DONALD'S PLOT. A STORY OF An Unfaithful Guardian.

B jr SYJfcVANUS COBB, Jr.

CHAPTER IX

~O JICUS » DONALD SEEKS INFORMATION. THE library of the Owen mansion was an rtoent of medlam size, on the first floor, 'wed in an L that had been built on pur . There were bookcasos on twoj P M«s well filled with Suable works of al Id's and descriptions-such works as a man, fond of .reading, and flo°erto learn. would be apt to purchase, *ho bad plenty of money. There wore choice piotaroa-thrce of them por faita i a few Pieces of statuary> besides Jumerona articles of quaint and curious character, brought from all quarters of the B Intone direction only had tho present occupant had any hand in furnishing and fl applying this library. He had brought "Same and deposited hero a portion of tho j«.Wm The bows and arrows from the SSSiitod.«» his ; also the knives nd dasreere from the Malay Toninsula; and "to articles, mostly of like description; bu of books, and P>ctures and chaste ••tatuarv not one had been of his supply •a He had found them all thore when ho into possession; and, save a few books on marine mattaft, and one or two aTories of piratical character, the hbrary nrooer had been of no interest or use to ■ km He took a pride in it, nevertheless, nd'wta careful that the books should be tot in order; kept free from dust; uncut leaves he caused to be cut; and he kept iviueupun the table, where he wrote, and where he read his political papers, several works on philosophical, scientific, or historic '"when'they had entered the room, and Donald had carefully closed the door be hind him, he pointed to a large easy chair, cpverfd with the finest of dark-red Turkey morocco, saying: , "There, Doris; I want you to sit in that chair Yos will see tnali '* 's tne one really tey chair in the room ; and you will ccc further that it has been kept with Borupulous care. That chair was your father's. When he had so far loet his health as to be obliged to give up out-door work, he—he—" Tbegood uncle had evidently forgotten his cue. He had come very near giving Ralph a habitation and a name on those premises. That would not answer. He rtopped, coughed, smiled, and presently went on: "He, dear soul! -we all lovod him ! —he had been ailing for some time, and when ho had become so ill as to be obliged to give up out door work, I called him here. I saw that he was not fit to carry on his farm, so I offered him a home with me. His wife and child were dead. Isuppose you know that your mother was his second wife ?" " ¥es, sir." " Well, I called him here, and ho came ; and that chair waa hs. He purceased it himself, and always sat in it—and, for the matter of that, he slept in it, mostly, also. So I want you to sit in it. Thore! Once more the dear old seat is worthily filled "

Wis sank down into the great chair with itrango emotions; but Donald did not give her time for reflection,

"Now, my dear," he said, when he had seated himself directly before her, "there is a matter which I would have Cleared up between us before we enter upon our domestic oreocial relations. From the character of your dear mother's last letter to tne-tho last which I received —I am led to fear that one of my letters failed to reach her. In fact," he added, the thought happily occurring to him in season, " I know it missed her, for the ship which carried tho letter-bag was lost off Good Hope. In that letter I sent a remittance of a thousand dollars.

"Mammanever resolved it."

- !'I know now thot she did not; and I cannot tell you how sorry I am. Although joar father's property sadly depreciated liter he left it, I had intended that his *Uo? and child should not want. Do S&loiow how much your mother believed benelf to be entitled to from her husband's «(ai«f Or, can you tell me anywhere tfar the figure at which she set it ?" ancle, I cannot. I only know ttjjt'pftpa always gave her to understand fiat'ho owned land—a good farm—with building* thereon, and that there was no incutnbrance on it. She supposed there would be more than enough for her sup port. After sho had married a second time, ihenever used a penny of that money for mult. And here, dear uncle, I want to Wt yott Colonel Ashton—my mother's second husband—was one of papa's deal eat fritnds, and when papa was dying he made Ashton promfea to take care of mamma, at the «ame time telling him that he should die tappi" if he- could know that he—Ash ton-would at some time claim a husband's right" '

"lean understand all that, my dear niece, Ud 1 fell you truly when I say I was glad "Ben I knew that your mother had gained inch a protector. And now, Doris, I wish you would trust ma fully. I wish you would tall me just whatyour mother thought otae-how she felt towards me. Did she ttuklbad in any degree neglected her, or WfflMliott of tho duty I owed hor as guardian to her husband's property ?" Oorris was puzzled. She did not know low to answer this. Jl? eßr, child hesitate not to tell me the »?«... I can wtll understand how she night have though t so. It is too late, alas ! » undeceive her; but I may be able to re mie an unpleasant impression from ycur and. She did think that I might have toe more for hor?" ■ .Doris had resoled to tell the truth, and ™ spoke withoutfurtherhesitation, though ™> evident reluctance. w, Tar? llcle> Inever heard mamma blams yon, but I heard her express the fear that C Wer6 rtlred nf answering her calls for Sh-" I, cannot »»y that she thought you 'Sin ! ax, lnyot"" duty as guardian of 2ttb«l know that the thought wTk Rht t0 be more in y°ur hands than J« have accounted for." iw,j .?? dear ohild, suppose sha had 3Xcd^e last remittanee-the thousand SM 1' iMt her, how would she >>«c leit then ? tJw "a- 3 rather closely, and W»i£ yoJor n tBwi adi!f h"dly • d it- Jl*"«*(*» Skh" W TftlrTuttle wjechoD, she anawered: l«a.ri. 6d> U, ncl8' * oannot tell yon. Mam ZtllT FfT belie Ted that my papa X?- s'BH be called independent when & edT lth him. "nd they certainly L°W a great dottl °f m°ney at any Z' much papa's ™u!la8^ Orth,? Iwi«h you would." tedid Lf D? s nald' 8 turn t0 ""Mitate, but Uhc d ad nl mamfest any unrest. He bent 1&II9. " moment; then said, with a

■cJu^v mywordll would toll yon if I s a^ a a :r- ofcourEe>thathi3 4^"^"' gß°" it-g°Od °neS yo'aSlal,n'y '.certa!n|y; and i «» p« ihol? ap T pro.x.lm|to Wea of the va'ue of the TO» thatl h L BL.plaoßL.plaoe' X must inform ■ «'tovoirn! M° hlre the money wh!ch * in all if T , Oth? r-fi£tcen hundred dollars WCurity to tT i er, ri Shtly-and I gave as «ato. Yo nr f !S deru" morte^°on fhe famjJdI thA ln f ,the, baDk- You must baar tjttttl I after Iwing this place, he *£ Notfolt eL part of a **« in Richmond kforehakh. a season ln England, hil» »or ß ii l° W mother- All «•«* oost m .££ the fought. His drafts on *aa.«nd ?onour^ a« soon as I received Realised a. TPl ObaMydr£w more than he Bai« of fif.l ? ve eaid> there is a mort *fo»*ZT hundred doll«* on the •totlthsiu and dollars which were >hm make «* n°thinß about- That lQsa I 1'BPPo«9^ y°Wn> Over above that, whereabont tPr °P« rty tod ay is worth som° "»C /V °tllousand dollars." D °™.' ke tlV nd 7 dollars I" repeated .^wyou hiDkitmore?' »ore. 'XJB^ that thoro waa much mUtako pf ', d- Tllere mu6t be some It was not like ahlm '^ nOt haV6 decioved us' '^"Sftliirn hw much Ea'f)h Fet !t in X Ma way a man cautiously feel «2ed ditt On Sti ateaily!um-he nevcrdid," bllt ho pill P'!an' with manifc^ deling ; > Wen aZ'" at£d that if ho should *">« psenpi,? mmnma would be loft free S Unow it "F Wailtl ISm C6rtaiD

that^ivenn cd,' a'Bun>ing a glad look sethrou^°£ 00™f. 0r think I toolW»l myStery is solved- Let me iook. wait one moment " ovHentTv of^ Tv to an old Ottken cabin°t with a™ V g ' Sh mak0' dark glossy 1 j l. ,? Bafer than here in Virginia This ZhJ• "^ * mU9t look t0 th"t. Really, «£^ that property ever sent you any word or asked any questions, about it?" t,,,'n^ lan i 8 V 1, 8 Bt. ranSest P^t of it," re turned Donald, with a forced laugh "I have received two or three letters asking me who was Ralph Owen's agent. Ha !ha ' ha !-I thought the fellow wanted to drum Ha!h ya°"See> 8° * laid low- and kept dark.

