ISHMAEL; Or, IN THE DEPTHS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 451, 5 March 1890, Page 6

ISHMAEL; Or, IN THE DEPTHS.

By MRS EMMA D. E. N. SOUTHWORTH,

Author of “Self-Raised,” “Fair Play.” “'lhc Missing Bride. 1 ’ " A Xoble Lord, ‘llosv Jle Won Hex - .’' “The Prince of Darkness,” “Tried for Her Life,” Etc.. Etc.

CHAPTER XXVI.

THE FIRE AT BRUDEXELL lIAT.L,

Seize then the occasion; by the forelock take That subtle power the never lia ting time. Lest a mere moment’s pii'ting off should make Mischance almost as heavy as a crime. Wo r- DS WORTH.

Through the three fold darkness of night, louds and rain, they hurried on towards that fearful beacon light, which flamed on the edge of the horizon. The rain, which continued to pour down in torrents, appeared to dampen without extinguishing the fire, which blazed and smouldered at intervals. ‘ Professor?’ said the boy, as they toiled onward through the storm. ‘ Well, young Ishmael ?’ ‘ It seems to me the fire is inside the house.’ ‘ Why so, young Ishmael ?’ * Because if it wasn’t, this storm would put it out at once ! Why, if it had been the rool that caught from a burning chimney this driving rain would have quenched it in no time.’ * The root couldn’t catch, young Ishmael; it is all slate.’ *Oh !’ ejaculated Ishmael, as they increased their speed. They proceeded in silence for a few minutes, keeping their eyes fixed upon the burning building, when Ishmael suddenly exclaimed : ‘ The house is burning inside, professor ! You can see now the windows distinctly shaped out in lire against the blackness of the building !’ * Just so, young Ishmael !’ ‘Now, then, professor, we must run on as fast as ever we can, if we expect to be of any use. George Washington was always prompt in times of danger. Remember the night he crossed the Delaware. Come, professor, let u 8 run on !’ ‘Oh yes, young Ishmael, it is all very well for you to say—run on ! but how the deuce am I to do it, with the rain and wind heating this old umbrella this way and that way, until, instead of being a protection to our persons, it is a hindrance to our progress !’ said the professor, as he tried, in vain to shelter himself and his companion from the fury of the floods of rain. ‘I think you had better let it down, professor,’ suggested the boy. * 1 If I did we should get web to the skin, young Ishmael.’ objected Morris. 1 All right, professor. The wetter wo get the better we shall be prepared to fight the fire.’

‘ That is truo enough, young Ishmael,’ admitted Morris. ‘ And besides, if you let the umbrella down you can furl it and use it for a walk-ing-stick, and instead of being a hindrance it will be a help to you.’ 1 ‘ That is a good idea, young Ishmael. Upon my word, I think if you had been born in a higher speer of society, young Ishmael, your talents would have caused you to be sent to the State’s Legislature, I do indeed. And you might even have come to be pub on the Committee of Ways and Means.’ ‘ I hope that is not a committee of mean ways, professor. ’ ‘ Ha, ha, ha ! There you are again ! I say it and I stand to it, if you had been born in a more elevated speer you would have ris' bo be something !’ ‘ Law, professor !’ ‘ Well, I do ! and it is a pity you hadn’t been ! As it is, my poor boy, you will have to be contented to do your duty “in that station to which the Lord has been pleased to call you,” as the Scriptur’ says.’ ‘As the Catechism says, professor. The Scripture says nothing about stations. The Lord is no respecter of persons.’ ‘ Catechism, was it ? Well, it’s all the same.’ * Professor ! look how the flames are pouring from that window. Pain ! run !’ And with these words Ishmael took to his heels and ran as fast as darkness, rain and wind would permit him. The professor took after him ; bub having shorter wind, though longer legs, than his young companion, he barely managed to keep up with the flying boy. "When they arrived upon the premises a wild scene of confusion lighted up by a lurid glare of fire met their view. The right wing of the mansion was on fire ; the flames were pouring from the front windows at that end. A crowd of frightened

negroes were hurrying towards the building with water buckets; others were standing on ladders placed against the wall ; others again were clinging about the eaves, or standing on the roof; and all these were engaged in passing buckets from hand to hand, or dashing water on the burning timbers ; all poor ineffectual efforts to extinguish the fire, carried on amid shouts, cries and halloos that only added to the horrible confupion. A little farther removed, the women and children of the family, heedless of the pouring rain, were clinging together, under the old elm tree. Tho master of the house was nowhere to be seen ; nor did there appear to be any controlling head to direct the confused mob ; or any system in their work.

