the way Avith strong natures to alloAv theirgriefsno expression, tohide their sorroAvs andmasktheir wounds. Glory didnot speak of George. Shedid not weep. She made no lamentation over his

IN MOURNING. 181loss;more wonderfulstillinher mother's eyes, sheutterednoreproaches againstanyone forit. A weaknature always exhausts its troubles inreproachesof others; a strong one eats out its ovvn heart.Mehalahlistened witha dull ear to her mother'smurmurs, and made no response. Mrs. Sharlandset her doAvn as unfeeling. A feeble querulousAvomanlikeher Avas quite unable to measure thedepth ofher daughter's heart, and understand itsAvorking. The result was that she read themwrong, and took false soundings.When her mother was inbed and asleep,thenMehalah sat at the hearth, or leaned at the Avindowlooking at the stars, hour by hour, immovable,uttering no sound,not buildingcastles in theclouds, not Aveaving any schemes for her future,not hoping for anything, not imagining anything,but exhaling her pain. As the turned earth afterthe plough may be seen in a sudden frost tosmoke, so Avas it Avith that Avounded heart, itsmoked, gave up its fever heat, and in silence andsolitude cooled. There Avas something, which yetwas no thing, to Avhich her weary soul stretched,in dim unconsciousness. There Avas a communingwithout words, even Avithout the thoughtswhich form into Avords, Avith that Unseen whichis

182 MEHALAH.— yet so surely felt. It was the spirit that infiniteessence so mysteriously enclosed Avithin bounds,instrange contradiction to its nature, asserting itsnature and yearning for Infinity.The human heartin sufferingisliketheparchedsoil in summer ; when its sky is overcast anditcannot see beyond the cloud that lies low overit, thenit must harbour its heat, and gape Avithfever. But, should a rent appear in the earthbornvaporous veil, through Avhich it can lookinto unfathomable space, at once it radiates theardour that consumes it, casts off the fever thatconsumes it, and drinks in, andis slakedby, thedew of heaA7en.

183CHAPTER X.STRUCKCOLOURS.Woman is the natural enemy of Avoman. Whenone Avoman is over thirty or plain, and the otheris young or beautiful, the enmity on one side isimplacable and unqualified by mercy. A womancan be heroically self-sacrificing and behave Avithmagnificent generosity tOAvards man, but not towardsone of her own sex. She is like the piUarthat accompanied the Israelites and confoundedthe Egyptians ; she is cloudand darkness to these,but light and fire to those. She will remorselesslypursue, and vindictively torment a sister Avhooffends by having a better profile and less age.No act ofsubmission Avillblunt her spite,no deedofkindness sponge upher venom. Thereis but oneunpardonable sininthe sight of Heaven;there aretwo in the eyes of a middle-aged woman, youthandbeauty. She is unconscious of fatigue in thepursuit, and without compunction in the treat-

184 MEHALAH.ment of the member of her sex Avho has sinnedagainst her in one particular or other. Theeternal laws of justice, the elementary principlesof virtue,are set aside as inappropriate to theAvorld of Avomen. Generosity, charity,pity are unknownquantities in the feminine equation. Asthe Roman tyrant wished that mankind had butone neck whichhe might hack through, so womanAvouldlikethat womankind hadbut one nose whichshemight put out ofjoint. Every Avomanis akilljoyto eA^eryother Avoman,adiscordin theuniversalharmony. Her ideal Avorld is that of the bees, inwhich thereis but one queen, and all other shesare stung to death. Eve was the only womanAvho tasted of happiness unalloyed, because inEden she hadno sisters.The iron maid of Nuremberg Avas sweet andsmilingexternally,but atouchrevealedtheinteriorbristling with spikes, and the victim thrust intoher embrace Avas only released a corpse to dropinto an oubliette. All women are Nurembergmaidens, Avith more or fewer spikes, discoveredperhaps by husbands, unsuspected by the rest ofmen, but kuoAvn to all ' other Avomen, Avho arescarred from their embraces.Mehalah knew that no leniency Avas to be

STRUCKCOLOURS.185looked for inMrs. De Witt. She thought thatlady exceptionally rigorous and exacting; shethought so because sheknew nothing of theworld.Hermother spentherbreathinrepinings that couldnot help, and in hopes which must be frustrated.The extremity of the danger roused Mehalahfromher dreams. There wasnopity to be expectedfromthe creditor, and there was no means that shecould see of defraying the debt. She consideredand tried to find some road out of the difficulty,but could discover none. Noav more than everdid she need the advice, if not the help, of himAvho Avas gone. There Avas nothing on the farmthat couldbe sold without leaving them destituteof means of carryingit on and defraying thenexthalt-year's rent. The cow, the eAves,her boat,were necessary to them. The furniture in thehouse Avas of little value, and it Avas impossiblefor her to transport it to Colchester for sale.She sat thinking of the situation one eveningover the fire opposite her mother, Avithout utteringa word. Her hands with herknitting needles layinher lap ; she could not Avork, she was too fullyengrossed in the cares which pressed on her.Presently her mother roused her from herreverie,'by saying, There is no help for it,

186 MEHALAH.Mehalah, you must go to Wyvenhoe, and findout my cousin, Charles Pettican. He is my onlyrelative left; — at least as farasIknow,andhimIhave not seen for fifteen or sixteen years. Idonot even know if he be yet alive. We haven'thad a chance of meeting. Igo noAvhere,Iamimprisoned on this island,andheis cut off fromus by theriver Colne. Isee no Avay out of ourtrouble but that of borroAving money from him.He was a kind-heartedlively feHow when young,but what he is now that he is oldIcannot teU.You must go and try Avhat you can do with him.He is Avell off, and Avould not miss twenty poundsmore than twenty pence.'Mehalah greatly disliked theidea of going toa stranger,to one who, though a connection, wasquite unknown to her, andbegging a loanofhim.It galled her pride and Avounded her independence.It lowered her in her OAvn eyes. Shewould rather have worked her fingers to thebone than so stoop, but no work of hers couldraise twenty pounds in a week. The thoughtwas altogether so intolerable to her, that shefought against it as long as she could. She wouldherself cheerfully have gone out of her home andleft the farm rather than do this, but she was

STRUCK COLOURS.187obliged to consider her mother. She yielded atlastmost reluctantly;and with tears of mortificationfilling her eyes, andher cheeks burning Avithshame, she threAV aside her customary costume,and dressed herself in dark blue cloth gown,Avhite kerchief, and a bonnet, and took her wayto Wyvenhoe. She had to Avalk some sevenmiles. Herroadledher to the top ofhigh groundoverlooking the mouth of the Colne.The blue Avater was dotted with sails. Beyondthe river on a height rose from above treesthe lofty tower of Brightlingsea. Up a windingcreek she looked, and at the head could distinguishthe grey priory of St. Osyth, then the seatof the Earl of Eochford, at the entrance to anoble park. She descended thehill,and by aferrycrossed the river to the village of Wyvenhoe.On her walk she had mused over what sheshould say to Mr. Charles Pettican, Avithoutcoming to any determination. Her mother hadlet fall some hints that her cousin had once beenher fond admirer, but that they had been partedby cruel parents. Mrs. Sharland's reminiscenceswere rather vague, and not much reliance couldbe placed on them; however, Mehalah hopedthere might be some truth in this, and that old

188 MEHALAH.recollections might be stirred in the breast ofMr. Pettican, and stimulate him to generosity.The river was fuU of boats, and on the landingAvere a number of people.' We're lively today,'said the ferryman Avho put her over, ' theregatta is on. It is late this season, but Avhatwith one thing and another, Ave couldn't have itearlier no'way.'Will Mr.Pettican be there ? '' Lor bless you,no,' ansAvered theman, ' that'simpossible.'Glory asked her way to the house of hermother's cousin. He was, or rather had been, ashipbuilder. He occupied a little compactwooden house painted Avhite, on the outskirtsof the village. It was a cheerful place. Theshutters were after the French fashion, external,andpainted emerald green. The roof was tiled,and looked very red, as though red ochred everymorning by the housemaid after she had pipeclayedthe Avails. Over the door of the housewas a balcony with elaborate iron balustradesgilt, against these leaned two figure-heads,females, Avith very pink and Avhite complexions,andno expression in their faces.There was a sandedpath led from the gate to

STRUCKCOLOURS.189the door, and there were tAvo green patches ofturf, one on each side ofit. In the centre — of thaton the left Avas another figure-head a MedusaAvith flying serpent locks, but Avith a face aspassionless and ordinary as that of a milliner'sblock. In the midst of the other plot rose amast. On this day, Avhen all Wyvenhoe wasen fete, a flag ought properly to be flying fromthe mast. Every other in the viUage and on thewater was adorned with its bunting, but that ofMr. Pettican aloneignored the festival.As Mehalah ascended the walk, a gull withits wings clipped uttered a fierce scream, andrushing across the garden with outspread pinions,clashed at her foot withhis sharp beak, and thenfalling back, threw out his breast, elevated hisbill,andbroke into a long successionof discordantyells, whoops, and gulps.At the same moment one pane in the windoAvon theright of the door opened, a littledry facepeered through andnodded.' If you're going to knock, don't. Come in,and make no noise about it. It's very kind.She's out.'Thegull made a second assault at Mehalah'sfoot.

190 MEHALAH.' Kick him,' said the face ; ' don't fear youwill hurt him. He is as good as a watch dog.Open the door, and when you are in the haHturn to theright-hand.'Then the pane was slammed to, andMehalahturned the handle of the front door. She foundherself in a narrow passage with a flight of verysteep stairs before her, and a door on each hand.Over each of these on a bracket stood a shipfully rigged, Avith all her sail on.She entered theroom on theright as directed,and found herself in a little parlour with veryAvhite Avails, and portraits of ships, some inworsted Avork on canvas, others painted in oils,others again in water-colours, covering the walls.In the Avindow,half sat,half reclined, an oldman, Avith a scrubby grey head, a pair of verylively eyes, but with a trembling feeble mouth.He Avore very high shirt-collars, exceedinglystiff, and thick folds of black silk round his neck.His blue coat had a high black velvet collar.The little man seemed to draAv his head in betweenhis blinkers and beneath his coat-collar,andlose his face inhis cravat,thenat will to projecthis head from them, as though he Avere atortoise, retiring into or emerging from his shell.

STRUCKCOLOURS.191As Glory came in, thelittle wizzened face Avasscarce perceptible, save that the bright eyespeeped and twinkled at her from somewhere inachaos of black velvet, blue cloth, Avhite linen,and black silk; then all at once the head shotforward, and a cheery voice said, ' Ican't rise tomeet you, Mary,' he made at the same time a'salutation with his hand, or Iwould throwmyself at your feet. Glad to see you. Hoav areyou,Lizzy my clear.''My name is neither Mary nor Lizzy, butMehalah,''Let it be Methusalah or Melchizedek, orAvhat you like, it is all one to me. Idon't carefor the name yougive a wine whenit is good,Idrink it and smack my lips, Avhether you callitPort, or Tarragona, or Roussillon; andIdon'tbother about a girl's name. If she is sweet andsunny,and bright and prettyas,' — he made alittlebow and a great flourish of his hand as a salute,— ' as you are,Isee her and listen to her,andadmire her.'' My name's-' Ihave told you it don't matter. I never yetmet with a girl's name that Avasn't pretty, exceptone, andIthought that pretty once.'

192 MEHALAH.' What name ? '' Admonition.'' Why do younot like it.'The little man looked out of the window,along the Avails, then turned his head round and'sighed. Never mind. Do you see that figureheadout there ? Itbelonged to a wesselIbuilt;she was called the " Medusa." Badluck attendedher. She was always fouling other Avessels. Sheran doAvn a Frenchman once, but that was nomatter, and she did the same by a Dutchman.Well at last she got such a character thatIwasforced to change her head and her name, butthen she fared Avorse than before. Changingtheir names don't always mend wessels andwomen. Well! ' 'with another sigh, Ave Avillleave unpleasant topics, and laugh and be jollyAvhile we may. You haven't told me hoAv youare. Thisis very kind of you to drop in on me.It is like old times;my halcyon days, asIthinkthey call 'em. Ihaven't had such a Avisit since,'he waved towards his flagstaff, ' sinceIkrweredmy flag.'' But, sir,' said Mehalah , ' youmust let me explainmypurposein coming here;and to do that,Imust tell you AvhoIam, and AvhenceIcome.'

STRUCK COLOURS. 193' Idon't Avant to hear it. Idon't care a bitabout it. Be jolly and gather the rosebuds Avhileye may. She ain't out for long, and we must bejoyful at such opportunities as are afforded us.Iknow as well as you do Avhy you have come.You have come in the goodness of your femaleheart to cheer a poor crippled wretch like me.'' ' Idid not know you were a cripple, sir!'You didn't. Give me my crutches. Lookat this.' He placed his crutches under his arms,swung himself dexterously off his chair, andstumped round the room, dragging his lowerlimbs behind him, as though they did not belongto him. They were lifeless. When he returned'to his seat he threAv himself down. Noay,Jemima, put up my legs on that chair. Ican'tstir them myself. Icouldn't raise them an inchif you was to promise me a kiss for my pains.There, thank ye; uoav sit down and be jolly.'' Sir,' said Mehalah,' you remember mymother, Mistress Sharland.'' What! Liddy Vince, pretty cousin Liddy!Ishould thinkIdid remember her.Why, it isonly the other day that she married.'' Iam her daughter, and my age is nineteen.'' Ihaven't seen her for — Avell, never mindAOL. i.o

194 MEHALAH.hoAV many years. Years don't tell on a man asthey do on a Avoman;they mellow him,but witherher. So you are her daughter, are you? Standround there by my feet AvhereIcan see you.'He dreAv his head down among his clothesand peered at her from between his taU white'collars. You are an uncommon fine girl,' hesaid, when his observation was completed, ' butnot a bit — like Liddy. You are more like hermother she Avas the deuce of a splendid woman,such eyes, such hair — 'but she Avas a hehesitated, his courtesy forbade his saying whatrose to the tongue.' A gipsy ; ' Mehalah supplied the Avords.'Well, she Avas, but she couldn't help it, youknow. But that is not whatIwas — about to say.Iintended toobserve that she Avas a little beforemy time. She was old whenIknew her,but I'veheard what a beauty she Avas, and her eyesalways remained large and noble, and her hairluxuriant. But women don't improve Avith ageas does good port, and as do men. Well, now,tell me your name '' Mehalah.'' A regular Essex marshland name. IhopeIshall remember it. ButIhave to carry so many

STRUCKCOLOURS.195names ofnice-looking girlsinmyhead, and ofshipsIhave built, that they run one another doAvn,andIcannot be sure to recall them. My memoryis not going. Don't suppose that. Why, blessyour dear heart,Ican remember everything yourmother andIsaid to one another when Ave Averesweet upon each other. That don't look like afading memory, doesit ? But you see, as Ave goon in life, every day brings something more toremember, and so this head gets choke full. Ababe a year old has some threehundredandsixtyfive things to recollect, that is if he remembersonly one thing per diem, and a man of fifty hasover eighteen million of things stuffed aAvay inthis little warehouse,' tapping his ' head; so he hasto rummage and rout before he can find the particulararticle he wants. His memory don't goAvith age, but gets overchoked. Now, to changethe topic, why haven't you been to see mebefore? '' Sir !Icouldnot. Idid not know you, andyou live a long Avay from the Bay. Mother cannot Avalk so far.'' AndIcan't neither, but not from age butfrom accident. So your mother can't walk amatter of seven miles. Dear me! Hoav Avomeno 2

196 MEHALAH.do deteriorate either Avith age or with marriage.Icould;Iwould think nothing of it but for myaccident. Now tell me what has brought youhere, Mehalaleel ? '' Ihave come,' ansAvered Mehalah lookingdown, ' because driven by necessity to apply toyou, as our only relative.'' Bless my soul! Want my help! Hoav ? IwishIcould as easily apply for yours. My deargirl,Iam past help. I've hauled down my flag.All is up with me. I'm drawn up on the mudand put to auction. They are breaking me — up.Tell yourmother so. Tell her that time was butlet bygones be bygones. How is she looking?Are the roses altogether faded? '' She is very feeble and suffering.She isgreatly afflicted with ague.'' She hadit as a girl. One day asIwas courtingher and whispering pretty things in her ear,she was going to blush and smile, Avhen allat oncethe fit of shivers came on her, and she could donought but chatter her teeth and turn green andstream with cold sweat. So she is very feeble, isshe ? '' Sheis weak andailing.'' Women never do improve, like men, by

STRUCKCOLOURS.197ripening,' said Mr. Pettican. 'Girls are angels upto one and tAventy, some a little bit later,but afterthat they deteriorate and become old cats. Theyare roses up to marriage and after that are hips,Avith hardred skins outside and choke androughnesswithin. Men are quite the reverse. Theyare louts to twenty-five, as unformed in body asyoung colts, and in mind as young owls; afterthat they begin to ripen, and the older they getthebetter they grow. A man is like a medlar,only worth eating when rotten. A young man israw and hard and indigestible, but a man of fortyis fullof juice and sweetness. Now don't tell yourmother whatIhave said about old women.'' IAvill not.'' Sit ye down, sit ye down, and be jollyDon't stand. It does not fare to be comfortable.''Sir,Imust mention the object of this visit.'' All in good time. But first let us be — jolly.Give me some fun,Ihaven't hadany since since 'he pointed sadly to his flagless staff and shook his'head. It is allup with me, save when a straygleam ofliveliness and mirth shoots athwart mygloomy sky. But that is rarely the case now.'' Thank you, sir,' said Mehalah, taking a chair.* Now to thepoint.'

