the other seizing hold of the bridle, brought both man and horse ashore.

"Zounds!" he exclaimed, shaking the wet from his clothes, "this is no night for a coldbath."

"I don't think it is," replied Stephen, his teeth chattering as he spoke; "but that perverse beast is afraid of the water."

"It should not seem so," rejoined Kilvert, "for she would go into it. But come, your teeth are musical, I hear,-let us make the best of our way. A roaring fire and a glass royal will be doubly welcome now. We are just at home."

Kilvert leading his horse, began to ascend a winding path cut between the rocks, the entrance to which was by a natural chasm in the one they had rounded. This path was so low and narrow, for the first twenty or thirty yards, that they were forced to bend almost double. It was quite dark, too, and exceedingly slippery, for the tide at its flood flowed up it several feet. By degrees it became wider and higher, and soon after ter

minated in an open defile, with the sky above

and the rocks on each side. Still, it was so steep and rugged, that it was with the greatest difficulty the horses were got up.

At length they reached the top. Stephen then found himself upon a level rocky ground; and at a small distance from where they stopped to recover breath, he saw a large, solitary, ruinous-looking building, through one of the windows of which flashed flickering gleams of light that betokened the comfort of a good fire within.

"Whew!" cried Kilvert, leaning against his horse for support; "it tries even a sound wind to weather this bit of climbing. How do you find yourself, Squire? Not so likely to take cold from your ducking, I guess, as you

were ?"

"I am warm enough now, I can tell you," replied Stephen, dashing away the perspiration from his brow with the back of his hand.

vert.

Well, here we are at last," continued Kil

"Yon is a snug country-house, Squire, (pointing to the building)—“ and I am apt to

suspect Sir-Sir-what's his name-Azeldine will not find you too soon, even if he takes the trouble to look after you. But, come, let's see who is at home, and what cheer; I am as ravenous as a shark, and my throat is parched for want of a drop of brandy to cool it."

He led the way. Stephen followed in silence, wondering what place it might be.

CHAPTER XI.

Welcome, still, my merchants of bona speranza; What's your traffic, bullies? What ware deal you in? Cards, dice, bowles, or pigeon-holes, or mumchance? Say, my brave bursemen, what's your recreation?"

ROWLEY'S" New Wonder: a Woman never vext."

KILVERT gave a thundering stroke upon the door with the butt-end of his whip.

"Who knocks ?" said a hoarse voice within. "It is the tide of ebb," replied Kilvert.

"When it is the tide of flood," answered the voice, "what is done?"

"They who are in, wait; they who are out, watch."

"How did you come ?"

"By the Black Rock's Mouth and the Devil's Throat."

"Enter."

The next moment heavy bolts were drawn, ponderous bars let down, a massy key grated in the lock, and the door opening, a figure presented itself, whose garb spoke woman, but whose form and features were sufficient to justify grave doubts upon the subject.

She held a lamp in her hand, and the moment the light of it fell upon Kilvert's face, she uttered a howl of joy. Flinging her brawny arms round his neck, she hugged him in an embrace so long and fierce that he was fain to disengage himself from the tender assault somewhat rudely. In the ardour of her feelings she had forgotten to resign the lamp; and Kilvert both smelt and heard that it was frizzling up the cape of his great coat.

"We have looked for you these three weeks, Ellic," said she; "and wondered you came not. But who have you here?" pointing to Stephen.

"What's that to you?"

"Well, go your ways in," she continued, nothing affronted by his rough humour. "You'll find a blazing fire to dry you, (for I see you