at any moment a ball might be piercing Onslow's heart. This second firing died away. And then out of the silence that succeeded there came a sound like the measured beat of a water-mill. "Do you know what that means, Miss Windham ?" and Norwood's joyous heart no longer spoke in whispers. Ah yes, she knew. It was the steamer at last, under weigh, and coming to their rescue; and no longer would she doubt the goodness of God. Onslow was about to return to her unhurt. A few more minutes, and this dream of horror would be over-he would be at her side. She stood with hands clasped, her heart beating violently, watching for the coming vessel; and Norwood with the two sailors, scarcely less excited, thinking no longer of concealment, stood beside her. Then the long black hull of the steamer showed indistinct in the gloom immediately facing them - the paddles stopped. A shot from the darkness behind--and the sailor nearest Alice, with a sudden cry, fell forward on the beach. Quick as thought Norwood faced round and returned the shot-only to fall the next moment, stunned by the buttend of a musket. With creeping horror Alice felt a strong arm round her waist. Uttering a piercing cry, she struggled, but in vain. Lifted from her feet and surrounded by a crowd of fierce faces, she was borne along until the barricade was almost reached. "Oh! is there no hope?" she cried. Then suddenly from behind her there came a noise of shouting and a sound of pursuing feet. The men who were carrying her off hesitated, their steps faltered, at last they stopped and fired. She looked back-Onslow's face was foremost amongst the crowd of seamen. She called him; and even above the tumult that voice was heard. Rushing forward, with one blow he set her free from the vile hand which had polluted her. The man lay dead, and the few of his comrades who had hitherto stood their ground now broke and ran. But why did not Onslow speak to her? and why did he lean panting against the fence with his eyes bent on the ground? She knelt down by his side, and he looked on her with loving eyes. Then his features contracted with sudden pain, and he fainted. 66 'Ah, my love, my love," she cried, as she lifted the head and wiped the pale face; "and have you indeed given your life for me?" Malcolm came hurrying up, and Alice waited in agony for the verdict of life or death which would issue from his lips. The examination was soon over, and with a pitying glance Malcolm said "A musket-shot in the chest; the greatest care will be needed. Fortunately he has fainted, for he could scarcely have borne, the pain of being conveyed to the ship." And so they slowly carried him down to the beach, with Alice walking closely by his side. And she trod the deck of the steamer, and the paddles revolved and bore her away from the place where she had suffered so much. And the day she had thought would be the |