* Professor, they have got no hose ! they are trying to put the fire out with buckets of water ! that only keeps it under a little ; it will not put it out. Let me run to your house and get the hose you wash windows and water trees with, and we can play it right through that window into the burning room,’ said Ishmael, breathlessly. And without waiting for permission, he dashed away in the direction of Morris’ house. ‘Where the deuce is the master?’ inquired the professor, as lie seized a full bucket of water from a man on the ground, and passed it up to tho overseer, Grainger, who was stationed on the ladder. 4 He went out to au oyster supper at Commodore Burghe’s, and he hasn’t got back yet,’ answered the man,as he took the bucket and passed it to a negro on the roof. ‘How the mischief did the fire break out?’ inquired the professor, handing up another bucket.

‘ Nobody knows. The mistress first found it out. She was woke up a-smelling of smoke, and screeched out, and alarmed the house, and all run out here. Be careful there, Jovial! Don’t be afraid of singing your old wool nor breaking your old neck either ! because if you did you’d only be saving the hangman and the devil trouble. Qp nearer to that window ! dash the water full upon the flames!’ ‘ Are all safe out of the house ?’ anxiously Inquired the professor. ‘Every soul!’ was the satisfactory answer. At this moment Ishmael came running up with the hose, exclaiming : ‘Here, professor! if you will take this end, I will run and put the sucker to the .spout of the pump.’

‘ Good fellow, be off then !’ answered Morris.

The hose was soon adjusted and played into the burning room. At this moment there was a sudden outcry from the group of women and children, and the form of Mrs Middleton was seen flying through the darkness towards the firemen.

‘ Oh, Grainger !’ she cried, as soon as she had reached the spot, * oh, Grainger ! the Burghe boys are still in the house. I thought they had been out ! I thought I had seen them out! but it was two negro boys I mistook in the dark for them ! I have just found out my mistake ! Oh ; Grainger, they will perish ! What is to be done ?’

‘Tends on what room they’re in, ma’am, hastily replied the overseer, whilo all the others stood speechless with intense anxiety. ‘ Oh, they aro in the front chamber there, immediately above the burning room !’ cried Mrs Middleton, wringing her hands in anguish, while those around suspended their breath in horror.

‘More than a man’s life would be worth to venture, ma’am. The ceiling of that burning room is on fire ; it may fall in any minute, carrying the floor of the upper room with it!’

‘ Oh, Grainger ! but the poor, poor lads ! to perish so horribly in their early youth !’ ‘lt’s dreadful, ma’am ; but it can’t be helped ! It’s as much as certain death to any man as goes into that part of the building !’ ‘ Grainger ! Grainger ! I cannot abandon these poor boys to their fate ! think of their mother!-Grainger, I will give any man his freedom who will rescue those two boys ! It is said men will risk their lives for that. Get up on the ladder where you can be seen and heard and proclaim this —shout it forth —“Freedom to any slave who will save the Burghe boys !” ’ The overseer climbed up the ladder, and after calling the attention of the whole mob by three loud whoops and waiting a moment until quiet was restored, he shouted — ‘Freedom to any slave who will save the Burghe boys from the burning building.’ He paused and waited a response ; but the silence was unbroken.

‘ They won’t risk it, ma’am ; life is sweet,’ said the overseer, coming down from his post. ‘ I cannot give them up, Grainger ! I cannot for their poor mother’s sake. Go up once more ! Shout forth that I offer liberty to any slave with his wife and children —if he will save those boys !’ said Mrs Middleton.

Once more the overseer mounted his post and thundered forth the proclamation — ‘ Freedom to any slave with his wife and children, who will rescue the Burghe boys !’ Again he paused for a responseand nothing but dead silence followed. * I tell you they won’t run the risk, ma’am ! Life is sweeter than anything else in this world !’ said the ovei’seer, coming down.

