"Well! what do you want here?" gruffly demanded Jerry. "I'm lost in the forest," replied the stranger;" and should thank you to direct me elsewhere, or give me shelter." "No!" interrupted Jerry, "I shall have nobody here." And he was about to shut the door in Mr. Peter Veriquear's face had not that gentleman made it his business to clap his foot against it: Jerry flew into a towering passion, and with a fearful oath threatened to run his knife through him if he did not give way immediately. Peter replied that he had no intention to affront him, or to force himself into the house of any man who did not think it his duty to admit him; but at the same time he appealed to him as a Christian to give him shelter. Jerry denied that he was a Christian, and swore that no man should ever cross his threshold - especially at that time of night. Saying which, he kicked Mr. Veriquear's shins, and set him dancing an original hornpipe of his own composition, while old Clink slammed to the door, and bolted it. Here seemed an end to be put to the stratagem of which Mr. Veriquear was deputed to carry out the first part. The plan had been, that Peter should introduce himself to Jerry as a travelling merchant who had lost himself. That he should contrive to learn the localities of the place; and during the night, while Jerry was asleep, open the door to Colin and Roger Calvert, who should be waiting not far off, in readiness to take advantage of the opportunity at once to secure old Jerry, and effect the liberation of James Woodruff without disturbance. But as Jerry's caution had rendered this design ineffective at its commencement, Peter had no other course to pursue but to wait in the neighbourhood of the cottage until such time as his confederates should come up, and other modes of operation be devised. Accordingly he selected as comfortable a spot as the ground would admit within sight of the hut, where he crouched amongst the heath, and waited until at length he heard some village church-clock strike twelve. In the stillness it seemed as though that sound might have been heard across an infinite space; but it was the more welcome to Peter's ears as the signal time which had been agreed upon for the appearance of his associates. Shortly he discerned indistinctly two figures cautiously approaching, and apparently on the look-out for their pre-concerted signal. Peter rose, and advanced to meet them. It was with some difficulty at first he prevented their retreating, as thinking they were discovered; but, having contrived to make himself known, they approached, and heard with dismay the story of his ineffectual attempt to get admitted within Jerry's cottage. Under these circumstances, how to get in without disturbing the inmate was the question. They had come on a ticklish enterprise, and to remain in the neighbourhood long might excite so much suspicion as would render their efforts nugatory. It was not, therefore, advisable to delay; while the daring spirit incident to young men incited them to an attempt, which the more sober Veriquear considered rash in the extreme. The hut which Jerry inhabited being built up at, and partly within, the mouth of a rock-hole, its roof reached scarcely so high as the ground behind, while a chimney of wood and clay, rose some twelve inches above it at one end. Having taken as accurate ob servation as the darkness of the night would permit, Colin proposed that all three should descend the chimney, himself taking the lead,— with as much silence as possible, in order to surprise the old man, while asleep. This done, a light was to be procured; and either by promises, threats, or search, the place in which poor Woodruff was imprisoned could then be discovered. Although Mr. Veriquear at first objected that it was a sweep's business, not his, to go down chimneys, yet he eventually agreed to Colin's proposition, on the condition that himself should be the last to descend, in order that the chimney might be swept, and his clothes saved for him by those who went before. Accordingly our hero, as a preliminary caution, crept upon the moss-grown roof, and placing his head over the top of the chimney, listened. The light and fire, according to Peter's statement, had long been put out, but the air of the funnel was yet hot and sulphureous. It would be a stifling undertaking to get down; although the shortness of the distance to the fire-place promised but a brief continuance to the struggle. As Colin attentively listened he distinctly heard old Jerry snoring; and at every inspiration growling not unlike some jealous bull-dog when just aroused to the consciousness that his master's property is about to be invaded. Still he listened. Could it be? Yes, distinctly he heard the voice of "A soul that pray'd in agony, He heard in that awful midnight silence the whisperings of poor Woodruff to his God, for freedom, and for patience until that freedom came! That sound wrought upon his brain like madness; it nerved him doubly for his enterprise, and urged him to effect his object or perish in the attempt. His sense of justice overcame every other consideration; and all the anticipated delights of his future life, when, with Jenny Calvert as a happy wife by his side, he should perhaps walk the lord of Bramleigh manor, vanished