offers of
assistance in his fishing, and subordinate commercial, ventures. At
eight Mr. Bangs came down the hill, and posted one of the Richards as
sentry, while the fisherman indulged in his evening smoke, preparatory
to turning in under the skiff with his friend Bill. "I went that fire
put out, gentlemen," said the detective, "net now, but say efter ten
o'clock, as it might help the enemy to spy us out," to which Bill
Richards replied: "All right, cap'n; she'll be dead black afore ten."
Rufus was placed on the hill side to communicate between the distant
posts; Timotheus overlooked the encampment; and Sylvanus was given the
station on the road. Mr. Bangs walked about nervously, and the lawyer
and Mr. Terry, bringing some clean coverlets out of the boarding-house,
spread them on the chip-covered ground, and lay down to smoke their
pipes and talk of many things. "Oi tuk to yeez, sorr," said the veteran
with warmth, "soon as Oi mit ye in the smokin' carr, and to think what a
dale av loife we've seen since, an' here's you an' me, savin' yer
prisince, as thick as thaves."

Nothing of any moment occurred till within a quarter of ten, when
Sylvanus saw two figures suddenly start up close by him on the right. At
first, he thought of challenging them, but seeing one was a woman, and
remembering the going over the Squire gave him about capturing Tryphosa,
he resolved to await their arrival. Both figures greeted him joyfully by
his name, for it was his two proteges, the crazy woman and her son, who
had escaped the constable and lain concealed until darkness veiled their
movements. "Has Steevy woke up yet?" she asked the sentinel, quietly.

"Not as I know on," responded the elder Pilgrim.

"Then we will slip quietly into the house, and get some supper for
Monty, and go to bed. It's tiresome walking about all day," she
continued.

"Don't you two go fer to make no noise, 'cos they's sentries out as
might charlinge yer with their guns," remarked the compassionate guard.

"No," she whispered back; "we will be still as little mice, won't we,
Monty? Good night, Sylvanus!" The boy added, "Good night, Sylvy!" and
the sentinel returned the salutation, and muttered to himself: "Pore
souls, the sight on 'em breaks me all up."

Sylvanus should have reported these arrivals, when the detective came
to relieve him, and put Mr. Terry in his place, but he did not. He had
forgotten all about them, and was wondering if that "kicked-out-of
se