A WOMAN'S FAITH: OR, THE Mystery of a Bunch of Pansies.

By C/MBLES T. MANNERS,

AUTHOK OK

.Tho Lord of Lylo," "Octavia's Pride," "The n'cnkaino Emeralds," "The Flaw in tho Diamond," "Dragging Him Down," "ASilver Brand," &c, &c.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THEY MET T.Y CHANCE,

n't left Helena Yerrington in a most un fortunate and dangerous position, from hich, indeed, it seemed an impossibility to .jtricate herself. She waited until pro found silence reignod in the rude dwelling, ndthen she stole softly to the door, and [ flD d it barred on the other side, as her (ears had assured her it would be. Next jho cautiously examined the window, and there) also, was a heavy wooden shutter hooted inside, but when she unfastened (he hook and tried to push the shutter open,

he perceived that some one's care had sc-

cured it on the other side also. She sat down upon tho rudo bed and tried to calm her fears, to keep herself *L.,jy a nd cool, and discover some way in Xjh there might still be a loop-hole of «cape. Many plans darted through her mini ' Should she set h're to her room and ampel them to como to her rescue, and, standing ready, rush through the door the moment it was opened? , She was desperate enough to adopt tins hazardous stratagem, but the faint hope of access it held out daunted her more than the danger. She was already worn out nth unusual effort, and unnerved by a pro loneed strain of excitement. What could she hope to do even if she made her ogress from the house in this strange, wild country, then they started in pursuit ? "No " she said to herself, at last, " I can to nothing to-night. My strongest weapon must be an impression made upon them that I am entirely unsuspicious of harm. jmust fortify myself by sleep and rest, and beready to seize upon any chance that may offer itself to-morrow. Sleep is my first duty to-night." ,_.,,, , .. , And creeping back to the door, she tied its handle to the bedpost with her scarf, as i further security against invasion, and afterward threw herself upon the bed with out removing her clothing. She could close her oyes, but to still her throbbing heart and silence the wild work ing of an excited brain was a more difficult (eat. She turned restlessly at first,_ but afterward compelled herself to remain as quiet as possible. And presently the rest which had such soothing influence for the tired limbs reacted upon the brain, and sleep stole over her. She did not waken until far into the morn ing, and marvelled then at the sweet pro found slumber, free from any troublous dreams, which had so revived and strength ened her. The creaking of the shutter opening from the outside had been the sound which wakened her, and when she saw the warm flood of sunshine which came streaming into the dingy room she somehow took heart, as if a friend had whispered courage. Slipping off of tho bed, she hurried to the table and busied herself dressing her hair, taking from her portmanteau her own little dressing-case to find a looking-glass, for the rude apartment furnished none. Then she smoothed out her crumpled dress, put on her shawl and bonnet, and went to the window, throwing it up, as if solely to obtain _ a delicious draught of the sweet morning air. The man, even more repulsive-looking by daylight than when she first saw him, was lounging there in sight of the window. Almost at the same moment the bolt of her door was drawn softly, and she heard the woman's high, sharp voice, calling : "The leddy's breakfast is ready." Helena went out promptly, with as cheer ful a face as she could assume.

"Am I late? I slept very soundly. I hope I haven't missed the train." "Indeed,but there's no train till the mor row, so you'll need to be content," answered the woman, promptly eying her furtively, while she set on the oatmeal mush and a pot of honey beside the little black teapot on the table.

"Thatis unfortunate; but lean got to the town all the same," returned Helena, carelessly. " Old Dobbin hurt hisself last night; the master will be doctoring him to-day. He'll have him ready by morning though." " Well, one can walk, I suppose, if neces sity compels," rejoined Helena, half in the tone of one talking to herself. But she watched the woman's face sharply, and saw the evil smile flash across it, as she said :

"I don't think a bonny leddy like your self had beat to try it." "I understand you, cruel wicked crea ture!" was Helena's thought. "All my fears are verified. You will be a pitiless gaoler, and it would be vain to try to appeal to your compassion." Aloud she said, in a light, indifferent tone:

" Well, I can consider that by-and-by. If there's no train it doesnt make much difference. I hope thatlsha'n't put you to too much trouble."

She was sitting down to the table, and seeming to eat her breakfast with relish, when the man entered. His eye took a meaning glanco at her bonnet, and the woman promptly explained that the" leddy " was sorry to hear there was no train to-day, and that old Dobbin had such a bad time.

Helena serenely informed him that she had no doubt her acquaintance had left her jn good hands. She would spend the day in the fields. She was very fend of the air and the fields. But if he saw a chance to send her over to town he must be sure to let her know, for she really ought to make sure of a ticket in the first train.

She saw the looks interchanged between the evil pair, but gave no sign of fear or uneasiness, talking on easily as she partook of the breakfast, now asking questions of them, and presently confiding some bit of her own history. The woman seemed curious to know about Eartmann's acquaintance with her, and Helena told as much as would appear to show confidence on her part. When she rose from the table she pro ceeded to her sleeping-room, and hastily set her portmanteau out of the open window into a clump of bushes, humming rather loudly, to lull their suspicion. Then, with her shawl on her arm, she strolled out into the room with them, thence carelessly to the door.

