ed in the swamp; I would advise you to go home without
a moment's delay, and make all necessary preparations for your journey, and
be back in the vicinity of your horse before daylight, or as soon after as
possible; and to-morrow night we can set out for the cave in the
south-west."

"I believe your plan is a good one; but when shall we meet again?"

"Not until we get away from this section of country; perhaps not until we
reach our ultimate destination. But we have no time to lose, all depends
upon dispatch, and we had best be about our preparations. Good-by,
captain."

"Good-by, my fine fellow. I thank you for your advice, and hope that when
we meet again it will be under more cheering skies, and with brighter
prospects before us. Good-by."

And thus they parted, to meet again--where?

Bill hastened back to the cave, where he found Dick in waiting with the
horses. In as few words as possible, Bill explained to his confederate how
matters stood, and what measures he had taken; then sending Dick back some
distance with the animals, he laid a long train of powder from the cave
outward, and at the farthest extremity placed a can of the explosive
compound, wherein he had adjusted a slow match, to which he now set fire,
and then hastened away with Dick to a place of safety.

Duffel, as we have seen, was thoroughly alarmed by the intelligence
communicated by Bill; and like all who depend more on stratagem than on
courage, he cowered before the danger which seemed to stare him in the
face. The suddenness of the announcement had not a little to do in
producing the result; but when on his way home from the interview, after
having more time to contemplate the calamity and his own situation, his
fear did not abate. Every little noise startled him, and his mind was
constantly harassed with the idea that officers of justice were after him.
One cause of his trepidation may be traced to the fact of his many and
fearful crimes; he knew how deeply he had involved himself in guilt by the
abduction of Eveline and the murder of her lover, as he believed, at his
own instigation and command; and he felt well assured, now that his
intended victim was at large, she would not be slow to act with vigor for
his apprehension and punishment. He knew full well, too, that Mr.
Mandeville, when once his eyes were opened, would pursue him with
unflagging energy and tireless perseverance, until his crimes were duly
expiated to the full extent of t