198 MEHALAH.' First be jolly. Ihave enough of mouthsdrawn down at the' corners — but never mindnow.Begone dull care, thoucanker. Come! Ishouldlike your mother to know allaboutme. Youwilltell her hoAv youngIam looking.You will saythatIwouldbe sure to come tripping over to seeher but for my accident.'' Iwill tellher hoAVIhave seen you.'' You needn't dAvell on the crutches;but sheknoAATs, she has heard of that affliction of mine, itwas the talk of the coimty, thousands of tenderhearts beat insympathy with me. My accidentisoneoflongstanding.IAvon't say whenithappened.Ihave not a good head for dates,but any howit AA'as not quite last year, or the year before that.Ithas told on me. Ilook older thanIreally am,and yetIam hearty and well. Ihave such anappetite. Just pull me up, dear, in the chair, andIwill tell you AvhatIeat. Ihad a rasher ofbacon and a chop for breakfast, and a pewter ofhomebrewed beer; that don't look like a failingdigestion, does it. AndIshall eat,— Lord blessyou! You would laugh to see me at my dinner,Ieat like a ploughboy. That is not like thedecay of old age attacking the Avitals, is it,mypretty ? Now listen to me, andIwill tell youall

STRUCK COLOURS.199about it. Do you chance to noticehereand therealittle grey in my hair? Just as though a fewgrains of salt had dropped among black pepper?They come of care, dearest, not of years.— Ineverhad a grizzled hair onmy head till tillIstruckmy colours. NowI'll tell you all about it, andyou tell your mother. She Avill pity me. Oneday inmy yardIstumbled over aroundof timberand feU on my back onit, andhurt my spine, and—I've beena cripple ever since. It is a sad pitysuch a fine, strapping, manly felloAV as I,in theprime of age, to be laid by like an old condemnedwessel! Well! hereIhave had to lie inmy windoAV, looking out,and not seeing much tointerest me. But the girls of Wyvenhoe, blesstheir kind hearts, — they are angels up to one andtwenty — used to come to the window, and Avishme a good day, and ask after my health,andhavepleasant little gossips, and be altogether jolly.Next, whenever they could, some one or tAvowould bring her knittingor needlework, andcomein, and sit here and spend anhour or so, talking,laughing and making fun. That was pleasant,wasn't it ? It is wonderful what a lot those deargirls had to say for themselves; they becamequite confidential with me, and told me all their

200 MEHALAH.love affairs, andhow matters stood, and Avho theirsweethearts were. It was worth Avhile being illand laid on one's back to enjoy such society.WheneverIAvas dull and wanted some chat,Isent my man to hoist the flag, and the next girlthat went by, " Ah! " said she, " there's that poorfelloAv Avould like my society," and in she cameand sat talking Avith me as long as she was able.Then sometimesIhad a dish of tea brought in,orsome cakes, or fruit. It was a pleasant time. Iwish it Avere to come over all again. Tell yourmother all this. Iwas quite the pet of all thekind-hearted young folks in Wyvenhoe. Nowthat is over. I'll tell you about it.' He sighedand passed a shaking hand over his bright,'twinkling eyes. You must explain it all to yourmother, — Liddy that was. You see, Idon'tforget her name. Now tell me yours again; it isgone from me.'' Mehalah.'' I'll writeit doAvnin my note-book and thenIshaUremember it. My memory is overstocked,andit takes me a deal of time to find init whatIwant. But your mother's name don't get buried,but lies at hand on the top. You'll tell her so.Noav about my troubles. There Avas one damsel,

STRUCKCOLOURS.201who was called Admonition; and she Avas veryparticularlypleasant and attentiveto me, andmanya little teasing and jokingIhad Avith her abouther name. She was the girl fullest of fun, sheregularly brimmed over Avithit, and it ran downher sides. She Avas a milliner, and had to workfor her living. She had no relations and nomoney of her own. It is curious what a lot ofcousins she has now, mostly in the seafaring line,and all young. Then she Avas always ready for achat. She Avould bring her needlework and sitAvith meby the hour. Ithought it vastly pleasant,and how much more pleasant it would be if shewere always by my side to keep me laughing andchirpy. Imust tell you thatIgo down somedegrees when — — alone, not that my spirits fail mewith age, it is constitutional. Iwas so asaboy.— Bless me!it seems to me only the — other dayAvhenIwas a romping lout of a lad I'm crispand crackly like seaAveed in an East Avind AvhenIam in female society, that is, female society up toone and twenty— but I'm like the same seaweedin a Sou'wester when I'm alone. One day theflag was flying, but no visitor came exceptAdmonition. It was the day of the Eegatta.She said, and the tears came into her eyes, that

202 MEHALAH.she was a lone girl, with no one to accompanyher, so she had come to sit with me. Shetried tocheer up andlaugh, but she felt her loneliness sothat my heart was touched, andIproposed andwe were married.' There ensued a long pause.'Mr. Petticanlooked out of the Avindow. Ihadaqueer sort ofpremonitory feeling whenIsaid, " Itake thee Admonition to my Avedded wife," but itAvas too late then to retract. Now the flag thathas braved a thousand breezes is down. It hasnot flown since that day.'' ' Where is Mrs. Pettican hoav? askedMehalah.' At the Eegatta,' ansAvered the cripple.'You'll tell your mother howIam situated.She Avill drop a tear for poor Charlie. IwiU tell'you Avhat, Me he looked at his note-book,' Mehalah; men fancy all girls sultana raisins,but when theybite them they get veryhard pipsbetween their teeth. There'sa Methodistpreacherhere has beenharanguing on conversion, andpersuadingAdmonition that she is a neAV creature.Iknow she is. She A\ras converted on the dayof the marriage ceremony; but the conversionwas not something to boast of. Matrimony withwomen is what jibbing is with ships, they go

STRUCKCOLOURS.203through a movement of staggering and thenaway they start off on a tack clean contrary tothe course they were sailing before. Marriage,Mehalah, is like Devonshire cream; it is veryrich and tasty, but it develops a deal of bile.Look here, my ' pretty! In a moment he wasoff his chair, stumpinginhis crutches round theroom, dragging his paralysed limbs after him.'He returned to his chair. Put up my legs,dear,' he begged ; then said, 'That is the state ofmy case; my better half is Admonition, the poorparalysed, helpless, dead halfis me.'He did not speak for some moments butbrushed his eyes Avith his feeble hand. At lasthe said, 'I've unburdened my soul. Tell yourmother. Noav go ahead, and let me know Avhatyou want.'Mehalah told Mr.Pettican the circumstances.She said that her mother wantedaloan of fifteenor twenty pounds. If she could not procure thesum, she Avould have her cow taken from her,then they would be unable to pay therent nextLady Day, and be Avithout milk for the winter.They would be turned out of the little farm onwhich her mother hadlived so long, in quiet andcontentment, and this Avould go far to break her

204 MEHALAH.mother's heart. She told him candidly that theloancould only be repaidininstalments.The old man listened patiently, only passinghis hand in an agitated manner across his faceseveral times.' IwishIcould help you,' he said, when shehad ' done; Ihave money. Ihave laid by some.There is plenty in thebox and more at thebank,butIcan't get atit.''Sir!'' BeforeIstruck my colours, Mehalah,IdidwhatIlikedAvith my money; onmarket days myman went into Colchester, andIalways gave himalittle sum to lay out in presents for my kindvisitors. Bless you! a very trifle pleased them.Itis different noAV. Idon'tspend apenny myself.The money is spent for me. Idon't keep thekey of my cashbox. Admonition hasit.'' Then,' said Mehalah, rising from her seat,' all is over with us. My mother, your cousin,will in her old age be cast destitute into theworld. But, if youreally Avish to help her, be aman, use your authority, and do Avhat you choosewith your own.'' Bless me ! ' exclaimed Mr.Pettican touchinghisbrow Avithhis tremblinghand, ' Iwill be aman.

STRUCK COLOURS. 205AmInot a man! IfIdon't exert my authority,people will sayIam in my dotage. I — — -I inmyflower and cream of my age — inthe dotage! Go,'Me he looked in his note-book, 'Mehalah,fetch me my cashbox, it is in thebedroom cupboardupstairs, on the right, over this. Bring thebox down. Stay though! Before you come clownjust feel in my wife's old dress pocket. She mayhave forgotten to take her keys with her to theRegatta. Itis just possible.'' Icannot do that.'' Well, no, perhaps you had better not.Doyouhappen to have a bunch of keys with you.'' No, sir.'' WeU, never mind. Bring me the case. IAvill be a man. Iwill show the worldIam notin my dotage. Iwillbe of themasculine gender,dative case, ifit pleases me, and Admonition maylump itif she don't likeit.'Mehalah obeyed. She found the box, whichwas of iron, brought it downstairs, andplaced it'on the table by Mr.Pettican. I've been turningthe matter over in my mind,' said he, ' andIseeavery happy wayout of it without a row. Giveme the poker. You will find a cold chiselin thatdraAver.'

206 MEHALAH.'Iwill tell you my idea. WhilstIam lefthere all alone, burglars have broken into thehouse, knowing my helpless condition,and haveransacked the place, found my cashbox andbroken it open.' He chuckled and rubbed his'hands. Ishall be able accurately to describetheruffians. One has a black moustache, and theother a red beard, and they look like foreignersand speak a Dutch jargon.'He put the chisel to the fid, and struck at itAvith thepoker, starting the hinges by the bloAv.At that moment the door Avas flung Avide, andin swam a dashing young woman in very gaycolours, on the arm of a yachtsman.' Charles!' she cried,' what are you after ? 'then turning abruptly on Mehalah, ' And prayAvhat are you doing here, in my house ? ' Mr.Pettican's head Avhich hadbeen craned fonvardineagerness over thebox, retreatedamidst the collarandcravat, and almost disappeared.' ' Who are you? she asked of Mehalah, Avith'an insulting air. Out of this house Avith youatonce! '' My dear Monie i ' pleaded Mr. Pettican,lifting his shaking hands into an attitude ofprayer.

STRUCKCOLOURS.207' No" My dears" and" Monies?" to me,'said the wife.'I Avant to knoAv Avhat you areafter with my cashbox ? Ho, ho! trying toprize it open and squander my little sums laidaside for household expenses on — Heaven knowsAvhom.'' Mr. Pettican is my mother's cousin,' saidMehalah.' Cousin, indeed! never heard Mr. Petticanspeak of you. Cousins are sure to turn up whenmoney is AAranted.'' Mr. Pettican,' saidMehalah,refusing to noticethe insolent Avoman, ' be a man and let me havethe money youpromised.'' Ishould like to be a man,oh!IwishIwerea man!ButIcan't,Ican't indeed, dear.Ihaven'tbeenmyself sinceIhauled down my flag.'' Charles, hold cut your hand, and invite mycousin Timothy to dinner. He has kindly consentedto stay a fortnight Avith us.'' Timothy ! ' echoed Mr. Pettican, ' Idid notknow youhad such a cousin.''Do you think you knoAv anything of myrelations! ' exclaimed ' Admonition; Ishouldhopenot, they are a little above your sphere.are lots more cousins! 'There

208 MEHALAH.The poor little man sat shrinking behind hisblinkers, peering piteously now at Mehalah, andthen at his wife.' Be a man,' said Mehalah, grasping him'byboth hands. Save us from ruin.'' Can't do it, Pretty, can't. Ihave struck mycolours.'

209CHAPTEE XI.A DUTCn AUCTION.Mehalah returned sadly to theEay. The hopethat had centred in help from Wyvenhoe hadbeen extinguished.Her mother was greatly disappointed at theill-success of the application, but flattered at hercousin's recollection of her.' If it hadnot been for that woman's comingin when she did, we should have had the money,'said Mrs. Sharland. 'What a pity she did notremain away a little longer. Charles is very welldisposed, and would help us if he could pluck upcourage to defy his wife. Suppose you try again,Mehalah, some other day, and choose your timewell.'' Iwill not go there again, mother.'' If avc do get turned out of this place AveVOL. i.p

210 MEHALAH.might settle at Wyvenhoe, and then choose ouropportunity.''Mother, the man is completely under hiswife's thumb.There is no help to be foundthere.'' Then, Mehalah, the only chance that remains,is to get the money from the Merseaparson.'' He cannot help us.'' Thereis no harm trying.'The day on which Mrs. De Witt hadthreatened to come had passed, without her appearing.True it had bloAvn great guns, andthere had been storms of rain. Mrs. Sharlandhoped that the danger was over. The primitiveinhabitants of the marshes had dAvelt on piles, shebuilt on straws. Some people do not realise adanger till it is on them and they cannot avert it.Mrs. Sharland was one of these. She liked hergrievance, and loved to moan over it;if she hadnot a real one she invented one, just as childrencelebrate funerals over dolls. She had been soaccustomed to lament over toy troubles that whena real trouble threatened she Avas unable tomeasure its gravity.She Avas a limp and characterless Avoman.

A DUTCH AUCTION.211Mehalah had inherited the richred blood of hergrandparents, and Mrs. Sharland had assimilatedonly the water,and this flowed feebly through herpale veins. Her nature was parasitic. Shecouldnot five on her own root, but must adhere to acharacter stronger than herself. Shehad hungon and smothered her husband, and uoav shedragged at her daughter. ;Mehalah must standupright or Mrs. Sharland Avould crush her to theground. There are women like articles of furniturethat will ' wobble ' unless a penny or a wedgeof Avood be put under their feet. Mrs. Sharlandwas always cryingoutfor some trifle tosteady her.Mehalah did not share her mother's anticipationsthat the danger had passed with the day,that Mrs. De Witt's purpose had given Avay tokinder thoughts;shewas quite sure that she wouldprove relentless and push matters to extremities.It was this certainty which drove her to act oncemore on her mother's suggestion, and go to theMerseaEectory, to endeavour to borroAV the sumof money needed to relieve them from immediatedanger.She found the parsoninhis garden without hiscoat Avhich hung on the hedge, making apotatoepie for the winter.p 2

212 MEHALAH.He Avas on all fours packing the tubers instraw. His boots and gaiters were clogged withclay.' ' HaUo! he exclaimed as Mehalah came up.' You the girl they call Glory ? Look here. Iwant you to see my kidneys. Did you ever seethe like,come clean out of the ground withoutcanker. Would you like apeck ? I'll give themyou. Boil beautiful.'' I want to speak with you, sir.'' Speak thenby all means, anddon't mindme.Imust attend to my kidneys. A fine daylike thisis not to be Avasted at this time of the year. Goon. There is an ashtop for you. Idon't carefor thepotatoe as a potatoe. It don't boil all toflour asIlike. You can have a few if youlike.Now go on.'Down went his head again, and Avasburied ina nest of straw. Mehalah waited. She did notcare to address his back and legs, the only part ofhis person visible.' You can't be too careful with potatoes,' saidthe parson, presently emerging, very red in the'face, and Avith a pat of clay on his nose. Youmust make them comfortable for the Avinter. Doto others as you Avould they should do to you.

