ould be
taken alive. An increased vigilance also was exercised over the rude
prison wherein the captives were confined--a soldier being kept
constantly on guard before its entrance.

On the plot in front the sentry was pacing his round on a night which
was dark and threatening. No rain had fallen, but the clouds were
constantly becoming denser, and it was plain that a storm might soon
be expected. With the wind rose also the voice of the ocean, murmuring
along the curving shores of the bay, distinctly heard in the silence
of the night by the solitary soldier, whose thoughts it carried back
to the sea-beaten island he had left.

"An' my guns deceive me not," he said to himself, "it should be past
midnight. There is no moon, nor star, to be sure, to tell by, but I
have mounted guard before, and my feelings let me know as surely as a
dial what's the hour. Hark! (as a measured step was heard approaching)
that must be Cowlson. Stand," he cried, "and give the countersign!"

"Poh! Job Bloyce," answered a voice. "You know my croak as well as
your own; but babes and sucklings must be taught, and it is regular,
so I will let you know lest you may have forgotten--the sling of
David."

"Always full of thy nonsense," said Bloyce. "But what made thee so
late?"

"Late is it? It can be but a matter of ten minutes past twelve, and it
takes a little while to rub one's eyes and get them open after being
called. Hast seen or heard anything on thy watch?"

"Nothing. I had better have been in my warm bed and asleep,
considering the hoeing I must give my corn-field to-morrow, than be
watching a skeary Indian and a woman."

"Thou hast little need to trouble thy gizzard on that score," returned
Cowlson; "for, an' I mistake not greatly, the rain will fall heavy
enough to spoil thy chance at hoeing. It is blacker than the darkness
in Egypt. I cannot see the tip of thy nose."

"That is of no consequence. My nose is a white nose and no Indian's,
and I take it that it is for the copper skins you are to watch."

"And they will be still harder to be seen. But I care not. I am good
for ten Indians any day, though I expect not that they will venture to
sneak into our streets, be it light or dark."

"Nevertheless, keep your eyes open, for thou mayest need them; so good
night."

"Good night, and shut thine own, so soon as Dame Bloyce will permit
thee."

The two knew not, so dark was the night, that a third person stood so
near to them tha