he should have been hurrying to the hills, and had, with the eloquence of a dying man, entreated him again and again to remain yet another minute, and listen to the confession which contained Brune's own vindication. The situation and the subject had imposed upon his better judgment, and caused him wellnigh to lose all that made life or reputation valuable. Here he was at last, however; and Violet's strength seemed all to return when she leant upon his arm, and heard his voice, and partook of the confidence with which he chose his way, and supported her along. After a long, but not a tedious, walk, they found themselves close to a little negro hut at the mountain's foot, before which should have been standing a carriage ready to convey them to Halfway Tree Church; but, alas! all was still and lonely. Old Tom had failed to keep his appointment, and all that had been achieved with so much toil and danger was like to have been achieved in vain. Once more alarmed and shocked, Violet rested in the hut. She had now the calm decided voice of Brune to reassure her, though; and her fears but half possessed her. Leander was despatched to Kingston to travel at the top of his speed on Arthur's pony, which was tied behind the hut, with orders to bring out a carriage without a moment's delay, and with the promise of a rich reward if he did so in time. Violet's eyes could be seen by the bright moonlight suffused with tears; but she made no lamentation, nor otherwise added to the perplexity of a situation already sufficiently embarrassing. Even then Brune remarked that she would be in her right place as a soldier's wife. Miserable she certainly was, and, after so many misfortunes, unable to believe in a happy result; yet she nerved herself, and did what appeared to be her duty. Far otherwise it was with Miss Rosabella. That young lady, being no longer called upon to use bodily exertion, was not disposed to place any restraint upon the exhibition of sentiment. Her tears, her voice, her gestures, indicated the profoundest despair. She threw herself on the floor of the hut, tore her hair (she really had hair, not wool), and screamed and raved after a fashion indulged in in this country by none but lunatics. Arthur sat supporting Violet, and whispering hope and the certainty of a good result. He looked often at his watch, and counted the minutes in which Leander could possibly accomplish his ride to Kingston. Long before the least period that he allowed, however, his ears were greeted by the sound of wheels and hoofs. We know that Gervaise, though long behind time, was under way at last; and accordingly Leander had not ridden far before he met Tom tooling along at a great pace; whereupon he returned and essayed to gallop forward and announce Tom's coming beforehand, which he could hardly accomplish, so cleverly did the old fellow put them over the ground. It was not many seconds before the equipage, with all its passengers safely bestowed, was on the road back to Kingston. CHAPTER XX. Melhado dying or dead, it was uncertain which-was borne gently along towards camp. The doctor of course took the direction, and he declared that, if life remained, the only hope of preserving it lay in preventing a shock of any kind. Thus the return was necessarily very slow, and allowed ample time for the escorting party to collect their thoughts. None of them could have had very pleasant reflections, for they were all now liable to be confronted with the stern face of the law, and it was not impossible that they might stand together in the dock as criminals. To be sure, colonial juries were very lenient in matters of this kind-more especially after a little time had elapsed; but then to gain time it was necessary to flee immediately into hiding, and that was not very convenient. To Judge Blake especially the consequences promised to be ugly; for, supposing him to have come safely through the ordeal of a trial, he yet ran a great risk of losing his appointment after being mixed up in such a transaction. This could not have been an agreeable thought; howbeit, the Judge, like many of his countrymen, had the talent of banishing care, and looking at the bright side of things, so he didn't fret. But the man most to be pitied of the whole group was undoubtedly Christy Arabin. Here, stretched on this wretched canvass, lay all that remained of the young man in whom centred so many of his schemes. He must now face a prospect very different from that which he had imagined a few nights ago as he lay and smoked, and thought that he should never be cast down. Besides, he would have to be the bearer of these sudden tidings home-to announce to his daughter that she was, as it were, a widow ere she was a bride. Then a pang of another complexion shot through him as he thought that his wife would not consider this a very heavy visitation-that the fates were fighting her battle against him, and putting him to shame in his own house in a very unhandsome way! A hundred other vexatious considerations rose up, but in his present agitation he could only glance at them in the gross and see how formidable they were: a dark array indeed! Altogether there was a terrible revulsion of feeling since they formed a merry party an hour or so ago. And they marched along in moody silence, each absorbed in his own reflections, when on a sudden from the bier came forth a plaintive voice "I don't feel in very great pain !" 