w Englanders. Moreover,
your description hath been sent to the authorities of each colony. And
you are wounded, and winter is at hand. It may be but a choice of
deaths! I would to God there were some other way--but there is none! You
must choose."

In the dead silence that ensued the Colonel moved back to the side of
the Surveyor-General, and the two stood, thoughtfully regardant of the
prisoner. The light from the partially consumed vines beginning to wane,
the overseer motioned to Regulus to collect and apply his torch to a
quantity of the fagots with which the ground was strewn. The negro
obeyed, and stood behind the light flame and curling smoke which he had
evoked, like the genie of an Arabian tale. Sir Charles, left standing in
the centre of the rocky chamber, hesitated a moment, then walked with
his usual languid grace over to where Landless leaned against a boulder,
his eyes, shaded by his hand, fixed upon the ground.

"Whichever you choose--Scylla or Charybdis--" said Sir Charles in his
most dulcet tones, "this is probably the last time you and I will ever
speak together. There have been passages between us in the past, which,
in the light of after event, I cannot but regret. You have just rendered
me an inestimable service. I have learnt, too, that you saved my life
the night of the storming of the Manor House. I beg to apologize to you,
sir, for any offense I may have given you by word or deed." And he held
out his hand with his most courtly smile.

"It becomes a dying man to be in charity with the world he leaves," said
Landless, somewhat coldly, but with a smile too, "and so I do that which
I never thought to do," and he touched the other's fingers with his own.

Sir Charles looked at him curiously. "You make a good enemy," he said
lightly. "Had it not been predestined that we were to hate each other, I
could find it in my heart to desire you for a friend. You remain in the
forest, I dare swear?"

"Yes," answered Landless, with his eyes upon the light in the glade
below. "I choose the easier fate."

"The easier for all concerned," said the other with a peculiar
intonation.

Landless glanced at him keenly, but the courtier face and the
inscrutable smile told nothing. "The easier for myself, whom alone it
concerneth," said Landless sternly.

Dragging himself up by the rock behind him, he turned to the two elder
men. "I have decided, Colonel Verney," he said slowly, "I will stay
here, an it please yo