She had settled upon one thing—she would keep on her bonnet, through one ex cuse or another; the shawl she destined for a sacrifice, and threw it upon the rude settle in the kitchen.

"I'll take a little stroll into the field yonder, and leave my shawl here, handy to catch up if you call me for a chance to ride to town," Bhe said, smiling sweetly, and

apparently in utter unconsciousness of his loworing looks.

He mado a step toward her with out stretched arms: but the woman muttered something in a dialect she did not under stand any" more clearly than Hindostanoe, and whatever it was, it changed his pur pose. He let her pass out, and followed himself close at her heels.

How Helena's heart beat! yet she lingered heedlessly over one lowly blossom, and then another, took a few sauntering steps, then paused, gazing around medita tively ; then moved on a littlo farther. How she longed to fly with frantic haste to tho road ! Yet there he was close beside her. A single movement of his brawny arm, and ho could obtain a clutch that hor best efforts could not unloose. It was utterly hopeloss while ho kept this suspicious watch. She saw a fierce glimmer creep into his eyes, and understood its meaning when she heard tho distant rumbling of approaching wheels.

" Will ho touch me ?" was her inward cry, while a cold shudder ran through hor at the thought. "What would he do if I should scream?"

But she forced her cold lips into a placid smile, and wont back and sat down under a tree, playing idly with tho weeds and grasses that grew around her. And though every nervo was quivering with suspense and agony, she never turned her head nor made a sound when tho cart and driver came into view and went lumbering by.

It was a grateful relief to see her gaoler's grim brow relax a little. Ho was ovklontly impressed with her indiltbrcnco. He allowed himself to widen the distance be tween them enough to admit of his chopping at a little block with a pile of brushwood before it.

Helena appeared to be entirely absorbed by the letter she had taken from her pocket, yet her alort ears caught a portion of tho speech with which he greeted his wife when she came out a moment aftor.

" There'll be no trouble. She'll bide peaceably. A baby couldn't bo innocenter. " " Oh, to keep them to that opinion," was Helena's thought, " until another passer gives me the opportunity to Hy." And to confirm it she walked on farther into the fields, out of sight of the road, and tried to be unconscious of his close pursuit. She gathered both hands full of the very common blossoms, and hung over them as if they had been rare exotics. Twiccaftcnvard she heard passing wheels, and felt like a drowning wretch letting go the only plank of safety, but made no sign of interest or anxiety. After this he con tented himself with keeping her in sight, only stopping from his work to look every now and then. A new idea camo to her, and her heart bounded under its inspiration. She hurried down to the house again, said .something about the dampness of the ground, and took her shawl as she returned, pausing by the man to ask what birds they were .she could hear singing so blithely, and wondering if she could find their nests. In .sauntering back she took a careful sur vey of the ground. Under a certain troo she would be visible to the chopping-block, yet very near a low hedge of cedar. She selected that tree for her sholter, and with the shawl over her shoulders and her veil spread over her bonnet, she sat down with an open book conspicuously boforp her. The man worked on steadily, turning every other moment to look over to the quiet figure in the field. The woman also came every now and then from her work to glance over there and marvel at the "baby's" innocence. There still sat the quiet figure They were plainly visible, the black and white shepherd's plaid shawl, the blue veil— the open book. They congratulated themselves on the ease with which they should win what seemed to them a magnificent sum. It was not till broad noonday that it was deemed worth while to disturb this most accom modating quiescence. Then, as dinner was waiting, the woman herself stalked out ovor the field to call her guest. Before she reached the tree, as soon in fact as she had a clear view between the inter vening bushes she gave a shrill cry and beckoned to the man with frantic gestures. There the shawl was propped up by two dead limbs of the tree, the veil was cun ningly tied above with a convenient hair ribbon, and the book lay on an arm formed of a second bough. The " innocent baby " had vanished ! Many bad names were launched after hor, but Helena was not there to hear._ She had crawled across the open field shielded by the bushes and out-cropping gorse, had gained the woods, and made triumphant way into the road somo thirty rods behind the hut. Once there, she sped along with Hying feet, carefully hiding herselt when from a cross-road she heard a vehicie hurry ing along. But when her cautious recon naissance showed her a tall, overgrown boy driving a waggon, she hurried out of her concealment and beckoned to him eagerly.

He uttered an exclamation of astonish ment when she camo hurrying up to him as he checked his horse, and Helena's heart sank at his words. "The little ma'm'solle from the inn!" said he.

"Youlowymo! Oh, will you refuse to holp me ?" cried Helena, piteously. Ho shook his head vigorously, and gave her to understand that he had a deep in terest in her, that all the servants at the inn pitied her. " Tom overheard the Frenchman talking to the other ma'm'selle last night, and it proved that it was all a plot to ruin you in the rich mistress's eyes," he said, eagerly. "We told the landlord so, but he is afraid of the Frenchman. What can I do to save little ma'm'selle 1"

Helena told her story and her need, and the lad snapped his finger with a boy's delight at being the marplot of a villainous scheme.