,J' Bat) ?jcle> lf paPa had really °™=d the could" 0" ' not bave paicl *{mU y°u "Why certainly, if I ha.l thonght.it an hore.t demand But you can «fcrays just exactly toll about those thin™. How was I to know that the man was not sum ming mo?" b Donald tew from tho horrified look upon the orphan's faco that ho had missed his mark. In spite of his firm resolvo he had suftored himself to fall into his habit of low language and slang ; and, furthor, he had displayed a little too much of his innate dishonesty. Fortunately for him nt that juncture, the first boll for supper sounded. He had learned all that ho had particularly desired to know-that Ralph had never made known his possessions - th»t neither Doris nor her mother had over had any clear idea of how much, or how little, ho was worth. Only they had been 311 ro that there was more than he had at first been inclined to acknowledge ; but he had found a ronrly way out from that difficulty; and ho was entirely willing to grant to the orphan as much of this Philadelphia property aa aho might feel authorised to claim.

Ah ! if Doris could have had the handling of that whole packet of papers the would have lost confidence in Donald Owen for evermore ; but it might have bsen wowe for her. She would have known too much. " Dear niece," said Donald, coming back to the character ho had assumed for the occasion, " I am glad we hnd this conversa tion, and am doubly glad that my attention has been called to the old bundle of deeds, most of which are old bonds by which my father held the bulk of this property." (The only property his father had ever owned had been two shares of a piratical brig of which ho had been commander. And we may say, without violating any confidence, that Donald himself had spent the early prime of his life as captain of a Caribbean buccaneer, while Wenzell and Herter had served their apprenticeship before the mast.)

"Yes," he wont on, in allusion to the bundle of deeds, " now that my eyes are opened, I shall at once take the necessary steps to put you in possession, and I think we may safely conclude that you will find an independence. That, certainly, ought to content you. Bless me lit is strange how I could have overlooked it so long." " Musn't thore be back rentsdue, uncle ?" Doris found courage to ask. "Why, of course there must, hundreds of dollara ; and I shall collect it, too " " One question before we go, Uncle Donald. Do you know a man by the name of Jacob Wenzell ?"

The old man was startled ; and the ques tion had come so unexpectedly that he could not help showing it. He recovered himself quickly, however, and had cvi dently formed a prompt answor in the negative; but upon fecond thought, ho concluded to moderate his falethocd. He could not deny nil knowledge of the man without losing the girl's confidence at once and for ever ; co ho siid, after hesitating until his face had coloured with confusion :

"Wenzell? Wenzell? Why, certainly I know him. He used to work for me ; but I sent him adrift long ago. Has he crossed your track ?"

Doris would not have known haw to pro varicato had she desired to do such a thing ; but ehe did not hesitate here.

"Tes," sho answered. "He enme from Calcutta to New York in the same chip with my husband and self."

" Did he Bpeak to you ?"

"No, not to me. He spoke to Georgo, however, and said that he was acquainted with you, and that ho had known my father."

"He spoke truly there Ah ! there is the final call. Will you take my arm ?"

She did so ; and as thoy moved on to ward the door, hn added :

"My dear niece, I have really enjoyed this conversation. Only oie regret arises — that your mother could not haveSvnown of the Philadelphia property. But ws will not let that trouble us. You shall roceivo the full benefit of it, I assure you. Ah ! hore we are !"

Thia as they entered the supper-room, where they found Gesrgo and Leila.

" Ha-ha ! my doar Bertram, you must not take offence at my spiriting away your wife. We have had an intaresting conver-

sation. In truth, my good Mr," with sober earnestness, and app2arance of sincerity, " I had that to say to her which I could not put off My mind is now easy, and lam thankful. But there has been no secrecy.

She will tell you everything." They sat down to the tablo with candles lighted, and the curtains drawn to shut out the half light, or twilight; and as tho meal progressed, tho host kept up a rattle of conversation often causing his hearers to cmile in epito of themselves. Leila sat by the side of her mistrees, and was the only

one present who could not find a bright or lightsome thing to smila at. When the meal was done, Donald aroso and moved back his chair, saying : " Now, my dear neice, you and your husband will hive to excuse mo for the re-

mainder of tho evening. You know the way of your apartments. A pull thoro of the bell cord will call Susan to your aid, who will serve you as you may wish. The library is at your service at any and all times, a9 are the drawing rooms. We have breakfast usually at eight o'clock. It shall be later hereafter if you desire." " Not at all " said Bertram. "Wo will be ready when you are. We are early risers,

boh of us " "Then let it be eight o'clock. I shall meet you then. Good-night, and pleasant dreams." They both wished him the same, and whVe he went ono way, they went another, to their chambers. George's room wa3 the pleasantest one to sit in, there being plenty of books lying around, and a home look about generally. Susan explained it by in forming them that it was Rupert's room, he beini* no\taway in college. "That would seem to imply that he does not intend to keep me long," said George, smilingly ; "for, surely, he will give hisson back his room when ho arrives at homo " He may propose to limit us to one room after that," was Doris's proposition. " Never mind about tho rooms now, re sponded her husband as they seated them selves. "I am anxious to know what in the world Donald Owen had to say to you that he should call you away from me. ' Doris looked to assure herself that the doors were closed, after which she resumed her seat, and gave a detailed account of the conversation, giving a portion of it word for word, forgetting nothing. George listened attentively, asking a few questions for more particular information. When the whole had been told, ho asked : " Did he make any allusion to tho crucifix ?" , " No," was the answer ; "but I thought, once or twice, that he was upon the point

"And what should you have told him if ho had asked you ?"_,,,, T , ~ "Really, Ger>rge, I don t know. I should not know how to prevaricate, and I could not tell a downright falsehood." • • Nor would I have you. My only fear was that you would not be able to flatly re fuse to speak on the subject However. I am glad he did not allude to it, though I nin very confident that he has the question in reserve. And now, my darling, the husband pursued with marked anxiety, 1 want you to tell me what i«P«? M°n the man produced upon you. What do you think of him ? What think you of his dis position towards us?" , "'George, if Uncle Donald had stopped when ho had got about one third through with his questions and explanations, i mi^ht have left him with a strong inclina tion to trust him ; but you can imagine what must have been the effect upon me ot tho latter part of the interview George, clasping one of his hands in both hor own, 'cot' only has ho deeply wronged both

my mother and myself, but he means to perpetuate that wrong. Aye, and more. Ueorge! - let us go away. We are not safe ■ 117 l am BUrO of '*•" "Hush, darling! Let us not make need lass haste. Not another word, now. I think you may trust Susan Draper to a certain extent."

"Yes, I know she is in full sympathy with me." ■> r j

" Then, do you question her. Do it care fully. Gain what information you cm. I Will look round and seek an opportunity to converse with Mr Owen. I will sound him, if the thing is possible. You are sure he does not think you suspect him ?" "I know he does not, or, at least, lam very certain," "As I have said before: 'Forewarned is forearmed.' Wo are armed where he is unarmed. Let us be cautious, and look further.' CHAPTER X. BARK PLOTTING. When Donald Owen had dismissed George and Doris, on that Monday evening, he re tired to a small office, where he usually transacted business with his work-people, and there shut himself in and considered. He had a habit of talking with himself—of thinking aloud-and wo may follow him as he paced to and fro across the narrow space outside the desk-rail, audibly reflecting. "Ono thing is suro," he said to himself, with an emphatic nod of the head, " this young Englishman has his wita about him, and has como hero with an evil thought of myself. He suspects me. That means, he boliev. s I am capable of doing anything to further my own ends. Egad ! I shall con vince him that he is right; but he must not have opportunity to investigate. Ah ! -Mr Bertram -I rend your intent in your eye ! You think you will lay tho citizens under contribution for information. That is clearly your plan, and it will not answer. But I must give him swing for a day or two. Let me see."

He «at down, and bont his head upon his hand. After a tirao, he arose hurriedly, as though a happy thought had struck him, and smartly pulled tho bull-cord that hung over his desk againet tho wall. Tho sum mons ivas very soon answered by a man still young-perhaps thirty-a pleasant looking porson, cleanly and respectably clad, with sandy hnir and ruddy complexion, and a pair of bluish-groy oyes that twinkled brightly. He had a winning smile always at command ; his voice was musical ; and he wa3 intelligent. He was Walter Tarbell, Owen's privato and confidential secretary. Wo may say here, in explanation of this man's subserviency—almost servility that, once upon a time, Donald Owen had f»und him in Norfolk, in prison, indictod for piracy on the high sea?, and had recognised him as son of a man who had once sailed with him in the Caribbean sea. His heart softened towards the youth ; he gofc him sot free, and tho youth had been with him ever since ; and wo can easily imagine what would be the relations between such a patron and such a subject. "Walter, you have seen tho young men who came in the stage this afternoon ?" " Ye?, sir."