A DUTCH AUCTION.213Keep them well from frost, and they will boilbeautiful all the winter through. Go on withyour story.Iam listening,' and in went the headagain.Mehalahlostheart. She couldnotbegin thus.' Pah ! howIsweat,' exclaimed the parson,'again emerging. The sun beats down on myback, and the black waistcoat draws the heat.And we are in November. This won't last.Have you yourpotatoes in, Glory ? '' We have only a feAV on theEay.'' You ought to have more. Potatoes like alight soil AveU drained. You have gravel, andAvith some good cow-dung or sheep-manure, whichis better still, with your faU, they ought to doprimely. I'llgive you seed. It is all nonsense,as they do here, planting small whole potatoes.Take a good strong tuber, andcut it up with aneye in each piece ; then you get a better plantthan if you keep the little half-grown potatoesfor seed. However, I'm wasting time. I'll beback in a moment. Imust fetch another basketload. Go on with your story all the same:Icanhear you. IshaU only be in the shed behind theRectory.'Parson TyU was a curate of one parish

214 MEHALAH.across the Strood' and of the two on the island.The rector was non-resident, on the plea of theinsalubrity of the spot. He hadheld the rectoryof one parish and the vicarage of the other thirtyyears,and during that period had visitedhis curestwice, once to read himself in, and on the otheroccasion to exact some tithes denied him.' All right,' said Mr. Tyll, returning from theback premises staggering under a crate full of'roots. Go on,Iam listening. Pick up thosekidneys which have rolled out. Curse it,Ihatetheir falling and gettingbruised;they won't keep.There iioav, you never saw finer potatoes inyour life than these. My soil here is the sameas yours on the Ray. Don't plant too close,andnot in ridges. I'lltell you AvhatIdo. Iputmine in five feet apart and make heaps roundeach. Idon't hold by ridges. HiUocks is mydoctrine. Go on,Iam listening. Here,lend mea hand, and chuck me in the potatoes asIwantthem. You can talk all the same.'Parson Tyll crept into his heap and'seatedhimself on his haunches. Chuck away, but nottoo roughly. They mustn't be bruised. Now goon,Ican stack the tubers and listen all thesame.'

A DUTCH AUCTION.215' Sir,' said Mehalah, out of heart at her reception,' Ave areingreat trouble and difficulty.'' Ihave no doubt of it; none in the world.You don't grow enough potatoes. Now lookat my kidneys. They are the most prolific potatoesIknow.Iintroduced them, and theygo by my name. You may ask for themanywhere as Tyll's kidneys. Go on,Iamlistening.'' We owe Mrs.De Witt a matter of five andtwenty pounds,' began Mehalah, red Avith shame;' and Iioav to pay her we do not know.'' NorI,' said theparson.' You have tried togo on without potatoes, and you can't do it.Others have tried and failed. Youshotdd keepgeese on the saltings, and foAvls. FoavIs oughtto thrive on a sandy soil, but then you have nocorn land, that makes a difference. Potatoes,however, especially my kidneys, ought to be atreasure to you. Take my advice, be good, groAVpotatoes. Go on,Iam listening. Chuck mesome more. Hoav is the stock in the basket ?Doesit Avant replenishing ? Look here, my lass,go to the coach-house and bring me some more.There is a heap in the corner; on theleft; thoseon theright are ashtops. They go ina separate

216 MEHALAH.pie. You can talk as you go,Ishall be hereandharkening.'Mehalah went sullenly to the place where theprecious roots were stored, and brought him abasketful.' By the way,' said the parson, peeping out ofhis mole-hill at her, ' it strikes me you ought notto be here now. Is there not a sale on yourfarm to-day? '' A sale, sir ? '' A sale, to be sure. Mrs.De Witt hascarriedoff my clerk to act as auctioneer, or he Avould behelping me iioav Avith my potatoes. She has beenround to several of the farmers to invite them toattend andbid, and they have gone to see if theycan pick up some ewes or a cow cheap.'Mehalah staggered. Was this possible ?' Go on Avith your story, I'm listening,' continuedthe parson, diving back into his burrow,so that only the less honourable extremity of his'vertebral column Avas visible. Talk of potatoes.There's not one to come up to Tyll's kidneys.Go on,Iam all attention! Chuck me somemore potatoes.'ButMehalah was gone, and was making thebest of her Avay back.

A DUTCHAUCTION.217Parson Tyll was right. This fine Novemberday was that which it had struck Mrs. De Witt,was most suitable for the sale, that would producethe money.Mehalah hadnot long left the Strood before astrange procession began to cross theMarshes.Mrs. De Witt sat aloft in a tax-cart borrowedof Isaac Mead, the publican, by the side of hisboy who drove. Behind, very uncomfortably,much in the attitude of a pair of scissors, sat theclerk, folded nearly double in the bottom of thecart; his head reclined onMrs. De Witt's backand the seat of the vehicle, his legs hung overtheboard at the back, and swung aboutlike thoseof a calf being carried to market or to thebutcher's. Mrs. De Witt wore her red coat,and a clean washed or stiffly starched cap. Sheled the Avay. The road over theMarshes was bad,full of holes, and greasy. A recent tide hadcorrupted the clay into strong broAvn glue.The farmers and others who followed to attendthe sale had put up their gigs and carts atthe cottage of the Strood keeper, and pursuedtheir way on foot. ButMrs. De Witt Avas abovesuch feebleness of nerve. She had engaged thetrap for the day, and would take her money's

218 MEHALAH.worth out of it. The boy had protested at theStrood that the cart of his master could not goover the marshes, that Isaac Mead hadnot supposedit possible thatit would be taken over sohorrible and perilous a road. Mrs. De Wittthereupon brought her large blue gingham umbrelladown on the lad's back, and vowed shewould open him like an oyster with her pocketknifeunless he obeyed her. She looked quitecapable of fulfilling her threat, and he submitted.The cart jerked from side to side. Theclerk's head struck Mrs. De Witt several sharpbloAvs in the small of her back. She turnedsharply round,pegged at him with the umbreHa,andbadehimmind his manners.' Let me get out. Ican't bear this,ma'am,'pleaded the man.' Itbecomes you to ride to the door as the'officer of justice,' ansAvered she. IfIcan ride,so can you. Lie quiet,' and she banged at himwith the umbreHa again.At that moment there came a jolt of a moreviolent description than before, and Mrs. De Wittwas suddenly precipitated over the splash-board,and, after a battle in the air, on the back of the

A DUTCH AUCTION.219prostrate horse, withher feet, hands andumbrella,she went into a mud hole. Thehorse Avas down,but the knees of the clerk were up far above hishead. He struggled to rise, but Avas unable, andcould only bellow for assistance.Mrs. De Witt picked herself up and assistedthe boy in bringing the horse to his feet again.Then she coolly pinned up her goAvn to herknees, and strode forward. The costume wasnot so shocking to her native modesty as mighthave been supposed, nor did it scandalise thefarmers, for it Avas that adopted by the collectorsof Avinkles on the flats. The appearance presentedbyMrs. De Witt Avas, however, grotesque.In the mud her legs had sunk to the knees, andthey looked as though she wore a pair of highlypolished Hessian boots. The skirt and the redcoat gave her a curious nondescript military cut,as half Highlander. Though she walked, sheAvould not allow the clerk to dismount. SheAvhacked at thependant legs when they rose andprotested, andbade the felloAv lie still; he was allright, and it was only proper that he, the functionaryon the occasion, should arrive in state,instead ofon his own shanks.' Ifyou getup on the seat you'll be bobbed

220 MEHALAH.offlike a pea on a drum. Lie in the bottom ofthe cart and be peaceful, as is your profession,'said Mrs. De Witt, with a dig of the umbrellaover the side.They formed a curious assemblage. ThereAvere the four brothers Marriage of Peldon, notone of Avhom had taken a wife. Once, indeed,the youngest, Herbert, had formed matrimonialschemes; but on his ventilating the subject, hadbeen fallen on by his three brothers and threeunmarried sisters who kept house for them, asthough he had hinted theintroduction of a caskof gunpoAvder into the cellars. He had beenscolded and lectured, and taunted, as theapostate,the profligate, the prodigal, who was bent on theruin of the family, the dissipation of the accumulatedcapital of years of labour, the introducer ofdiscord into a united household. And yet thehousehold was only unitedin theory, in fact thebrothers Avere always fighting andswearing at oneanother about the order of the work to be executedonthe farm, and the sisters quarrelled overthe household routine.There was Joshua Pudney, of Smith's Hall,wholoved his bottle and neglected his farm, whogrew more thistles than wheat, and kept more

A DUTCH AUCTION.221hunters than cows,a joUy fat red-faced man AvithAvhite hair, always in top boots. Along Avith himwas Nathaniel Pooley, Avho combined preachingwith farming, was noted for sharp practice inmoney matters, and for not ahvays coming out ofpecuniary transactions Avith clean hands. Pudneycursed and Pooley blessed, yet the labourers werewont to say that Pudney's curses broke no bones,but Pooley's blessings did them out of many ashilling. Pudney let Avheat litter in his stubble,and bid the gleaners go in and be damned, whenhe threw the gate open to them. Pooley rakedthe harvest field over thrice and thenopened thegleaning with an invocation to Providence tobless the widow,the fatherless, and the poor whogathered in his fields.Farmer Wise was a gaunt, close-shaven man,always very neatly dressed, a great snuff-taker.He was a politician, and affected to be a Whig,whilst aU the rest of his class were Tories.He was argumentative, combative, and cantankerous,a close, careful man, and reported amiser.A dealer, riding a black pony, a wonderfullittle creature that scampered along at a flyingtrot, came up and slackened rein. He was a

222 MEHALAHstout man in a very battered hat, with shabbycoat; a merry man, and a good judge of cattle.The proceedings of the day were, perhaps,hardly in accordance with strict English law, butthen English law was precisely like Gospelprecepts, made for other folk. On the Essexmarshes people did not trouble themselves muchabout the legality of theirproceedings ; they tookthe law in their own hands. If the law suitedthem they used it, if not they did without it.But, legally or not legally, they got what theywanted. It was altogether inconvenient andexpensive for the recovery of a small debt toapply to asolicitor and a magistrate, and theusualcustom Avas, therefore, to do the thing cheaplyand easily through the clerk of the parish constitutedauctioneer for the occasion, and the goodsof the defaulter Avere sold by him to an extemporisedassembly of purchasers on any day thatsuited the general convenience. The clerk so farsubmitted to legal restrictions that he did not rungoods up, but down;he began Avith an absurdlyhigh figure, instead of one preposterously Ioav.When the cart and its contents and folloAversarrived at theEay, the horse was taken out, andthe vehicle Avasrun against a rick of hay, into

A DUTCH AUCTION.223which the shafts were deeply thrust, so as to keepthe cart upright, that it might serve as a rostrumfor the auctioneer.' We'll go and take stock first,'' said the clerk;we've to raise twenty-five pounds for the debtand twenty shillings my costs. What is there tosell?' 'Wait a bit, gaffer,' said the cattle jobber;'you're a trifle too quick. The old lady mustdemand themoney first.'' I'm agoing to do so, Mr. Mellonie,' said Mrs.De Witt ' ; you teach your grandmother to shellshrimps.' Then, looking round on about twentypersons Avho had assembled, she said, 'Followme. Stay!here comes more. Oh! it is ElijahEebow and his men come to see fairplay. Comeby water have you, Elijah. We are not going toseU anything of yours, you needn't fear.'She shouldered her umbrella like an oar, andstrode to the house door. Mrs. Sharland wasthere, white and trembling.' Have you got my money ? ' asked Mrs. DeWitt.' Oh, mistress,' exclaimed the unfortunatewidow, ' do have pity and patience. Mehalahhas just gone to get it.'

224 MEHALAH.' Goneto get it ?' echoed Mrs. De Witt.' Why, where in the name of wonder does sheexpect to getit ? '' She had gone to Farson Tyll to borrow it.'' Then she won't get it,' said the drover.' There's no money to be Avrung out of emptybreeches pockets.'' Let me into the house,' said Mrs. De Witt.'Let us all see Avhat you have got. There'sa clock. Drag it out, and stick it up under thetree near the cart. That is Avorth a feAv pounds.And take that chair.'' It is my chair. Isit in it, andIhave theague so bad.'' Take the chair,' persisted Mrs. De Witt,'and Eebow's men carried it forth. There'ssome good plates there. Is there a completeset?'' There are only six.'' That is better than none. Out Avith them.What have yougot in the corner cupboard?' 'Nothing but trifles.'' We'll sell the cupboard and the dresser.You can't move the dresser, Elijah. We'll carryit inour heads. Look at it,' she said to the clerk;' see you don't forget to put that up. Noav

A DUTCH AUCTION.225shaU Ave go into the bedrooms, or go next to thecowhouse ' ?' Leave the bedroom,'said Mellonie, ' youcan't sell the bed from under the old Avoman.'' Ican though, ifIdon't raise enough,' saidMrs.DeWitt. ' I'veslept on a plank many a time.'' Oh clear! Oh dear!' moaned the widowSharland; ' IAvish Mehalahhad returned;perhapsshe has the money.'' No chance of that, mistress,'said Eebow.' You are sold up and done for past escape now.What will you do next, you and that girl Glory,I'dlike to know ? '' I think she wdl get the money,' persisted theAvidow.Elijah turned from her with a sneer' Outside with you,' shouted Mrs. De Witt.' The sale is going to begin.'The men — there — were no Avomen presentexcept Mrs. De Witt quickly evacuated thehouse and pushed into the stable and cowhouse.There was no horse, and only one cow. Thesheep Avere on the saltings. There was no cart,and very few tools of any sort. The little farmAvas solely a sheep farm, there was not an acre oftillage land attached to it.VOL. I.Q

226 MEHALAH.The clerk climbed upinto the cart.'Stop, stop, for Heaven's sake!' gasped'Mehalah clashing up. What is this! Whyhave we not been warned ? '' Oh yes! foreAvarned indeed, and' get rid ofthe things,' growled Mrs. De Witt. ButIdidtell you whatIshould do, and precious goodnaturedIwastodo it.'Mehalah darted past her into the house.' TeU me,tellme! ' cried the excited mother,' have you the money ?'' No. Theparson could not let me haveit.'' Hark ! they have begun the sale. What isit they are crying now ? '' The clock, mother. Oh, this is dreadful.'' They will sell the coav too,' said the widoAv.' Certain to do so.' .' There !Ihear the dresser's put up. Whohas bought the clock ? '' Oh never mind, that matters nothing. Weare ruined.'' Oh dear, clear ! ' moaned Mrs. Sharland,' that it should come to this! ButIsupposeImust,Imust indeed. Bun Mehalah, run quickand unrip the belt of my green gOAvn. Quick,fetch itme.'

