If it has been seen, they have gone on to
Padstow."

"How do you know?"

"I heard the priest say so," said Tamsin. "He said if the _Golden Cross_
is lying at Penryn, we can get to Bristol without going to Padstow; if
it isn't, we ride to Padstow."

"You swear this, Tamsin? My heart is very sore," I cried.

"Yes; this is truth, Jasper, this is what they said;" but she did not
look me in the face as she spoke.

I pushed the bag of money in my pocket and turned to go, but she caught
my arm again.

"Won't you kiss me, Jasper?" she said, "just to show you forgive me.
Just kiss me once; it will be the only time in this world."

So I kissed her as a brother might kiss a sister, and not as a lover
kisses a maid. This I swear by my love for the only maid I ever loved,
and by my faith as a Christian man. But she clung to me, and would not
let me go, and even as she did so I heard the sound of many voices in
the house adjoining, and then Captain Jack and Israel Barnicoat came to
the little hut in which we were.

"Jasper Pennington!" they both cried together with terrible oaths, and
then both of them sprang upon me. I had thrown off Tamsin as I heard
their cry, and so in a degree was able to defend myself; at the same
time I was greatly at a disadvantage, so much so that they mastered me,
and held me so that I could not put forth my strength. Then I saw Israel
Barnicoat lift a knife to strike me, and for the life of me I could make
no defence, and could only hold my breath and await his blow.

It fell, but not on me, for Tamsin had thrown herself between us and had
received it.

"My God," cried Israel, "I have killed Tamsin!" and the thought so
frightened them both that they loosened their hold on me, and so in a
moment I was free. I knew, too, at that moment that few men are loved as
Tamsin loved me, for she herself had voluntarily received the blow that
would perchance have killed me.

But so great was their evident hatred for me, that for the moment
neither took notice of Tamsin, but sprung upon me again. This time,
however, I was ready for them, so I met Israel with a blow so heavy that
he fell to the floor like a log of wood. I would have spared Captain
Jack if I could, for he was past his prime, but he came upon me so
savagely that I dared not.

"Go, Jasper, go!" gasped Tamsin. "They will kill you. Don't wait; go,
only--"

"Are you much hurt, Tamsin?" I said. "Tell me if I can help you."

"No, no; you canno