n Silvio in his rage had
actually stabbed the confessor, although the wound was not dangerous.
That, in consequence of this, all further lenity was denied to him, and
that the authorities were in search of him to award him the punishment
due to murder and sacrilege. That up to the present they could not find
him, and it was supposed that he had made his escape to Malta in one of
the speronares.

Such were the contents of the letter, which were immediately
communicated to the Governor and Captain Wilson, upon their meeting at
breakfast.

"Very well, we must see to this," observed the Governor, who then made
his inquiries as to the other intelligence contained in the letters.

Jack and Gascoigne were uneasy till the breakfast was over, when they
made their escape: a few moments afterwards Captain Wilson rose to go on
board, and sent for them, but they were not to be found.

"I understand it all, Wilson," said the Governor; "leave them to me; go
on board and make yourself quite easy."

In the meantime our two midshipmen had taken their hats and walked away
to the parapet of the battery, where they would not be interrupted.

"Now, Gascoigne," observed Jack, "you guess what I'm about--I must shoot
that rascal this very morning, and that's why I came out with you."

"But, Easy, the only difference is this, that I must shoot him, and not
you; he is my property, for I found him out."

"We'll argue that point," replied Jack: "he has attempted the life of my
is-to-be, please God, father-in-law, and therefore I have the best claim
to him."

"I beg your pardon, Jack, he is mine, for I discovered him. Now let me
put a case: suppose one man walking several yards before another, picks
up a purse, what claim has the other to it? I found him, and not you."

"That's all very well, Gascoigne; but suppose the purse you picked up to
be mine, then I have a right to it, although you found it; he is my bird
by right, and not yours."

"But I have another observation to make, which is very important: he is
a blood relation of Agnes, and if his blood is on your hands, however
much he may deserve it, depend upon it, it will be raised as an obstacle
to your union; think of that."

Jack paused in thought.

"And let me induce you by another remark--you will confer on me a most
particular favour."

"It will be the greatest I ever could," replied Jack, "and you ought to
be eternally indebted to me."

"I trust to make him _eternall