thought, perhaps, we might be of service to

each other."

"In what way?" said I.

"The same that we 've followed for some

time past," he rejoined.

"Since our party 's broken up," I returned, "and the watch which will now be kept, I'll never poach another head."

"Nor I either," said Harry. "It's too slow a way of getting money to suit me any longer."

"Then what do you propose doing?" replied I.

"It's scarcely worth while to mention it," rejoined he, indifferently, "since ye seem to be struck moral all of a sudden."

"I must live," said I.

"Some people mightn't see the necessity for it," returned Harry.

"True enough," added I; " but I do." “I am glad to hear ye say so," responded he. "So long as a man wishes to live, there's some hopes of him: there's what may be called meat on his bones. But the moment he begins to feel careless of life, the

sooner he's dead the better. For my part," continued Harry, "I'd rather see my best friend stretched in his coffin than hear him talk of dying."

"But what is this plan of yours?" inquired I.

"Better learn it by degrees," replied he. "A sudden plunge might take your breath away."

"Let me know it now," I rejoined, "as my steps may be governed at once by what you say."

"You 're cold, damp, and weary, Tom," returned he, "which is poor condition for listening. Take my advice; come with me, and I 'll put ye into a snug warm bed, where there shall be no trail to find ye by. At night, when refreshed and hearty, you shall hear what I have to say; and then if the scheme doesn't suit, why you can take your own course, and do as the rest have done―go farther off to fare worse."

"That I think scarcely possible,” said I.

66

Well, well!" replied Harry. "Opinions differ in all matters."

"However," added I, "I'll do as you wish, and decide by-and-by whether to stay

or go."

"Then come with me," he rejoined, "and you shall be safer than if you were buried underground."

CHAPTER VIII.

"The image of a wicked, heinous fault
Lives in his eye; that close aspect of his

Does shew the mood of a much-troubled breast."

HARRY BLUFF had not yet reached thirty; but from the deep lines marked in his forehead and cheeks, he bore the appearance of being many years older. With a thick-set wiry frame, he possessed a savage and reckless spirit; and his large round head, placed upon a pair of brawny shoulders, looked like that of a bull dog. Set in deep protruding sockets, shaded with shaggy hair, were two small grey twinkling eyes, which, from their restlessness, seemed incapable of sleep; and his thick protruding lips were ever fixed together in a determined sullen expression.

"Ho, Tom!" exclaimed a voice. "Why, lad, ye 'll sleep till ye wake up grey!"

Startled by the shout, I awoke from my profound slumber on Harry's bed, and saw that he was sitting on the edge of it, occupied in boring a hole in the butt end of a heavy cudgel.

"Have I slept long?" inquired I.

"Long!" he repeated, laughing; "You turned in at break of day, and here it is as black as my hat. A good twelve hours' spell." "Some must watch, while some may sleep," rejoined I; " and it seems that I have done the latter part to some purpose."

"And I the first," returned he. "A pair of quick ears I thought might be useful just at the present time."

"Has all been quiet?" asked I.

"There hasn't been noise enough, the livelong day, to scare a mouse,” replied Harry. "There will be presently," said I, “or I shall be very much mistaken."

"But not disappointed," replied Harry. "But come," continued he, "take a crust and a horn; they 'll put ye in heart."