aid Stackridge, with stern eyes fixed on Pomp.

"Is justice done?" said Pomp, turning to Virginia.

"Justice is done!" she answered, in a serious, firm voice.

XLVII.

_BREAD ON THE WATERS._

The next morning a singular procession set out from the cave. Stretchers
had been framed of the trunks and boughs of saplings, and upon these the
dead and wounded of yesterday were placed. They were borne by the
prisoners of yesterday, who had been paroled for the purpose. Carl
walked by the side of the litter that conveyed his cousin Fritz, talking
cheerfully to him in their native tongue. Behind them was carried the
dead body of Salina, followed by old Toby with uncovered head. With him
went Pepperill, charged with the important business of seeing that all
was done for the Villars family which had been stipulated, and of
reporting to Pomp at the cave afterwards.

Last of all came Virginia, leaning on Penn's arm. He was speaking to her
earnestly, in low, quivering tones: she listened with downcast
countenance, full of all tender and sad emotions; for they were about to
part.

Pepperill was intrusted with a second letter from Bythewood to the
colonel, couched in these terms:--

"_Deslow was taken last night, and slaughtered in cold blood. The same
will happen to me if all is not done as agreed. I am to be retained as a
hostage until Pepperill's return. For Heaven's sake, help Mr. Villars
and his family off with all convenient despatch, and oblige,_" &c.

Virginia was going to try her fortune with her father; but Penn's lot
was cast with his friends who remained at the cave. From these he could
not honorably separate himself until all danger was over; and, much as
he longed to accompany her, he knew well that, even if he should be
permitted to do so, his presence would be productive of little good to
either her or her father. Moreover, it had been wisely resolved not to
demand too much of the military authorities. A safe conduct could be
granted with good grace to a blind old minister and his daughter, but
not to men who had been in arms against the confederate government. Nor
was it thought best to trust or tempt too far these minions of the new
slave despotism, whose recklessness of obligations which interest or
revenge prompted them to evade, was so notorious.

Penn would have attended Virginia to the base of the mountain, risking
all things for the melancholy pleasure of prolonging these last moments.
But thi