s she would not permit. Hard as it was to utter the word of
separation,--to see him return to those solitary and dangerous rocks,
not knowing that he would ever be able to leave them, or that she would
ever see him again in this world;--still, her love was greater than her
selfishness, and she had strength even for that.

"No farther now! O, you must go no farther!" And, resolutely pausing,
she called to Carl,--for Carl's lot too lay with his. Toby and Pepperill
also stopped.

"Daniel," said Penn, with impressive solemnity, "into thy hands I commit
this precious charge. Be faithful. Good Toby, I trust we shall meet
again in God's good time. Farewell! farewell!"

And the procession went its way; only Penn and Carl remained gazing
after it long, with hearts too full for words.

When it was out of sight, and they were turning silently to retrace
their steps, they saw a man come out of the woods, and beckon to them.
It was a negro--it was Barber Jim.

Permitted to approach, he told his story. Since the escape of the
arrested Unionists through his cellar, he had been an object of
suspicion; and last night his house had been attacked by a mob. He had
managed to escape, and was now hiding in the woods to save his life.

"Deslow betrayed you with the rest," said Penn; "that explains it."

"My wife--my two daughters: what will become of them?" said the wretched
man. "And my property, that I have been all this while laying up for
them!"

"Do not despair, my friend. Your property is mostly real estate, and
cannot be so easily appropriated to rebel uses, as the money deposited
for me in the bank, from which I was never allowed to draw it! It will
wait for you. A kind Providence will care for your family, I am sure. As
for you, I do not see what else you can do but share our fortunes. There
is one comfort for you,--we are all about as badly off as yourself."

"You shall have your pick of some muskets," said Carl, gayly; "and you
vill find us as jolly a set of wagabonds as ever you saw!"

"Have you plenty of arms?"

"Arms is more plenty as prowisions. Vat is vanted is wittles. Vat is
vanted most is wegetables. Bears and vild turkeys inwite themselves to
be shot, but potatoes keep wery shy, and ve suffers for sour krout."

Barber Jim mused. "I will go with you. I am glad," he added, as if to
himself, "that I paid Toby off as I did."

What he meant by this last remark will be seen.

* * * *