not
traced--our rendezvous is still a secret for which the government would
pay a thousand dollars!"

"How, then, do you say that you went once too often, cap'n?"

"It was inaccurate! I should have said that I had gone for the last
time, for that it would not be safe to venture again. Come--I must tell
you the whole story! But in the mean time let us have supper. Mother
Raven, dish the beef! Dick, draw the ale! Hal, cut the bread! Steve,
carve! Bestir yourselves, burn you, or you shall have no story!"
exclaimed the captain, flinging himself into a chair at the head of the
table.

When his orders had been obeyed, and the men were gathered around the
table, and the first draught of ale had been quaffed by all, Black
Donald asked:

"Where do you think I went peddling to-day?"

"Devil knows," said Hal.

"That's a secret between the Demon and Black Donald" said Dick.

"Hush! he's about to tell us," murmured Steve.

"Wooden heads! you'd never guess! I went--I went to--do you give it up?
I went right straight into the lion's jaws--not only into the very
clutches, but into the very teeth, and down the very throat of the lion,
and have come out as safe as Jonah from the whale's belly! In a word, I
have been up to the county seat where the court is now in session, and
sold cigar cases, snuff boxes and smoking caps to the grand and petit
jury, and a pair of gold spectacles to the learned judge himself!"

"No!"

"No!!"

"No!!!" exclaimed Hal, Steve and Dick in a breath.

"Yes! and, moreover, I offered a pair of patent steel spring handcuffs
to the sheriff, John Keepe, in person, and pressed him to purchase them,
assuring him that he would have occasion for their use if ever he caught
that grand rascal, Black Donald!"

"'Ah, the atrocious villain, if I thought I should ever have the
satisfaction of springing them upon his wrists, I'd buy them at my own
proper cost!' said the sheriff, taking them in his hands and examining
them curiously.

"'Ah! he's a man of Belial, that same Black Donald--thee'd better buy
the handcuffs, John,' said I.

"'Nay, friend, I don't know; and as for Black Donald, we have some hopes
of taking the wretch at last!' said the simple gentleman.

"'Ah, verily, John, that's a good hearing for peaceful travelers like
myself,' said I.

"'Excellent! excellent! For when that fell marauder once swings from the
gallows----'

"'His neck will be broken, John?'

"'Yes, friend! yes, probably; af