eanness. Their policy is fraud, their whole system is one of
injustice and selfishness. If Derring, who is Bythewood's devoted
friend, can find means to give up the traitor without too gross an
exposure of his perfidy, he will do it. But I regret that Pomp insisted
on that hard condition. He was determined, and it was useless to reason
with him."

"And he is right!" said Stackridge. "Deslow, if guilty, must pay for
this day's work!"

"There is no doubt of his guilt. Pepperill knew of it--he whispered it
to Pomp at the sink."

"Then Deslow dies the death! He was sworn to us! He was sworn to
Pomp; and Pomp had saved his life! The blood of Withers, my best
friend----" The farmer's voice was lost in a throe of rage and grief.

"And the blood of Cudjo, whom Pomp loved!" said Penn. "I feel all you
feel--all Pomp feels. But for me, I would leave vengeance with the
Lord."

"So would I," said Pomp, standing behind him, composed and grand. "And I
would be the Lord's instrument, when called. I am called. Deslow comes
to me, or I go to him."

"Then the Lord have mercy on his soul!"

XLVI.

_THE TRAITOR._

The news of the disaster at the sink, and of the loss of prisoners, had
reached Colonel Derring, and he was preparing to forward reenforcements,
when Bythewood's letter arrived.

Of the colonel's reflections on the receipt of that singular missive
little is known. He was unwontedly cross and abstracted for an hour. At
the end of that time he asked for the renegade Deslow.

At the end of another hour Deslow had been found and brought to
head-quarters. The colonel, having now quite recovered his equanimity of
temper, received him with the most flattering attentions.

"You have done an honorable and patriotic work, Mr. Deslow. Your friends
are coming to terms. Bythewood is at this moment engaged in an amicable
conference with them. Your example has had a most salutary effect. They
all desire to give themselves up on similar terms. But they will not
believe as yet that you have been pardoned and received into favor."

The dark brow of the traitor brightened.

"And they have no suspicions?"

"None whatever. They do not imagine you had anything to do with the
discovery of their retreat. Now, I've been thinking you might help along
matters immensely, if you would go up and join Bythewood, and represent
to your friends the folly of holding out any longer, and show them the
advantage of following your example."