" Well, look you : Ho is in my way, and I want you to look out for him for about, eight and forty hours. While he is hero I will relievo you from all other care. You

will report to him in the morning, and tell him that I have appointed you to be his servant—his valet, if he will so havo it; and you won't let him say no. You must stick to him."

"Just tell mo, sir, what is the object? If I know that, I can work understand ingly."

"To bo sure. You're right. What I want is this: He's an Englishman, you understand, and was nover in this country before. The chances are that to-morrow

morning, or as foon as ho can get out, he will begin to make inquiries with regard to my property. You hare heard mo speak of my Couein Ralph."

Certainly,"

" Woll, the girl is Ralph's dangMer and only child. Ho is her husband ; and they have come expecting to find a big slioo of property belonging to th«m. ll* will not quoftion me, but will poke around amongst, others. He is a long-headed fellow, and I don't want him to overhaul my log in any such underhand manner. Do you under stand ?'

"There is one point on which I would liko more particular iofnrmstion—that is, if I am to serve you promptly and with perfect understanding." " Eh ! Whit is that?'

Tho confidential servitor stopped nearer •o his patron and whispered into his ear;

it was something ho dared not, in that piotonco, trust to the walls.

Donald Owen did not start; ho only gave a keen, searching look into the other's face, and presently answered with a nod, and -

Ye 3, you miyactupon that supposition.''

"All right. Your youthful friend shall not overhaul your log ; be suro of that," And with that they separated.

On Tuesday morning, as (iorpjo came out from his chamber, he was mot by a pleasant-spoken, intelligent looking young nun, who introduced himself as Walter Taronll, and announcod tint Mr Owen had detailed him to wait upon his guest.

" You may regard mo as your valet, sir, and cmnmand me. I am nt your service entirely, and I think I phall please you.'

" But, my dear man !" cried the guest, in "nstonishment, " I don't want a valot. I never had tnich a thing, and should not know what to do with ono "

" You'll need me, sir, be sure. Po not reject my services. Mr Owen will think you did not liko me, and I may como in for hia di?ploaEuro, which I would rather not do."

Is ho so hard as that?"

" No, sir. 0, no, Ho is an honourable man, and just ; but he is so strict, and I know he wishes that you should be properly Bervod. IS is ono of his crotchets to pay all possiblo attention to guests. Now, if you will ju?t step back into your room, and let me brush your coat. It is dusty."

Ho fairly put George back as ho spoke, so that, do.*pi to his disinclination, ho wus forced to submit to tho attention. Several other littlo things tho new valet found to do, and he did them so choerfully, and with such a epa<rkto of pleasing conversation,

that the guest could not object. It fact, it was rather pleasant than otherwise ; and as tho man appeared to ba far from obtrusive, George thought he would lot him go on, reserving to himself the right of dismissing him should his presence become burdensome.

Tho day passed, and not an opportunity was given Bertram to speak with a citizen way. Towards evening the thought oc curred to him that ho would question this very man. Thoy were alone together on

the piazza. Tarboll had been so affable— so pleasant and agreeable - and had seemed so anxious to accommodate him in every possible way, that he was resolved to trust him : at any rate ho could try.

" Walter," ho said, stopping in his walk, and pointing His companion to a seat, at the same sitting himself, "I wish to ask you a few questions. If you answer at all, lam surs you will answer truthfully. Were you acquainted with tho late Kalph Owen ?'■' "No, sir," answered tho, pseudo valet, with a look and manner which seemed to

imply that he was entirely at the command of his present master. "Ho was gone before I came here. 15ut I know of him."

" Do you know what proporty ho owned in thin village ?"

" Nothing of any consequence, I think, in the village proper ; but he owned farm-

ing property, one of the largest and best farms in tho townthip, besides a hundred acres, or more, of valuable woodland."

" Have you any idea what tho property is worth ?"

"Why, no; rot oxactly. There is a mortgage on it, of fully half its value, I ihould fay. Perhaps tho equity is worth five thousand dollars."

•Do you know of any property else where?—any in Philadelphia?" "No ; I never heard of any such. There may have been property there, however; and if such be the case, I think I can find it

—thati?," Tarbell added, at the same time casting a quiet, funivo glance about him, "If you will keep to your.-elf. 1 would net like that Mr Owen should know that I was engaged in such work." The counterfeit valet wag talking without the slightest regard for truth-telling only truth enough to make even the truth iteelf deceptive.

Wednesday morning dawned, and Bert ram had not spoken with Donald Owen, save at meal times, sinco the day of hia arrival; nor had he had opportunity to enter into conversation with any other than his ever-present va'tt. That valet bad become, in fact, like Sinbad's Old Man of the Sea He could not shake him off. On this Wed nesday morning he said to Doris : "I will put up with the infliction to day, but no longer. I shrill tell the fellow, tlTis evening, that I shall require his services no moro. Should ho insist upon remaining, I shall peremptorily dismiss him.!'

Tho day of Wednesday, April 17th, passed, as the day preceding it had passed, and when evening had come George very kindly informed Tarbell that he should require his services no more ; and he was prepared to be firm, and npt back down. But, for a wonder, the man said not a word in opposition. Ho simply thanked the youth for his kindness; expressed deep regret on leaving a service which had been very agreeable to him, and politely took his leave. After tho man had doparted George entered his wife's chamber and related to her the circumstance. She was surprised, 83 he had been, that he had not resisted. But, after all, ho might have been an honest follow, and above the suspicion they had cast upon him. Leila Saba, who was present, and had , overheard, shook her head. This last event appeared to her the most supicioas of all. She believed a deep plot was in course of development, and this was a legitimate part of it. " We shall soon Bee more," she said. They had questioned Susan, but she could toll them nothing. 9he was honest, and willing to serve them; but she knew nothing of her master's affairs nor of his doings. While Ge lye and Doris were thusconvera ing a scene was transpiring elsewhere in which we have an interest. From the mau whom he had been appointed to serve Walter Tarbsll had gone direct to the office of his master ar.d made his report. The two were discussing the subject when the outer door was opened and a man entered, closely muffled in a long grey cloak. He glanced around the narrow apartment; then let tho broad cape fall from his head, and stood revealed—Jacob Wenzell! " Where did you come from?" "Never mind that now. Have you received a tolegram ?"

The question had scarcely been asked when several sharp clicks sounded from the instrument on Owen's table. He hastened to tho spot, set it in readiness to run, and sent back a response signifying that all was ready. Then tho ribbon 3of paper began to unroll, revealing printed words as it did so, which ho read as they made their appearance;

The oxclamations that fell from his lipg as tho ribbon glided over his fingers were many und various, but all excitedly jubi lant. When tho final click signified " done !'.' Owon road tho message aloud :

