ht of these Ruby sprang backward, and the blood rushed violently
to his forehead, while his blue eyes glared with the ferocity of those
of a tiger.

"Come, lad, it's of no use, you know," said the man, pausing; "if you
won't come quietly we must find ways and means to compel you."

"Compel me!" cried Ruby, drawing himself up with a look of defiance and
a laugh of contempt, that caused the two men to shrink back in spite of
themselves.

"Ruby," said the foreman, gently, stepping forward and laying his hand
on the youth's shoulder, "you had better go quietly, for there's no
chance of escape from these fellows. I have no doubt it's a mistake,
and that you'll come off with flyin' colours, but it's best to go
quietly whatever turns up."

While Logan was speaking, Ruby dropped his head on his breast, the
officer with the handcuffs advanced, and the youth held out his hands,
while the flush of anger deepened into the crimson blush of shame.

It was at this point that Jamie Dove, wondering at the prolonged absence
of his friend and assistant, looked down from the platform of the
beacon, and beheld what was taking place.

The stentorian roar of amazement and rage that suddenly burst from him,
attracted the attention of all the men on the rock, who dropped their
tools and looked up in consternation, expecting, no doubt, to behold
something terrible.

Their eyes at once followed those of the smith, and no sooner did they
see Ruby being led in irons to the boat, which lay in _Port Hamilton_,
close to _Sir Ralph the Rover's Ledge_, than they uttered a yell of
execration, and rushed with one accord to the rescue.

The officers, who were just about to make their prisoner step into the
boat, turned to face the foe,--one, who seemed to be the more courageous
of the two, a little in advance of the other.

Ned O'Connor, with that enthusiasm which seems to be inherent in Irish
blood, rushed with such irresistible force against this man that he
drove him violently back against his comrade, and sent them both head
over heels into Port Hamilton. Nay, with such momentum was this act
performed, that Ned could not help but follow them, falling on them both
as they came to the surface and sinking them a second time, amid screams
and yells of laughter.

O'Connor was at once pulled out by his friends. The officers also were
quickly landed.

"I ax yer parding, gintlemen," said the former, with an expression of
deep regret on his fac