The Advance of Science in the Last Half-Century

ere was a sulky tone in his voice that showed very plainly tha

boy an

taking up his position between the new-comer and his young master, fixed his big eyes upon

and one glance was sufficient to mark him out as a man with whom few could cope. His countenance, naturally ugly, had been the playground of the strongest and coarsest passions that degrade humanity, and was rendered still more hideous by the loss of his left eye, which h

opriately nicknamed him-owed his influence among them; for he was, in some sort,

a cutlass whose sheen was alread

dread, "that seems to be the last of them. Let's finish him off. We want no tell-tales.

forward and grasping Evil-E

you?" And wrenching himself free by a tremendous effort, he swung the cutlass high over hi

ep growl like a distant roll of thunder, Prince launched himself full at the ruffian's throat. His aim was unerring, and u

He evidently enjoyed his associate's sudden defeat, and felt little sympathy for him in his present predicament. Then as he looked from the growling mastiff to his young master, who had almost forgotten his own fear in his admiration for his faith

take the dog off on one c

at?" groane

, anyway. Now, if you'll promise me that you'll let them alone so long as I want th

around to see if any other of his companions were near; but

his baleful eye as he added, "And say, Ben, will you give me half your share of t

himself as though second thoughts were best. Yet he could

e, if any harm comes to either of them through your doing, your own blood shal

u can call off

once. "Come here, Prince!" h

t as to the wisdom of obeying it. According to his way of thinking, the best place for Evi

over to him, turning, however, to glance back at Evil-Ey

him no injury. Fortunately for him, the high collar of the greatcoat he wore had been turned up all around to keep out the rain, and it had done hi

ho had also risen to his feet, the excitement of the

ted. "But he may give us trouble some

warrant for his not getting us into trouble. We

me," returned Evil-Eye. "But come, we must

storm tore from the crests of the billows dashed in their faces as they advanced. Eric could not have gone far had not Ben thrown his brawny arm arou

whine, half bark, and then bounded away in the direction of the water. Eric stopped to watch him, and following him closely with his eyes, saw that he ran up to a dark object that lay stretched out upon the sand, about fifty yards away. The dog to

bject he could make out that it was a human body, and a few ste

l be living, Eric rushed forward, and throwing himsel

matter? Can't you look up?

ear, kind friend had gone from him for ever. He felt as though his heart would break, and glancing around through his tears at the two strange, rough-looking men upon whose

xhausted condition, could stand, and when, at the approach of the men, he att

an immense wood-fire that roared and crackled at the farther end of the room. There were at least a score of these men, and, so far as he could make out, they were all rough, sh

alk vigorously to those who were sitting near him. At first Eric paid no attention to what he was saying, but when Evil-Eye held up something for the others to admire,

bring a pot of money, I wager you. And it

" inquired a m

ruffian, turning the ring over so that the diamond which formed its centre might sparkle to the best advan

for it held a diamond of unusual size and of the purest water, which the major told him had been a sort of heirloom in the Maunsell family for many generations. Eric's blood boiled at the thought of th

e major's family. Determination was one of the boy's most marked characteristics. Nothing short of the conviction that it was certainly unattainable could deter him from anything upon which he had once set

room. Clearly enough, his one hope lay in attracting as little attention as possible. He looked anxiously about the room in search of Ben, but could see nothing of him. His good Prince, however, was stretched out upon the floor beside the bu

Prince, c

inquiringly, and then, rising slowly to his feet-for he was very tired after the terri

shed in upon his mind that perhaps neither he nor Prince would ever see Oakdene again, or find their way to Dr. Copeland at Halifax, the tears he had been bravely

red the room, one of them being Ben Harden. He went up to the weeping boy

t blame you. It's a poor place you've come to. But cheer up, a

is fast-falling tears. He felt much relieved at seeing Ben aga

ve come. Everything s

e habitual sternness

tranger before you leave it," said he-adding in an undertone to himself,

ouldn't like something to eat. Then, without waiting for a reply, he went over to the table, and pick

ng attended to. Eric had not tasted food since early morning, and it was now approaching midnight. Could any one who know anything abou

sed at his protégé'

hysic for you. You'll soon be yourself again. Now, then, just yo

low when he caught sight of Prince, who had been watch

s forgetting all about you.-Pleas

im a good square meal." And filling a tin dish from the po

tretched himself out upon his comfortable couch, and in a few moments sank into a deep, dreamless sleep. Pri