A DUTCHAUCTION.227Thegirl hastily obeyed. The old Avoman gother knife, and Avith trembling hand cut aAvay thelining in several parts of the body. Shiningsovereigns came out.' There are twenty here,' she said with a sigh,' and we have seven over of what George let ushave. Give the Avretches the money.'' Mother, mother ! ' 'exclaimedMehalah. HowcouldyouboiTOAv!Hoav could yousend me ! '' Never mind,Idid not Avant to use my littlestore till every chance had failed. Eun out andpay themoney.'Mehalah darted from the door.The clerk was seHing the cow.' Going for twenty-five pounds. What ? noone bid, going for twenty-five pounds, and dirtcheap at the money, all silent! WellInever,andsuch a coav! Going for tAventy-three' Stop!' shouted Mehalah.' Here is Mrs. DeWitt's money, twenty-five pounds.'' Damnation!' roared Elijah,' where did youget it? '' Our savings,' answered Mehalah, and turnedher back on him.'a 2

228 MEHALAH.CHAPTER XII.AGILDED BALCONY.Mehalah Avas hurt and angry at her mother'sconduct. She thought that she had not beenfairly treated. When the loss sustained presumablyby Abraham DoAvsing's carelessness hadbeen discovered,Mrs. Sharlandhad not hinted theexistence of a private store, and had allowed DeWitt to lendher themoney she wanted for meetingthe rent. Glory regarded this conduct as hardlyhonest. It jarred, at all events, with her sense ofwhat Avas honourable. On the plea of absoluteinability to pay the rent, they had obtained fiveand twenty pounds from the young fisherman.Then again, AvhenMrs. De Witt reclaimed thedebt, Mehalah hadbeen subjected to the humiliationof appealing to Mr. Pettican and beingrepulsed by Admonition. She had been furtherdriven to sue a loan of the parson; she hadnot,indeed, asked him for the money, but that Avas

A GILDED BALCONY.229only because he avoided, intentionally or not shecouldnot say, giving her the chance. She hadgone with theintention of begging, andhis manner,and the accidental discovery that the sale wasalready taking place, had alone prevented herfrom undergoing the shame of asking and beingrefused.She did not like to charge her mother withhaving behaved dishonourably, for she felt instinctivelythat her mother's views and hers were notcoincident. Her broAv Avas clouded, and anunpleasantgleam flickeredinher eyes. She resistedthetreatment shehad been subjected to asunnecessary.It Avas only justifiable in an extreme emergency,and no such emergency had existed. Hermother would rather sacrifice her daughter's selfrespectthanbreak in on the littlehoard.' Charles said he had money in the bank, didhe? ' asked Mrs. Sharland.' Yes.'' To think of that! My cousin has an accountin the bank, and can write his cheques, and onecan cash cheques signed Charles Pettican! That issomething to be proud of, Mehalah.'' Indeed, mother ? '' And you say he has a beautiful house, Avith a

230 MEHALAH.verandah. A real gilt balcony. Think of that!And Charles is my cousin, the cousin of your ownmother. There's something to think of, there. Icouldn't sleep last night with dreaming of thathouse Avithits green shutters and a real balcony.Ido believe that1shall die happy, — if some dayImay but see that there gilded you said it wasgilded — balcony. CharlesPettican Avith a balcony!What is the Avorld coming to next! A real gilded—balcony, and two figureheads looking overthere's an idea. Did you tell me there Avas asofa in his sitting-room; andIthink you saidthe dressing-table had a pink petticoat with gauzeover it. Just think of that. Imight have beenMrs. Charles Pettican,if all had gone well, andthings hadbeen as they should have, and thenIshould have had a petticoat to my dressing-tableand a balcony afore my window. Iam glad youAvent, it was like the Queen of Sheba visitingSolomon and seeing allhis glory, and now you'vecome back into your own land, and filled mewith your tidings.'Mehalah let her mother meander on, withoutpaying any attention to what she said. Mrs.Sharlandhad risen some stagesin her self-importancesince she had heard Iioav prosperous in a

A GILDED BALCONY.231pecuniary sense her relation Avas. It shed a sortof glory on her Avhen she thought that, had fateruled it so, she might have shared Avith him thissplendour, instead of being poor and lonely on thedesolate Ray. Mrs. Sharland Avould have loveda gossip, but never got a chance of talkingto anyonewith a similar partiality. Had she marriedMr. Charles Pettican she would have beenin thevortex of a Maelstrom of tittle-tattle. It wassomething to puffher up to think that if mattershad taken another turn this Avould have been herposition in Wyvenhoe.' I don't think Mrs.De Witt had any notionhow rich and distinguished my relatives are, whenshe came here asking for her five and twentypounds. I'll take my oath on it, she has nocousin with a balcony and a sofa. Idon't supposewe shall be troubled much now, whenit isknown that my cousin draAvs cheques, and thatthe name of Charles Pettican is honoured at thebank.'' You forget Ave got, and shall get, no helpfrom him.'' Ido not forget it, Mehalah. Iremember— perfectly, Iioav affably he spoke of me his LiddyVince,his pretty cousin. Ido not forget how

232 MEHALAH.ready he Avas to lend the money. Twentypounds!if youhad asked fifty, he'd have givenityou as readily. He was about to break open hiscash-box, as he hadn't the key by him, and wouldhave given me the moneyIwanted, had not aperson Avho is no relation of mine interposed.That comes of designing Avomen stepping iabetween near relatives. Charles Pettican is mycousin, andhe is not ashamed to acknoAvledge it;why should he ?Ihave always maintained myselfrespectable, and always shall.''Mother,' said Mehalah, interrupting thiswatery wash of vain twaddle, 'you should nothave borrowed the money of George De Witt.That was the beginningof the mischief! ''Beginning of Avhat mischief? '' The beginning of our trouble.'' No,it was not; Abraham's carelessness Avasthebeginning.'' But mother,Irepeat it, you did Avrong innot producing your hidden store instead of borrowing.'' Ididnot borroAv. Inever asked George DeWitt for his money, he proposed to let us have ithimself.'' That is indeed true ; but you should have at

A GILDED BALCONY. 233once refused to takeit, andsaidit Avas unnecessaryfor us to be indebted to him, as youhad the sumsufficient laid by.'' Thatis all very well, Mehalah, but Avhen agenerous offer is made me, why shouldInotaccept it ? Because there's still some milk of yesterdayin the pan, do you decline to milk thecow to-day ? IAvas glad of the opportunity ofkeeping my little savings untouched.Besides,Ialways thought George would make you hiswife.'' Ithought sotoo,' saidMehalah in a low tone,and her face became sad and blank as before; sheAvent off into a dream, but presently recoveredherself and said, ' Then, whenMrs. De Witt askedfor her money, why did younot produce it, andfree us of her insults and annoyance ? '' Idid not want to part Avith mymoney. Andit has turned out Avell. IfIhaddone as yousay,we should not have revived old acquaintance,and obtained the valuable assistance of CharlesPettican.'' He did not assist us.'' He did as far as he was able.He Avouldhave given us the money, hadnot untoward circumstancesintervened. He as good as let ushave

234 MEHALAH.the tAventy pounds.That is something to beproud of — to be helped by a man Avhose name ishonoured at the bank — at the Colchester Bank.'' But, mother, you have given me inexpressiblepain! '' Pained you!' exclaimed Mrs. Sharland.' How could I? 'Her eyes opened Avide. Mehalah looked ather. They had such different souls, that thegirlsaw it was of no use attempting to explain to hermother what had wounded her ; her sensationsbelonged to a sense of Avhich her mother wasdeprived. Itis idle to speak of scarlet to a manAvho is blind.'I did it all for you,' said Mrs. Sharland'reproachfully. Iwas thinking and caring onlyfor you, Mehalah, from beginning to end, fromfirst to last.'' Thinking and caring for me ! ' echoed Gloryin surprise.' Of courseIAvas.Iput those gold piecesaAvay, one a quarter from the clay you Avere born,tillIhad no more savings thatIcould put aside.Iput them away for you. Ithought that AvhenIwas gone and buried, you should have this littlesum to begin the Avorld upon, and you Avould not

A GILDED BALCONY.235say that your mother died and left younothing.Nothing in the world Avould have made me touch—the hoard, for it Avas your money, Mehalahnothing but the direst need, and you Avill dome the justice to say that tins was the case to-day.It Avould have been the Avorst that could havehappened for you to-day had the money notbeen paid, for you would have sunk in thescale.''Mother ! ' exclaimedMehalah, intepselymoved, ' you did all this for me; you thoughtand cared for me — for me! 'The idea of her mother having ever cloneanything for her, ever having thought of her,apart from herself, of having provided for herindependently of herself, Avas too strange and tooamazing for Mehalah to take it in at once. Aslong as she remembered anything she hadAvorked for her mother, thought for her, anddenied herself for her, without expecting anyreturn, taking it as a matter of course that sheshould devote herself to her mother Avithout theother making any acknowledgment.And now the thought that she hadbeen mistaken,that her mother had really cared for andprovided for her, overAvhelmed her. She had

236 MEHALAH.not wept when she thought that George De Wittwas lost to her, but now she dropt into her chair,buried her face in her arms, and burstinto a stormof sobs and tears.Mrs. Sharland looked at her Avith a puzzledface. She never hadunderstood Mehalah, andshe Avas content to bein the dark as to Avhat waspassing inher breast now. She settled back inher chair, and turned back to the thoughts ofCharles Pettican's gilt balcony, and petticoateddressing-table.By degrees Mehalah recoveredher composure,then she went up to her mother and kissed herpassionately on the brow.' Mother dear,' she said in a broken voice, ' Inever,never willdesert you. Whatever happens,our lot shall be cast together.'Then she reared herself, andin a moment wasfirm of foot, erect of carriage,rough and imperiousas of old.' I must look after the sheep on the saltings,'she said. 'Abraham's head is turned with thedoings here to-day, and he has gone to the Roseto talk and drink it over. The moon is full, andwe shall have a high tide.'Next moment Mrs. Sharland Avas alone.

A GILDED BALCONY.237'The widow heaved a sigh. There is nomaking heads or tails of that girl,Idon't understandher a bit,' she muttered.' Ido though,' ansAvered Elijah Eebow at the'door. IAvant a Avord Avith you, mistress.'' Ithought you had gone, Elijah, after thesale.'' No,Idid not leave with the rest. Ihungabout in the marshes, waiting a chance whenImight speak Avith you by yourself. Ican't speakbefore Glory; she flies out.'' Come in, master, and sit doAvn. Mehalah isgone doAvn to the saltings, and willnot be backfor an hour.'' I must have a Avord Avith you. Where hasGlory been ? Isaw her go off t'other clay in gaySunday dress tOAvards Fingringhoe. What didshe go after ? ''Mrs. Sharlandraised herself proudly. Ihavea cousin lives at Wyvenhoe, and we exchangecivilities noAV and then. Ican't go to him andhe can't come to me, so Mehalah passes betAveenus.' 'What does she go there for? '' My cousin, Mr. Charles Bettican — Idaresay you have heard the name, it is a name that

238 MEHALAH.'is honoured at the bank She paused andpursed upher lips.' Go on,Ihave heard of him, an old shipbuilder.'' He made his' fortune in shipbuilding,' saidMrs. Sharland. He has laid by a good deaFofmoney, and is a free and liberal man Avith it,amonghis near relatives.'' Curse him,' growled Elijah, ' he let you havethe money? '' Isent Mehalah to my cousin Charles, to askhim to lendme a trifle,being for a momentinconvenienced,'saidMrs. Sharland Avith stateliness.' She — Glory— went cringing for money to anold shipbuilder! ' exclaimed EeboAV with fury inhis face.' She did not like doing so,' answered theAvidow, ' butIentreated her to put her prejudicesin her pocket, and do asIAvished. You see,Master ReboAv, this Avas not like asking strangers.Charlesis my cousin, my nearestlivingrelative, and'some clay, perhaps, there is no knowing shewinked, and nodded, and ruffled up inher pride.' We are his nearest ofkin, and he is an old man,much older thanIam. Iam young comparedto him, and he is half-paralysed.'

A GILDED BALCONY.239' He gave themoney Avithout any difficulty ordemur? ' asked Elijah, his face flaming.' He was most willing, anxious,Imay say, tohelp. You see, Master EeboAV, he is well off, andhas no other relatives. He is a man of fortune,and has a gilt balcony before his house, and areal sofa in his sitting-room. His name isengraved on brass on a plate on the door, itcommands respect and receives honour at theColchester Bank.'' So you are fawning on him,' are you?groAvledElijah.' He has real oil-paintings on his Avails.There's some in Avater-colours, and some inworsted Avork, butImake no cotmt of them, butreal oils, youknoAv ; there'ssomething to think ofin that. A man don't break out into oil unlesshe has money in the bank at command.'Mrs. Sharland Avas delighted Avith the opportunityof airing her re-discovered cousin, andexalting his splendour before some one other thanher daughter.' A valance all round his bed — there'sluxury! ' said the Avidow, ' and that bed a wholetester. As for his dressing-table, it wears a betterpetticoat thanI,pink calico that looks like silk,

240 MEHALAH.and over it gauze, justlike a lady at an assemblyball, a real quality lady. My cousin is not oneto see — his Liddy — he calls me his pretty cousinLiddy my name beforeIAvas married wasVince, but instead of Sharland it might havebeen Pettican,if allhad been as it ought. Isaycousin Charles is not the man to see his relativessold up stick and stock by such as Mis.De Witt.'' You think if you can't pay me my rent,heAvill help you again r '' IfIfeel a little behind-hand, Master EeboAV,IshaU not scruple sending Mehalah to him again.Charles is a man of kind and generous heart, andit is touching hoAv he clings to his own flesh andblood. He has taken a great affection forMehalah. He calls her niece, and wants her tolook on him as an uncle, but you know that isnot the real relationship. He was my mother'sonly brother's son, so we Avas first cousins, andhecan only ' be a cousin of some sort to Mehalah,can he ?angrily.' Oh, curse your cousinships!' broke in Elijah' To what an extent can you count onhis help? '' To any amount,' said the Avidow, too elatedto care to limit her exaggeration.

