HAVE a master," cried Caleb, still holding him fast, "while the
heir of Ravenswood breathes. I am but a servant; but I was born your
father's--your grandfather's servant. I was born for the family--I have
lived for them--I would die for them! Stay but at home, and all will be
well!"

"Well, fool! well!" said Ravenswood. "Vain old man, nothing hereafter in
life will be well with me, and happiest is the hour that shall soonest
close it!"

So saying, he extricated himself from the old man's hold, threw himself
on his horse, and rode out the gate; but instantly turning back, he
threw towards Caleb, who hastened to meet him, a heavy purse of gold.

"Caleb!" he said, with a ghastly smile, "I make you my executor"; and
again turning his bridle, he resumed his course down the hill.

The gold fell unheeded on the pavement, for the old man ran to observe
the course which was taken by his master, who turned to the left down a
small and broken path, which gained the sea-shore through a cleft in the
rock, and led to a sort of cove where, in former times, the boats of
the castle were wont to be moored. Observing him take this course, Caleb
hastened to the eastern battlement, which commanded the prospect of the
whole sands, very near as far as the village of Wolf's Hope. He could
easily see his master riding in that direction, as fast as the horse
could carry him. The prophecy at once rushed on Balderstone's mind, that
the Lord of Ravenswood should perish on the Kelpie's flow, which
lay half-way betwixt the Tower and the links, or sand knolls, to the
northward of Wolf's Hope. He saw him according reach the fatal spot; but
he never saw him pass further.

Colonel Ashton, frantic for revenge, was already in the field, pacing
the turf with eagerness, and looking with impatience towards the Tower
for the arrival of his antagonist. The sun had now risen, and showed its
broad disk above the eastern sea, so that he could easily discern the
horseman who rode towards him with speed which argued impatience equal
to his own. At once the figure became invisible, as if it had melted
into the air. He rubbed his eyes, as if he had witnessed an apparition,
and then hastened to the spot, near which he was met by Balderstone,
who came from the opposite direction. No trace whatever o horse or rider
could be discerned; it only appeared that the late winds and high tides
had greatly extended the usual bounds of the quicksand, and that
the unfortuna