‘ And the children will perish horribly in the fire and their mother will go raving mad ; for I know I should in her place !’ ; cried Mrs Middleton, wildly wringing her hands, and gazing in helpless anguish upon the burning house. ‘ And oh ! poor fellows ! they are such naughty boys that they will go right from this fire to the other one !’ cried Claudia Merlin,"running up, burying her face in her aunt’s guwn, and beginning to sob. ‘ Oh ! oh ! oh ! that 1 should live to see such a horrible sight! to stand here and gaze at that burning building and know those boys are perishing inside and not able to help them. Oh ! oh ! oh !’ And here Mrs Middleton broke into shrieks and cries in which she was joined by all the women and children present. ‘ Professor ! I can’t stand this any longer! I’ll do it!’ exclaimed Ishmael. ‘ Do what ?’ asked the astonished artist. ‘ God those boys out.’ * You will kill yourself for nothing !’ ‘ No, there’s a chance of saving them, professor, and I’ll risk it!’ said Ishmael, preparing for a start. ‘ You are mad ! you shall nob do it 1’ exclaimed the professor, seizing the boy and holding him fast. ‘ Let me go, professor! Let me go, I tell you ! Let me go, then ! Israel Putnam would have done it, and so will I !’ cried Ishmael, struggling, breaking away, and dashing into the burning building. ‘ But George Washington wouldn’t, you run marl maniac, he would have had more prudence!’ yelled the professor, beside himself with grief and terror. But Ishmael was out of hearing. He dashed into the front hall, and up the main staircase, through volumes of smoke that rolled down and nearly suffocated him. Ishmael’s excellent memory stood him in good stead now. He recollected to have read that people passing through burning houses filled with smoko must keep their heads as near the floor as possible, in order to breathe. So when he reached the first landing, where the fire in the wing was at its worst, and the smoke v?as too dense to be inhaled at all, ho ducked his head quite low, and ran through the hall and up the second flight of stairs to the floor upon which the boys slept. He dashed on to the front room and tried the door. It was fastened wjShin. He rapped and called and shouted aloud. In vain ! The dwellers within were dead, or dead asleep, it was impossible to tell which. He threw himself down upon the floor to get a breath of air, and then arose and renewed his clamour at the door. He thumped, kicked, shrieked, hoping either to force the door or awake the sleepers. Still in vain ! The silence of death reigned within the chamber; while volumes of lurid red smoke began to fill the passage. This change in the colour of the smoke warned the brave boy that the flames were approaching. At this moment, too, he heard a crash, a fall and a sudden roaring up of the fire, somewhere near at hand. Again in frantic agony be renewed his assault upon the door. This time it was suddenly torn open by the boys within.

And horror of horrors ! what a scene met his appalled gaze ! One portion of the floor of the room had fallen in, and the flames were rushing up through the aperture from the gulf of fire beneath. The two boys, standing at the open door were spell-bound in a sort of panic. ‘ What is it?’ asked one of them, as if uncertain whether this were reality or nightmare.

‘lt is fire ! Don’t you see ! Quick ! Seize each of you a blanket! Wrap yourselves up and follow me ! Stoop near the floor when you want to breathe ! Shut your eyes and mouths when the flame blows too near. Now then !’

It is marvellous how quickly we can understand and execute when we are in mortal peril. Ishmael was instantly understood and obeyed. The lads, quick as lightning, caught up blankets, enveloped themselves, and rushed from the sinking room. It was well! In another moment the whole floor, with a great, sobbing creak, swayed, gave way and fell into the burning gulf of fire below. The flames with a horrible roar rushed up, filling the upper spsce where the chamber floor had been; seizing on the window-shutters, mantelpiece, door frames and all the timbers attached to the walls; and finally streaming out into the passage as if in pursuit of the flying boys.

They hurried down the hot suffocating staircase to the first floor, where the fire raged with its utmost fury. Here the flames were bursting from the burning wing through every crevice into the passage. Ishmael, in his wet woollen clothes, and the boys in their blankets, dashed for the last flight of stairs—keeping their eyes shut to save their sight, aud their lips closed to save thoir lungs—and so reached the ground floor.

Here a wall of flame barred their exit through the front door ; but they turned and made their escape through the back one. They were in the open air ! Scorched, singed, blackened, choked, breathless, but safe! Here they paused,a moment to recover breath, and then Ishmael said : ‘ We must run around to the front and let them know that we are out !’ The two boy 3 that he had saved obeyed him as though he had been their master. Extreme peril throws down all false conventional barriers and reduces and elevates all to their proper level. In this supreme moment Ishmael instinctively commanded, and they mechanically obeyed. They hurried around to the front. Here, as soon as they were seen and rtcognised, a general shout of joy and thanksgiving greeted them. Ishmael found himself clasped in the arms of his friend, the professor, whose tears rained down upon him as he cried : ‘ Oh, my boy ! my hoy ! my brave, noble boy ! there is not your like upon this earth ! no, there Is not ! I would kneel down and kiss your feet ! I would ! There isn’t a prince in this world like you ! there isn’t, Ishmael! there isn’t! Any king on this earth might bo proud of you for his son and heir, my great-hearted boy!’ And the professor bowed his head over Ishmael and sobbed for joy and gratitude and admiration.

