ld not be put in words. Brooke saw Death awaiting
himself, and, worse than that, he saw Talbot--alone, friendless,
despairing, in the hands of remorseless fiends. Talbot, on the other
hand, saw Death awaiting Brooke, and never could shake off the
torturing thought that his death was owing to her, and that he was
virtually dying for her. Had it not been for her he might still have
been safe. And it seemed to her to be a very hard and bitter thing
that such a man as this should have to die in such a way, and that
she should be the cause. Ah! it became very hard for her to keep her
promise to maintain her coolness, and to force back those tears and
those cries that were ready to burst forth beyond control. Yet such
was this girl's high nature that she could crush down her weak
woman's heart, and turn toward Brooke a face in which there was not a
trace of emotion, and speak in a voice without a tremor.

Soon a man appeared once more, thrusting his head up into the loft,
and in a stern voice he ordered them to come down.

Brooke rose. He did not look at Talbot. He walked toward the ladder,
droning out in a nasal whine, to a most extraordinary tune, the
following words:

"Come on, you tarnal Mingo,
I'll make you walk your chalks;
D'ye think I care, by jingo!
For all yer tomahawks!
I'm more of Salamander
And less of mortal man:
You cannot shake my dander,
I'm a rale American!"

At the opening he paused, and looked back at Talbot's pale face.

"Did you ever hear the death-song of Mullins Bryan?" he asked.

"No," said Talbot.

"H'm! I suppose not," said Brooke.

He then went down, and Talbot followed.

CHAPTER XXII.

HOW TALBOT HAS LIFE AND FREEDOM OFFERED, AND HOW SHE DECLINES THE
OFFER.

Outside, Lopez was seated upon a stone which stood close by the
foundation wall of the mill, and near him were about a dozen of his
followers. The rest of the band were at a distance, and were all
variously occupied. Some were lolling on the grass, smoking; others
were lying down as though trying to sleep; others were squatting on
their haunches in groups, talking and gesticulating; others were
wandering away in different directions.

All this was taken in at a glance by Brooke as he came out, followed
by Talbot, after which he turned and faced Lopez. The latter regarded
him with sharp scrutiny for some time, after which he looked in the
same way at Talbot. The gaze was returned by Talb