il you spoke of
it," said the youth.

"Ah! you are more quick-witted than I," laughed the man sarcastically.

"Let me take care of the babe, father," pleaded the boy.

"Why?"

"Because it must be rescued with her."

"Why, again?"

"Because she would break her heart without it."

"How do you know?"

"Oh, father, even a bird loves its birdling; and of course this
tender-hearted lady loves her little one."

"She don't seem to love anything now, or even to know anything. She is
as stupid and lifeless as anything I ever saw that lived and breathed.
She is under the influence of opium, I should think," said the man, who
had now the form of the unconscious woman well wound around with the
quilt and laid over his breast and shoulder.

"Oh, no, she an't, sir! no, she an't--no sich a thing, sir! But she's
been in this here comotious condition, knowing nothing nor nobody, ever
since the baby arrove!" said Miss Tabby, coming from her concealment,
for she saw in these two men only benevolent individuals who had come to
deliver her and her lady.

"Who the demon are you?" demanded the elder, turning sharply towards
her.

"I an't no demon, sir! though I am mistreated all as if I was one,"
whimpered Miss Tabby.

"Then who are you?"

"I'm her poor, faithful, misfortunate nurse, sir," snivelled Miss
Tabby.

"Oh, you are!--Raphael, take the child into the boat! Never mind the old
woman; let her drown!" said the elder man, laughing savagely.

"Oh, sir, don't you do that! Don't you leave me here to drown, sir! to
die such a dismal death in this dark den!" pleaded Miss Tabby, catching
hold of the man's coat-tails.

"Go to the devil!" exclaimed the stranger, trying to shake her off.

"But I an't prepared to go, sir, indeed I an't," persisted Miss Tabby,
holding on.

"Go ahead, Raphael--I'm coming! And, confound you, so is the water! It
will be too late in another minute!" savagely exclaimed the man,
succeeding now in shaking himself free.

"Oh, sir! for pity's sake, sir, don't leave me here to drown! How can
you resky the mother and child, and leave a poor lone 'oman like me to
die? How can you, sir? Resky me, for your own blessed mother's sake! Oh!
young gentleman, beg for me! don't leave me!" prayed Miss Tabby, turning
from the elder to the younger man.

"Go on, Raphael!" shouted the man.

But the youth hesitated.

"Father," he said, "that old woman was kind to me. Save her! there is
room enough in the boat."