" Richmond, Apri 17,18tU. "Donald Owkn : Virginia is light; she is froo. Voto in convenlion, 88 to 55. We go to th>> Confederacy, ami must «o our part. Co), ltenwick lms a commission (or youraolf, which 1 trust you will aooopt. Will send a^ain boou. LICTOIIER." For a little time after lie had finishec reading not a word was epokon. Owen was the first to break the silence. " Jako, was this th« telegram you meant, when you asked mo if I had receivod one ?" " Yes. I havo just come from Jack Renwick. He gave me the news. He is all alive, and up in aring. He has two hundred men alrcadyenlisted and organised, and he is to act independently of everybody else under the sun—that is, everybody except the governing powers, ofcourso." " Where is he?" " Just over Crow Gap, in Dixwell. He'll bo here to morrow, if not tonight. If you can sparo me, I'll go with him. He oifera me a place on his staff." (This was a lie). " Ho has a roving commission ; I take it," said Tarbell. "Yes," answered Wenzoll, "diroot from the big ones at Montgomery. Ho ! He'll lead ua to plenty of booty—bo suro of that." Donald Owen sat down and scratched hi? hoad. It was a habit ho had when he thought deeply. Byandby he started up and looked at Wenzell; and when he spoke a stranger might have thought, from look, tone, and manner, that h« was really angry. " Jake Wonzell! Why don't you speak ? What d'you stand there with yor tonguo lockod for? Out with it. You've got some thing to eny. What is it ?" Jacob smiled benignly at he answered : "1 was thinking of that young English man." " Aye—l knew that, Bat what was you thinking?" "Just tho same that yon was—that the young follow would make a capital recruit for Coionol Jack Rsnwick." "Ah! You're a keen one, Jacob. Yos, that waa my thought. Will Jack take him." "Yes. J1 " And hold him ? What will ho do if tho follow should try to make his es«apo?" "Nevoryou fear about that. It will be a eoro day for him wlion he deserts from Renuick's force." " All riftht. And now for the next move on tho board. Whero is Horter ?" " lie aint far array. He came in with mo." " Will you and ha relieve me of the in cubus?'1 " What's an incubus ?" " It's a young Englishman stuck in where he isn't wanted." "O, ho! That's it, is it? Woll, sir, we'll take caro of him. 1 wish I could lay my hands on him tonight." " I think you'll havo the opportunity," said Tnrboll. " Tho moon is getting to be quito bright. It won't pet till after mid night; and if tho weathor is clear, he'll be pretty suro to walk out alone" I know he is itching to got out alone. Ho has ohafod under my close companionship more than he would like to toll. I think you'd better be on the look-out for him." "That's so. Have you any further orders, Captain ?" " No. Just get that incubus oft'my hands —that's all for now." Shortly after this, Jacob Wenzell pulled tho capo of his grey cloak up over hia head again, and went out, Walter Tarbell tollow ing close behind him. Tarboll had not been mistaken in thinking that tho young Englishman would walk out during tho evoning. Shortly after dark, upon looking out, and finding tho silvery croscont, in its first quarter, bright and cleft, with a balmy air almost without motion, fteorgo lighted a cigar, and paid to Doris that ho would walk out and look about " I think I will walk as far a« tho po?t-ollice, and soo if there is any late news from Washington " "I fear the pcoplo hore are looking in another quarter for news." " You moan tho city, or capital, of the now government?" "Yes Montgomery, is it not ?" "I believe it is the naoie of the place But, darling, you must not think that your Jnclo Donald reflects the sentiments of tho people of Owonavillo." "But there are bad men there, my doar husband, and I would have you beware of them. I will not try to turn you from your enjoyment, but I do beseech of you that

you will look to yourself. Donotforgetwhere you are Leave your dreaming behind you, to be taken up when you come back, for I know you can bs verT forgetful afc times." Sha put her arms around his neck, and kissed him and blessed him, and saw him depart.

The clock on the drawing-room mantel was striking the half hour after eight as Bertram wont out from the house. The post office was only a short distance away, and thither he Hist bant his steps. As he approached the square in which it was located ho hesitated, and for* a moment thought of turning back, for a considerable crowd had gathered there, and there was much excitement

"What is it?1' he asked of a girl who was coming from that direction.

"It's news from Richmond, sir ; and I'm going home to tell papa. He sent me to find out."

"But the news, my dear girl! Stop a moment, please. What is it that has come from Richmond ?"

" i don't know, sir ; only— lt's all right.' That's what they all say." And away she f=ped.

The youthful adventurer could not resist tho desire to know what news hail eomo that bad so excited the peop'o, and he moved on towards the office. As he came nearer he could distinguish 'that there were two parties, one of whiph was loud and vociferous, the other calmly stern and digni fied. The first-mentioned party hailed the news with joyous acclaim, the other re ceiving it with forrowful regret. He draw nearer, and finally, upon the verge of the crowd, stopped and listened. Tho truth was soon known to him Virginia was no longer in the Union. The Convention at Richmond had, on that very day, passed the ordinance of secession.

Ho waited until he was sura that his oar? had not deceived him, and then, with a strange jinking of the heart, he turned to retrace his steps. He had scarcely started when a light quick footfall sounded at his side, ond a hand was laid upon his arm. " Mr Bertram !"

He turned his head, and saw, by the moonlight, a y.oung man whom ho had sec* about Mr Owen's premises. " What is wanted ?"

"I thoujrht it v/ag yog, sir," tho youth said, breathing hard, as though he had boon running. " There's a man over there who's bean asking for you. He has just come from Washington, and has a message for you. He says il'a important." " Do you know who he is ?"

" So. sir. I nover saw him before. He's a. btMugor in these parts."

" It ia not -Wenzell ?" The words Blipped out almost before thought. "0!— I knew him. No, sir. He is a

stranger." Of course, then, he could not bo an enemy. George thought of Capt. Darrow. Should it be he or a messenger from him, he would not miss him for'the world.

" Where is the man ?"

" I left him over there, just beyond the great pump. He wanted to got away from the crowd," Nothing could be more honest than was the whole appearance—the totre and bearing-of his youth; and our hero resolved that he would trust him.

" Lead on,

I will follow."

And yet, as he went, there was a strange pulling at hia heart strings—a something seeming to hold him back, whispering to him of danger. But ho could not bo a coward, and he went on,

{To be Continued),

A NEW ZEALAND RE MINISCENE

Esoapo of tho Chatham Island Prisoners.

(By the Matk of the Rifleman.) ,y The CUathams are a favourite place of call for South Sea whalers, as thore they got their supplies of vegetables and fresh pro visions at a reasonable rate, and without running tho risk of losing any of their crew,

as sometimes happens at tho Bay of Islands

and other places. We carried a couple of good boats on board our schooner, in which

we convoyed tho Maori passengers ashore,

As I bade Marta good-bye, I remarked to her that I hoped to tako her and her brother back with us on our return voyage to Auckland, and that we would run into the Bay of Plenty, and put them ashore at Makotu. To this sho laughingly replied, " Kapai- Kapai"(" Very good, very good"). For the greater part of the clay wo were all very busily employed getting our cargo landed ; but wo got finished by four o'clock or thereabouts, and then I wont ashoro to havo a look around tho place. I found there were only a couple of stores in tho township, and a fow whares, some of tho latter being inhabited by Maoris, but the greater number by Morion's, or natives. The stockado was eituated a short distance off, and was surrounded by a parapet and trench. Having entered a store and exchanged tho usual salutations with the proprietor, I was

introduced to two or three of tho soldiers from tho rodoubt. They had strolled down to pass the time and hoar tho newa, and, with tho usual colonial frankness and hos pitality I was invited by them to have a drink. As the Government only allows bottled ales and porters to bo sold, I oonsontod, and wo passed an agrteablo hour or two in discussing t!:e various political, social, and industrial questions then occupying public attention on the mainland. From timo to time during the course of our

conversation other soldiers dropped in, till tho place at last became quite full. As one subject after another came under discussion,

the conversation grew animated, and loud and "tall" talk became general. Knngi and ono or two of our former passengers dropped in a> if by accident. U'ho Maori chiof appeared to bo vory flush of money, and at last insisted on entertaining all in

tho house. As might bo expected, the consequence of (his unwonted liberality was, ore the bugle sounded tho last post, tho soldiera, to put it mildly, wore in an ex-

tremely happy stnto. I, howevor, proceeded on board, whore I arrived all safe : and ! noit morning wo commenced to take in cargo for Auckland, which consisted prinoipa'ly of potatoes and whalo oil. As on tho previous day, our work wa« over by tho afternoon ; and so I again wont a?horo, and found tho same congregation of festive spirits at the store —toldior*,sailors, whalors, Maoris, and Morioris, all indiscriminately mixed up. From tho confused bsbol of sounds »hhsh mot my oar as 1 approached, I apprehended they must h&vo been keeping

It up pretty briskly all da/. I was not left long in doubt on that point, for on nearing tho verandah, tho forgeunt atonco ctopped down topluiko hands and bid mo welcome, his effusiveness »nd rather unsteady gait show ing protty plainly that hohadbecnindulging rather frtoly. Hnvlns; taken my arm, ho, without circumlocution, said, " Comoalong, old follow ;no swipe? at present. Come with mo, and I will show you something hotter than that." With this h« led mo to the back of tho house, and afterward-! penetrated tho scrub of eoft and pliable inanuku for about one hunched yards Wo then lighted upon a party of fiva or fix soldiers, who with Rangi in tho mictat, and threeorfourothor Maorisaround, wcrcscatod besido a fivo gallon keg of pisco, a strong palo brandy, manufactured in Northern Peru, a good supply of which wlmlers woro accustomed to carry. They are not in the least «Ter« to sell or trade in it, as oppor tunity offers ; and the pro«ent supply h.id been procured from one of tho crew of tho whaler which had arrived the previous day, andwewero assured ho was quite willing to supply as much more if any one ehoso to pay for it. I was rather surprised whon I was told that Rangi wag tho host, and that he had supplied tho whole ontortainmont. I hardly know What to make of it. Relay followed relay from the redoubt, one of tho soldiers having informed his comrades, tho (in pannikin making its orbit with little intermis'ion, and that very quickly. As onch party was served, thoy mado their way back to the store, to vary tlioir enjoyments with swilling malt liquor, tho usual ani mated discussions ensuing as a matter of course. These men, it may liore bo remarked, had high pay, and had no moans of spending it properly; their duties, too, wcro almost nominal, as they had only one inspection and a twenty-four hours' gimrd oneo a week ; so that, takon altogether, they had little to complain of. Tho Maori prisoners, who weroconfinedinaseparatebuiklinginsidotho stockadp, wcro also vory woll treated ; for with tho exception of furnishing nu occa sional fatiguo party, thoy passed all their time in smoking and playing curds Tho lioutonant in chargo was an olderly gentle man, who occupied himself mostly in wild fowl shooting, leaving the duties of the garrison almost entirely to his subordinates.