" Hi! it's gude luck sent me to-day," he said ; " it's well that it's one o' our teams will get you out o' trouble. And no harm if I drive old Thorpe at the top o' her speed nithcr. We owe you the gude Burn. Come, I'll take you to town, and to a good woman—our own laird's foster-mother. '_ Helena sat down in the cart and cried heartily, and the {big lad eyed her with sheepish looks of pity and sympathy, which he could only express by whacking away at the horse, and setting him to the top of his speed, "I'll come back and get your luggage, now see if I don't," he declared, valiantly. "If it's in the bushes by the window now, I'll have it, and I know the chap will like the job of going back with me to fetch it to you." And thus Helena rode triumphantly into the town, and was safely given into an honest woman's care. And it was through the latter's help that her Americangold was changed into a first-class ticket for London, for, as the good woman sagely observed, 11 it would never do for a young woman o' her looks to go alone in any other but the first-class coach with that night train." It was bad enough at the best, and she took pains to get a new veil to cover from in solent gaze the sweet, fair face of the friend loss girl; and was so kind and motherly that when Helena had been hurried by the guard into the nearest coach of the train which whizzed out of darkness, swooped her up, and then went tearing on again, she felt as if she had taken leave of her only friend.

" Sorry, mum, that there ain't an empty

coach," tho guard had mumbled, as he un locked a door and thrust her in ; "if you ain't satisfied, I'll try to make a change at the next stopping." ' But Helena had scarcely heeded him or his words. Still dazed and giddy with hor oxciting adventures, she sank with a sigh of relief upon the luxuriously easy cushions, and scarcely gave a thought to the dark figure, wrapped in a voluminous cloak, occuping tho seat at the other end of tho apartment. Sho lay back among tho velvet cushions, with veiled face, and eyes from which the tears would How in spito of all her efforts. She had escaped one danger, but what new one waited tho spring upon her unprotected path ? How utterly alone sho was ! Never had her own loneliness so appalled and grieved hor. Sho thought of her guardian's jealous care with a new and homesick throb stirring within hor heart. Of Conway Scarlo she dare not trust horself to think —that ecstatic vision of love and care, of faitli and trust, had been swept away by a black cloud of horror. The most sho dared to hopo for now was a safe placo in which to hide hor grief, and honest work by which to learn patience with her lonoly life. But what should sho do in London ? To whom apply ? Tho pittanco for which she hold Mrs Inchbald's order would take her home to America. Should sho go back to her guardian? Sho knew woll what that would moan, how it would end.

Forgotful of everything but her own bitter thoughts, Helena Yerrington clasped her hands to her face, and burst into a smothered fit of sobbing.

The solitary companion of her coacll turnod his head at tho sound, and pushed back tho travelling cap from his forehead. Ho looked at hor a moment in doubt, and thon asked, respectfully.

"Are you in trouble, madam? Is thoro anything I can do to help you V" At the sound of his voico Holona started forward, and gave hor first attention to him. Tho moment he finished sho (lung up her veil, exclaiming, sorrowfully, "MrEarlo." " Mis? Ycrriugton !" returned he, in uttor amazement, rising from tho seat, and coming towards her. "Is it possiblo I sec you here alone, and in trouble, I fear. " Thoro seems no end to my trouble," she cried out, bitterly stung by a new thought. " Now I shall not dare apply to Lady Mildmay. What will they think » What will they say, to know that wo came to London by this train, in the same coach '! They will never believe it oame about in this accidental manner. Oh, how angry Lady Hortcnso will bo !" A bittor look of pain curled his handsomo mouth. " Lady Hortense is already en gaged to Sir Frederic. She will trouble horself no longer with my movements. But tell mo your grief, Miss Ycrrington.'" Helena told the story with an eloquence sho did not guess, and the pale face and pathetic eyes told more even than her trembling lips. His fine forehead darkoned, his eyes flashed with indignation as he listened, but he did not interrupt hor once. When she had finished ho reached down and took her hand in his.

"Miss Vcrrington, it may be that two broken lives may bo mended after such a fashion that at least a little piece and security from hostility may come. Tlicro seoms a fatality in this meeting here to night. You are right in thinking that evil comment would come of it. 1 piosumo nothing would convince Sir Frederic Mild may, or that Harris, or Lady Hortonsc Mildmay oven, that it was a purely innocent afiair on our part. What a satiro the fact is upon our boasted system, our circumstan tial evidence ! Lot it pass. Miss Yorring ton, will you be my wife? I can fiim a clergyman boforo we reach the English border, We stop twice before that. You know that I respect and honour you. I solemnly promise to guard you from further insult and injury, to do my best to make you happy. If I succeed in that, there would be tho satisfaction at least of know ing my life is not entirely thrown away." Helena heard him with dilating eyes all ashino through their tours. "God bless you for a chivalrous gentle man," said she, " But all ! Mr Earlc, you allow your generosity to run away with your judgment. "Things that arc wrong will not turn out right. You do not love me, and I shall never love any other than Conway Searlo. How can it bo right for us to marry oven though it might extricate mo from a trying delcmma ? No, no :do not mention such a thing—do not think of it. Love is sacred, if nothing olso below is. We are both innocent, and wo know it and Heaven sees it. Lot us Icavo all the rest to come out as it will, but keep our own integrity secure" "God bless the grandest woman I have over known," he said, impulsively, lifting her hand to his lips. And then ho went back and began gathering up his parcels. "I shall call the guard at tho first stopping-placo," he said. "He will find mo a place in some of the other coaches, and you shall have this to yourself. Rest con tent that I will watch over you witli a brother's care, and when we arrive in Lon don I will send the kind-hearted wife of your consul to be your guardian until you decide upon your plans. I pray Heaven to-night, Miss Yerrington, that this Conway Searle may come back to claim tho pearl of price ho has won. Ah, there is tho breaking up signal. Good-night, Miss Yerrington. No one shall have those seats, be in no anxioty about it, for I will speak to tho guard. And in London my own man shall attend to you." He turned with a parting smilo as the train was stopping, and looked so like Conway Searle that Helena's eyes followed him wistfully as well as gratefully. " Poor Lady Hortenso !" she murmured. "Ah me! we have trials—tho rich and great as well as the poor and lowly. What must it be to love such as ho—and to doubt?"

