and I asked a boatman for the
particulars."

"Who is the doctor?"

"Don't know. The boatman said it was an outlandish name, and he had
forgotten it. You mean to have the girl, do you?"

"I do, if possible."

"O, it's quite possible--nothing easier. You say the girl belongs to
you?"

"I do; did I not show you the bill of sale?"

"That might be a trick of your own, you know. It's a devilish queer
story."

"Pshaw! man, are you crazy? This thing has startled your conscience more
than all the crimes of a lifetime. What has gotten into you, Vernon? I
never knew you to moralize before."

"Look here, my boy, I can do almost anything; but I would not wrong a
woman,--no, not a _woman_,--I am above that," said Vernon, with much
emphasis.

"But, man, she is my slave--a quadroon."

"Property's property; but since I met the girl in the boat, I am half
inclined to believe she is no quadroon. Maxwell, I had a sister once,
and may my body be rent into a thousand pieces but I would tear out the
heart of the man who would serve her as you do this girl. If she is your
_property_, why, that alters the case."

"Certainly it does; so, end your sermon, and tell me how to gain
possession of my _property_."

"We can storm the island."

"What! two of us?"

"I can get plenty of soldiers, if you will pay them."

"I will give a thousand dollars for her; and, if I get her again, by
heavens, she shall not escape me! I will put a pair of ruffles on her
wrists such as the dainty girl never got of her milliner. How many
persons are on the island?"

"That I don't know--perhaps half a dozen. Your hangman will be there,"
and Vernon chuckled at the thought of the scene he had witnessed near
the wood-yard.

Maxwell's teeth grated, and Hatchie distinctly heard the malediction he
bestowed upon him. Fears for his personal safety did not, for a moment,
disturb him. Prudence alone prevented him from rushing upon the
villains, and thwarting in its embryo stage their design upon his
mistress.

"You mean," said Maxwell, "to take the girl from the house by force?"

"There is no other way."

"Then we had better examine the island, or it will not be an easy matter
to land in a dark night."

"How does the owner land?"

"Probably by the little stream we saw above."

"Rather difficult navigation for a stranger. We had better land in this
part of the island. Let us walk through the thicket and find the house."

Hatchie saw them attempt to