brought them answers from the Earl, at which they
smiled like the sun when the harvest storm is closing over him. Go to
your ephemerides, leech, and conjure the meaning out of that."

"Methinks I can do so without much cost of wit," said the chirurgeon;
"but yonder I see in the pale moonlight our dead alive. Should he have
screamed out to any chance passenger, it were a curious interruption
to a night journey to be hailed from the top of such a gallows as that.
Hark, methinks I do hear his groans amid the whistling of the wind and
the creaking of the chains. So--fair and softly; make fast the boat
with the grappling, and get out the casket with my matters, we would be
better for a little fire, but the light might bring observation on
us. Come on, my men of valour, march warily, for we are bound for the
gallows foot. Follow with the lantern; I trust the ladder has been left.

"Sing, three merry men, and three merry men,
And three merry men are we,
Thou on the land, and I on the sand,
And Jack on the gallows tree."

As they advanced to the gibbet, they could plainly hear groans, though
uttered in a low tone. Dwining ventured to give a low cough once or
twice, by way of signal; but receiving no answer, "We had best make
haste," said he to his companions, "for our friend must be in extremis,
as he gives no answer to the signal which announces the arrival of help.
Come, let us to the gear. I will go up the ladder first and cut the
rope. Do you two follow, one after another, and take fast hold of the
body, so that he fall not when the halter is unloosed. Keep sure gripe,
for which the bandages will afford you convenience. Bethink you that,
though he plays an owl's part tonight, he hath no wings, and to fall out
of a halter may be as dangerous as to fall into one."

While he spoke thus with sneer and gibe, he ascended the ladder, and
having ascertained that the men at arms who followed him had the body in
their hold, he cut the rope, and then gave his aid to support the almost
lifeless form of the criminal.

By a skilful exertion of strength and address, the body of Bonthron was
placed safely on the ground; and the faint yet certain existence of life
having been ascertained, it was thence transported to the river side,
where, shrouded by the bank, the party might be best concealed from
observation, while the leech employed himself in the necessary means of
recalling animation, with which he had taken c