The Weird of the Wentworths, Vol. 1

rising morn

ht-because your

res of

trow-hard token whilk deserves the hettest c

d matted down on his head; beneath his shaggy eyebrows gleamed piercing grey eyes; he wore neither beard nor moustache, but his whiskers formed what is commonly called a "hangman's collar," and were jagged and dusty with snuff. In his early days Bill's features had not been ill-looking, but time, and a life of hardship and exposure, had made sad ravages. His face was bloated by constant use of intoxicating liquors, weather-beaten by a seafaring life, and bronzed by exposure to a

his chain, growling and barking in the most ferocious manner, and displaying, at the same time, a set of splendid teeth and four terrible fangs. Woe to the intruder who came within chain's length of Fury! It was not, however, the strange medley, nor the desperate look of the apartment, nor the bandog's ire that made L'Estrange start back as if an adder had bitten him-no, it was none of these, he had seen them all before, often and often had he heard the watchdog's challenge. It was another inmate of this den-a face he saw where least he had expected to see it-which made our hero start back! Seated before the fire, which was made of drift-wood, on a barrel of gunpowder with the lid half broken off, displaying the deadly dust to view, sat a young man smoking a small black pipe, mounted in silver. If this pipe has not already betrayed him, our reader will at once recognize him from his short black hair, fierce moustache, and bo

g: "Well! I'm blowed," at the same time emptying the burning ashes of his pipe on the top of the barrel with the u

care," replied L'Estrange, shudderin

at in the name of heaven has brought

you, De Vere. I came, however, to

eered for old B

you to say to me, my messmate?" muttered the

, Bill-some private business

there are no secrets here; was it with the black-eye

very different matters

said the Captain, disregarding Bill's angry look, who exclaimed, "

that, Bill; no brawling, remember; but I say again, d-n

own family. I cannot tell it to

y who has a better right to know it? and

e still h

ou shall trifle with me no more: I wish to know that secret, and by heaven I will! Look you here, my fine fellow, no one saw you come in here, and dev

te with passion as he shouted,

ap's turning traitor, he will rap throug

d feel small scruples in fulfilling their threat, should he longer hesitate, thought th

you force me to do it, and you must

he barrel. "Come here, Ned, sit down, make yourself comfortabl

am partial to it,

pouring him out a glass; "trust Bill for good

ittle or no interest in it, and vastly preferred their pipes and the frequent drams they drank; but it was far otherwise, and thoughtless as they looked they were both drinking in every word, sifting every phra

in-she likes him better-jilts you, and no wonder; most girls would prefer a coronet, when they can get one, to none. And you wan

in laughe

your brother marries your hopes o

hat to you? if the girl don't like you-if she likes him better-you won't get her back. I know the sex well; let one of them take a thing into their heads and they will move heaven and

as d

ad! And what are

hat is exactly what I don't know-can you ass

set another girl in his way-a springe to catch woodcocks-eh N

ntworth marry another-if he must marry, why the devil not Ellen Ra

gry grunt when h

th must not marr

u prevent hi

r in me, and if I don't bring matters straight call me a fool-an idiot! Now what do you think of this?" he continued, and for several minutes, in a low voice, whispered some dark plan or scheme. The changing expression

dog, you are," said Bill; "and what, my hearty, i

d rid the world of such a scoundrel, and be thanked fo

sn't, y

es, and why should I not? I dare anything-I neither fear God nor regard man-I fea

himself between the brawlers, and tried to make peace by insisting on the Captain accompanying him home, and Bill's appeasing his wrath,

more, and let the two friends-if we may so call them-out. Taking L'E

ou told me all, you

ope it wil

? marched like me, I suppose, and a cold tramp we shal

I rod

r horse? If you left it on the common, ten t

ht my man with me, and h

the Captain, quickening his pace and advancing to where the man and horses stood. "By Gad he's asleep

al defence against the cold south-easter that blew chilly over the downs, still white with snow, he actually fell asleep; and in dreamland once more visited his emerald isle, green Erin, and like Campbell's dreaming soldie

Captain, as his lash again descended-

eated on his horse, and as soon as L'Estrange was mounted they both set off at full gallop towards Brighton, the Cap

stuff to keep the cold out have they left me-ill luck to 'em." With such kindly expressions Pat Malony cheered his way, and after a four mile trudge, reached the barracks at past three in the morning; and as he could not, or would not give an account of himself he was placed in guard for absence without l