‘ Was it really so well done, professor ?’ asked Ishmael, simply. ‘ Well done, my boy ? Oh ! bub my heart is full ! Was it well done ! Ah ! my boy, you will never know how well done, until the day when the Lord shall judge the quick and the dead ! Ah ! if your poor young mother were living to see her boy now !’ cried the professor, with emotion. ‘Don’t you suppose mother does live, and does see me, professor? I do,’ answered Ishmael, in a sweet, grave tone, that sounded like Nora’s own voice.

‘ Yes, I do. I believe she does live and watch over you, my boy.’ Meanwhile, Mrs Middleton, who had been engaged in receiving and rejoicing over the two rescued youths, and soothing and composing their agitated spirits, now came forward to speak to Ishmael. ‘ My boy,’ she said, in a voice shaking with emotion —‘ my brave good boy ! I cannot thank you in set words; they would be too poor and weak to tell you what I feel, what we must all ever feel towards you, for what you have done to-night. But we will find some better means to prove how much we thank, how highly we esteem you.’ Ishmael held down his head, and blushed as deeply a 3 if he had been detected in some mean act and reproached for it. ‘ You should look up and reply to the madam !’ whispered the professor. Ishmael raised his head and answered :

‘ My lady, I’m glad the young gentlemen are saved and you are pleased. Bub Ido not wish to have more credit than I have a right to; for I feel very sure George Washington wouldn’t.’ ‘ What do you say, Ishmael ? Ido not quite understand you,’ said the lady. ‘ I mean, ma’am, a 3 it wasn’t altogether myself as the credit is due to.’ ‘To whom else, then, I should like to know ?’ inquired the lady, in perplexity. ‘ Why, ma’anx, it was all along of Israel Putnam. I knew he would have done it, and so I felt as if I was obliged to !’ * What a very strange lad ! I really do nob quite know what to make of him !’ exclaimed the lady, appealing to the professor for want of a better oracle.

* Why, you see, ma’am, Ishmael is a noble boy and a real hero ; but he is a bit of a heathen for a 1 that, with a lob of false gods, as he is everlasting a falling down and a worshipping of! And the names of his gods are Washington, Jefferson, Putnam, Marion, Hancock, Henry, and the lot! The History of the United States is his Bible, ma’am, and its warriors and statesmen are his saints and prophets. But by and-by, when Ishmael grows older, ma’am, he will learn, when he does any great or good action, to give the glory to God, and not to those dead and gone old heroes who were only flesh and blood like himself,’ said the professor, Mrs Middleton looked perplexed, as if the professor’s explanation itself required to be explained. And Ishmael, who seemed to think that a confession of faith was imperatively demanded of him, looked anxious—as if eager, yet ashamed, to speak. Presently he conquered his shyness, and said :

* Bub you are mistaken, professor. lam not a heathen. I wish to be a Christian. And I do give the glory of all that is good and great to the Lord, first of all. Ido honour the good and great men ; bub I do glorify and worship the Lord who made them.’ And having said this, Ishmael collapsed, hung his head and blushed. ‘ And I know he is not a heathen, you horrid old humbug of a professor ! He is a brave, good boy, and I love him !’ said Miss Claudia, joining the circle and caressing Ishmael.

‘ And I know he is not a heathen, you horrid old humbug of a professor ! He is a brave, good boy, and I love him !’ said Miss Claudia, joining the circle and caressing Ishmael. But, ah ! again it was as if she had caressed Fido, and said that he was a brave, good dog, and she l®ved him. ‘ lb was glorious in you to risk your life to save those good-for-nothing boys, who were your enemies besides ! It was so ! And it makes my heart burn to think of it! Stoop down and kiss me, Ishmael !’