A GILDED BALCONY. 241' Hoav is Mehalah ? Is she more inclined tothink of me?'Mrs. Sharland shook her head.' ' She don't love me ? saidElijah with a laugh.'Ifear not,Elijah.'' She won't be disposed to take up her quartersat EedHall ? 'Mrs. Sharland sighed a negative.' Nor to bear Avith me near her all clay ? ''No, Elijah.'' No, she Avon't,' said he with a jerky laugh,' she Avon't tiU she is made to. She Avon't cometo Eed HaUtill she can't help it. She Avon't fiveAvith me tillIforce her to it. Damn that cousin!He stands inmy path. Iwill go see him. Therecomes Mehalah, back from the saltings. Imustbe off'' My cousin is a man of importance,' observedMrs. Sharland, bridling up at Elijah's slighting'remark. He is not accustomed to be cursed.Men Avith names that the bank honours, and whohave gilded balconies over their doors, don'tlikeit, they don't deserve it.'VOL. I.R

242 MEHALAH.CHAPTER XIII.THE FLAG FLIES.A month after the interrupted auction, ElijahEebow appeared one day before Mr. Pettican'sdoor at Wyvenhoe. The gull Avas screaming andflying at his feet. His stick beat a loud summonsonthe door,but thenoise withinAvas too considerablefor the notices of a visitor to be heard andresponded too.Elijah remained grimly patient outside, Avitha sardonic smile on his face, and amused himselfwith tormenting the gull.Presently the door flew open, and a dashingyoung woman flung out, Avith cherry-colouredribands inher bonnet, and cherry colour in hercheeks.' All right, Monie ? ' asked a voice from thebalcony, and thenElijah Avas aAvare of a youngman in a blue guernsey and a straAV hat lounging

THE flag flies.243over the balustrade, between the figure-heads,smoking a pipe.' He has learned ' his place at last,' answeredAdmonition; Inever saw him soaudaciousbefore.Come along, Timothy.' The young man disappeared,andpresently emerged at the door. Atthe same time alittle withered face was visible atthe Avindow, Avith a dab ofputty, asit seemed, inthe middle of it, but which was probably a noseflattened against the glass. Two little fists werealso apparent shaken violently, and a shrill voicescreamed imprecations and vowed vengeance behindthe panes, utterly disregarded by Admonitionand Timothy, who stared at Elijah, and thenstruck down the gravelled path without troublingthemselves to ask his business.The door was left open, and Elijah entered,but stood on the threshold, and looked after thepair as they turned out of the garden-gate, andtook the Colchester road, laughing and talking,and Admonition tossing her saucy head,in thedirection of the face at the window, and thentaking the sailor's arm.A wonderful transformation had taken place inMrs. Pettican's exterior as well as inher mannersince her marriage.R 2

244 MEHALAH.She hadbeen a soft demure little body withmelting blue eyes and rich brown hair very— smoothly laid on either side of her brow — amodest brow with guilelessness written on itand the simplest httle curls beside her roundcheeks. She wore only black, in memory of anever-to-be-forgotten mother, and a neat whitecap and apron. If she allowed herself a littlecolour, it was only a flower in her bosom. PoorCharles Pettican! Hoav often he had suppliedthat floAver!' I can't pick one myself, Admonition,' he hadsaid; ' you go into my garden andpluck a rose.'' But you must give it me,' she had invariablysaid on such occasions, with a shy eye just lifted,and then dropped again.And of course Mr. Pettican hadpresented thefloA\Ter Avith a compliment, and an aUusion to hercheek, which had always deepened the modestflush init.Noav Admonition affected bright colours—cherry was her favourite. She whohad formerlydressed below her position, now dressed above it,she was this day flashing through Wyvenhoe in astraw broad-brimmed hat with crimson bows,lined with crimson, and in a Avhite dress adorned

THE FLAG FLIES.245Avith carnation knots, anda red handkerchiefoverthe shoulders Avorn bare in the house. Therewas no doubt about it, that Admonition lookedvery well thus attired, better even than in herblack.Her hair Avas now frizzled over her brow, andshe wore a mass of curls about her neck, confinedin the house by a carnation riband. Thesoft eyes Avere now marvellously hard Avhendirected upon the husband, and only retainedtheir velvetfor Timothy. Thecheek now blushedat nothing, but flamed at the least opposition.' Imarried one Avoman and got another,' said'CharlesPettican to himself many times a day. Ican't make it out at all. Marriage to a woman is,Isuppose, much like a hot bath to a baby; itbrings out all the bad humours in the blood.Young girls are as alike as flour and plaister ofParis, andit is not till you begin tobe the makingof them that you find the difference. Somemake into bread,but others make into stone.'When ElijahRebow entered the little parlour,he foundMr. Petticannearly choked Avith passion.He was ripping at his cravat to get it off, andobtain air. His face wasnearly purple. He tookno notice of his visitor for a few moments, but

246 MEHALAH.continued shaking his fist at the window, andthendragging at his neckcloth.Being unable to turn himself about, theunfortunate man nearly strangled himself in hisinability to unwind his cravat. This increasedhis anger, and he screamed and choked convulsively.You will smother yourself soon,' observedElijah dryfy, and going up to Mr. Pettican, heloosened the neckcloth.The cripple lay back and panted. Presentlyhe Avas sufficiently recovered to project his headtowards Rebow, and ask him Avhat he wanted,andAvho he Avas.Elijah told him his name. Charles Petticandid not pay attention to him; his mind wasengrossedby other matters.' Come here,' said he,' here, beside me. Doyou see them?' 'See what ' ? asked Elijahin return, gruffly, asPettican caught his arm, and dreAV him down, andpointed out of the window.' There they are. Isn't it Avexing to the lastdegree of madness ? '' Do you mean your daughter and her sweetheart? '

THE FLAG FLIES.247' ' Daughter'! echoedthe cripple. Daughter!IAvish she was^ No, she's my wife. Idon'tmean her '' Wha't do youmean then? '' Why, my crutches. Don't you see them?' 'No,Ido not,' ansAveredEebow lookingroundtheroom.' They are not'here,' said Pettican. Admonitionflew out upon me, becauseIwouldn't drawmore money from the bank, and she took awaymy crutches, to confine me tillIcame into herAvhiinsies. There they are. They are flying atthe mast-head. She got that cousin of hers tohoist them. She knoAvsIcan't reach them, thathereImust lie till somebody fetches them clownfor me. Youshould have heardhoAv theylaughed,those cousins as they call themselves, as mycrutches went aloft. Oh! it was fun to them,and they could giggle and cut jokes about mesitting here, flattening my nose at the pane, andseeing my crutches hoisted. They might as wellhave robbed me of my legs — better, for they areofno use, and my crutches are. Fetchme themdown.'Elijah consented, chuckling to himself at thedistress of the unfortunate shipbuilder. He

248 MEHALAH.speedily ran the crutches clown, and returnedthem to Pettican.' Turning me into funbefore the whole town! 'growled Pettican, ' exposing my infirmity to allthe world! It was my wife didit. Admonitionurged on her precious cousin Timothy to it. Hedid fare to be ashamed,but she laughed him intoit,just as Eve jeered Adam into eating the apple.She has turned off my servant too,and here amIleft alone and helpless in the house all day,whilst she is dancing off to Colchester marketwith her beau — cousin indeed! What do youthink, master — Idon't know your name.'' Elijah Rebow, of RedHall.'' What do you think, Master Rebow ? Thatcousin has been staying here a month, a Avholecalendar month. He has been given the bestroom, and there have been junketings Avithoutnumber; they have ate all the oysters out of mypan, and drank up all my old stout, and brokenthe necks of half the Avhisky bottlesin my cellar,and smoked out allmy havannahs. Ihave a feAvboxes, and indulge myself occasionally in a goodcigar, they come costly. Well, ■will you believeme! Admonition routs out all my boxes, andgives her beau a havannah twice a day or more

THE FLAG FLIES. 249often, as he likes,andIhaven't had one betweenmy lips since he came inside my doors. That lotof old Scotch whiskyIhad down from Dundee isall drtmk out. BeforeImarried her, AdmonitionAvould touch nothing but Avater,and tea very Aveakonly coloured with the leaf; now she sucks stoutand rum punch and whisky like a fish. It is awonder to me she don't smoke too.'The cripple tucked his recovered crutchesunder his arms, rolled himself off his chair, andstumped vehemently half a dozen times roundthe room. He returned at length, out of breathand very hot, to his chair, into which he casthimself.' Fut up my legs, please,' he begged of Elijah.' There ! ' he said, w Ihave Avorked off my excitementa little. Now go into thehall and look inthe box under the stairs, there you will find anUnion Jack. Eunit up to the top of themast. Idon't care. Iwill defyher. When that girl whocame here the other day — Iforget her name —sees the flag flying she Avill come and help me. IfAdmonition has cousins, so haveI,and mine arereal cousins. Idoubt but those of Admonition'are nothing of the sort. If that girl' ' What girl ? asked Eebow gloomily, as he

250 MEHALAH.folded his arms across his breast, and scowled atCharles Eettican.' Idon't knoAvhername, but — it is writtendown.Ihave it in my note-book Ah! MehalahSharland. She is my cousin, her mother is mycousin. I'lltell youAvhatIwill do, master. ButbeforeIsay another word, you go up for me intothe best bed-room — the blue room, and chuckthat felloAv's things out of the AvindoAV over thebalcony, and let the gull have thepecking andtearing of them to pieces. IknowT he has hisbest jacket on hisback ;more's thepity.Ishoiddlike the gull to have the clawing and thebeakingof that, but he can make a tidy mess of his othertraps;and Avill do it.'' '' Glory began Elijah.Ah'!you are right there,' saidPettican. ItAvill be glory to have routed Cousin Timothy outof the house;and if the flag flies,my cousin — Iforget her name — Oh!Isee, Mehalah — willcomehere and bring her mother, and before MasterTimothy returns with Admonition from market■— they are going to have a shilling's worth on amerry-go-round,Iheard them scheme it — mycousins willbe inpossession, and cousin Timothymust contenthimself Aviththebalcony, or cruise off'

THE FLAG FLIES.251' Glory—' or Mehalah, as you callher.'I'll not listen to another word, till you havechucked that felloAv's traps overboard. There's aportmantle of his up there, chuck that over withthe rest, and let the gull have the opening andexamination of the contents.'There was nothing for it but compliance, ifElijah Avished to speak on the object of his visit.The old man Avas in an excited condition AvhichAvotdd not alloAV him to compose his mind till hiscaprices Avere attended to, andhis orders carriedout. EeboAV accordingly Avent upstairs andemptied the room of all evidences of its havingbeen occupied. There was a discharge of boots,brush, clothes, pipes, into the garden, at whichPettican rubbedhis hands and clucked like a fowl.Eebow returned to the parlour, and the old'shipbuilder was profuse in his thanks. Now,'said he,' run the flag up. You haven't done thatyet. Then come and have a glass of spirits.There is some of the whisky left, not manybottles, but there is some, and not locked up, forAdmonition thought she had me safe Avhen shehoisted my crutches up the mast-head. Go noAVand let thebunting float as of old inmy halcyondays.' This was also done; the Avind took, un-

252 MEHALAH.furled, and flapped the Union Jack, and the oldman crowed Avith delight, and swung his arms.' That is right. Ihaven't seen it fly for manymonths;not sinceIwas married. Now — that girl,Iforget her name, Oh!Ihave it here Mehalah— will see it, and come to the rescue. Do youknow her ? ''What, Glory?'' That ain't her name. Her name is— is—Mehalah. '' We call her Glory. She is the girl. IknoAv her,' he laughed and his eyes glittered.He set his teeth. Charles Fetticanlooked at him,and thought he hadnever seen a more forbiddingcountenance. He Avas frightened, and askedhastily,' Who are you?' 'Iam ElijahRebow, of RedHall.' I don't know you or theplace.'' Iam in Salcott and Virley. You knoAv meby name.'' Oh!perhapsIdo.Mymemory is not whatit once was. Iget so put out by my wife'swhimsies thatIcan't collect my faculties all atonce. IthinkImay have heard of you,butIhaven't met you before.'

THE FLAG FLIES.253' Iam the landlord of Glory — Mehalah, youcall her. The Ray, whichis their farm, belongsto me, with all the marshes and the saltings, andaU that thereon is. Ibought it for eight hundredpounds. Glory and her mother are mine.'' Idon't understand you.'' Ibought the land, and the farm, and them,a job lot, for eight hundred pounds.'' I remember, the girl — IforgetbutIhave it here, Avritten clown' Glory!'her name,'' No, not that, Mehalah. IAvish you wouldn'tcallher what she is not,because it confuses me;andIhave had a deal to confuse me lately.Marriage does rummage a man's hold up so.Mehalah came here a few Aveeks back to ask meto lend her some money, as her mother could notpay the rent. Her mother is my cousin, LiddyVince that Avas,Iused to call her " PrettyLiddy," or Lydia Languish, after a character ina play, because of her ague, and because shesort of languished of lovTe for me. AndIdon'tdeny it,Iwas sweet on her once, but the agueshivers stood in the Avayof our love waxing weryhot.' 'You lent her the money.'

254 MEHALAH.' I— ' ' I hesitated Mr. Pettican. You see'hoAVIam circumstanced,my wife' You lent her themoney. Mistress Sharlandtoldme so.'' She did ! ' exclaimed Petticanin surprise.'Yes, she did. NowIAvant to know, willyou do that again. Iam landlord. Iboughtthe Ray for eight hundred pounds, andIdon'tAvant to drop my money without a return. Youunderstand that. A man doesn't Avant to givehis gold away, and be whined out of gettinginterest for it by an old shivering, chatteringwoman, and flouted out of it by a clevH of a girl.'His hands clenched fiercely.' Of course, of course,' said the cripple.' Iunderstand you. You think those two can'tmanage the farm, and were better out ofit.'' Iwant to be sure ofmy money,' saidElijah,knitting his dark brows, and fixing his eyesintently onPettican.' Iquite understand,' said the latter, andtapping his forehead,he added, ' Iam a man ofbusiness still. Iam not so old as all that, whateverAdmonitionmay say.'' Now AvhatIAvant to knoAv,' pursued Elijah,' is this— for how long are you going to pay

your cousin's rent ?THE FLAG FLIES. 255For how long is that Gloryto come to me and defy me, and throw the moneydown before me? '' Idon't quite take you,' saidPettican.' How many times will you pay their rent ? 'askedEebow.' WeU!' said the cripple, passing his hand'over his face. Idon't want them to stay atyour farm at all. Iwant them to come hereand take care of me. Icannot — defend myself.If Itry to be a man that girl,Iforgether name, you confuse me about it — told meto be a man, andIwill be a man, if she willback me up. Ihave been a man some-Avhat, haveInot, master, — in chucking cousinTimothy's traps to the gull — thatIcall — manly.You wiH see the girl Mehalah Ihave thename now. IwiH keep my note-book openat the place. Mehalah, Mehalah, Mehalah,Mehalah.'' ' I Avant to know broke in Elijah.' Let me repeat the name ten times, and thenIshall not forget it again.' Pettican did so.' You called her something else. Perhaps we arenot speaking of the same person.'' Yes, Ave are. Icallher Glory. Iam accus-

256 MEHALAHtomed to that name. Tell me what you AvantAvith her.'' Iwant her andher mother to come and liveAvith me, and take care of me, and thenIcan bea man, and make head against the wind that isnoAv blowingin my teeth. Shall you see them ? '' Yes.'' To-day ?'' Perhaps.'' Then pray make a point of seeing the girl orher mother, in case she should not notice the flag,and say thatIwish them to come here at once ;at once it must be, orIshall never have courageto play the man again, not asIhave to-day.They did put my monkey up by removing mycrutches and hoisting them to the mast-head,leaving me all by myself and helpless here. Ishould wish Mehalahtobehere before Admonitionand her beau return. They Avon't be back tilllate. There's a horsemanship at Colchester asAvell as a merry-go-round, and they are going toboth, and perhaps to the theatre after that.—There'll be junketings and racketings, andIpoorI — left here with no one to attend to me,and my crutches at the mast-head. You Avill tellthe girl andher mother thatIexpect their help,

THE FLAG FLIES. 257andIwillbe a man, thatIwill. It Avould besomething to boast of, would it not,if Timothywere to return and find his room occupied andhis baggage picked to rags, and if Admonitionwere to discover thatIhave cousins as well asshe ? '' '' You are bent on this?Irely on you.You wfil see them and tellthem to come to me, andIwill provide for themwhilstIam alive, and aftenvards — AvhenIam nomore — Ave Avon't talk or think of such an eventuality.It isn't pleasant to contemplate, andmay not happen for many years. Iam not soold as you might think. My infirmity is clue toaccident; and my digestion is, or rather Avas,first-rate. Icould eat anddrink anything beforeIwas married. NowIam condemned to seeothers eat and drink whatIhave laid in for myown consumption, andIam put off with thedrumstick of the fowl, or the poorest swipes ofale, whilst the others toss off my stout — bottledstout. Iwill not endure this any longer. Tellthat girl — Iforget her name — and her motherthat they must come to me.'' But suppose they willnot come' They will,Iknow they will.A'OL i. sThe female

