ybil, with a wise nod.

"The attempt shall be made, at all events," determined Mr. Berners.

Sybil was in the act of putting the supper--not on the table, for table
there was none in the chapel--but on the cloth spread upon the
flagstones, when Captain Pendleton, to give a lighter turn to their
talk, said:

"You may put a plate for me also, Mrs. Berners! I have not yet supped,
and I'm glad I have got here in time to join you."

"I am glad too! We are getting quite comfortably to housekeeping here,
Captain. And Lyon has set his traps, and we shall soon have game to
offer you when you come to visit us," replied Sybil quickly, responding
to his gayety.

"If I had only a gun, and could venture to use it, it would be a great
relief, and we should be very well supplied," smiled Lyon.

"Yes! if you had a gun, and should venture to use it, you would soon
bring a _posse comitatus_ down upon you; We will have no reverberations
of that sort, if you please, Lyon," recommended the Captain.

And then they all sat down around the table-cloth, and Sybil poured out
and served the coffee.

Now, whether they were very thirsty, or whether the coffee was unusually
good, or whether both these causes combined to tempt them to excess, is
not known; but it is certain that the two gentlemen were intemperate in
their abuse of this fragrant beverage; which proves that people can be
intemperate in other drinks, as well as in alcoholic liquors. This
coffee also got into their heads. Their spirits rose; they grew gay,
talkative, inspired, brilliant. Even Sybil, who took but one cup of
coffee, caught the infection, and laughed and talked and enjoyed herself
as if she were at a picnic, instead of being in hiding for her life or
liberty.

In a word, some strange exhilaration, some wonderful intoxication
pervaded the little party; but the most marvellous symptom of their case
was, that they talked no nonsense--that while, under their adverse and
perilous circumstances, such gayety was unnatural and irrational, yet
their minds were clear and their utterances brilliant. And this abnormal
exaltation of intellect and elevation of spirit continued for several
hours, long into the night.

Then the great reaction came. First Sybil grew very quiet, though not in
the least degree sad; then Lyon Berners evinced a disposition rather to
listen than to talk; and finally Captain Pendleton arose, and saying
that this had been one of the strangest and pleasa