Our little hero had the latent instincts of a gallant little gentleman. And this challenge was in nowise to be rejected. And though he blushed until his very ears seemed like two little flames, he stooped and touched with his lips the beautiful white forehead that gleamed like marble between its curls of jet. The storm, which had abated for a time, now arose with redoubled violence. The party of women and children, though gathered under a group of cedars, were still somewhat exposed to its fury. Grainger, the overseer, who with his men had been unremitting in his endeavours to arrest the progess of the flames, now came up, and taking off his hat to Mrs Middleton, said :

* Madam, I think,* please the Lord, we shall bring the fire under presently, and save all the building except that wing, which must go. But, if you. please, ma’am, I don’t see as you can do any good standing here looking on. So, now that the young gentlemen are safe, hadn’t you all better take shelter in my house? It is poor and plain ; but it ia roomy and weather-tight, and altogether you and the young gentlemen and ladies would be better there than here. ’

* I thank you, Grainger. I thank you for your offer as well as your efforts here tonight, and I will gladly accept the shelter of your roof for myself and young friends. Show us the way. Come, my children. Come, you also, Ishmael.’

‘ Thank you very much, ma’am ; bub, if I can’t be of any more use here, I must go home. Aunt Hannah will be looking for me.’ And with a low bow the boy left the scene. CHAPTER XXVII. ISHMAEL’S FIRST STEP OX THE LADDER. There is a proud modesty in merit Averse to asking, and resolved to pay Ten times the gift it asks. —Drydex.

Early the next morning the professo r made his appearance at the Hill Hub. Ishmael and Hannah had eaten breakfast, and the boy was helping his aunt to put the warp in the loom for a new piece of cloth. ‘ Morning, Miss Hannah ; morning, young Ishmael! You are wanted, sir, up bo the Hall this morning, and I am come to fetch you,’said the professor, as he stood within the door hat in hand. ‘ Yes, I thought I would bs ; there must be no end of the rubbish to clear away, and the work to do up there now, and I knew you would be expecting me to help you, and so I meant to go up to your house just as soon as ever I had done helping aunt to put the warp in her loom,’ answered Ishmael, simply. ' ‘ Oh, you think you are wanted only to be sob to work, do you ? All right! But now as we are in a hurry, I’ll just lend a hand to this little job, and help it on a bit.’ And with that the artist, who was as expert atone thing as'at another, began to aid Hannah with such goodwill that the job was soon done.

•And, now, young Ishmael, get your hat and come along. We must be going.’ But now, Hannah, who had been far too much interested in her loom bo stop to talk until'its arrangements were complete, found time to ask :

* What about that fire atßrudenell Hall ?’ ‘ Didn’t young Ishmael tell you, ma’am?’ inquired the professor. ‘ Very little ! I was asleep when he came in last night, and this morning, when I saw his clothes were all scorched, and his hair singed, and his hands and face red and blistered, I asked him what in the world he had been doing to himself, and he told me there had been a fire at the Hall; bub that it was put out before any great damage had been done : nothing but that old wing, that they talked about pulling down, burnt, as if to save them the trouble,’ answered Hannah.

* Well, ma’am, that was a cheerful way of putting it, certainly; and it was also a true one ; there wasn’t much damage done, as the wing as was burnt was doomed bo be pulled down this very spring. But did young Ishmael tell you how he received his injuries ?’ ‘No ; but I suppose of course he gob them boy-like bobbing about among the firemen, where he had no business to be !’

‘ Ma’am, he got burned in saving Commodore Burgho’s sons, who were fast asleep in that burning wing ! Mrs Middleton offered freedom to any slave who would venture through the burning house to wake them up and get them out.. Not a man would run the risk. Then she offered freedom not only to any slave, but also to the wife and children of any slave who would go in and save the boys. Not a man would venture ! And when all the women were a howling like a pack of she-wolves, what does your nephew do but rush into the burning wing, rouse up the boys and convey them out! Just in time, too ! for they were sleeping in the chamber over the burning room, and in two minutes after they gob out, the floor of that room fell in !’ said Morris. ‘ You did that ! You !’ exclaimed Hannah, vehemently. *Oh ! you horrid, wicked, ungrateful, heartless boy! to do such a thing as that, when you knew if you had been burnt to death it would have broken my heart. And you. professor ! you are just as bad as be is! yes, and worse too, because you are older and ought to have more sense ! The boy was in your care ! pretty care you took of him to let him rush right into the fire !’ ‘ Ma’am, if you’ll only let me get in a word edgewai/s like, I’ll tell you all about it! I did try to hinder him ! I reasoned with him, and I held him tight, until the young hero — rascal, I mean—turned upon me and hit me in the face ; yes, ma’am, administered a “scientific” right into my left eye, and then broke from me and rushed into the burning house— ’ ' Well, but I thought it better the professor should have a black eye than the boys should be burned to death,’ pub in the lad, edgeways. ‘ Oh, Ishmael! Ishmael! this is all dreadful ! You will live to be bung, I know you will !’ sobbed Hannah.