I must confess that when I cot on board that night I was quito ready for my bunk, and Captain B , who had beon ashoro with me, was quite ai ready for his. We got aboard about ton o'clock, and im mediately thorcaftor turned in, and I was soon in a profound slumber. I had thus been asleep for some four or fivo hours, when I was awakened by a confused noiso

on deck. I heard a. eort of babbling of many tongues, besides ahurriod scnltling of naked feet, intermingled with the short shnrp cries of men, who appeared to bo pulling in the hnlliards. Listening more at tentively for a minute, I could hear the rush of water, the vessel at tho same time ca reened over to looward, and then at onco I know that we woro actually under weigh. To jump out of my cot and throw on a few articles of clothing was but tho work of a moment. I reached the cuddy door, and perceived day was just breaking, and by the dim light thus afforded saw that tho deck was covered by du?ky forms, a few of whom wore Maori mats and blankets, but the greator part had European costume. Rangi apparently was the directing spirit amongst them ; he was moving swiftly from group t» group, giving ewers in sharp excited tonoi", and had evidently taken command of the ship. The whole plot now was revealed ; »11 had been a cunningly-de vised scheme to liberate the prisoners, and especially the notorious rebel and Hauhau prophet and fanatic, Te Kooti. I after wards learned that, ns arranged with Rangi and his party outeido, the prisoners had made a rush boforo midnight, cutting down the pontry on .their own quarters, im mediately afterwards overpowering and disarming tho sentry at the gate, leaving him gagged, stunned, and quite helpless. The remainder of tho guard wero next dis armed and bound ; so that tho main body had no suspicion of the state of matters till well on next morning. Mcannhi'e Rangi and his friends outside had secured all the boats and wicker canoes of tho natives, and had within half an hour of the first rush. trained tho deck of the schooner without opposition and made all secure ere L woke Hiving aroused Captain B and infor med him what had happened, he, as may be imagined, wa? greatly astonished, and looked very helpless, and no wonder ; for, looked at in any liebt, the prospect was anything but cheerful. At last we resolved to turn in again to our cot?, as the best course open to us under the circumstances, and there await tho further development of the plot. Wo had thus rested for about an hour, whon R'inij;i called us up. He waa sea'eu at tho little ruble in tho cabin, and had a double-barrelled gun slung en bandouliero around him. Ho was naked to tho waist, and spoke with a ferocity and gesticulation that caused tho shark's tooth attached to his

right ear by a black ribbon to swing liko a pendulum.

" Look here, men," he said, " this Bhip is now mine. We are about clear of the bay; but Shoupah, the god of the winds, iB cetting angry, so I want you to take us to Taneroa (Poverty Bay), and to take us quickly. If you attempt to go into any other port, you know what will happen." He then ordered us forward to look after the ship. We went forward and down the fore castle, and observed that the Maoris had removed the greater part of the bulkhead betwixt the fere and main hold, spreading their mats ami blankets on the top of the potatoes and barrels of whale oil. They wore squatted in every conceivable position, smoking and card-playing. There were between sixty and seventy of them, includ ing eight or nine females, amongst whom I observed Marta, who had doubtless accom panied her brother. Whilst clearing the bay the weather looked squally, and the sea was getting up. On consulting the barometer, I saw that it was falling rapidly, so calling all hands, we took in all sail and battened down the hatches, leaving her under a storm-jib, close reefed fore-Eail, and spanker. The wind had been gradually hauling round frpm the south-west, and I perceived we were in for a regular "northerly buster," one of those violent tempests which for the time maka tho New Zealand coast seem to be the head quarters of j'Eolus. These hurricanes nearly always last for three days, and they occur at pretty regular intervals, -winter and summer alike.

The old schooner waa a capital sea boat, her timbers and planking staunch and strong. She stood up bravely and stiffly to the gale, which was every moment increas ing in violence, and it was only when we were putting her about that she took in a sea, which sent tho natives below, but otherwise did no damage. As evening closed in, however, a tremendous sea was running, and we wore thus obliged to lay her to, to await better weather.

To Kooti (the prophet) and Rang! had taken possession of the cabin, and Rangi re quested Mnrta to take up her old quarters, but she declined, preferring to be amongst tho other Maori women and in the company of her brother below. As tho night deepened, tho howling of the gale was terrific, and the vessel was bobbing up and down liko a cork on the waters. Te Kooti, prophet and priest though ho was, became muceh alarmed Ho caused his bed to be shifted from the captain's cot, which ho occupied, to the cabin table, and as lie lay right under the swing lamp, ho tried by reading to con centrate his thoughts on his Maori Bible ; but that seemed to be an expedient only partially successful, for every few minutes he laid it down and took up the Hau- Hnu hymn-book, a strange melango of Scriptural toxts and secular songs. When tho vessel gave a greater roll than usual he would ejaculate short appoals to the pagan gods jpf his ancestors. His countenanse, it may be observed, was of a deathly pallor; but ho was not tattooed, and he looked thin and caroworn, the short hacking cough which novor lefthim being a Bure indication that, whether on sea or on shore, his career was not likely to be a prolonged one. He was the only Maori on board who seemed to havo auy dread, for as I glancsd below on the prostrate forms of the natives as they lay wrapped in their mats and blankets, they seemed to accept tho situation with that philosophy which is characteristic of tho riico. When morning broke, the gale still blew with hurricane force. To Kooti had a little boforo daybreak fallen into a troubled sleep, but wh>>n I entered the cabin later on to glanco at the barometer, heandßangi were, in earnest conversation. I knew enough of tho Maori languago to understand that he was gravely recounting tho particulars of a dream which he had had in hla sleep. I made out that tho great Atua himself had appeared unto him, and warned him that tho winds would not cease to blow nor tho seas to rage until the victim whom Atua led boforo him wai offerod up as a gaerifce to their ancient gods. Tho porson desig nated as led before him by the Atua was

young »nd a Maori; bat he could not tee hit f»co, as it was veiled in his blanket, and

lis head drooped down on his breast,

An the Maori? put great faith in dreams' a korero, or council of the oldest men in

tho f hip, was called by JKangi, They as sembled beforo the round houeo, and fquatted down in three or four rows. Te Keoti kept his prostr.ilo position insido the cabin, whoro he could see tho proceedings through tho open door. A eenfcry was placed forward to prevent any of the young men or women appearing at the delibera tions. When all was arranged, Rangi took up his poiition in tho open space betwixt tho cabin and those assembled. He held a

mere in hii right hand as ■ symbol of autho rity ; and although tho circumstances were unfavourable to the usual style of florid and douionstmtivo oratory practised by the Maoris, still ho did not fail to make a deep impression on the group he addressed. His words, so far as I could catch them, wore somothing to the following effect:—

Friends, the Tabunga (priest), who is

ill, deputel! mo to address you. Ido so willingly. We have oscapod from the prison of tho Pakelm ; but the gods have boeomo angry with us, and we are all

likely to perish. But the great Atua himself has appeared to tho prophet during tho night, and has told bin that the Pyps (tho Egyptian Typhon, or power of Evil)

will relent, and will give us smiling poas and a speedy return to the land if we cast from amongst us him who has brought down upon us this evil. Who is this man ? do you ask. Know you not that we have amongst us one of the accursed race of the Arawus, our doadly onemies, those firm

friends of tho PaKohas, who have loft us homeless and landless, and who Ifave acted as the sleuth-hounds to lead our enemies to

thoir prey ? Have they not robbed us of tho inheritenco of our ancestors at Opotiki; have they not all but exterminated the once powerful tribe of the Uriweras ? And now tho Croat Atua himself has signified his Will that this Arawa who is now amongst us be offered up ns a sacrifico, so that the winds and tho waves may be at rest."