258 MEHALAH.heart is tender and sympathetic, and compassionatesmisery. My suffering will induce themto come. If that will not, Avhy then the prospectsofbeing comfortably off and free from caresAvill make them come. Ihave plenty of money.Iwon't tell you,Ihave not told Admonition,howmuch. Ihave money in the Colchester Bank.Ihave South Sea shares, and insurances,andmortgages,andIshall not let Admonition have moremoney thanIcan hel}3, as it all goes on cousinTimothy, and whirligigs and horsemanships, orregattas, and red ribands, and Avhat not; noneis spent on me. No, no. The Sharlands shallhave my money. They are my cousins. Ihavecousins as Avell as Admonition. Iwillbe a manand show thatIhave courage too. ButIhaveanotherinducement that willbe suretobring them.'' What is that ?' 'Ihave observed,' said Pettican, with ahiccuppy giggle, 'that just as tom-cats will rangeall over the country in search of other tom-cats,just for the pleasure of clawing them and tearingout their hair, so Avomen will hunt the Avholecountry sidefor other Avomen,if therebe a chanceof fighting them. Tell my cousin Liddy thatAdmonition is game, she has teeth, and tongue,

THE FLAG FLIES.259and nails, and sets up her back in a corner, andlikes a scrimmage above everything,and my Avordfor it, Liddy — unless the ague has taken thefemale nature out of her — will be here beforenightfall to try her teeth, and tongue, and nailson Admonition. It is said that if on a Maymorning you rub your eyes with cuckoo spittle,you see things invisible before, the fairies in thehoes dancing and feasting, swimming in eggshellson the Avater to bore holes in ships' sides,milking the cows before the maids come withthe pail,and stealing the honey from the hives.Well, marriage does much the same sort of thingto a man as salving his eyes in cuckoo spittle;it affords him a vision of a world undreamt ofbefore;it gives him an insight into Avhat is goingon in the female world, and the workings andbrewings and the mischief in women's hearts.Tell Liddy Sharland about my Admonition, andshe Avill be here, with all her guns run out andready charged, before nightfall.''Bebow shook his head. Mistress Sharlandand Glory Avon't come.'' Don't say so. They must, orIshaU be undone.Icannot live asIhave, tyrannised over,insulted, trampled on by Admonition and her8 2

260 MEHALAH.cousin. Iwillno longer endure it. The flag isflying. Ihave proclaimed my independence anddefiance. But, as you see,Iam unable to fivealone. If Liddy and her daughter willnot cometo me,Ishallbe driven to do something desperate.My life has become intolerable,Iwill bear withAdmonition no longer.'' What will you do ? ' asked Elijah with asneer.' Itell you,Ido not care.Iam reckless,Iwill even fire the house, and burn it over theirheads.'' What good would that do? '' What good Avould it do?' repeated Pettican.' It would no longer be a shelter for Admonitionand that beau Timothy. Iam not going to betrifled with,Iha\-e endured too much. IavUIbea man. Ishouldn't mind a bit smoking themout of this snuglair.'' And what about yourself? '' Oh, as for me,Icould go to the BlueAnchor, and put up there for the rest of mydays. IthinkIcould be happy in a tavern,happier thanhere, andIshould have the satisfactionof thinkingIhad shaken the weevils out ofthe biscuit.'

THE FLAG FLIES.261Elijah started, and strode up and doAvn theroom, Avith head bent, and his eyes fixed on thefloor. His hands Avere clenched and rigid at hisside. 'You Avill tell Liddy,' said the cripple, Avatchinghim.' Smoke them out ! Ha! ha! that is a fineidea! ' burst forth from Elijah, withalaugh.'You aviII tell Liddy,' repeated Charles'Pettican. You must, you know, orIam lost.If Admonition Avere to return Avith Timothy ather heels, and Avere to find the flag flying, and me'alone he passed his agitated hand over hisface, and his lips trembled.' Isee,' said EeboAV.' You would then ceaseto be a man.'It Avas late A\dien Admonition and her cousinreturned from the market. It was so dark thatthey did not see the flag. But as Admonition puther hand on the gate it Avas grasped.' Stop,' said Elijah.'' A word Avith you.'Who are you ? ' askedMrs.Petticanin alarm,and Timothy sAvaggered forward to her defence.' Never mind whoIam. Ihave waited heresome hours to warn you. Was there a girl, ahandsome girl, a glorious girl, here to see that

262 MEHALAH.man, your husband, a month ago ? You neednot answer. Iknow there was. She is hiscousin. He lent her money.''No, he did not. Istopped that, didn't I,Tim?'' He lent her money. Youthink you stoppedthat, but you did not. He let her have themoney, twenty pounds, IioavIknoAv not. Shehadhis money, and she Avill have more, all,unlessyou keep a sharp watch onhim.'' Tim ! do you hear this ? ' asked Admonition.' He Avill send for his cousin to live in thehouse with him, and to support him against you.'' Oh, ho! That'sfine, isn't it, Tim ?' 'If they come, your reign is at an end. Thatgirl, Glory, has a head of iron and the heart ofa lion. No one can stand against her but one.There is only one in all the Avorld has dared toconquer her, and he willdo it yet. Don't youthink you will be able to lift a little fingeragainst her will. She will be too strong for youand a hundred of your Timothys.''Admonition laughed. My little mannikindaren't do it. He is under my thumb.'' The flag is flying,' sneered Elijah.

THE FLAG FLIES.263At that moment the faint light of eveningbroke through the clouds and Admonition saw theUnion Jack at the mast-head.' He is right. There is audacity ! Run, Tim,haulit down, and bring it me. It shall gointothe kitchen fire to boil the water for a glass ofgrog.'

264 MEHALAH.CHAPTER XIV.ON THE BURNT HILL.It was Christmas Eve. A hard frost had set in.Theleaves whichhadhung on the thorn trees ontheEay, rained off and were A\Thirled awayby theAvind and scattered over the rising and fallingwaters in theEhyn. On the saltings were manypools, filled from below, through crab burrows,from the channels; when the tide mounted, thewater squirted up through these passages andbrimmed thepools, and Avhen the tide fell,it wassucked down through them asif running out of acolander. Nowa thinfilmof ice was formed aboutthe edges of these pondlets, and themarsh herbsthat dipped in them Avere encased in crystal. Thewdd geese and ducks came in multitudes, anddappled the water of Mersea channel.'There's four gone,' said Abraham Dowsingin a sulky voice to Mehalah.

265ON THE BURNT HILL.' Four what ? '' Four ewes to be sure, of what else have wemore thanone ? '' Where are they ?'' That is AvhatIshould like to knoAv. Twowent yesterday, butIsaid nothing about it, asIthought they might be found, or thatIhadn'tcountedaright;but there's two more missing today-'' What can have become of them? '' It's no use asking me. Is it likeIshouldknoAv ? '' But this is most extraordinary. They musthave wanderedoff the saltings,on to the causeway,and so got away.'' That is likely,ain't it,''said Abraham. It islike the ways of sheep, to scatter, and two orthree to go off and away from all the flock. I'llbelieve that Avhen sheep change their nature.'' They must have fallen into a pool and beendrowned.'' ThenI should find their carcases;butIhaven't. Perhaps there has been a spring tide atthe wrong time of the year and overfloAved anddroAvned them. That'slikely, isn'tit ? '' But, Abraham, they must be found.'

266 MEHALAH.' Then youmust find 'em yourself.'' Where can they be ?'' I've told youit is no use asking me.'' Can they have been stolen ?'' Ireckon that is just about it.'' Stolen ! ' exclaimed Mehalah, her blood flashingto her face and darkening cheek and brow.'Do you mean to tell me that some scoundrelhas been here in the night, and carried off fourof our ewes ? 'Abraham shrugged his shoulders; ' Mud tellstales at times.'Mehalah trembled Avith anger.' Some boat was here lastnight, andnight afore,and the keel marks remain. Isaw them, andIsaAV footprints of sheep too, near them.'' ' When?' The tideis up, and you can't see.BurntHill'' Abraham, this is not to be borne.''Who is to helpit?'' I will.Near theIwill Avatch,' she stamped her footfiercely on the red glasswort; ' IAvill kill thecowardly sneaking thief Avho comes here to robthe Avidow and the orphan.'' You must see him first,' said Abraham, ' and

sheep-stealersON THE BURNT HILL. 267don't generally let themselves beseen.'' A man who steals sheep can be hung for it.'' Yes.'' I'll catch him,' she laughed, ' and the galloAvswill be set up on the Burnt Hill, and then heshall dangle tillhis bones drop aAvay intothe ooze.'' You must catchhim first,' said the shepherd,and shrugged his shoulders again.Mehalah strode up and down in the marsh,her broAvs knit, and the veins sAvollen on hertemples. She breathed fast and her blood sangin her ears. To be robbed in this cowardly manner!The thought Avas maddening. Hitherto sheandher mother had deemed themselves perfectlysafe ontheEay; nothing had everbeentaken fromthem; the ooze and the seaAvater walled them in.The Eay Avas a trap from which there Avas noescape save by boat. It Avas said that once adeserter foundhis wayintoMerseaIsle andlingeredabout the marshes for many days. He darednotreturn by the causeway, thinking it would bewatched and he would be secured, and he hadnomoney wherewith to bribe a boatman to put himacross elsewhere. One evening he lit on a farmerwith a spade over his shoulder going to the sea

268 MEHALAH.wall to block a rent against an expected tide.He fell on the man from behind, Avrenched awayhis spade and cut his head open with it, thenturned out hispockets in searchof coin,but foundnone. The man Avas taken. He could notescape,and was hung on the marshes where the murderwas done, by themouth of the Pyefleet.If Mersea was a trap, how much more so theEay. The Sharlandshadnot even a lock to theirdoor. No one was ever seen on the island afterdark save those Avho dAvelt there, for the hill wassurrounded on all sides,save Avhere girt by the sea,by a labyrinth of creeks and pools. A robberthere Avould belike a flyin a cobAveb, to be caughtat once. The sheep Avere allowed to ramble aUover the marsh and saltings, they could threadtheir way; and it Avas only Avhen the moon wasfull or neAv, and the wind in the south-east thatthe shepherd drove them into fold till the Avaterssubsided. There Avere times,— such as the coincidence— of a peculiar wind Avith an equinoctialtide Avhen to leave the sheep on the marshwould be to ensure their being drowned. ThisAvas so well known, that precaution Avas alwaystaken against the occasion.The sense of being treated unjustly, of being

ON THE BURNT HILL.269cruelly Avronged, of advantage being takenof theirfeebleness, filled Mehalah's heart Avith bitterness,Avith rage. An over-mastering desire for revengecame upon her. She, a girl, would defend herproperty, and chastise the man Avho injured her.She gave up all thought of obtaining theassistanceof Abraham,if it ever entered her mind. The oldman was too slow in his movements, and dull ofsight and hearing, to be of use. As likely as not,moreover, he would refuse to risk himself on thesaltings at night, to expose himself to the aguedamp or the bullet. What could he, a feebleoldloon, do against a sturdy sheep-stealer ?' Whom do you suspect ?'askedGloryabruptly.He drew up his shoulders.' Come, tellme.'' An empty belly.'' Abraham ! one man cannot have taken foursheep for himself.'Another shrug.There was nothing to be got out of the doggedrustic. Mehalah waitedtfll evening, then shewrapped a cloak round her,put her pistolin herbelt, and walked through the marsh to the pointindicated by the shepherd as theBurnt Hill.

270 MEHALAH.Through all the low flat coast land of thisregion, above the saltings, or pasture overfloAvedby high tides occasionally, are scattered at irregularintervals large broad circular mounds ofclay burned to brick red, interspersed with particlesof charcoal. A few fragments of bone arefound iu them, relics of the meals of those Avhoraised these heaps, but they cover no urns, andenclose no cists, they containno skeletons. TheyAvere never intended as funeral monuments, andare quite different from the hoes or barroAvs whichstand onhigh land, and Avhich were burial mounds.The burnt or red hills are always situate at high-Avater mark; near them, beloAV the surface of thevegetable deposit, are multitudes of oj^ster shells.Near them also are sometimes found, sunk in themarsh, polished chert weapons. Whoraisedthesemounds ? For Avhat purpose Avere they reared?These are questions that cannot be ansAveredsatisfactorily.One thing is certain. An immenseamount of woodmust have been consumed toburnsuch a mass of clay, and the country must thenhave been more overgroAvn Avith timber than atpresent. Many of the mounds are now enclosedin fields by seawalls-which hold out the tide, theplough has been draAArn over them, and the spade

ON THE BURNT HILL.271has scattered them over the surface, colouring awhole fieldbrick red,andmakingitrich for theproductionof corn. There is no better manure thana red hill.But Avhy Avere these mounds so laboriouslyraised ? The tradition of the marsh-dwellers isthat they were platforms for huts,the earthburnedas a prevention to ague. Itis curious thatin themarshy regions of CentralAfrica the natives adopta precisely similar method for their protectionfrom miasma. But why men dAvelt in such numberson the saltings remains undetermined.Whether they lived there to burn the glasswortfor nitre, or to steam the sea water for salt, or totake charge of oyster grounds, isuncertain. Fragrments, very broken, of pottery are found in theseheaps, scattered throughout them,but not a specimenof a perfect vessel. The burnt hills arebuilt up on the old shingle of the shore, with nointervening line of vegetable matter, the groAvthof the marsh has been later and has risen abouttheir bases and has partly buried them.Glory reached the Burnt Hill, and stood onit.A cold east Avind Availed over the Avaste; a whitefoe like curd lay on the Avater, and the surfaceof the saltings, clinging to the surface and rising

272 MEHALAH.scarce above three feet from it. Here and thereit lifted itself in a vaporous column, and movedalong in the Avind like a white spectral woman,nodding her head and waving her arms cumberedwith Avet drapery. Above, the sky was clear, andafine crescentmoon sparkled init Avithout quenchingthe keenness of the stars. Cassiopeia wasglorious in her chair, Orion burned sideways overMersea Isle. No red gleam Avas visible to-nightfrom the tavern window at the City, the veil offog hung over it and curtained it off. To thenorth-west was a silvery glow at the horizon, thenthere rose a pure ray as of returning daylight, itwas answered by a throb in thenorth-east, thenit brokeinto tworays,and again unitedand spread,and suddenly was withdrawn. Mehalahhadoftenseen the Aurora, and she knew that the signalsportended increased cold or bad Aveather.She seated herself on the mound, and dreAVher cloak about her more closely, the clampcoldbit into her flesh; ' she knew she was safe fromague on the burnt earth.Her anger subsided, not that she resented theAvrong the less, but that her mind had passed toothercontemplations. She was thinkingofGeorge,ofher dead hopes, of the blankness of the future

ON THE BURNT HILL.273before her. A little sunlight had fallen on hersad and monotonous life, but it had been AvithdraAvn,and hadleft her Avith nothing to live for,save her mother. Her hearthad begun to expandas a flower, and a frost had fallen on it, andblackenedits petals. Shebrooded now on thepast.She wished for nothing in the future. Shehadnocare for the present. It Avasall one to her Avhatbefel her, so long as her mother Avere cared for.She hadno one else to love. She Avas Avithout afriend. She Avould resent an injury, and fight anenemy. George might have introduced her intoa new Avorld of gentleness, and pity, and love.Noav the door to that Avorld Avasshut for ever, andshe must beat her Avay through a Avorld of hardrealities, where every man's hand Avas liftedagainst his brother, and Avhere Avas hate andresentment, and exactingof theuttermost farthing.Shehad gone forth seeking help, and except fromGeorge, had found none. Mrs. De Witt, PhSbeMusset, Admonition, such Avere the Avomen shehad met; and the men were selfish as ParsonTill, fools as Charles Pettican, surly as AbrahamDowsing, or brutal as Elijah Eebow.Hark! — She caught the dip of an oar.She drew in her breath and raised her head.VOL. I.t

274 MEHALAH.Then she saw a boat shoot out of the mist, whiteand ghostlike as themist forms that stalked overthe water, and in the boat a man.There he was! The sheep-stealer, come oncemore to rob her mother andherself. At onceherfurious passion boiled up in her veins. She sawbefore her the man who had wronged her; shethought nothing of her own Aveakness beside hisstrength, of there being no one withincallto cometo her aid, should his arm be stouter than hers.She sprang to her feet with a shout, such as anIndian might utter on leaping on his foe, andrushed to the water's edge, just as the man hadlanded, and had her hands at his throat in amoment.' You coward, you thief ! ' she cried shakinghim savagely.'Glory!'In an instant a pair of stronger hands hadAvrenched her hands awray and pinioned them.' By heaven! you Avild cat, Avhat are youflying at me like that for? What has broughtyou here at this time of night ? 'Mehalah Avas abashed. Her rage sank. Shehadmistakenher man. This Avas nosheep-stealer.She could not speak, so great was her agitation.

