You'll be a witness, you see."

"Oh, will I, Nate? And for you? I'll try to help you all I can!"

"Well, no! I guess it's t'other side'll call you, Lucy. But don't you
mind. Just tell the truth and shame the devil! Them lawyers is a tricky
pack, and they know how to mix a fellow up, till he don't know crystal
from frit. But don't you worrit! The truth's stronger'n the whole pack
of 'em, and that's what I'm a-restin' on. You tell the truth as you
b'lieve it, whether it's for me or agin' me, child, and it's all I'll
ask o' you."

"Nate, I saw you didn't try to hit pa when you had the stick and was
right over him, but you'll own up you was awful mad?"

"Yes, I was: and for the first minute I was murderin' mad, 'count o'
you. I'll own that. But, you seen when I got it under me and was leadin'
him off peaceable, didn't you? I slipp'd back'ard and flung up my arms,
and then the thing struck wrong. You couldn't think I meant that blow,
Lucy?"

"No, I know you didn't. I see it all, now. I was so scared then I
couldn't think, but----"

"Time's up, miss," said the officer resolutely, and Lucy hurried out,
scarcely waiting to shake hands while the others merely gave Nate a
smile and word through the barred door.

They knew from his face it was all he needed to-day.

* * * * *

When Leon heard about the Pole who had shipped for a short time on the
"Terror," he listened to the talk of him with interest, and asked
permission to accompany Joyce and her manager at their next interview.
By the time the four (for Camille was of the party, too) made their call
at the jail, the faces of the two more frequent visitors were pretty
well known there. Lozcoski, now well fed, and filled with hope and
comfort, through the communications of the interpreter, was not the same
man who had burst his way into the Social-house a few weeks ago. His
staring eyes had softened, his hollow cheeks rounded out, his prison-cut
hair could not mat now, and through his clean-shaven lips white teeth
gleamed smilingly at times. The wolf had vanished, and the man was now
installed in the body that needed only refinement and thought to make it
comely.

The minute Leon entered, alone, leaving the rest outside, he rose
quickly and gave the naval salute--the inside of the hand to the temple
held palm forward--of a U. S. man-of-war's-man to his superior officer.
He had recognized the young lieutenant at once. This pleased Leon