CHAPTER XXIV

THE PRIVATE SECRETARY.

Sir Frederic presented himself at Mild may House at the earliest possiblo hour that etiquette allowed on the appointed day. There was an air of suppressed excite ment, of nervous exhilaration about him that gave him an even more erratic appear ance than usual, and "poor Ted," as Hor tense used to call him, had never boen re markable for his serenity and repose of manner. He found the dowager, her granddaughter, and a strange gentleman in blue eye-glasses, waiting in the library when he was shown there from the reception room after sending up his card. He looked at the gentleman rather frowningly, upon which Lady Mildmay said, carelessly, " It is a new assistant I have called in, Sir Frederic, my private secretary. I thought it right I should have some one here to assist my memory of what is said and done, in case we have any misunder standings." . . "As you please, yet I hope it is an un necessary precaution. I hope this is merely a family talk, my dear madam. I wish to bo only kind and generous,',.to smooth away every ugly suspicion. For that reason I would not have my lawyer here at all,

though he warned mo that my own prudence could not bo trusted.

"You speak mysteriously. I never could read enigmas, Ted. Let us have plain language to-day," spoke the dowager with a dignity that chillod him a little, though he tried to laugh it oil' and assumo an air of easy assurance and nonchalance.

" By all means, my dear Lady Mildmay. Let me commence at once. Hortensc, my darling, when will you give mo tho dearest happiness of my life ? How soon shall bo our wedding-day ?" Thegirlstartedupfrom her scat, ■with flash ingeyes, and a gesture full of the old passion ate scorn ; but in a moment after she sank down again, pallid and trembling, and faltered:

" I have nothing to say; I leave every thing to grandmamma." Tho now secretary watched all closely from under his shielding glasses, though ho scorned to be busy with tho papors spread upon the tablo before him. "Then, my dear madam, it is of you that I must beg tho speedy answer," continued Sir Frederic.

" And what if I do not find myself ready to give it?" asked tho dowager, quietly.

" I think I shall be ablo to convince you of tho wisdom on your part of making your saif ready," roturnodhe, confidently. " The truth is, madam, I am no longer the weak, silly boy you have boon used to look upon as a sort of plaything to bo caressed when you are in a good humour, and snubbed when otherwise I como horo to-day a man strong in my rights, and determined to uso that strength. 1 very much prefer to have no sharp words, to bo spared all unploasant noss, for I lovo 1 fortonso; but if you thwart me, I swear to you I will notscruplo to expose ovorything to the whole world. I will bring forward my accusation and my proofs, and take thorn into a court of law." Tho .secretary rose up quickly, and thon dropped down again into his seat; for tho dowager waved a rebukinghandtowardhim. Lady Hortonso Hushed angrily, and moved to her grandmother's sido ; but tho latter only smiled compassionately, as sho might havo done over tho folly of somo way ward child, and said, calmly :

"And what is your accusation? Speak it freoly, Frederic. If you arc a man, uso manly arguments, ;ind state facts, not deal in mysterious innucndooH."

" 1 accuse you of forging tho will of the late Sir Richard Mildmay, madam. That document was executed after Sir Richard's death," retorted Sir Frederic, hotly, the colour rising angrily to his forehead. " I trust I am explicit onough for your ladyship now 1"

Hortonso turned upon him fiercely. "IJow dare you speak in that tone, and utter such a base calumny here?"

" She goaded mo to it. But it is true I can give proofs to satisfy the most incredu lous, Investigation has shown moro start ling revelations than we dared to expect. Thoro was always an unoxplained mystory that Lady Mildmay's high and mighty way provented an inquiry into. No such will was written beforo Sir Richard loft England, but one entirely different. And Sir Richard novor camo back, as wo all know. Moro than that. At that time a very largo sum of monoy was raised from tho ostatos, and it disappeared— was never accounted for. Aro these things open to legal inquiry, madam ? or shall I set the time for tho wed ding-day that give* mo Sir Richard'? daughter for my wife, and thus makes tho result of these irregular proceedings of littlo account?.

Onco again the secretary started from his seat, and onco mores his clenched lingers slowly relaxed their iron grasp of tho tablo at a soothing glanco of tho dowftgOr'g. " I am sorry you gave bo littlo crcdoncc to my warning when you spoko in this man ner before," calmly declared Lady Mildmay, with a stately dignity that was more crush ing than tho fiercest burst of mgo. "I warned you then, Tod, that the ono to sull'cr most keenly from this investigation would certainly be Sir Frederic Mildmay. Do I understand that you havo set lawyers ferreting into the private affairs of tho Mildmays?" "I have certainly opened an investiga tion. I owed it to my own position," ho answered, sullenly ; " but I took caro to select a trusty man who would go no further than I ordorcd, and would keepdis crcot silence at my command. I have told you again and again that if you givo Hor tonse to bo my wife thoro can bo no troublo about it."