before the determination to set poor Fanny's father free, or die. Having arranged with his companions that they should follow, and taken off his boots to prevent noise, he crept cautiously into the chimney. After considerable trouble, and many pauses in order to assure himself that Jerry continued in slumber, Colin landed with his feet one on each side the fire-place, and thence stealthily crept down upon the floor. The whole place seemed as dark as though he had been sightless; and every movement required to be made with that slowness and care as should render noise impossible even in case he should meet with any obstacle in his endeavours to gain the open portion of the apartment. Woodruff's voice was now still. Perhaps he had sunk to the silence of despair, unthinking that Providence had that moment sent him a deliverer. But, though Colin heard nothing of Mr. Woodruff, the busy tongue of old Jerry began to prate in his sleep unconnected words against some one who had offended him, that turned our hero cold with horror. Had Jerry been awake, and uttered such knowingly, little would it have affected him. But asleep, the body in its time of rest, jabbering thus of horrors; it seemed as though some evil spirit was speaking, through the mouth of a corpse, the language of a darker world. VOL. VIII. 28 As he stood thus, listening, Colin found that his friend Roger had reached the hearthstone. Gradually they groped their way, directed by the nasal music which the old man played, close to his bedside, without disturbing him. Scarcely were they so stationed ere a noise in the chimney, loud enough to have wakened the seven sleepers, frightened old Jerry from his pillow. In a clumsy attempt to make his descent, Peter had so far lost all foothold that nothing remained to support him but his hands, by which he hung from the chimney-top. This, not being of sufficient material to support so weighty a personage, gave way at once. Peter fell with his feet plump into the ashes, which flew up in a cloud that almost choked him, while a very uncomfortable quantity of rubbish fell upon his head from the funnel-top. Unfortunately, it is impossible to tell two circumstances at the same moment; or I should have informed my reader before, that simultaneously with the fall of Mr. Veriquear was the up-springing of Jerry Clink. With the sudden and desperate energy of a giant, with which the circumstance of being so awakened supplied him, he leapt from his bed; and in all probability would have been the next instant on his feet, had it not happened that the suddenness of his spring allowed him not time to recollect a heavy beam, which projected above him. Against this he chanced to strike his head with a violence that sent him back insensible before his lips had power to utter a cry. Our adventurers immediately proceeded to take advantage of the circumstance. Peter Veriquear still stood within the grate, ready to ascend again in case his disaster had rendered such a step advisable; but as his feet had stirred up the ashes Colin observed a few live coals yet glimmering at the bottom. These he contrived to blow into sufficient heat to light a piece of half-burnt stick that chanced to lie on the hearth; and in the next moment the room was illuminated. The first step was to light a candle on the table, the next to see to the security of old Jerry. Peter now descended from his situation, considerably shaken, though otherwise unhurt, the only complaint he made being that it was the builder's business to have constructed the chimney-top more solidly, and then it would never have been any concern of his to have tumbled down it. On proceeding to the bed our hero found Jerry lying, with his white hair covered with blood, and himself senseless. Under all circumstances, there was no time to be thrown away. He left, therefore, his friend Roger and Mr. Veriquear to patch the old man's head with his own shirt, at the same time instructing them to secure him the moment he might revive, while he himself went in search of the den where Woodruff was confined. As the best guide to this, he demanded in a loud voice, "Mr. Woodruff!-where are you?-where are you?" There was no reply. Again he repeated the words, but in a state of feeling which left him almost unconscious of all he said. "Here-here I am!" at length was answered in a melancholy tone, from a place far back, and apparently beyond a door of small dimensions, fastened into the rock, and bound with iron. Colin flew to the spot. The door was as fast as the rock it was built in. He strove to burst it, but with as little effect as rain might beat against a precipice. Almost in a frenzy of excitement he rushed back, and searched the whole cottage for the key. He found it under Jerry's pillow. That strange being was still insensible, and had much the appearance of a corpse. Colin hastened again to the door,-he inserted the key,―he turned it. A damp sweat stood upon his brow. He dashed the door open, and beheld James Woodruff standing with his hands chained together before him. "You are free!" cried Colin, almost hysterically-" You are free!" Poor James looked at him doubtfully,-and replied, "Do not play with me. It is cruel to trifle with sorrow like mine." "You are free!" again cried Colin. "Come