ON THE BURNT HILL.275She writhed to free herself, but writhed in vain.Elijah laughed at her attempts.' What are you here for ?' he asked again.' Can you not answer my question ? '' Some one has been stealing our ewes,' shesaid. 'And you took me for the thief,' said Eebow.' Much obliged for the compliment. Me — theowner of EedHall, and the man that purchasedthe Eay, the farm house, and the marshes and thesaltings and all that thereon is for eight hundredpounds, to be takenand hanged for sheep-lifting!A likely story, Glory. You must manage betteranother time.'' What brings you ' here? asked MehalahsuUenly, angry with herself and Avith him.' That is the questionIasked of you, and youreturnit. Iwilltell you. Iam out duck-shooting,but the mist lies so thick on the water, andeats into the marrow of the bones.Icould seeno ducks, andIwas freezing in my punt; soIhave come to lie with my gun on the Burnt HiUawhile tiU the fog clears, as it will hi an hour,AvhenIshall return.'' Were you here yesterday night ?'' No,I was not;Iwasup Tottesbury creek andT 2

276 MEHALAH.got a dozen pair of Avild duck. Will you havesome ? Ihave a pair or two in the punt.'' I have refused thembefore, andIrefuse themagain.'' Why do you ask me ifIwere here yesternight? 'O' Because then tAVO sheep Avere taken. Wereyouhere the night before ? '' No,Iwas then on Abbots' Hall marshes.Do you suspect me still of sheep-stealing ? ' heasked scoffingly.' Ido not, butIthought had you been hereyou might have seen some signs ofthe villains Avhohave robbed us.'' Come here, Glory!out of the fog on to theBurnt Hill.''' Iam going home.'You are not, tillIhave said AvhatIhave tosay. Come out of the ague damps.'' Iam going home, now.'He held her by both wrists. She Avas strong,but her strength was nothing to his. She madeno great effort to get away. Ifhe chose to speakto her, she Avould listen to him. If she struggledin his grasp,it would make him think she fearedhim. She would not allow him to suppose him-

ON THE BURNT HILL.277self of such importance toher. Ifhe insultedher,she had her pistol, and she would not scruple todefend herself.He drew her to the top of the mount; therethey wereclearofthemist,whichlaylikesnow beloAVand round them, .covering the morass and thewater. The clear cut crescent moon hung over aclump of pines on Mersea. Eebow looked at it,then waved an arm in the direction.— 'Do you see Grim's Hoe yonder? That greatbarrow Avith the Scotch pines on top ? Do youknoAv how it comes there? Have you heard thetale ? 'Mehalah Avas silent.'Iwilltell you, forIoften think ofit, and soAvill you when you have been told the tale. Inthe old times Avhen the Danes came here, theywintered on MerseaIsle,andin the summer theycruised aU along thecoast,burning andplunderingand murdering. There Avere tAVO chiefs to them,brothers, who loved one another, they Averetwins,born the same hour, and they had but one heartand soul;what one willed that Avilled the other,Avhat one desired that the other desired also.One spring they sailed up the creek to St. Osyth's,and there they took Osyth and killed her. She

278 MEHALAH.had a sister, very beautiful,and she fell to the lotofthebrothers. Theybrought herback toMersea,and then each would have her for his own. Sothebrothers fell out whose she should be, and alltheir love turned to jealousy, and their brotherhoodto enmity, anditcame about thatthey foughtwith their long swords Avho should have the maid.They fought, and smote, and hacked one anothertill their armour was broken, and their flesh wascut off, and their bloodflowed away,andbynightfallthey Avere both dead. Thereupon the Danesdrew their ship up to the top of thehill just abovethe Strood, and they placed the maidin the holdwith a deadbrother on either side of her, in histattered harness, sword in hand, and they heapeda mountain over them and buried them all, theliving and the dead together.'Eebow paused, andpointed to themoon hungover the hoe.' When the neAVmoon appears,the flesh growson their bones, and the blood stanches, and thewounds close, and breath comes back behindtheir ribs. When the moonis full they rise inthe ship's hold and fall on one another, and ifyoulisten at full moon on the hoe you can hearthebrothers fighting beloAV in the heart of the

ON THE BURNT HILL.279barroAV. You hear them curse and cry out, andyou hear the clash of their swords. But Avhenthe moon Avanes the sounds groAV fainter, theirarmour falls to bits, their flesh drops aAvay, theblood oozes out of all the hacked veins, and atlast all is still. Then, Avhen there is no moon,you can hear the maid mourning and sobbing:youcan hearher quite distinctlytill thenew moonreappears,andthen she is hushed, for thebrothersare recovering for a neAv fight. This will go onmonth after month, year after year, till oneconquers the other and wins the maid;but thatAviU never be, for the brothers are of the sameage, and equally strong, and equally resolute.'' ' Why have you told me this? asked Mehalah.' Why haveItold you this, Glory ? ' repeatedEeboAV ' ; because you andIare likethose brothers, only they began Avith love andended with fighting, and you andIbegin Avithfighting and must and shall end with love. Ilove you, Glory, and yet, at times,Ialmost hateyou.'' And I,' broke in Mehalah, ' hate you Avithmy whole heart, and never, never can love you.'' You have a strong spirit, so have I,' said

280 MEHALAH.' Elijah; Ilike to hear youspeak thus. For longyou have let me see that you have hated me:you have fought me hard, but you shall love meyet. We must fight, Glory; it is our destiny.We Avere made for one another, to love and fight,and fight and love, till one has conquered orkilled the other. Hoav can you five at the Eay.andIatEed Hall, apart ? You know, you feelit,that we must be together to love and fight, andfight and love, till death. What is the use asyour struggling against what must come about?As soon as everIsaAV youIkneAv that you wereordainedfor me from the moment you were born.You grew up and ripened for me, for me, and noone else. You thought you loved George DeWitt. Ihated you for loving him. He was notAvorthy of you, a poor, foolish, frightened sop.You Avould have taken him and turnedhim insideout and torn him to pieces, in a Aveek, disgustedAvith the felloAV that made calf-love to you, whenyouhad sounded his soul and found a bottom assoon as the lead Avent out of your hand. Youthought George De Witt Avould belong to you.It could not be. You cannot oppose yourdestiny. A strong soullike yours must not matebut Avith a strong soul likemine. TillIsaw you

ON THE BURNT HILL.281Ihated Avomen,poor, thin-headed, hollow-souledtoys.WhenIsaAv youIsaAv the only Avomanwho could be mine, andIkneAV, as the pointersyonder know the polestar, that you Avere destinedto me. You hate me because youknoAv this asAvell asIdo. You knoAv that there is no man onearth Avho can be yours save me, but you willplay and fight with your destiny. Sooner orlater you must bend toit. Sooner or later youmust give way. You thought of George DeWitt, and he is SAvept out of your path. Youmay fancy anyother man, andhe Avill gothis wayor that, and nothing will prosper till you set yourface in the direction Avhither your destiny points.You can takeno other than me, hoAvever muchyou may desire it. You need me andIneedyou. You may hate me and go on hating meand fighting me to the last, but you cannotescape me.'' Elijah,' said Mehalah,' escape youIAvill.SinceIhave knoAvn you,you have been mixed upwith all the iUs that have come upon us,Ido notknow hoAV; butIseem to feel that you are likean evil wind or a blighting cloud passing over mylife. IAvould look up and laugh, butIcannot,Iturn hard, and hate the Avorld — only because

282 MEHALAH.you are in it. It would be another Avorld withoutyou.'' Why do you turn hard and hate the world?Because you are on a Avrong road, you arebattling against your destiny. All goes acrossAvith you, because you are across your properpath. Why do you hate me ? Because you feelin your soul that you must sooner or later bemine, and your haughty willrebels against havingyour future determined for you. YetIknow it.The time is at hand when you will take me forbetter, for worse, for alllife. We cannot live amoment the one Avithout the other. IfIwere todie you Avould die too, you would rage and writheagainst death, but it would come. Iknow it.Our fives are bound up together in one bundle,and the knife that cuts one string cuts the otheralso. Our souls are twins to love and to hate,to fondle and fight, till death us do part! Tilldeath us do part! ' repeated EeboAV scornfully.' Death can no more part us than fife. We willlive together and we will die together, andmoulder aAvayinone another's arms. The wormthat gnaAvs me shall gnaw you. Ithink of younight and day. Icannot help it: it is my fate.IkneAVit was so themomentIsaAv you. Icame

ON THE BURNT HILL.283here. Icannot keep away till youcome to meto RedHall.'' Ishall never go there again,' said Mehalahsullenly.' Not before NeAV Year ?' Never.''He laughed. She Avould swear to it, andyet at the New Year she willbe there. And shewill take me andbe mine. For me she must andAvill love. It is her fate: she cannot oppose thatfor ever. For me she would even give upGeorge De Witt.'' GeorgeDe Witt is dead.'' Isay, Avere it to come to this, George orElijah, one or the other, you Avould fly to Elijahand cast George off.'' Let me go. Iwill have no more of thismad babble,' said Mehalah, Avrenching her handsout ofhis grasp. She would not run away. Shewas too proud.She folded her arms on herbreast and confronted him.' Hark ! ' she said, ' the Christmas bells.'Faint and far off could be heard the merrypealing of the Colchester bells. The Avind hadshifted.'Beace on earth and good will to men,'

284 MEHALAH.mutteredElijah; ' but to them that fight againsttheir destiny fury and hate.'' Go back, Elijah, and speak to me no moreon this matter. Iwill not hear you again. Ihave but enduredit uoav.'' This'is Christmas Eve,' said EeboAV. Ineight days is the NeAv Year, and then you will beinEed Hall, Glory! ''Listen to me, Elijah,' exclaimed Mehalahpassionately.' If you find me there, then youmay hope to see your other fond dream fulfilled.Destiny will have been toostrong for me.'' Farewell'' May Ave not meet again.'' We shall. It cannot be helped. Ifeel itcoming. Youmay fight against it;you cannotescape. Destiny must fulfil itself. We mustfight andlove, and love andfight in fife, in death,and through eternity, like the old Avarriors inGrim's Hoe.'' Farewell.'' Till this clay sen'night.'

285CHAPTEE XV.NEWYEAR'S EVE.No more sheep Avere stolen;but then the moonAvas filling her horns, and a robbery could not becommitted without chance of detection. Butthough nothing farther had been taken,Mehalahwas uneasy. Some evilly-disposed person hadvisited the Ray and plundered her and hermotherof four ewes ; others, or the same, might attemptthe house, in the hopes of finding money there.The auction had shoAvn people that MistressSharland was not without money.On New Year's Eve Mehalah went to Colchesterto make some purchases for the NewYear. The kalends of January and not theNativity of Christ is the great winter festivalamong the Essex peasantry on the coast. Theynever think of wishing one another a Happy.Christmas, but only a Merry NeAv Year. Noyule log is burnt, no mummers dance,no wassail

286 MEHALAH.bowl is consumed at Christmas, but each manwho can afford it deems himself bound to riotandrevel, to boose and sing, to wake thedeath ofthe old year, andbaptise the neAV with libationsof brandy or ale.When Mehalah returned, she brought withher a neAV lock and key for the house-door.There had been once a lock there, but it hadbeen broken many years ago, and hadnever beenrepaired. On the Eay no lock was needed, ithad been supposed. Mehalah was of a differentopinion noAv. The short day had closed sometime ago:she had seen it die over BradwellfromAbberton Hill,but the full moon Avas rising, andshe kneAV her Avay over the marshes, she couldthread the tangle easily by moonlight. Shereached the Eay, threAv open the door, and strodein. Her mother Avas by the fire, with her headon the table. Mehalah's heart stood still for amoment, and then her face flushed. The smellof spirits in the close room, the attitude of hermother, the stupefied eyes Avhich opened on her,and then closed again Avithout recognition, convincedher that her mother hadbeen drinkingMehalah Avas angry as well as distressed.This Avas a neAV trouble, one to AAdiich. she was quite

NEW YEAR'S EVE. 287unaccustomed. Sheknew that her mother hadtaken a little rum and Avater against her ague,and she had notgrudged ither. But of late therehadbeen somethingmorethan this. SinceEebowhad supplied Mrs. Sharland Avith spirits, the oldwoman had been unable to resist the temptationof going to her keg whenever she felt lonely ordepressed. Mehalah had insisted on her motherreceiving no more from Elijah EeboAV, but shewas by no means certain that the AvidoAV hadcomplied with her desire. The sight of hermother in this condition angered Mehalah, forshe was sure iioav that a fresh supply had beenobtained, and Avas secreted someAvhere. She wasangry with her mother for deceiving her andAvith Rebow for tempting the old Avoman andlaying her under an obligation to him. She wasangry with herself for not having Avatched hermother more closely, and explored the places ofconcealment which abounded in the old house.She stood over her mother for some momentswith folded arms and bowed head, her broAvsknit,and a gloomy light inher eyes. Then sheshook her roughly and spoke harshly to her.' Mother ! answer ' me. You have receivedmore from Rebow ?

288 MEHALAH.' It was very kind, very kind indeed,' stutteredthe old Avoman. Capital for ague' shiversand rheumatic pains in the bones.'' Has Elijah been here again ? '' He's Avery civil; he knows A\That suits oldbones.'' Has he brought you another keg ' ?' It is stoAved aAvay,' said the widow drowsily.' Quite comfortable. Go to bed, Mehalah, it'stime to getup.'The girl drew back in disgust and wrath.Elijah Avas making her own mother despicable inher eyes. She Avas quite resolved Avhat to do.She thrust open the door to the cellar,and behinda heap of faggots found a fresh keg, evidentlyrecently brought, and quite full. She drew itforth into the front room andheld it up.' Mother ! ' she shouted.' Iam here, Mehalah. The ague isn't on meyet.' 'Do you see this little cask ? It is full, quitefull.' 'Don't do that, child, youmay drop it.'' Ishall clash it to pieces,' said the girl, andshe flung it with her whole force on the bricks.A stave Avas broken : the precious liquor spurted

NEW YEAR'S EVE. 289out. Some flew into the fire and flashed intoblue flame up the chimney. In a moment thefloor was swimming, and the thirsty bricks Averesucking in the spirit. The old Avoman was toobesotted Avith drink to understand what wasclone.Mehalah's bosom heaved with passion and excitement.' Ihave donewith that,' she said; ' Isaid thatIwould, andIhave kept my Avord. Never,never shall my poor mother be like this again.He did it.' She knit her hands, and a fireflickered inher eye, like that of the burning spiritin the chimney.' Now come to bed, mother.' She drew orcarried the old Avomanout of the room,undressedher, and put her in bed. Mrs. Sharland madeno resistance. She submitted drowsily, and herhead was no sooner on the pilloAv than she fellasleep.Mehalah returned to the front room. Shegot out some tools, and set herself to Avork atonce to fasten on the lock. She was accustomedto doing all sorts of things herself; she couldrouo-hly carpenter, she had often patched herboat. The old farmhouse wasin a decayed conditionand needed much mending, and for severaluvol. I.

