an ominous glitter in his eye; 'dare to lay a finger on me at-your-peril.'

"Dare!' said the carpenter.

'Just try, that's all,' said Richard, quietly.

The men had all paused at the fracas; and the carpenter, though rather daunted by the apprentice's tone and attitude, hit him as he concluded his defiant challenge, an irresolute tap with the maul he poised in his hand. In an instant-almost quicker than thought or sightRichard concentrated all his energy into a downright blow, and the carpenter measured his length on the fore-hatchway, in front of which the scene took place. There was a shout of applause, and Richard, rather satisfied with his exploit, did not pursue his victory further; but coolly remarked as he laid hold anew of the jigger,

'It was well for him the hatchway was closed, and now, perhaps, he will do his business without meddling with that of other people.'

Richard's chastisement of the carpenter appeared to have the desired effect; for the man rose, quiet and crest-fallen, to resume his work, and did not attempt any further interference with either Richard or his friends.

The ship was just gathering headway as Granville and his pupil stepped over the side to return home, and Richard was left to the old life, and to the company of the Coalpit's crew, till they should reach England again.

IT

CHAPTER XIV.`

was now about the beginning of September,

and the Coalpit, after an absence of nine or ten months was drawing very near to her port, and the spirits grew light and the voices low and tender among the rough crew, who with willing hearts and quick motions were doing their best, if not to hasten, at least not to retard, the speedy arrival of the ship at home. The night before they fairly sighted the harbour of Furstcastle the weather was very rough; the wind 'blowing great guns,' and the rain falling in torrents; but towards early morning the storm ceased, and the sun rose brightly on broken fleecy clouds and a heaving sea, showing the eager watchers on deck and rigging the fair town, as she lay with the background of green trees and her forest guard of masts. It was strange, after that eager yearning for home, and that counting of hours and watching for signals which should herald the old landmarks, how silent and still the men, in many cases, became as the barque came in sight of the haven, and

certainty usurped the place of anticipation. Suddenly a hearty, prolonged shout rang out on the river, and a few minutes afterwards, a busy little tug, which had been plying incessantly in its vocation through the day, was attached to the ship, and she rode in triumphantly to her place among the masts and yards that appeared to protect the town, round which they reared their height. The ship was boarded immediately by Custom-house officers, and some officials on behalf of the mercantile firm of Erle and Macintosh; and presently came relations of some of the men, and many touching scenes took place. There were one or two who stood alone among these meetings, and among these last were Silvio, and Richard Boothby, who had not chosen to write home to announce his probable arrival on that Saturday evening. It was not very long before Richard was ashore, and after a short interview with the junior partner of the firm, during which he learned that in a few days the Old Coalpit was to sail for Genoa, and that his leave of absence would but extend over that short space of time, he returned to the ship to lock up his chest, and take away such articles. as he did not like to leave behind, and then with a beating, eager heart set forwards towards home; now doubly dear from his long absence

and hard life. It was a clear, lovely, fresh evening when he drew near the little hamlet, and the still country sounds impressed him with something at once strangely sad and soothing. Instead of feeling bright and happy, a heavy sense of some impending sorrow stole over him; and he dared not bend his steps in the direction of the Cloister, though he stood where he could now see the clustered chimneys and upper casement windows glittering in the setting sun. Children's voices, the low of a sleepy cow, and the occasional whistle or exclamation of some farm labourer, spoke of life and work at no great distance from the little knoll on which he stood; but as far as his eye could reach there was nothing to be seen but common stretching away right and left, and immediately in front the well-known cradle of trees, now slightly touched by autumn, in the shelter of which lay the grey roof pinnacles and thatched cottages so familiar to Richard, who for the first time saw his old life before him, with its faults, its follies, its loss of opportunities, and disregard of care and affection, as plainly as when hanging between life and death he knew that a few seconds might dash him into eternity. A quick step near him made him move aside to a well-known pathway which he knew would take him by the church