forth! — you are free!" James looked at him as though those deep black eyes would pierce his very soul, and asked, "Is it-is it TRUE?" "It is!" exclaimed Colin. Poor Woodruff placed his hand upon his forehead, as though those words had planted insanity where reason was before. When he removed it again, his eyes were fixed on Colin. He staggered towards him with the feebleness of a child,-stretched out his arms,strove to speak, — failed, - strove a second time, and a second time he found no words. At last he shrieked, - as might a woman, and fell on his face in a swoon. It would be unnecessary to detail the circumstances that afterwards took place. Suffice it to state, that Mr. Woodruff was raised, and placed on the bottom of Jerry Clink's bed; that a bottle of the old man's Geneva was discovered in a cupboard, and brought forth, in order that a portion of it might be applied in the restoration of the poor captive. He re This purpose achieved, Mr. Woodruff sat up, and looking wildly about him, again asked doubtfully if it really were true that he was free? Our hero eagerly assured him that he was amongst friends, who would take care that no harm should again befal him. minded him that he himself was that same Colin Clink who had once before concerted a plan for his escape; entreated him to be calm; gave him the fullest assurances that all his troubles were now at an end, and that he should be conveyed to a place where his enemies should never touch him again. But poor James still seemed incredulous,-lost in uncertainty, and scarcely decided whether to believe his senses, or to conclude that they had conspired with evil men to persuade him into the belief of a state which had no real existence. Colin informed him that the villain Rowel, his brother-inlaw, was now in prison, so that nothing was to be feared from that quarter: while his friends would not only secure the liberty he at present possessed, but take steps to recover everything of which he and his daughter had been, during so long a period, dispossessed. At the name of his daughter James started, for the memory of her had not before, from over-excitement, awakened in his mind; but when he heard her name, tears gushed from his eyes, and he sobbed convulsively. Colin knew that this passion would give relief, and therefore let his tears flow on. Meantime, measures were adopted for an immediate evacuation of the premises. The night was advancing, and every advantage ought to be taken of the darkness. The chain was soon knocked off, while Jerry's long coat that identical garment which we have seen him purchase in the Goswell Road-was forced on the late prisoner's back, in order to enable him to resist that open air to which he was now so unaccustomed. It must not be supposed that during this time old Jerry had been neglected. While precautions to prevent any violence on his recovery were carefully adopted, his condition yet demanded attention. Every means had been used to bring him to a state of sensibility, and at length their efforts had the desired effect. The old man opened his eyes, at first gradually, but at length turned them in piercing scrutiny on the people about him. When he saw Veriquear, who held firmly one of his feet down upon the mattress, the selfsame stranger he had that night turned from his door,-when he beheld his own grandson standing at his head, and James Woodruff himself, sitting free at the foot of the bed,-then old Jerry made an effort to get up; but the exertion caused his wound to burst out afresh, he fell back, deeply cursing all around him, and became again insensible. Whatever might be Colin's opinion of the old man's deserts, it was not by any means in accordance with his feelings to leave him in this state alone, whatever advantages it might afford him for making a safe retreat. He therefore begged Roger and Veriquear to use their utmost exertions in restoring him to permanent consciousness before they took their departure. Accordingly, after some trouble, he was a second time brought round; and when in a fit state to be questioned, Colin told him what their purpose had been, and demanded to know whether, if they left him at liberty, he would agree neither to follow, nor to give any alarm? — observing at the same time, that unless he would consent to this, he should find himself under the necessity of tying him down to his own bedstead, and so leaving him. On this, Jerry fell to cursing in a manner truly fearful, and declared that he would follow them wherever they went, as long as he had strength. Nay, he declared that, if possible, he would track their footsteps as a spirit, after his body had dropped dead, as it might do, upon the road. Finding argument useless, Colin at length determined to set out, trusting to the old man's bodily condition for security against pursuit, without resorting to any coercive measures for detaining him. Accordingly, a short time found Mr. Woodruff and his three friends on the forest, tracking their way in the dark northwards; while Jerry Clink, in a state bordering on delirium, rolled himself out of bed after their departure, with a resolution to make his way up to the house of Rowel's brother, and give the alarm. ON THE PAINTED BETULLA. BY KLEIST. THOU lookest young! despite thy borrowed grace, |