CHAPTER XIV.

GOVERNOR TRYON ON BOARD SHIP.

IN an instant the young soldier was seized in the ready arms of the boatmen who had entered the room in obedience to the signal from Colonel Fanning, and one of them, taking his cravat, bound his arms securely behind. The sheet was then removed from his head, and before he had time to utter a word, and scarcely to think, another of the seamen had drawn a handkerchief into his mouth, and, fastening it behind his neck, he was as thoroughly prevented from making any noise as though a "regulation" gag had been put in his mouth.

Being thus effectually secured, he was released from the arms of his captors, and for an instant glared about him, his eyes actually flashing with rage. But he was fairly trapped, and knowing that resistance against such odds, even if he was at liberty to make any, would be sheer folly, he seated himself quietly in a chair, or, rather, on the edge of a chair, for the position of his arms pinioned behind him, prevented him from occupying the seat.

"That's right, my fine fellow," said the colonel,

looking ironically on his helpless prisoner, "make the best of a bad bargain. You see what you get by meddling with what don't concern you," and, seating himself again at the table, he proceeded to finish the bottle which Corbie had placed before him.

"Now, then, Corbie," he said, as he drained his last glass, "you know what to do. That letter for the " ; but he checked himself suddenly, as if feeling that he had no right to pronounce Margaret's name in such company. "Oh, the captain-he'll manage that, I'll warrant. Forbes said he was going out to see Mathews to-day, eh ?" and he turned to the gunsmith, who was standing at the bar, quietly sipping some liquor to which he had helped himself while the seamen were securing young Adams.

“Yes,” he replied, "he said so; but I don't hardly think he got away. I saw him just before sundown, as I was coming along in company with one of Smallwood's officers and that captain from McDougal's regiment-the one as belongs to us."

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We expect

Somebody must go out to-morrow. the fleet almost every day, and we want to get everything in readiness, so as to act as soon as Lord Howe arrives. But what are we to do with this smart young man ?" continued the colonel, turning to Adams, who sat silent, of course, but almost bursting with rage and shame at being so securely trapped in his own net.

"A few days or weeks on board the "Duchess" won't

hurt him, I'm thinking," replied Forbes, "He will have excellent company there-there's lots of his kind aboard. His excellency, I know, will treat him very well."

"Come, then, my worthy rebel, will you go quietly, or shall my fellows here help you? Take your

choice."

Adams knew well what sort of assistance he might expect to receive from the sailors, so he nodded his head in acquiescence of the first part of the colonel's proposition, and Corbie having poured out another glass apiece for the sailors, which was tossed off with a bow and a scrape, the party started to leave the house, two men taking each an arm of the young soldier and leading him forward, the others following behind.

In this order they reached the boat, a large man-ofwar cutter, manned by eight men; and Adams having been stowed in the stern-sheets, within reach of Colonel Fanning's arm, it was shoved off silently, and the crew pulled away very gently at first-so gently that even the dipping of the oars (which were muffled,) in the water, was scarcely heard by the prisoner.

"Now, my fine fellow," said the colonel, when the boat had reached nearly the middle of the stream, until which time not a word had been spoken, "if you make the least noise, or attempt to move, I shall have you pitched overboard as sure as you are there, now. You understand, of course ?"

Adams nodded his head sullenly, for he had no other choice, and, at a sign from the colonel, the men gave way in long, steady strokes, which sent the boat fairly flying through the water. A hard pull of two hours brought them alongside the "Duchess of Gordon," the flag-ship, on board which Governor Tryon had his head-quarters, then lying off the present quarantine landing, and the hail of the sentry having been duly answered by Colonel Fanning, the party ascended her side, and the gag having been removed from Adams' mouth, and his arms set at liberty, he was directed to follow them, an order with which he complied, but of course with sullen reluctance. As he landed on the deck of the ship, Colonel Fanning, turning to the officer of the watch, said: "Give this man in charge of the masterat-arms. Let him be well treated, but well watched," and, striding aft, his arrival on board was announced by the sentry at the cabin door, to the captain and Governor Tryon, who were seated within.

The governor was in the very highest spirits, for a vessel had arrived that very day which had brought to him a letter from Lord Germaine, thanking him in the warmest terms, in the name of his majesty, for the efficient aid he had rendered to the cause, and hinting at the probability of much more substantial evidence of the king's approbation.

"Ah! colonel-returned, I see," he said, rising, his countenance flushed with the wine he had been drink

ing-for he was noted for his devotion to the best things of this life. "What news from the infernal rebels? Are they ready to lay down their arms and submit to the clemency of our gracious sovereign ?"

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Hardly yet, your excellency, I fear," said the colonel, with a quiet smile, "though I learn from our trusty friends in the city, that a great disaffection exists among the troops. Their pay is never punctually given, and their provisions of the poorest kind, with a scarcity even of that, and they are kept at work day and night. There are, I am sure, many hundreds who will join our

forces as soon as we effect a landing; at least, such is the information I gather from Forbes and Corbie.

"But how as to the other matter? What progress is making in that? You know, colonel, that is my scheme, and I place great reliance upon the result, should we succeed."

"Several of the life-guards of Mr. Washington have joined us, and when a few more are secured, the first favorable opportunity will be seized to carry your ex cellency's plan into operation. If successful, that will crush the rebellion without doubt, and your excellency will reap the well-earned reward of your devotion to his majesty.

"Aye, aye," replied the governor, half musingly, rubbing his hands together; for visions of stars and orders were dancing before him, as the possibility of