Whon ho ceased, a general " Ugh, ugh," and murmur of assent passed through the ranks. Rangi, swift to take advantage of the impression ho had mado, signalled to two of his men to bring bofore them Honi Parata, tho Arawn. The men, as ordered, went below, and soon ro appeared with Honi. Ho was a young man, apparently about ninotoon years of age, tall and orect, with a bold and confident look. He seated

himsolf, asdirected, in themidstof the group, calm and impassable. Rangi, as the mouth piece of the piophet and ctuncil, then ad dressed him. He recounted first the prophet's dream, and then aontinued — "Honi Parata, we hare escaped from the Pakehas, and are now on tho great sea, tossed by the tempest, and goinf* we know not where, to destruction probably. But, as I have told you, tho groat Atua has appeared to Te Kooti in a dr«am, and he has declared that Shoupali, the god of the winds and the waves, will only be pacified by a sacrifice, and that not of a white man or a slave, but of a young man and one of a party of noted warriors; and the sacrifice, to bo effectual, must be voluntary. Honi Parata, wilt thou be the man ?"

The undaunted bearing of tho young Maori hardly underwent any perceptible alteration ; there was only a slight quiver of tho lip (19 he murmured in a low tone " I will," and then, as one who felt himself standing on the threshold of tho unseen world, the missionary teaching of his boy hood revered to him, and in a low voice he uttered, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

The Tictim then quietly seated himself on th» deck, when the prophet himself aro?e and proceeded to cut a lock from the young man's black curly hair, and, casting it up wards, it was caught by the wind and car-

ried fur away to leeward. Suddenly the young man rose, and with a great bound he sprang clear of the bul warks, and tho next moment he was in the heart of an immense billow which rose clear of the ship. When he emerged he was ob- Forved swimming with that consummate easo which distinguishes his race ; he next turned on his back, and was then lost to view in tho volume of spray and mist on all eides.

During all this time Marta was below dressing flax, quite unconscious of he«" brother's fate. About half an hour after he had jumped overboard nur carpenter went below, and in his imperfect Maori tried to make the girl comprehend what had hap pened. Not quite understanding what he said, but making out that something serious had happened, she of once hastened on deck, pushed aside the sentry who tried to stop her, and rushed aft. "What means this korero? Where is Honi '!" she inquires, first of one and then another, without- receiving any rnply.

I felt like a man under a spell, and almost instinctively ordereJ the men to allow the

vessel's head to fall off and one or two to us siat meat the tiller. I cannot say precisely what was ray motive in doing bo ; I suppose it v,'u* an impulse of pity and intonee sympathy for the young girl —a desire to give her a last look of Honi, mingled with a reckless longing for the next see to over whelm us nil. But round went the schooner bravely) and was borne swiftly down to the

spot where the young man struggled. I knew he was there by the flock of alba trosses, Cape hene, Mother Carey's chickens, and gul's which hovered about. They were holding h!gh carnival, and with discordant c creams and cruel eyes were already quarrelling over the body so soon to be their own. As we neared the place whfise I thought there might be a ahance of seeing him, Marta eluDg to the mainmast, maintaining herf ooting with some difficulty. With keen vision she scanned the waste of waters, and as we approaohed the sea-birds a dark object loomed out of tffe waters from amongst them. 16 wag Honi; ke had recognised the ship and his sister, and was

apparently much exhausted, but a cry liko

a long wail reached us, sounding like, "Marta, erarai, erami!" ("Come, come quickly ! I sink.") In a moment, like a flash of light she was orer the side of the vessel, making her way with rapid strokes to the side of her drown ing brother. It was the last we saw of them; bo boat could live in that sea. Before we could run the vessel to and bring her to the wind all trace pf them was lost, and the sacrifice was complete. As I looked through the glass at the spot where we had last seen them,, a venerable white-haired Maori pointed o^it to mo a spot where a flash of foam rose from the orest of a wave.' "Te huka, te huka" ("The foam, thofoam !") he cried; '"Tis the spirit of Marta in its flight to the reinga (heaven), and in three days she will become a little star." It waa the simple faith of his fathers, and Marta had acted in his eyes a noble part in following to the land of spirits one whom she had loved so well.

Shortly afterwards tho gale commenced to break, the lulls became longer, and the sea was much oalmer, when the Maori women appeared from below, and forming them selves into groups with a few of the men intermingled, they proceeded to celebrate the tangi, or lamentation for the dead. Their wails and sobs as they performed their apparently never-ending circles round the ship were heart-rending, and lasted far into the night, the screams of the sea-birds at the same time greatly adding to the mournful sounds.

Morning broko fresh and fair, the sky was without a cloud, the sun shone forth brilliantly, and the wind which had veered round to the south-west just kept the sails

full. I was now enabled to take an obser vation, and I found that wo were 600 miles from the Bast Cape, but as we had a lead ing, wind I hoped to make the land in four days. ~ As anticipated, we made a good landfall, and on the evening of tho fourth day the East Cape was in eight; the Maoris at once recognised it, and were greatly elated; as for the crew of the schooner, their feelings were rather the reverse. Would they massacre us? all questioned, and afterwards set fire to the ship, and so add another to the long list of misdeeds of a similar kind of which they had been guilty ? Such thoughts were coursing through our minds when we rounded Cape Runaway the next morning and cast anchor in Wan gaparawa Roads. In that short time we realised something of the feelings which those probably experience who lie under sentence of death. Our two boats having been hoisted over the side, they were atence loaded to the gunwale, the remaining Maoris jumping overboard and swimming ashore. Thoy landed at an dM whaling station, where a fire had been lighted by some friends who had apparently been on the lookout for them. Other fires shortly afterwords sprang up from point to point on the coast, co that their arrival was soon signalised over the whole district. We, however, saw no more of them, and when darkness get in weighed anchor and sot sail for Auckland, leaving our boats on the beach, only too glad to escape with this trifling loss. When he arrived at Auckland and reported the escape of thß prisoners to the authorities, it was too late to take steps for their capture. In the meantime Te Kooti and his band had fallen upon the settlers in Poverty Bay, massa cring them all. Immediately after the butchery they made their escape to the King country, and up to tin period of my leaving tho colony, gome years afterwards, not one of them had been taken.

NEW GUINEA SKETCHES

Strange Burial Customs.

Native Conceptions of the Future State.

The Rev. J. Chalmers, a missionary in New Guinea, in a sketch of the burial rites of the New Guinea natives and their opinions with regard to the future life> says :—" The friends, some time after day light, arrange amongst themselves to dig tho grave without informing the immediate relatives. This is dug in the main street is front of deceased 8 house, a shallow grave of only two feet deep. During the morning the body in placed on a mat in the grave, and a pl»nk iR placed over all. Over that a home is built, and the chief mourners live there for about two moons and a-half. It is necessary they should live there toshow their great love for the desd. Should a wife, a hus batad, a child, or parent neglect this, they would be spoken ■ about as unloving and unfeeling, who never "smelt" their rela tive, and if met about might be asked, " Hare you smelled husband, wife, child, or parent ?" For four days there are ordinary feasts given, and on the fifth a large one, when all friends go to their homes. Those living in the house over the grave use the juice from the body to mix with charcoal, which they uso in blacking themselves; then they really look hideous. They never leave the house during the day. At night only they go oufc. When tho time comes for real burial, all the bones are taken up and carefully cleaned with water, rubbed with oil, and painted with ochre. A small feast is cooked for relatives, and the bones are then placed on a new mat and put into the grave, and all is covered with earth. And what of the spirit? There are various stories, but the most prevalent is that on leaving the body it goes to Ela, where it rests beforo going to Tauru, where a plat form of sticks is made, on which the spirit is placed, with a large fire underneath, which is kept going for two days and two nights. When the spirit is dry and much lighter, it then enters into the great Tauru city, where it for ever remains in bliss, marrying and giving in marriage, and bear ing sons and daughters, planting food and getting abundant returns, no sorrow, but all joy. A spirit has no nose, but every other member is right. Why they should be without a nose I am unable to find out. In former times the Koitapu tribe did not; bury their dead, but placed them in caves or ledges of rook ! To-day I have visited one of the«e places. It was quite a-vay from the haunts of man. Several skulk and a large quantity of bones lay about. They laid the dead on a plank, and carried it in over the range, and placed it on a ledge underneath a large piece of overhanging rock, and there left it. Of late years they have adopted the Jlotu custom, and bury as the latter do. The Koitapu spirit land is away back in the mountains. Kaile and Kapakapa are the same as the inland tribes Saroa, Ma»ukolu, and others on the coast ranges. They keep their dead in the house until falling to pieces, to the great annoyance and discomfort of those happen to be to leeward of the house. The juice of the body they use, as the Motuans do, to blacken themßelvoa with. When the body is " falling to pieces," the bones are earefullywashed; thesmalleronesarestrung together and carried about; the largtr ones are buried. The Kabadi and Elema tribes bury deep, and have no bone cleaning. They have only the feasting, and for a long time Hveinhoueeabuiltoverthe grave. The Namauabury in very shallowgravesand leave the head exposed, fo that friends may often come and see it. When the head feparates from the body, it is well cleaned and carried home, there to be kept. The teeth are ex tracted to wear as ornaments on the ear or round the neck. The Koiari leave the body in tho house, and frequently leave the place and build elsewhere. Once, when travelling inland, we came to a deserted village, and in two houses found skeletons. Sometimes the Koiari keep the bodies as at Kaile and Kapakapa, and wrap them in mats, hang it over tho fire to dry, and after a time put it away in a hole of a rock close by the village. They also clean the bonen at othertimes, and carefully bury them, placing spears and cooking pots over the grave. The Hula do the same as the Kaile and Kapakapa in some isstances ; in ot here, they bury and never more dig up. The Kere punu, KaTo, Papaka, and Kamali tribes all lmry deep; and sometimes thoy build houses over the graves and there sleep, but do not again disturb the body. The Dahuni resort to both plans. Some are buried in a sitting posture, tho upper part of the head being left exposed, and covered with an oarthenware pot. In about two months a largo feaat i 3 prepared, and the head is taken, well cleaned, and put in a basket and hung up in the house. Other bodies are put on a kind of platform, and thero loft, with tho exception of the head, eh is taken and dealt with described.

SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST A RECTOR AND A SOLICITOR.

Snicldo of One of the Accused.

A sensational caße in the county Fer managh had a sensational termination. A charge was recently preferred npainst the Rev. M. White, rector of Ballinamollard, in that county, of having forged the will of the late Captain Barton, of the Enniskillen Regiment, the document containing a be quest of £8,000, being two-thirds of the asppts, to the Rev. Mr White himself. The cats had bean opened at the Kesh Petty Ses sions and adjourned to Tuesday, when it was to have been fully and publicly gone in to. On Tuesday morning, however, the rev. gentleman committed suicide by drowning himself in a cistern at his residence.

A Dublin correspondent telegraphed on Tuesday : It was known that a private in vestigation was held three weeks ago at Clonelly, near the Pettigo, the residence of the late Captain Barton, the result of which was that Mr White tvas arrested on a charge of forgery and remanded to the Petty Sessions at Kesh, to be held yesterday. The forgery was the alleged writing of the name of Captain Barton to a document pur porting to allocate a sum of £12,000 to various parties, a residue of about £8,000 being left to Mr White. Captain Barton on the 10th April last, died, unmarried, in St. Thomas's Home, London, leaving £40,000 in cash and an estate of £2.000 a year. His remains wera brought to Ireland and taken to Clonelly, accompanying them being a black bag, which contained two bank buoks, in the pocket of one of which was a receipt from the manager of the Ulster Bank, Dublin, for a doposit receipt of £12,000 on the Shanghai and Hong Kong Bank. Colonel Carr, a brother officer of the deceased, kindly saw to the luggage, in cluding the bag which was brought over. He arrived in Bnniskillen on the 14th April, and handed the bag in which was the receipt to Mr Alexander, who wasthefamilysolicitor. The bag was next day given into theeharge of Mr Atthill, J.P., the agent of the estate, and his son, Mr W. Attkill, who conveyed it to Clonelly the day previousto the funeral. On the day after the funeral, that is the 17th, the bag was missed, and it was not again seen until the 3rd of May, when it was found empty at Aroverney plantation, near Mr Attbill's residence. Besides the deposit receipt there were three diamond rings, worth £150 each, and other valuable jewellery On the 27th of April Mr Alex ander was at Clonelly for the purpose of taking an inventory, when he was handed a letter by Mr J. C. McCausland, who drew Mr Alexander's attention to the seal on the letter as being that of Captain Barton. The letter waß handed to the Rev. M. O. White and Mr Atthill, two of Captain Barton's executors, who were present. It was opened at Mr McCausland's request. It was dated 22nd December, 18S4. It was addressed to Mr McCausland, and purported to be in the handwriting of the deceased. It directed that a sum of £12,000 should be given after his death to Mr White in con sideration of his valuable services, and enclosed the receipt before mentioned. Subsequently, on the 12th of May, Mr Alexander was again at Clonelly, when Mr McCausland stated that he had received the letter, dated 22nd December, from the Rev: M. G. White. These .facts were brought out at the private magisterial investigation, and on the information of Mr Edward Atthill and District-inspector Brett that the letter was in the handwriting of the Rev. Mr White the bench issued a warrant, on which Mr White was arrested and remanded on bail to the petty sessions of Tuesday. On Tuesday morning, how ever, when the car drove up to his residence to take him to Kesh, he was not ready, and search being made, he was found dead in a water tank at the top of the house. The deceased gentleman was of a very occentric character, and lived in a state of continued terror of assassinatien. During the height of the Land League troubles he went about constantly armed with a Winchester re peating rifle, and his figure, rendered noticeable by this addition, was a very familiar one to all who had occasion to travel in the neighbourhood of Enniskillen

HERAT.

A City Which Has Been a Ruin for Centuries.

Herat is in truth, for a variety of reasons, a place of unusual importance, and among them are the agricultural, commercial, ethnic, and strategic advantages possessed by it, said M. Vambery in his paper read in Exeter Hall recently. While I was still in the desert with my companions, in the north of the Paropamisus mountains, they were never tired of repeating to me : " Have but patience. We are nearing the blessed land; •we are going to Herat. There the bread is whiter than the moon, the water sweeter than sugar. You can get there a pot of cream for a farthing, the roast lamb is delicioußly savory, and the most exquisite varieties of fruit can be had for a mere trifle." I arrived in Herat during the autumn, just after the city had passed through a siege of three years. The entire place was a shocking heap of ruins, the environs had been despoiled of the trees, and yet, for all that, when I ventured into the more secluded valleys, and saw and tasted of the rich variety of the products to be found there, I could not help marvel ing at the wonderful productiveness of the soil. I discovered that the statement of the geographers of antiquity wore by no means exaggerated, and that the glowing accounts of my fellow-travellers were strictly true. The Soil of Herat is of incredible fertility, and, with the ex ception of the cultivated oasis in the territory of Zerefßhan, there is not another spot in the -whole of the Asiatic world between Siberia and India which could vie for productiveness with those valleys of the Paropamisus. The wheat ripens in June, and ranks in quality with the so-called Jerusalem wheat of Khiva. The grapes are much more palatable than the celebrated kinds from Bokhara, and' superior even to the Tchansh grapes from the environs of Smyrna. The pears and apples are! better than those so highly prized in Asia, known as Nathenzians, and the mutton much more savory than that of Shiras and Karaman, which is saying a great deal. TheJnhab itants of Herat have good wool in abundance for the textiles required for their raiment, wood for their buildings., and great variety of minerals, which are only awaiting ex ploitation. They not only have enough for themselves, but they are also supplying the surrounding country. Thus has the rice of Herat always been one of the chief articles of food of the Turcomans of Merv and Hezares in the East, while the fabrics of Herat, such as carpets, furs and different varieties of leather, were being exported by them far and wide. I must make here par ticular mention of the fact that not only in my time, or during this and the preceding century, has Herat been a ruin ; but ever since the decline of the Timnaides Herat became the bone of contention among the Persians, Afghans, Usbegs, Turcomans and Hezares. Peace but rarely dwelt in its pre cincts, and yet a few years of rest would usually suffice to heal the wounds inflicted upon it, and to restore this fertile oasis to its former splendour.

Committal for Murder at Sea.