" But the trouble will como if we refuse that ? You wish mo to sec that plainly ?" she questioned. "Yes; I will push the investigation to the lowest dreg," lie said, hoarsely. " And the proud name of the Dowager Lady Mild may shall be dragged in tho mire." "No," said the dowager, .solemnly, " that will not bo the result; " but the name of Sir Frederic will vanish into the air. So, then, wo understand each othor at last." "Do you moan to defy mo?" asked Sir Frederic, angrily. "Lady Mildmay, you are a strange woman, but I cannot bolievo you so rash as that. Are you going to re fuse Hortense to me V"

" Yes, if Konrado Earlc is proved guilt less of the cliargo against him," was her firm reply. There was a little stifled cry from Hor tense. Her persevering suitor turned to look at her, and bit his lip angrily. " Ah," said he, with a bitter sneer, " I am safe there. His guilt is not so easily wiped away ; Lady Hortonso knows it." " Vet if I woro freo to choose, I could bo happier with him guilty than with you innocent, and you know that," declared Hortcnse, impetuously. " As you please to bo insulting and un kind, I had hotter terminate this interview at once," said Sir Frederic, rising to his feet and growing very red and angry. "I thought I had come to a friendly consulta tion, but I see my mistake. In future, madam, we will make our lawyers the medium of communication. I warn you that I shall instituto a legal inquiry at once, and I leave tho immaculate Dowagev Lady Mildmay to decide how light an accusation the forging of an English baronet's will will be likely to prove." "Grandmamma, why do you allow him to say such things ?" vociferated Hortenso, fiercely. " Let me call Thomas to turn him out."

"Ah, she knows too well the danger that threatens," sneered Sir Frederic, watching the dowager, who stood with one hand shading her face and tho other pressed tight against hor heart. ''She knows how little that will can bear the light. Sir Richard Mildmay's hand was never laid upon it." '• It is false !" vociferated a new voice, fiercely and sternly, and the secretary pushed back his chair and came with two strides in front of the startled youth. " Dare not repeat the lie again 1" The latter changed colour, but he kept his air of bravado. "And who are you, I should like to know, that you venture to speak thus insolently to Sir Frederic Mildmay ?" demanded he. The dowager had dropped her face into her clasping hands. She stood tremblingly awaiting the answer, which caino presently in a deep and solemn voice. "I am Richard Mildmay, this noble lady's son, this lovely maiden's father. Sir Richard Mildmay, young man, while you are no longer the baronet! Do you com prehend tho situation now ?" (To he Continued.)

MUTINY ABOARD.