290 MEHALAH.years she had done Avhat was required to it. Toput on a lock was a trifle; but the old nails thathad fastened the former lock remained in thewood, and had to be punched out, and the keyholewas not quite in the right place Avhen thelock was first put on, andhad to be altered. Atlength thelock was fast, a stronglock,strong forsuch a worm-eatendoor.Mehalah wTent to her mother's room andlooked at the old woman. She slept heavily,unlike her usual sleep, Avhich would be brokenat once by the entry of her daughter with alight.Mehalah returned to the kitchen and seatedherself at the hearth. Hoav long had this keg ofspirits been in the house? She had paid noattention to the introduction of spirits sinceGeorge's death, her mind had been occupiedwith other matters. Her mother and Eebowhad taken advantage of this. How was it thatEebow came to the house Avhen she was aAvay?He never came Avhen she Avas present, at leastnot since the night when the money was stolen;but she Avas sure that he visitedher mother duringher absence, from little things let drop by the oldwoman.

NEAV YEAR'S EVE. 291How did he manage to time his visits so asnot to meet her ? She would find out when hewas last at the Eay Farm. She sprang up, andwent out of the door, unlocking it to let herselfgo forth; and she called Abraham. There wasno answer. The old man Avas already turnedintohis loft over the coAvhouse, and asleep.She called him again, but with equal want ofsuccess. Not a thunderbolt falling on the thornsbeside the house Avould rouse him. Mehalahknew that, and went back to her seat by the fire,'relocking the door. Iwill ask him in themorning.He must knoAv.'She drew offher shoes, and put her bare feeton the warm hearth. She was without herguernsey and cap, for she did not Avear themwhen she Avent to Colchester.She fell, as Avas her Avont, to thinking. Sincethe death of George, she had been accustomed tosit thus over the fire, after her mother hadretired. She was not thinking of him uoav,she was thinking of Elijah. His words, hisstrange, mad, fierce words, came back to her.Was there a destiny shaping her life against herAvill, and forcing her into his arms ? Sheshuddered at the thought. To hate and love,v 2

292 MEHALAH.and love and hate, year out, year in, that Avaswhat they were fated to do, according to him.That he Avas drawn toAvards her by some attractivepower exercised against her will, she knewfull well, but she would not alloAv that heexercised the least attraction on her. Yet shedid feel that there Avas some sort of spell uponher. Hate him as she did and would, she knewthat she could not altogether escape him, shehad an instinctive consciousness that she washeld by him, she did not understand how, in hishands. Perhaps it was her destiny to hate andfight him; for how long ? Love him she nevercould, she never would. There was an assurancein his manner and tone Avhich impressedher against her better judgment. He spoke asthough it were but a matter of time before sheyielded herself wholly to him, and came underhis roof and joined her lot with his, for life andfor death. What right had he to assume this?What grounds hadhe for this confidence ? Nonebut a blind, dogged conviction in his own mindthat destiny had ordained them for each other.Thenshe thought of the story of Grim's Hoe, ofthe two who loved and hated, embraced andfought eternally therein, those two destined from

NEW year's eve. 293their mother's Avomb to be together in life anddeath, with twin souls and bodies, Avho had theylivedin love might have rested in death, but asthey fought must fight on. There they were,in the old hollow womb of the ship doAvnin theearthindarkness, loving one another as brothers,fighting each other as rivals; the conflict lastingtill one shall master the other, a thingthat never can be, for both were born withequal strength, and equal purpose, and equalstubbornness of will. The fumes of the spilledspirits hung in the air, and stimulated Mehalah'sbrain. Instead of stupefying, they quickenedher mind into activity. Her heart beat. Shefelt as if she were in the ship hold Avatching theeternal conflict, and as if she must take a partwith one or the other; as if her so doing woulddetermine the victory. But which should sheAvill to conquer, when each was the counterpartof the other ? She could not bear this thought,she could not endure the fumes of the spirit,itsuffocated her. She sprang up. The full moonAvas glarino- in at the window from a cloudlesssky.She opened the door. The air was cold,but there Avaslittle Avind. She could see on the

294 MEHALAHsouth-east horizon, at the highest point of theisland, the great Hoe croAvned withblack pines.The moon was at full. The old Avarriorswere now hewing at one another, and the dim,frightened captive maid looked on with herhands on her heart, her great eyes gleaminglike gloAV-AVorms in the decaying ship hold.Ha! at each sword stroke the sparks flashed.Ha! The cut flesh glimmered like phosphorescentfish, and the blood ran like blue fire.Was the story true? Could anyone hear thewarriors shout and smite, Avho chose to listen atthe full of the moon ? The distance to Grim'sHoe was not over two miles. Mehalah thoughtshe must go there and listen Avith her oavu ears.She Avould go.Oncemore she returned to her mother's room,and saw that Mrs. Sharland was asleep. Thenshe dreAv on her shoes, her guernsey, and herred cap, went out, locked the door, and put thekey in her pocket.' Who Avent there ?'— She started. Shethought she saw something some one, move;but then laughed. The moon was so brightthatit cast her shadow on the wall, distinct andblack asif it were a palpable body. She stood

NEW YEAR'S EVE. 295still listened, and looked round. She could seethe stretch of the saltings as distinctly as if itwere day, only that the shadows were inky black,not purple as by sunlight. Not a sound was tobe heard.' Iwill go,' she said, and she strode off towardsthe causeway.The path over the marshes was perfectlydistinct. She Avalked fast, the earth crackledunder her feet, the frost was keen. Her eyesrose ever and anon to Grim's Hoe. The pinesonit did not stir, they stood like mourners abovea grave.The Mersea channel gleamed like a belt ofsilver, not a ripple was on the Avater on the westside of the causeway, and but slight flappingwavelets, driven by the north-east wind, playedwith the tangles on the piles on the other side ofthe Strood.She reached the island of Mersea by thecauseway, noAv dry, andbegan to ascend the hill.Once she turned and looked back. She couldsee the Eay rising above the marshes, bathed inmoonlight, patched Avith coal black shadowscast by the ancient thorn trees, and the farmbuildings.

296 MEHALAH.Before her rose the great barrow, partly overgrownwith shrubs, but bare on the north-Avesttowards the Strood. It Avas a bell-shapedmound rising some thirty feet above the surfaceof the ground. She paused a moment at the footand listened. Not a sound. She must thenclimb the tumulus, and lie on the top betweenthe pines, and lay her ear to the ground. Shestepped boldly up the little path trodden bychildren and sheep, and in a feAv moments wasat the top. She stopped to breathe, to look upat the wan white moon that gazed doAvn on her,and then she cast herself on the ground, Avith herface to the north-west.What was that ? A fir cone fell beside her.There was no sound. Hist! a stoat ran past anddisappeared in a hole. Then she heard screams.A poor rabbit Avas attacked and its blood sucked.She lifted her head, and then laid it on theground again. Her eyes were fixed on the distance.What Avas that? In a moment she Avas onher feet.What Avas that red spot over the marshes, onthe Eay, among the trees? What was thatleaping, dancing, lambent tongue, shooting up and

NEAV YrEAR'S EVE. 297recoiling? What was that white rising cloudabove-the thorns.Before she knew where she was, Mehalah wasflying down the hill tOAvards the Strood, the deadDanish warriors forgotten in the agony of herfear.As she ran on, her eyes never left the Eay,and she saAv the red light growin intensity andspread in body. The farm was on fire. Thehouse was on fire, and her mother Avasin a deadsleep within — locked in — and the key was in herpocket.0 God! what had she done? Why had shegone ? Had not the spilled spirits caught fire andset the house in flames! Why had she lockedher mother in? a thing never clone before.Mehalah ran, terror, horror, anguish at her heart.She did not look at her path, she tookit instinctively,she did not heed the rude bridges, shedashed across them, and one broke under herhasty foot, and fell away after she had passed.The flames were climbing higher. She could seethem devouring the wooden tarred Avails. Thencame a great burst of fire, and a rushing upwardsof blazing sparks. The roof had fallen in. ApiUar of blue and golden light stood up andillumined the whole Ray. The thorn trees

298 MEHALAH.lookednow like Avondrous, finely-ramified, goldensea-weeds in a dim blue sea. Mehalah wouldnot pause to look at anything, she saw onlyflames leaping and raging Avhere was her home,where lay her mother. How could shereach theplace before the house was a wreck, and her dearmother was buried beneath the burned timbersof the roof, and thehot broken tiles ?She was there at last, before the great blaze,she could see that some one or two men werepresent.' My mother, my mother! ' she gasped, andfell on her knees.' Be still, Glory, she is safe, no thanks to you.'Mehalahlost consciousness for a few moments.The revulsion of feeling was so great as toovercome her. When she recovered, she wasstill unable for some time to gather aU herfaculties together, rise, look round, and note whathad takenplace.The whole farmhouse was on fire, every wallwas flaming, and part of the roof had fallen in.Ifonce the house were to catchfire it was certainto go like tinder. A spout of flame came out ofher mother's bed-room window. The fire gloAvedandroared in the old kitchen sitting-room.

NEW YEAR'S EVE. 299Where is my mother ? ' asked Mehalahabruptly.' She is all safe,' answered Abraham Dowsing,who Avasdragging some saved bedding out of'reach of the sparks. She is in theboat.'' The cow ? ' askedMehalah.' She is all right also. The fire has notcaught the stable.'' Who got my mother out ?' 'Idid, Glory! ' answered Elijah ReboAv.' You oAve her fife to me.Why were you nothere ? Fighting your destiny,Isuppose.'Several articles Avere scattered aboutunder thetrees. The Sharlands had not many valuables;such as they had seemed to have been saved.' Where is my mother ? Leadme to her.'' She is in the boat, Glory ! ' said Rebow.' Come with me. The fire must burn itselfout. There is nothing further to be done; Avemust put your mother at once under shelter.There is a cruelfrost, and she will suffer.'' Where is she ?What have you done withher ? ' again asked Mehalah, still hardly collectedand conscious of what she said.' She is safe in my boat, well wrapped up.Come with me. You shall see her. Abraham

300 MEHALAH.andmy man shall stay and watch till the fire diesout, and see that no further harm is done, andthen follow in your boat.'' 'Where are you going?' I am going to place your mother undercover, at once, or the cold will kill her. Comeon, Glory! 'Elijah led the way down the steep graveUyslope to the Rhyn. There floated his boat — hislarge two-oared boat, and in the stern half lay,half crouched, Mrs. Sharland, amidst blanketsand bedding.' ' Joseph! shouted Elijah to one of the menby the fire, ' follow us as soon as you can, andbring Abraham Dowsing with you. We Avillfetch away the traps to-morrow.'Mrs. Sharland was wailing and wringing herhands.' Oh Mehalah!thisis dreadful! toodreadful ! '' Step in and take the oar,' said Elijah'impatiently. We must get off, and house theold woman as soon as possible, or she will bedeath-struck.'The flames were reflected in the water aboutthe boat, it seemed to float in fire.' ' Take the oar! ordered Elijah gruffly.

NEW YEAR'S EVE. 301Mehalahobeyed mechanically. He thrust theboat off, and cast himself in.No word was spoken for some time,Mehalah's eyes were fixed on her burning home,Avith despair. Her brain Avas numb, her heartoppressed. Mrs. Sharland wailed and wept, anduttered loud reproaches against Mehalah, whichthe girl heard not. She was stunned, and couldnot take in the situation.The boat shot past the head of the Ray.There stood the low broad bulk of the BurntHill. Mehalah roused herself.Elijah looked over his shoulder and laughed.' Up Salcot Fleet ! ' he said shortly.' ' What! suddenly exclaimed Mehalah,' as apang shot through her heart. Whither are wegoing ? '' To Eed Hall,' answeredElijah.' IwiH not go there! ' exclaimed thegirlin atone of despair, as she drew her hands sharplyfrom the oar, and the boat swung round.' ' Take the oar again,' ordered Elijah. Whereelse can your mother go ? You must think ofher. She cannot be left to die of cold on themarshes, this night.'A groan escaped Mehalah's breast. She re-

302 MEHALAH.' 'sumed the oar. Hold hard! shouted Elijahafter a row of half-an-hour. He sprang into thewater,and drew theboat ashore.' Give your mother a hand and help her toland,' he said peremptorily. Mehalah obeyedAvithout a word.Eebow caught the girl by both hands as shestepped on shore.' Welcome, Glory! welcome to Eed HaH!The new year sees youunder theroof Avhere youshall rule as mistress; your destiny is mightierthan your will.'END OF FIRST VOLUME.LONDON :TEINTED BYSPOTTI81YOODB AND CO., HEW-STREET 8QUABDAND PARLIAMENT STREET

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NEW ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THELIFE AND WORKS OF CHARLOTTE BRONTE(CURRER BELL),ANDHER SISTERSEMILY and ANNE BRONTE(ELLIS and ACTON BELL).InSeven Volumes, large croAvn 8vo,,handsomelybound incloth, price 5^. per volume.The descriptions in 'Jane Eyre ' and theother fictions byCharlotte Bronte and herSisters beingmostly ofactual places, the Publishers considered that Views are themostsuitable Illustrations for thenovels. Theyare indebted for a clue to the realnames ofthe most interestingscenesto afriendof the Brontefamily, who enabled the artist,Mr.G.M. Wimperis, toidentifythe placesdescribed. Hemade faithful sketches of them onthe spot, and drew themon wood. Itis hoped that these views will addfresh interest tothe readingof thestories.JANE EYRE. By CharlotteBronte. With Five Illustrations.SHIRLEY. By CharlotteBronte. With Five Illustrations.VILLETTE. By Charlotte Bronte. With Five Illustrations.THE PROFESSOR and POEMS. By Charlotte Bronte. WithPoems by her Sisters and Father. WithFiveIllustrations.WUTHERING HEIGHTS. By Emily Bronte. And AGNESGREY. By Anne Bronte. With a Preface and BiographicalNotice of bothAuthors by Charlotte Bronte. With Five Illustrations.THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL. By Anne Bronte. WithFiveIllustrations.LIFE OF CHARLOTTE BRONTE. By Mrs. Gaskell. WithSeven Illustrations.*#* The volumes arealso to behadinfcp. 8z>o. limpcloth,priceis. 6d.each.NEW AND UNIFORM EDITION OFMRS. GASKELL'S NOVELS AND TALES.In SevenVolumes, eachcontaining Four Illustrations.Price 3$. 6d. each, boundin cloth;or in Sets ofSeven Volumes, Jtandsomelyboundinhalf -morocco, price £,-2. 10s.CONTENTS OF THE VOLUMES:;Vol. I. WIVES AND DAUGHTERS.Vol. II. NORTH AND SOUTH.Vol. III. SYLVIA'S LOVERS.Vol. IV. CRANFORD.Company Manners — TheWell of Pen-Morpha— The Heart of John Middleton — Traits— — and Stories of the Huguenots Six Weeks at Heppenheim The Squire's — Story—Libbie Marsh's Three Eras— Curious if True— The Moorland Cottage The Sexton'sHero— Disappearances— Rightat last— TheManchester Marriage— Lois the Witch— TheCrooked Branch.— Christmas Storms and Sunshine.Vol. VI. RUTH.Vol. V. MARY BARTON.Cousin Phillis— My FrenchMaster— TheOldNurse's Story— Bessy'sTroubles at HomeThe Grey Woman — MortonHall — Mr.Harrison's Confessions — Hand and Heart.Vol. VII. LIZZIE LEIGH.A Dark Night'sWork — Round the Sofa — My Lady Ludlow— An AccursedRace — TheDoom of theGriffiths— HalfaLifetime Ago— The Poor Clare— TheHalf-Brothers. .London: SMITH, ELDER, & CO., 15 Waterloo Place. /J