66 Silence, as you value your life," said the doctor; "do nothing but breathe, and do that as softly as you can." "Melhado's alive; we mayn't have to run for it," thought the bulk of the party. "Manuel's alive, and his wound may not be mortal," thought old Christy; and he presently began to calculate whether, if he only lost his nose, that must necessarily upset the long-revolved schemes. Mrs Arabin would be strong against a noseless son-in-law, but, dher, was she always to have her way? With these cogitations they arrived at the barracks, into the first room of which they turned-a servant's room on the ground-floor. The bier was laid upon a table, and the doctor proceeded to clear the room of all but two or three of the curious beholders. Christy Arabin, of course, claimed the right to stay; Judge Blake pleaded that his ob servation of the case might suggest a legal wrinkle or two in the event of difficulties ensuing; and M'Corrigan and Ramsay could hardly with decency be denied. These, therefore, remained in the room. The rest, after some strong remonstrances, dispersed on a promise that an early bulletin should be promulgated. "Now, then," said the doctor, as he unlocked his instrument-case, "somebody get a basin of tepid water and a sponge. I should like a saucer too and a table-knife, or something of that kind, to clear the clotted blood away." "Do you think it's mor- ?” groaned Melhado. "Let me entreat you," interrupted the doctor, "not to attempt to speak. You shall know everything I can tell concerning your case as soon as I understand it. Remarkable, isn't it? though not uncommon, he added, turning to the bystanders, "that a bullet through the brain is sometimes so little felt at first! Here is a case where for a time even the intellect is unimpaired!" 66 "I beg your pardon, doctor," said Christy Arabin; might I entreat you to attend to the sufferer now, and we can hear these interesting observations another time?" "Yes, attend to me, that's a good man. Tell me if I shall die." The doctor was ruffled-first, at the interruption of his lecture; secondly, at the disobedience of his patient. แ "By" he said, "if you don't keep still, the undertaker, not I, will have to attend to you!" His irritation subsided immediately, and he set carefully and tenderly about his work. Melhado's countenance was so discoloured and coated that it was not possible to determine the precise position of the wound. The doctor, therefore, proceeded to work round the outer edge of the stains, removing large coagulated masses, and gradually circumscribing the area. Strange," said he, "I don't see yet where the bullet entered." He patiently went on again till he had cleared all but a space no bigger than a florin. "In the very centre of the marks," he mused, "the last spot that I expose," and so saying, he removed the remaining particle, and scraped his knife against the saucer's edge. The wound was not manifest though. Then he plunged the sponge in the basin and washed the whole of Melhado's pale countenance. After that he opened the patient's mouth and nostrils, and examined them attentively. "Where the deuce can all the blood have come from?" exclaimed he, completely puzzled. I can find no wound." 66 "I've been looking at it, and I have my suspicions.' "Let me see," said the doctor. I never thought-why, I declare, what's this? Well, it is curious!" "If I weren't in the presence of a professional man," put in Blake, "I'd say 'twas guava jelly." "It looks wonderfully like it," said Christy Arabin. "It is guava jelly," said Mr Ramsay. แ "Then I'm not shot after all," said Melhado, briskly, as he sat up on end. The relief of their apprehensions was so sudden that the ridicule of the affair had not yet struck them. M'Corrigan, turning his back upon Melhado, said, "Gentlemen all, be pleased to understand that Mr Shane is entirely ignorant of what his pistol contained. Cartridges-very harmless ones as you perceivewere manufactured for the occasion, with the view of preventing bloodshed. I need scarcely remind you that, had they not been resorted to, we should have had not only bloodshed, but death. It will be for you to decide whether or not you will enlighten Shane as to the transaction. If you do, I shall of course be ready to answer for the deceit practised upon him. But I imagine that if we are content to keep the secret, nobody will wish to divulge it on the part of thisthis-person." And M'Corrigan, with a look of supreme contempt, pointed over his shoulder at Melhado, who still sat astonished on the table. "The best advice I can give this person and those who are interested in him," continued he, "is, that he disappear for some time, and pretend to be dead in fact, as he really is in reputation. By the time all of us are off the island, his rascally conduct may be forgotten, and he may show himself to strangers." "The charge of the pistols shall remain a profound secret with me," said Blake. the affair will be disposed to ask many questions, or to talk about it, for their own sakes; and a nod or a wink from me will make them fancy they understand the end of it." Having heard which, and having bowed to Christy Arabin, M'Corrigan went out, followed by Ramsay. Judge Blake, who held that the code of honour and any other code whatever must give way to a joke, went up to Melhado, and, looking him solemnly in the face, said, "Upon my soul, sir, this is a most unlooked-for resurrection. Receive my congratulations on your having been so wonderfully preserved." Then bidding good-night to Arabin and the doctor, the learned gentleman went home to rest, confirmed in his belief that it is better to keep off care and apprehension till they force themselves in. "Yes, come along. I'm dreadfully sleepy." So the two stole out. A little way from Up Park Camp, as you go to Halfway Tree, four roads meet-that is to say, the road from the mountains to Kingston crosses at right angles that which leads from Camp to Halfway Tree. At daybreak, after Clutterbuck's champagne, two carriages were approaching, and near to meeting, at the cross roads; one was travelling from Camp, the other from the hills. They did not exactly meet, however, as the latter, which was perceived to be driven by Tom Gervaise, quickened its speed suddenly, and turned to its right into the Halfway Tree road, before the former reached the cross. The other contained old Christy Arabin and Mr Melhado, and it also turned to its right, but