‘ W'ell, aunty, maybe so ; Sir William Wallace did,’ coolly replied the boy. ‘ What in the name of goodness set yon on to do such a wild thing ? And all for old Burghe’s sons ! Pray, what were they to you that you should rush through burning ilames to save them ?’

‘Robbing, aunt Hannah; only I felt quite sure that Israel Putnam or Francis Marion would have done just as I did, and so— ’

‘Plague take Francis Putnam and Israel Marion, and also Patrick Handcoclc, and the whole lot of ’em, I say ! Who are they that you should run your head into the fire for them ? They wouldn’t do it for you, that I know,’ exclaimed Hannah in a fury. ‘Aunt Hannah, 1 said Ishmael, pathetically, ‘ you have gob their names all wroncr, and you always do ! Now, if you would only take my book and read it while you are resting in your chair, you would soon learn all their names, and—’ ‘ I’ll take the book and throw it into the fire the very first time I lay my hands upon it ! The fetched book will be your ruin yet!’ exclaimed Hannah, in a rage. ‘ Now, Miss Worth,’ interposed the professor, *if you destroy that boy’s book, I’ll never do another odd job for you as long as ever I live.’ ‘Whisht! professor,’ whispered Ishmael. ‘ You don’t know my aunt Hannah as well as I do,=.. Her bark is a deal worse than her bite! If you oniy knew how many times she has..__threatened to-“shake the life out of ” me, and to “ be the death of ” me, and to “flay” me “alive,”.you would know the value of her words.’ ‘ Well, young Ishmael, you are the best judge - of that matter, at least. And now you are ready? For, indeed, we haven’t any more time to spare. We ought to have been at the Hall before this.’

‘ Why, professor, I have been ready and waiting for the last ten minutes.’ ' Come along, then. And now, Miss Hannah, you take a well-wisher’s advice and dop-’fc scold young Ishmael any more about last night’s adventur’. He has done a brave act, aud le has saved the commodore’s sons without coming to any harm by it. And, if he hasn’t made liis everlasting for bun,’ he has done himself a great deal of credit and made some very powerful friends. And that I tell you ! you wait and see !’ said the professor, as he left the hub, followed by Ishmael.

The morning was clear and bright after the rain. As they emerged into the open air, Ishmael naturally raised his eyes and threw a glance across the valley to Brudenell Heights. The main building was standing intact, though darkened ; anti a smoke,, small in volume but dense

black in hue, was rising from the ruins of the burnt wing. Ishmael had only time to observe this before they descended the narrow path that led through the wooded valley. They walked on in perfect silence until the professor, noticing the unusual taciturnity of his companion, said : ‘ What is the matter with you , young Ishmael ? You haven’t opened your mouth since we left the hut.’ ‘ Oh, professor, I am thinking of aunt Hannah. It is awful to hear her rail about the great heroes as she does. It is flab blasphemy,’ replied the boy, solemnly. ‘ Hum, ha, well, bub you see, young Ishmael, though I wouldn’t like to say one word to dampen your enthusiasm for great heroism, yet the truth i 3 the truth ; and that compels me to say that you do fall down and worship these same said heroes a little too superstitiously. Why, law, my boy, there wasn't one of them, at twelve years of age, had any more courage or goodness or wisdom than you have, even it as much.’

‘Oh, professor, don’t say that! don’t! it is almost as bad as anything aunt Hannah says to them. Don’t go to compare thengreat boyhood with mine. History tells what they were, and I know myself what I am.’ ‘I doubt if you do, young Ishmael.’ ‘ Yes ! fori know that I haven’t even so much as the courage that you think I have ; for, do you know, professor, when I was in that burning house, I was frightened when I saw the red smoke rolling into the passage and heard the fire roaring so near mo ? And once—l am ashamed to own it, but I will, because I know George Washington always owned his faults when he was a boy —once, I say, I was tempted to run away and leave the boys to their fate.’ * But you didn’t do it, my lad. And you were not the less courageous because you knew the danger that you freely met. You are brave, Ishmael, and as good and wise as you are brave.’ ‘Oh, professor, I know you believe so, else you wouldn’t say it; but I cannot help thinking that iflreally were good I shouldn’t vex aunt Hannah as often as I do.’ ‘ Humph !’ said the professor. ‘ And then if I were wise, I would always know right from wrong.’ ‘ And don’t you ?’

