e trigger pulled, and snap of the lock,
but the gun did not go off; and then Corbould made his appearance,
striking at Holdfast with the butt-end of his gun. Edward advanced to
him and desired him to desist, or it would be the worse for him.

"Indeed, younker! It may be the worse for you," cried Corbould.

"It might have been if your gun had gone off," replied Edward.

"I did not aim at you. I aimed at the dog, and I will kill the brute,
if I can."

"Not without danger to yourself; but it was not him that you aimed at--
your gun was not pointed low enough to hit the dog--it was levelled at
me, you sneaking wretch; and I have only to thank my own prudence and
your sleepy head for having escaped with my life. I tell you candidly
that I threw the powder out of your pan while you were asleep. If I
served you as you deserve, I should now put my bullet into you, but I
cannot kill a man who is defenceless--and that saves your life; but set
off as fast as you can away from me, for if you follow me, I will show
no more forbearance. Away with you directly," continued Edward, raising
his gun to his shoulder and pointing it to Corbould; "if you do not be
off, I'll fire."

Corbould saw that Edward was resolute, and thought proper to comply with
his request: he walked away till he considered himself out of gunshot,
and then commenced a torrent of oaths and abusive language, with which
we shall not offend our readers. Before he went farther, he swore that
he would have Edward's life before many days had passed, and then
shaking his fist he went away. Edward remained where he was standing
till the man was fairly out of sight, and then proceeded on his journey.
It was now about four o'clock in the afternoon, and Edward, as he
walked on, said to himself, "That man must be of a very wicked
disposition, for I have offended him in nothing except in not submitting
to be made his prisoner; and is that an offence to take a man's life
for? He is a dangerous man, and will be more dangerous after being
again foiled by me as he has been to-day. I doubt if he will go home; I
am almost sure that he will turn and follow me when he thinks that he
can without my seeing him; and if he does, he will find out where our
cottage is--and who knows what mischief he may not do, and how he may
alarm my little sisters? I'll not go home till dark; and I'll now walk
in another direction, that I may mislead him." Edward then walked away
more to the