towards the mounThe doctor was the next to de- tains, taking the opposite direction part, leaving Christy and his high- to that which Tom had just left. minded young friend to a tête-à-tête. They were soon far asunder. NeiAs long as Manuel appeared to be ther Christy nor Melhado was in a dead, Christy felt that he would peculiarly amiable humour, yet the give anything to have him alive old man had not completely lost again now that he was surely interest in passing matters. : He alive and unhurt, the old gentle- nudged the morose Melhado, and, man began to think it had been pointing to the carriage that passed better if he had died. Always them, saidshrewd and practical, though, he immediately decided that reproaches were utterly useless, that he would want a little time to consider what should be done, and that what he had first to effect was the withdrawal of Manuel from Camp, and the concealment of him at Crystal Mount or somewhere in the hills. He therefore said, quietly— "I think we had better have our carriage out and get away as quickly and quietly as possible. The day is breaking let us go to the coachhouse, where no doubt the servants are asleep, and set off at once." The tone Christy used brought a great relief to Manuel, who had been feeling like a detected cur. He couldn't understand the old fellow, but began to fancy that there was little harm done after all; and he answered, jauntily, VOL. XCI.-NO. DLVL "Isn't that Gervaise? What can the fellow be about at this time of the morning? He's got women aboard, too, sly dog! Shouldn't wonder if we heard more of this affair, and had some scandal out of it!" 66 "I hope to heaven that he's run away with somebody's daughter," growled Melhado, and that the parents 'll go distracted, and that the runaways 'll hate each other and be miserable!" Christy soon ceased to think of Tom Gervaise; he had to determine what should be done with Melhado. The wise plan obviously was to conceal him for a time. Those who knew of his being unhurt had declared their intention of keeping the matter secret. His rascally behaviour in the duel it was nobody's wish, of course, to conceal. But a man believed to be dangerously wounded might be much more leniently dealt with than one known to have escaped unscathed. Perhaps, when Manuel should appear again as one recovered from an almost mortal wound, his iniquity might be forgotten. Clearly, therefore, the best course, under any circumstances, was, that he should seek retirement, and Christy thought he had better quietly leave the island for a while. This reasoning seemed sound enough when he reviewed it; and yet he saw an objection, which one can scarcely comprehend his admitting under such circumstances. Manuel's retirement must cause the postponement of the marriage; and the postponement of the marriage was Mrs Arabin's suggestion. He almost determined to face all the opprobrium and ridicule that would greet Melhado's immediate reappearance, and to push the marriage through according to the original programme, trusting to the wealth and influence of the two houses to silence all reproach ere long. Between the whispers of discretion and the wish to thwart his wife, he remained in two minds till he got home, and when he arrived there he had something else to think of; so this momentous question was never decided. In half an hour from the time when the carriages passed the cross roads Violet Arabin was saluted as Mrs Brune, and she and her husband were off to a house in the recesses of the island, where they lay hidden and very happy for a week or two. Lorton's bequest turned out to be a legacy of £5000, which came most opportunely to the young couple, and set them going, while old Christy was digesting the liberty that had been taken with his domestic arrangements. He did completely get over it at last, and learned to love his son-in-law, and to congratulate himself on the way in which events were ordered. Mrs Melhado, though dreadfully disappointed and angry, was at the same time moved with admiration at the spirited course taken by the lovers, which, she said, resembled the matches that were made when she was young, and was worth any quantity of your staid formal courtships. To her chopfallen son the old lady afterwards recited the proverb that there are as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it, and recommended him to run away with the next promising girl that came in his way, and not to wait till another did it for him. Upon the whole, she admirably maintained her reputation as a strong-minded woman, and, whatever she felt on the subject, let no annoyance appear, and was ready with a grin for everybody, and maybe with a smart retort if any observation appeared pointed at her disaster. Her son thought proper to make a voyage to the United States of America, which, though it may have dispersed his chagrin, did not improve his manners and sentiments. On his return he never showed again in good society; and when his mother died (which she did soon after his reappearance in Jamaica), and he was left to his own guidance, his feet turned speedily into the broad path that leads to ruin. He still retained his love of finery; he was fond of pleasure and idleness; and he had but little capacity for business. So he became the leader of a low gambling set, called to that bad eminence through his good looks, affectation of fashion, and reputed wealth. Once on a downward path like this, the end is certain. Descending from one depth to another, his father's infirmity got possession of him, as the shrewd old lady had feared it might; and he was known as a drunken, gambling ruffian, about low haunts in Kingston and Port Royal. It ended in his paying a quarter dollar in the pound, and becoming a book-keeper to an estate of which he had been attorney. Arthur and his incomparable wife, with Leander and Rosy married and in their service, remained but a short time longer in Jamaica, |