from her bow, and rushed foaming along her sides, showed
that she was making way through the water, not as it seemed without the
will of those on board, for as the wind freshened they shook out their
mainsail more fully, and continued at every moment to spread sail after
sail. The hollow tramp of a horse's feet galloping on the strand made
Mark turn quickly round, and he saw the rider, whom he had observed
before, bending his course directly towards him. Supposing it must be
Talbot, Mark turned to meet him, and the horseman, who never slackened
his speed, came quickly within view, and discovered the features of
Frederick Travers. He was unaccompanied by friend or servant, and
seemed, from the condition of his horse, to have ridden at the top of
his speed. Before Mark could think of what apology he should make for,
or how explain Talbot's absence, Travers addressed him----

"I half feared that it might not be you, Mr. O'Donoghue," said he, as
he wiped the perspiration from his brow, for he seemed no less exhausted
than his horse.

"I'm alone, sir," said Mark; "and were you not unaccompanied by a
friend, I should feel the difficulty of my present position more
severely."

"I know--I am aware," said Travers, hurriedly, "your friend is gone. I
heard it but an hour since; you, in all likelihood, were not aware of
the fact, till you saw the signal yonder."

"What!--Talbot's signal! Was that his?"

"Talbot, or Barrington," said Travers, smiling; "perhaps we should
better call him by the name he is best known by."

"And do you concur in the silly notion that confounds Harry Talbot with
a highwayman?" said Mark, sternly.

"I fear," said Travers, "that in doing so I but follow the impression of
all the world. It was not the least clever thing he has eyer done, his
deception of you. Be assured, Mr. O'Donoghue, that the matter admits
of no doubt. The warrant for his apprehension, the informations sworn
against him, are not only plain and precise, but I have myself read
certain facts of his intimacy with you, the places you have frequented,
the objects for which, it is alleged, you were confederated--all these
are at this moment in the hands of the Secretary of State. Forgive me,
sir, if I tell you that you appear to have trusted too implicitly to
men who were not guided by your own principles of honor. This very day
a warrant for your own arrest will be issued from the Privy Council, on
the information of a man whom, I bel