Gross Brutality to a Swedish Seaman,

At North Shields Police Court, Captain Layton, of the Nova Scotian brigantine J. Williams, and A. Layton, chief officer, and Alexander Cummins, second officer, n-ere charged on remand with the murder of Ugo Linnoberj;, a Swedish seaman, on the high seas on March 31st. Mr Whitehorn prose cuted, and in his opening remarks stated that, according to the evidence, the whole of the prisonors had brutally ill-used the deceased, and caused his death. Robert Stewart deposed that deceased was isyßtein atically ill-used, and that scarcely a watch passed without his being ill-treated. Wit ness further stated that on one occasion the captain caused a pump-handle to fall on deceased's head, knocking him to the deck. The chief mate put deceased in the second mate's watch, telling him it would take some of his fat off, and that he ought to die, as he was not fit to live. The witness stated that the day deceased' died the chief mate seized him by the shoulders, threw him on the deck, and kicked him in the face and other parts. He could' not walk, and had to crawl into the forecastle. A rope was put round his waist, and the captain and mate dragged him out and kicked him. The mate also threw a bucketful of salt water over him, and Bhortly afterwards the deceased moaned heavily and died. Henry Bowell, seaman, corroborated, and said the captain and mate tore the clothes off the deceased, and he was so badly treated that sometimes ho could not stand. The de ceased's face was cohered with bruises, so that he could scarcely be recognised. Prisoners became alarmed after his death, and wished the others of the crew to affirm that he had died from heart disease.—Other evidence as to the systematic and constant ill-usage of the deceased followed, and the prisoners were ultimately committed to the assizes for trial.

FASHIONABLE POISONING.

Morphine and Either in the Parisian Club Room and Opera Box.

Would you believe that some persons take pleasure in poisoning themselves simply be cause their neighbours do it. This is, how ever, a fact recently affirmed and proved by Dr.RegnardattheSorbonno. Thclargeaudi ence of the Association Scientifique seemed to be completely dismayed at his revelations. Upon a large table in the amphitheatre were disposed a series ef tho most brilliant looking caskets, plaited with gold and silver, or perhaps of bronze, or inlaid with pearl. You would think, to see them, that you had a grand display of jewelery laid out before you. Such is not, however, the ca=e. What you see is only an admira ble collection of syringes. Some of them are enclosed in elegant cigarette cases, others are contained in charming little reticules, or in smelling-salts flasks. The cases serve to mask the instrument and tho little vial which goes with it. And wherefore these instruments ? M. Regnard tells us these luxurious implements are designed for tho pleasure-loving people of Paris, who can no longer find in the theatre, or in gambling horse-racing and other dissipations, the emotional excito ments which they seek for so eagerly. These are the persons who purchase these marvel.ous caskots, which will at least lend them a temporary elasticity, although they can hardly rejuvenate the used-up brain. The vials contain a solution of morphine, and the syringes are used to inject it beneath the skin. Do you wish to know how a person becomes a morphio-maniac in the world ot fashion? He tells his friend (hat he has tired of habitual pleasures; that tho greatest of them have lost their power to please. The friend replies that he had beon in a similar condition. He had found con solation, however, in morphine ; the drug had restored his tone and brilliancy. No more than this is necessary to make a mor phio-maniac out of a blase man or a nervous woman. But as it is necessary to dissimu late and preserve a sentiment of careless ease in the pursuance of the dread habit, one of the luxurious caskets with its golden syringe is purchased. While, therefore, tho ordinary syringe used for the purpose may bo had for a dollar andaquarter, thofashion abl« syringes will sometimes fetch as high as $70. They are often given as New Year'spresents. Itiswiththeseinstruments, which they always carry with them, that gentlemen in their club and ladies in their opera boxes revive the almost extinguished sensations and sentiments of the past. Instead of morphine injections somo persons inhale ether. People become etheroj maniacs for the same reasons that they become morphio-maniacs. It is a vague, fantasy which provokes these abominable intoxications. There are also morphio maniacs who habituate themselves by degrees to the poison to diminish the violent pains of gastralgia, or facial neuralgia ; and we have a whole category of persons who poison themselves simply as a matter of caprice. Dr. Regnard divides morphio maniacsintotwogroups—of those who poison themselves honestly, and those who do so because it is the fashion. The deplorable facility with which it is possible to procure solutions of morphine favours the develop ment of this new malady among the idle and degenerated beings of high society. Dr. Regnard abused these neuropathic persons in the wittiest way. Nevertheless, I recognised several morphio-maniacs, in the audience, who applauded thelecturer'in the heartiest manner.—"Le Pr.ogres Medical."

Benefits of Colonial Life

The article in the present number of " Macmillan's Magazine " entitled " A Hint to People with Modest Means " might seem to be addressed to a very wide class of readers. It is expressly intended, however, for those people who, upon incomes of from £400 to £800 a year, somehow "seem to be out of place at home," and settle down to the advantages of cheap living and a cheap abundance of educational ad\antages in various towns and cities upon the Continent of Europe. Mr Pearson, thewriter, evidently knows what he is writing about, both when picturing the foreign life and when setting forththe grounds on which he invites thes,o Englishmen to become, in preference, settlers in Victoria or some other of the Australian colonies. He looks ahead to the future of the boys and girls, as well as at the present. For the father, he sets over against the rather lazyVand, after a while, rather burdensonsome life in the Continental city, with all its advantages of art, the chances of living as cheaply in or about a country town in the colonies, with the possibilities of finding occupation for himself in a small farm, either in wheat growing or stock-raising, or, if he co wills, in sport; or, again, in public work upon the School Board, or as a magistrate, or in the Municipal Council, or in Parliament; and he promises him at least aa good society as in average English towns of the same size. The mother, perhaps, has the least to gain for herself, inasmuch as the supply of good household servants is more precarious than even in the old country. But as to the boys and girls, it is almost all gain. True, they may not command as high an education as in some of the Continental cities; but they may count on a good education, and one that will fit them better for taking advan tage of the many opportunities fdr future . employment and advancement that the colonies offer to those who are educated there. Add to these, that the family would be brought up amongst English traditions and associations ; and that • the colonies offer all the variations of climate, ranging from the warmth of Andalusia or Armenia to that of Devonshire or Cornwall.

Quick Ocean Passages.

The,passage of the Atlantic in little over six days and a half (says the " Liverpool Post") and of the Southern Pacific and Atlantic via the Straits of Magellan in little over thirty six days and a half s marks a new era in steam navigation. It is historically but the other day that a fortnight was regarded as a good passage between England and America, and forty days as a good passage betweenEnglandandAdelaideorMelbourne Within the past year or two the averaue time between Liverpool and New York has been reduced to a little over eiglat days and the time between Plymouth and New Zea land, a thousand milos farther eastward, to an average of from thirty-eight to thirty nino days. The Alaska and the Arizona of the Ouion line, startled the public last year by making the passage to or from Queens town and from or to New York frequently in less than eight days. The Oregon beat this time by some hours; and recently the Etruna, one of the latest additions to the Cunard fleet, has made the homeward voy age in a few minutes over six days and twelve hours. An Atlantic passage of less than eight days is nowacommon occurrence. Thehonouw are not, however, carried off wholly by Liverpool. The steamers of the New Zealand Shipping Company, which, in the passage out or home, take the South American route alternately with the Cape have reduced the voyage via the Straits of Magellan to less than forty days The Ruapehu, which arrived at Plymouth' tho other day, made the passage homo in thirty-six days fifteen hours; and it is a notable coincidence that the Shaw, Savil! and Albion Conipany'e steamor Tuinui' though a da.v longer on the whole voyage made the passage home from Rio in a still shorter time than the Ruapehu. The ex traordinary speed maintained by these New Zealand steamers may bo easily calculated when we state that the distance traversed was over 12,000 mil*. This marvellous im provement m speed is the more satisfactory that neither m the caso of the Etruria nor the Kuapehu was there any racincr Tim boats aro well found and admirably navi gated ; but the improvements speed is dne to their design and construction, on the one har.d, and the more powerful engines which they carry, on the other. \V O are rapidly . bridging the great ocean routes by steam ships which travel at an average railway speed ; and seeing what has been done with in the last ten years, it would bo presuuin tous to attempt to foretell what will be accomplished in the next.

Labour Laws in Austria.

Some details about the new law regulating the hours of labour and the observance of Sundays and holidays in Austria may be read with interest. The working day for male adult*j in all-trades and in domestic service, with certain exceptions, is limited to eleven hours Occasional extensions of this time are allowed to certain employes such as railway servants, hackney ceach men and conductor?, poetmen and pDrtors • but the extension is never to exceed an extra hour. Wight work for women and for bova under sixteen is only to be pormitted in a few exceptional cases. Youths employed as waiters and potboys nay, provided they have not been on duty during the daytime, ba worked from S p.m. till midnight, but they are on no account to be kopt at work after midnight. The pau?os for moals are not to be reckoned within the maximum time of labour.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1885,

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