An Unsought Adventure,

At Sydney, towards the close of a sultry day in December, I was pacing the quarter deck of H.M. frigate Herald, when the old quartermaster called my attention to an unusually fine merchantman that was just rounding Macquarrie Point. She was a very handsome clipper, and as she slowly came up bofore the faint breeze her sun bleached sails shone out in dazzling white ness against the dark forest of gum trees that surround the lovely harbour of Port Jackson. Her long hull, though low and black, was yet exceedingly graceful, and for a vessel of her tonnage she seemed to sit lightly on the water. Having nothing better to do, I resolved to board her, and accord ingly ordered the gig to be manned. As with long, steady strokes we approached the vessel, tlio slovenly way in which they woro taking in sail, the general slackness, and untidiness of everything connected with her, became painfully apparent. Not that she was worso than the generality of merchant vessels, but leaving a frigate in the magni ficent order and soaman-liko condition of the Herald, without so much as a rope-yarn out of place, the contrast was so vory great. On board all was noiso, bustle, and con fusion. Tho captain, who received mo courteously at the gangway, I was surprised to find, was a gentlomanly-looking young man. In command of those Australian clippers one generally finds rough, bearish, old Scotchmen, who take prido in saying that they " camo in through the hawse hole," by which thoy mean that they were originally common sailors. Any one know ing much about them would not doubt tho truth of this their favourite boast. How over, in this caso it was entirely different. The captain, as I surmisod, was a protege of the owners, and was accordingly placod in command of this lino vessel as soon as he had satisfied tho vory moderate require ments of the Board of Trade. He was a most agreeable man, of good education, but totally deficient in any strength of purpose, any firmness of will or quickness of decision; hence I saw that ho was by no moans tho right man in tho right place. After our first meeting wo were a good deal together whilst tho ship was discharging cargo and taking in her homeward freight. As I ox pectcd, tho groator number of his crew deserted in Sydnoy, and ho had to mako up the complement from the loafers and villainous rilTrall' that abound in a colonial seaport. Tho day boforo lie was to sail from England he expressed to me his dis trust of his now crew : thoy were certainly as rascally a lot of rullians as any ono would bo likely to meet with. Having had consi derable experience of the merchantman sor vico, I knew tolerably well what thoso follows were; when onco out on tho high seas, they would bo all right; but whilst at anchor anywhere insido tho harbour thoy become nearly unmanageable. I thoreforo volunteered to sco my friond out of his diffi culties by accompanying him to the mouth of tho harbour, a distance of about six miles, and then returning with the pilot. My oiler was gladly accepted. On tho following day I went on board, just as tho half-drunken crow, with much shouting and singing, wcro weighing tho anchor. Tho fussy little tug-boat, lashed alongside, was hissing and steaming, and as soon as the anchor was at tho bows, her powerful engines began to movo tho two vessels slowly out from tho circular quay into the stream. Then all hands dropped their work, and, swarming up tho rigging, greeted the bystandors and shipping with drunken chcors. And so they continued to work spasmodically, ropcatedly leaving oil" to choer, feebly and discordantly, anything that was passing. It was only too cvidont that there would bo trouble with them yet, if there should not bo wind enough outside the heads to cnablo tho ship to got clear away to sea that cvoning. The captain was already as nervous as ho could bo, and so I said nothing of my fears. It was with much concern for him that I noticed the veering flaws of wind growing every moment fainter and faintor. As wo slowly wound in and out amongst tho lovely bays of this superb harbour, at every turn apparently land locked in a different lake, each of a beauty surpassing the last, the wind gradually died away, Tho goldon rays of tho sotting sun steeped one shore in a glorious flood of warm light, whilst the high clid's and richly-wooded slopes of the other were in dark sombre shade. By degrees the lengthening shadows, oxtend ing far out into the blue waters, stretched over to the opposite shore, and enveloped all in a cold grey twilight. By this time tho noisy, rattling old tug had taken tho vessel within sight of tho Hoads, and it being now a deaci calm, she was brought to an anchor near a reef called the Sow and Pigs, in such a position that she could stand out to sea with the first breeze. This done, tho tug-boat was cast oil', and per mitted to return to Sydney. As soon as tho cabin was secured, the mate roportod that tho crow demanded grog. The men being already in a half-intoxicated state, their request, which was really a demand, was not complied with. This was tho beginning of troubles. There immediately followed much murmuring and many growls of dissatisfaction, gradually getting louder and more vehement. Presently, angry voices were heard in fierco alterca tion with the mates at the vory doors of tho cabin, and then about thirty of the worst of the crow rushed violently into tho saloon, at tho farther end of which tho captain and I were sitting. Thoy were an ugly-lookinc mob, somo with bluo shirts, somo with rod, many with ncithor, but nearly all brandishing largo open knives. With frightful oaths and throats, they domanded that tho keys of the "la/.arote," in which tho spirits are kept, should bo given up to them. This, of course, was refused, and thoy were ordered to loave tho saloon. At this they yelled and shouted defiantly, still demanding tho cask of rum. I attempted to speak to them, but my voice was immediately drowned in a torrent of imprecations. In the adjoining state-room of the captain's a revolver was lying on the table. I stopped quietly back, and returned with it concoaled under my uniform coat. Tho captain then, by my advice, ordered the boatswain to pipe to supper. The command was received by all with derisive laughter and yells of defiance. The time for action had come, so putting the captain a little aside, I stepped forward, at the same time taking care to lot the rovolver be scon. The sight of the deadly weapon produced an almost instantaneous silence amongst tho cowardly crew. Then, speaking slowly and firmly, I said, " Boatswain, you have boen ordered by your captain to pipe to supper ; do so." He answered with a string of oaths that he would not, and concluded by telling mo to mind my own business. Taking no notico of his braggadocio, I again spoke to him, in a tone that implied that I should bo as good as my word. "Boatswain," I said, "I have given you an order; if you fail any longer to obey it, I will put it out of your power to obey or to disoboy another order in this world ; for, as sure as you stand there, I will send one of these bills through your head. Now, then, what do you say to it 2"

With these words I slowly cocked the revolver, and took a deliberate aim at his head. At the first sound of that disagree able click of tho pistol-lock he cried out— "For goodness'sake don't fire, sir; I'll do it," adding in a low growl to the others, " it don't matter, chaps, I know you wont go none the more fort." Tho boatswain's shrill whistle then rang sharply and clearly through the saloon, but no one hooded it except to greet it with yells and roars of derisive laughter. As soon as I could make myself iieard above tho tumult, I said stonily and resolutely—

"Men, you have disobeyed your captain, but you shall do as I tell you." Here thero were shouts, " Who are you ?" "Go back and bully your own men," and tho like.

" Now, I order you all to clear out of this cabin."

Here, again, I was interrupted by cries of " Won't," and much stronger expressions to the same effect.

" Very good/ I continued. " You wont. Well, then, I'll give you throe minutes to alter your minds ; at tho end of that time I'll blow out tho brains of the nearest man, and tlion the next, and so on."

At this thero was a groat buzz, and talk ing amongst tho men, yet they showed no signs of moving, but watched mo standing with tho pistol in one hand and my watch in the other. "One minute has gone; You havo oniy two minutes left, and you will have but one warning." This I said, kcoping my eyes on the dial of the watch. The crowd received this with a sulky groan, but yet they seemed as if they would .stand to their ground. It was strange to sec these wild, almost frantic men cowed into a state of dogged silence by one determined man with a revolver.