‘ No, professor ; because last night when I ran into the burning house to save the boys I thought I was doing right; and when the ladies so kindly thanked me, I felt sure I had done right; but this morning, when Aunt Hannah scolded me, I doubted.’

‘My boy, listen to the oracles of experience. Do what your own conscience assures you to be right, and never mind what others think or say. I, who have been your guide up to this time, can be so no longer. I can scarcely follow you at a distance, much less lead you. A higher hand than Old Morris’ shall take you on. But here we are now at the Hall,’ said the professor, as he opened the gates to admit himself and his companion.

They passed up the circular drive leading to the front of the house, paused a few minutes to gaze upon the ruins of the burnt wing, of which nothing was now left but a shell of brick walls and a cellar of smoking cinders, and then they entered the house by the servants’ door. ‘Mr Middleton and the commodore are in the library, and you are to take the boy in there,’ said Grainger, who was superintending the clearing away of the ruins. ‘ Come along, young Ishmael!’ said the professor, and as he knew the way of the house quite as well as the oldest servant in it, he passed straight on to the door of the library and knocked. 1 Come in,’ said the voice of MrMiddleton. And the professor, followed by Ishmael, entered the library. It was a handsome room, with the walls lined with book-case 3 ; the windows draped with crimson curtains ; the floor covered with a rich carpet; a cheerful lire burning in the grate; and a marble-top table in the centre of the room, at which was placed two crimson velvet armchairs occupied by two gentlemen—namely, Mr Middleton and Commodore Burghe. The latter was a fine, tall, stout, jolly old sailor, with a very round waist, a vex-y red face and a very white head, who, as soon as ever he saw Ishmael entei-, got up and held out his broad hand, saying: ‘ This is the boy, is it ? Come here, my brave little lad, and let us take a look at you.’ Ishmael took off his hat, advanced and stood before the commodore.

' A delicate, little slip of a fellow to show such spirit!’ said the old sailor, laying his hand on the flaxen hair of the boy and passing his eyes down from Ishmael’s broad forehead and thin cheeks to his slender figure— * Never do for the army or navy, sir ! be rejected by both upon account of physical incapacity, sir ! eh ?’ he continued, appealing to Mr Middleton. * The boy is certainly very delicate at present; but that may be the fault of his manner of living; under better regimen he may outgrow his fragility,’said Mr Middleton.

‘ Yes, yes, so he may ; but now as I look at him, I wonder where the deuce the little fellow got his pluck from ! Where did you, my little man, eh ?’ inquired the old sailor, turning bluffly to Ishmael. ‘lndeed 1 don’t know, sir : unless it was from George Washington and—’ Ishmael was going on to enumerate his model heroes, but the commodore, who had not stopped to hear the reply, turned to Mr Middleton again and said : ‘ One is accustomed to associate great courage with great size, weight, strength, and so forth !’ and he drew up his own magnificent form with conscious pride. ‘ Indeed, 1 do not know why we should, then, when all nature and all history contradicts the notion ! Nature shows us that the lion is braver than the elephant, and history informs us that all the great generals of the world have been little men—’

* And experience teaches us that schoolmasters are pedants !’ said the old man half vexed, half laughing; * but that is not the question. The question is, how are we to reward this brave little fellow ?’

4 If you please, sir, I do not want any reward,’ said Ishmael, modestly. ‘Oh, yes, ye3j I know all about that! Your friend, Mr Middleton, has just been telling me some of your antecedents—how you fought my tw’o young scapegraces in defence of his fruit baskets ! wish you had been strong enough to have given them a good thrashing ! And about your finding the pocket-book, and forbearing to borrow a dollar from it, though sorely tempted by want! And then about your refusing any reward for being simply honest! You see I know all about you. So I am not going to offer you money for risking your life to save my boys! But lam going to give you a start in the world if I can. Come, now, how shall I do it ?’ Ishmael hesitated, looked down and blushed.

* Would you like to go to sea and be a sailor, eh ?’ ‘No, sir, thank you.’ 4 Like to go for a soldier, eh ? You might be a drummer-boy, you know.’ ‘No, thank you, sir.’ 4 Neither sailor nor soldier ; that’s queer, boo ! I thought all lads longed to be one or the other ! Why don’t you, eh ?’ 4 1 would not like to leave my aunt Hannah, sir; she has no one bub me,'

‘ What the deuce would you like, then ?’ testily demanded the old sailox-. ‘lf you please, sir, nothing; do not trouble yourself.’ ‘ Bub you saved the life of my little boys, you proud little rascal! and do you suppose I am going to let that service pass unrepaid ?’ ‘ Six’, 1 am glad the young gentlemen are safe : that is enough for me.’ ‘ Bub I’ll be shot if it is enough for me !’ 1 Commodoi-e Bui-ghe, six-, will you allow me to suggest something ?' said the professox-, coming forward, hat in hand. ‘ And who the deuce ax*e you ? —Oh, I seo ! the artist-in-general to the country side! Well, what do you suggest?’ laughed the old man.

