s. Had you
not better prevail with them to put us both to death, and thus make an
end of it?"

"No, by G----, Athelstane, you are wrong!" he exclaimed very
earnestly. "I bear you no malice, nor ever should have done, had
you not set yourself up as my rival and thwarted me on several
occasions--and I am a man that will not brook opposition. As it is, if
I have ever attempted anything against you, it was in hot blood, and
had I hated you ten times worse than I did, yet last night's business
would have been too much for me to stomach."

I gazed at him, doubtful whether to believe in his sincerity or no. It
was difficult for me to refrain from some softening towards him as he
thus spoke, and yet I asked myself whether these fair words were not
the prelude to some new piece of knavery or treachery, for which he
stood in need of my assistance.

He continued urging me.

"Have you forgot all those ties that are between us--our blood, and
bringing-up in the same country, and the pleasant times we have had
together when you were a youngster, and I was used to ride over to
your house from Lynn, for my holidays? You were then content enough to
call yourself your cousin Rupert's little squire, and if it were a
question of robbing orchards or taking bird's-nests, you grudged to be
left out. Can you not overlook the differences that have since arisen
between us, and let us return to our former good comradeship and
affection?"

Now I well knew that this man was a most accomplished villain, and an
hour before I should have no more thought of sparing or making terms
with him than with a speckled snake. Yet no sooner did he thus begin
to wheedle me, than I found my just anger and hatred against him
insensibly desert me.

"Why do you hold this language to me?" I said, as sullen as I could,
so as to hide my secret relenting. "What need have you of me now?
What fellowship can there be between a miserable prisoner in the
Indians' power, and you, their trusted friend and servant?"

He gave me a significant glance, and then stooped towards me,
whispering--

"No, cousin, you are mistaken there, I tell you again. Either these
Moors have all along meant to play me false, or else they consider
themselves betrayed by me in the matter of the treasure which they
expected to find. Instead of now enjoying their confidence, I find I
am looked upon with distrust. They tell me nothing, and no longer
consult with me about their dealings with the