" Two minutes have gone. I warn you no more. Tho instant this hand passes the third minute I lire, and the nearest man will bo my mark." For a few moments more they stood grumbling and growling ; but on hearing the click of the cocking of the revolver they began to waver. Then, comparing the respective) distances of tho foremost men from me, and fixinc my eyes steadily on one burly follow, I said, in a low tone, as if speaking to mysolf, yet loudly enough to be heard by all, "I think he's the nearest. Yes, yes, by some inches." At this ho cowed down, and began to draw back to givo ono of his comrades the preference, Ho in his turn gavo way to nnothoi'i and so on, until it was evident that no one was desirous of being the fore most, and so they moved off sulkily out of tho cabin. They seemed sadly approhensivo that the last minute would bo shorter than either of the two preceding ones, and it was really ludicrous to see how tho last half dozen men tumbled over one another in their hot haste to get out of the saloon.

"Alone again with mo, Captain," he ex claimed, seizing me warmly by both hands. "Thanks, my dear friend—a thousand thanks. But what an awful risk you have run. Did you not know that there was not a chamber loaded in that revolver, not a single one?" "My dear, sir," I replied, " I knew that perfectly well; but the men didn't, and I trusted rightly that they would not find it out."

Having somewhat imprudently replaced tho pistol in the captain's cabin, we wont on dock to calm our minds with some good cigars. The captain going bolow shortly afterwards, came quickly on deck again, and, with consternation plainly visible in every foature, whispered to me— "The revolver is gone ; they have stolen it. Wo shall have more trouble to-night. What are wo to do now ?"

"You are right," I replied ; "we have not dono with these rascals yet. And it seems that they have the power in their own hands now, but that rausn't be. Quick ! (jet me pen, ink, and paper." Thcso wero soon brought, and I wrote the following lottor : "Ship , off the Sow and Pigs Reef. " Send the pinnace immediately, \.ith a dozen marines with their arms and ball car tridge. Let the boat's crew have their side arm?, revolvers, and ammunition, and send mine as well. There is a mutiny on board —expect an outbreak every moment. We must take them by surprise, therefore see the oars well muflled. The boat is to approach the ship's stern, keeping her three masts in one, so as to be as much out of sight as pos sible. The oliicor of the boat is to enforce strict silence on ncaring the vessel. Loso no timo in carrying out these instructions."

Having sig.icd this, and addressed it to " The Commanding Officer, H.M.S. Herald,''the noxt consideration was as to the means of sending it ; there was the difficulty. Our only chance was a passing boat. We watched anxiously for some time, and at length wo heard a very merry pleasure party singing as they palled back after a day's sea-fishing. To my shout of " Boat, ahoy !" nothing but the echoing rocks and hills answered. Just as we were losing hope, and the boat was passing away, I gave a louder hail, and I know that I was heard, for they stopped singing, and the monotonous splash of their oars ceased. Then there came a lazy " Hul-10-ah !" across the water. " Give me a passage on shore," I sung out, at the top of my voice. They seemed for some time to debate whether they should or not, but presently a hail of " All right " was returned, and they pulled in the direction of the ship. As they came alongside I stepped over the gang way into the boat, and was glad to find that the boatman was well-known to me as a man whom I could trust. I slipped the letter into his hands, and told him in a whisper to take it with all haste, as there was a mutiny on board, and that that was all I wanted. By this tirao the crew wero leaning over the bulwarks watching us, as well as they could in the uncertain starlight, The old boatman saw at once the position of affairs, and with consummate address said, in a bullying tone : " Oh, it's you, is it ? I know you ! I don't havo any navy gentlemen in ray boat, though; so I guess you can go back aboard, just as quick as you like ! I wont give'eo a passago ashore, so I tell'ee, Mr Quarterdeck Jack !" This was received by the men with roars of laughter, and I pretended to remonstrate with the clever old salt, who only con tinued :

" Thero, don't I tell'cc it's no use a-argy fying, for I wont take'eo ashore. Mutiny aboard, says you? Why you men-of-war folks calls everything mutiny, you does; and if there is mutiny aboard, why you'd better stop and sec it out. Come now, just get out of my boat, for I wont tako'ee askore—my colonial oath I wont." Again the crew of the merchantman shouted with delight, and greeted me with derisivo laughter, as witli great apparent reluctance I returned, to all appearances baffled. Thinking that those laugh best who laugh the longest, I rejoined my friend on the poop. Tho ruse had suc ceeded admirably ; none of the men divined for a moment my real object in calling the boat alongside, nor suspected that I had so well achieved my purpose. So far the best had been done, but no assistance could reach us under two hours at the least. It was an anxious time. The men were gathered together about the forecastle talking with a savage earnestness. They showed no disposition to turn in peacefully, but on tho other hand, seemed to bo only

