risk all.

"And so," said Pirret, "y' are one of these?"

"I was made so," replied Dick, "against my will; but an I could but get a
sack or two of gold coin to my share, I should be a fool indeed to
continue dwelling in a filthy cave, and standing shot and buffet like a
soldier. Here be we four; good! Let us, then, go forth into the forest
to-morrow ere the sun be up. Could we come honestly by a donkey, it were
better; but an we cannot, we have our four strong backs, and I warrant me
we shall come home staggering."

Pirret licked his lips.

"And this magic," he said--"this password, whereby the cave is
opened--how call ye it, friend?"

"Nay, none know the word but the three chiefs," returned Dick; "but here
is your great good fortune, that, on this very evening, I should be the
bearer of a spell to open it. It is a thing not trusted twice a year
beyond the captain's wallet."

"A spell!" said Arblaster, half awakening, and squinting upon Dick with
one eye. "Aroint thee! no spells! I be a good Christian. Ask my man
Tom, else."

"Nay, but this is white magic," said Dick. "It doth naught with the
devil; only the powers of numbers, herbs, and planets."

"Ay, ay," said Pirret; "'tis but white magic, gossip. There is no sin
therein, I do assure you. But proceed, good youth. This spell--in what
should it consist?"

"Nay, that I will incontinently show you," answered Dick. "Have ye there
the ring ye took from my finger? Good! Now hold it forth before you by
the extreme finger-ends, at the arm's-length, and over against the
shining of these embers. 'Tis so exactly. Thus, then, is the spell."

With a haggard glance, Dick saw the coast was clear between him and the
door. He put up an internal prayer. Then whipping forth his arm, he
made but one snatch of the ring, and at the same instant, levering up the
table, he sent it bodily over upon the seaman Tom. He, poor soul, went
down bawling under the ruins; and before Arblaster understood that
anything was wrong, or Pirret could collect his dazzled wits, Dick had
run to the door and escaped into the moonlit night.

The moon, which now rode in the mid-heavens, and the extreme whiteness of
the snow, made the open ground about the harbour bright as day; and young
Shelton leaping, with kilted robe, among the lumber, was a conspicuous
figure from afar.

Tom and Pirret followed him with shouts; from every drinking-shop they
were joined by others whom their