‘ if I might be so bold, sir, it would be to send young Ishmael to school.’ ‘ Send him to school ! iia, ha, ha ! ho, ho, ho ! why, he’d like that least of anything else ! why, he’d consider that the most ungrateful of all returns to make for his services ! Boys are sent to school for punishment, not for reward /’ laughed the commodore. ‘ Young Ishmael wouldn’t think it a punishment, sir,’ mildly suggested the professer. ‘ I tell you he wouldn’t go, my friend ! punishment or no punishment! Why, I can scarcely make my own fellows go ! Bosh ! I know boys ! school is their bugbear !’ ‘ Bub, under correction, sir, permit me to say I don’t think you know young Ishmael— ’ ‘ I know he is a boy ! that is enough !’ ‘ But, sir, he is ratlier an uncommon boy.’ ‘ln that case he has an uncommon aversion to school!’ ‘ Sir, pub it to him, whether he would like to go to school.’ ‘ What’s the use, when I know he’d rather be hung ?’ ‘ But, pray, give him the choice, sir,’ respectively persisted the professor. ‘ What a solemn, impertinent jackanapes you are, to be sure, Morris ! But I will “ put it to him,” as you call it! Hex-e, you young fire-eatex-, come here to me.’ The boy, who had modestly withdrawn into the back-ground, now came forward. ‘ Stand up before me; hold up your head ; look me in the face ! No, then, answer me truly, and don’t be afraid. Would you like to go to school, eh ?’ Ishmael did not speak, bub the moonlight x-adiance of his pale beaming face answered for him.

‘Have you no tongue, eh?’ bluffly de manded the old sailor.

‘ If you please 3ir, I should like to go to school, more than anything in the world, if I was lich enough to pay for it,’ answered Ishmael.

‘ Humph ! what do you think of that, Middleton ? eh ? what do you think of that ? A boy saying that he would like to go to school! Did you ever hear of such a thing in your life ? Is the young rascal humbugging us, do you think?’ said the commodore, turning to liis friend. ‘Nob in the least, sir; he is pexfectly sincere. lam sui'e of it, from what I have seen of him inyself. And look at him, sir ! ho is a boy of talent; and if you wish to reward him, you could not do so in a more effectual way than by giving him soixxe education,’ said Mr Middleton. ‘ Bub what could a boy of his humble lot do with an education if he had it ?’ inquired the commodore. ‘ Ah ! that I cannot tell, as it would depend greatly upon futux-e circumstances ; but this we know, that the education he desires cannot do him any harm, and may do him good.’ ‘Yes! well, then, to school he shall go. Whei'e shall I send him ?’ inquired the old sailoi-.

‘ Here ; I would willingly take him.’ ‘ Yon ! youVe joking ! Why, you have one of the most select schools in the State.’

‘ And this boy would soon be an honour to it ! In a word,commodore, I would ofler to take him freely myself, bub that I know the independent spirit-of the young fellow could nob rest under such an obligation. You, however, are his debtor to a larger amount than you can ever repay. From you, thei'efore, even he cannot iefuse to accept an education.’ * But your pati-ons, my dear sir, may object to the association for their sons,’ said the commodore, in a low voice. * Do you object ?’ * Not I indeed ! I like the little fellow too well.’

* Very well, then, if anyone else objects to their sons keeping company with Ishmael Worth, they shall be at liberty to do so.’ ‘ Humph ! but suppose they remove their son 3 from the school ? what then, eh ?’ demanded the commodore.

‘ They shall be set free from any reproach fi’om me. The liberty I claim for myself I also allow others. I interfere with no man’s freedom of action, and six tier no man to interfere with mine,’ returned Middleton. ‘ Quite right! Then it is settled the boy attends the school. Where are you, you young fme-bravo ! you young thunderbolt, of war ! Come forward, and let us have a word with you !’ shouted the commodore. Ishmael, who had again reti’eated behind the shelter of the professor’s stout form, now came forward, cap in hand axxd stood blushing before the old sailor. (To he Continued .)