consulting as to their next course of action. Thus a long tedious hour passed away. To keep them quiet for another hour the cap tain, by my advice, threw them a sop in the shape of some bottles of rum, which they received with ironical cheers. Thiswaß a desperate expedient, for, although it had the effect of making them for the time more contented, there was no doubt but that in tho end the spirit would only make them more pot-valiant and mutinous. How ever, we trusted that before then tho pinnaco would have come to our as sistance. Anxiously we sat in the stern port, intently listening for the sound of the tnuflled oars. It was quite dark, nothing could be seen nor heard but the drunken brawling of the crew on deck. By degrees they became noisier and noisier, their conversation principally turn ing on that infernal naval lieutenant, as they were pleased to designate mo, and what they intended to do with him. Some suggested "keelhauling" him, others a dose of his favourite pat-o'-nine-tails, whilst many advised making a target of him for a little practice with the revolver which had previously so cowed them all. Again, many thought that he would look well dancing on nothing whilst hanging from the fore-yard-arm, that is to say, if one could judge from the roars of laughter that this suggestion provoked. All this was not particularly pleasant for tho individual in question, so that we were not sorry when wo heard the welcome plash plash of the pinnace's oars. A few minutes sufficed for her to pull silently up under the stern, a few more saw the men safely ensconced in the after state cabins, to which they obtained access by means of ropes lowered out of the stern ports. And they arrived none to soon, for the captain and 1 had hardly seated ourselves at our old places in the saloon when tho same unruly mob burst in as before. In answer to the captain, they said that they meant to do him no harm, but all they wanted was that man-o'-war officer, and witheut him they would not leave the saloon.

To thisthe captain replied, with unwonted firmness, " This gentleman is a guest of mine, and I must first know what you want with him "

The boatswain then, as spokesman for the rest, said, "Waal, we don't 'xactly know yet what we do want with him, but you can take your jolly good oath that we'll make it pretty lively for him when we do get hold of him."

Hero there were shouts of " Ay, that we will ;" " Hang tho beggar ;" " Stick him up and shoot him ;" " Feed the sharks with him," and numerous other playful sugges tions of a like nature.

"In that case," said the captain, " not a man of you shall lay a finger on him; so you'd better clear out of this at once." "Avast there a bit," replied the boat swain. " Not so fast, my hero; not so fast. That man taught me a lesson just now, and I'll just lorn it to you now." At these words he produced the very same revolver, and, with a malicious grin, he took a deliberate aim at the captain's head, at the same time saying, " Now, my fine feller, if you don't change your mind in three minutes, I'll blow your brains out first, and his'n afterwards. Them's the right words, aren't they, mates? I thought I'd lamed the lesson pretty well. I ain't got a watch, I know, but I can guess three minutes near enough. But I'll tell ye what I have got, and that is a pistol as is loaded this time; there's no gammon about it."

This speech of the boatswain's was evi dently considered extremely facetious, for the mon roared again and again with drunken laughter, and they chuckled with a fiendish glee over the game they thought they now had entirely in their own hands. "So then," said I, "you rascals won't leave .[the saloon when your captain orders you to. I see that I shall again have to make you."

This produced cries of " You make us ?" and howls of derision.

"Stop a moment," I continued, "you want me, do you ? Well, then, hero I am, and as much more of the same sort as you like." At these words I opened the doors of the i' vte-cabins, and giving the orders, " Read/, present!" a dozen rifles were levelled at the head of the braggart boat swain.

With a cry of baflled rage and amaze ment, he dropped the pistol from his grasp and begged for mercy. The rest ran like a flock of frightened sheep. The ringleaders, and those who had been the most trouble some, were soon secured and placed in irons. The next day saw them safely lodged in Sydney Gaol, where they remained for periods of from two to ten years. The captain of the merchantman was more for tunate with his next crew, and made a good run to England.

The Art of Poisoning.

As if the surroundings of life at the Gold Coast were not suificiently deadly, the native priests have developed an elaborate system of poisoning. Sometimes they stop short of taking life ; all depends upon the wish of the person on whose behalf the deed is done. If he desires to kill his enemy out right, the priestly intermediary must be paid accordingly. But a much lower tariff is quoted for more limited vengeance. Ifi for instance, it is desired to produce blind ness or troublesome skin complaints, the medicine man has powders of warranted efficacy, which he will administer at a moderate price. According to the " Gold Coast Times," which enters at length into the subject, the latest method of compass ing death shows considerable ingenuity. Be fore paying the destined victim a visit, the priest insorts some deadly poison under his finger-nails. Thus provided, he obtains an interview, and induces the victim to have a drink with him. The poisoned nails are then surreptitiously inserted into the latter's tipple, and that finishes the business. It is said that such occurrences aro becoming quite common, even Europeans and half castes being sometimes made the subjects of experiment. The poisoners manufacture their own drugs out of jungle herbs, and they are believed to know exactly what sorts and what quantities will produce the desired effects. This, of course, renders de tection all the more difficult, and at present the black Borgias are masters cf tho situa tion.—"Globe." ,

Struck Oil.

It was a Woodward avenue car. A lady richly dressed sat in a corner of the car and said to some one with her, '' I smell kerosene oil." "So do I," answered her friend. One after another got into the car, and the lady in the corner sniffed suspiciously, and at last fixed her eyes upon a quiet-looking, little man near the door. "I believe he's got the oil," she said in a stage whisper to her friend. '' I know it," replied the friend. " There ought to be a law against carrying kerosene in the street cars. Such an odour ! and she glared at the little man. "I shall inform tne superintendent," said the first lady aloud. "Ishall inform the president of the road," said her friend with a fixed and glassy stare. '' Ladies," said the little man cheerfully, " hadn't you better move 1 The kerosene from that lamp in the corner of tho car has been dripping down on ye ever since we started, but seem' ye both know so much I thought I wouldn't say anything."

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 1884

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