CHAPTER IX.

CAPTAIN DENT removed Emily

from the office of the superintendent of police in a state of insensibility. In those days there were no vehicles for hire in the colony, and the captain had to walk with, or rather to carry, his unfortunate charge through the streets. When

they were on their way from the shore to the ship, Emily, having recovered from her swoon, stared wildly at Captain Dent, and then attempted to leap overboard; but the old man kept his arm tightly around her waist, and in spite of her struggles detained her in his grasp. The shock had been

too much for her, and she was now insane. It was with great difficulty that she was removed from the boat, and secured in the stern cabin.

In a few days Emily's insanity became less violent in character, and gradually it assumed that melancholy form from which it is so difficult to arouse the patient. The Lady Jane Grey had suffered some injury on the voyage out, and it was necessary to heave her down to repair it. This rendered it impossible for Emily to remain any longer on board, and Captain Dent, therefore, hired for her a small furnished cottage at the end of a street called Castlereagh Street.

The Lady Jane Grey had been repaired, filled with oil, wool, &c., and Captain Dent was now ready to sail via Cape Horn. Again the old man implored Emily to return with him to England. Her obstinacy, such he termed it, had severely tried his patience, and one evening he spoke of the convict Roberts as an incorrigible blackguard, who had married her under false pretences and a false name, and who, therefore, had no claim upon her affections. But Emily But Emily thought differently.

Knowing as I do,' said she, that what you have just expressed, Captain Dent, was dictated by the kindest feelings, and remembering, as I do, how much gratitude I owe you, I cannot be angry; but I im

plore you not to speak again unfavourably of a man whom I have loved, whom I still love,

and whom I shall continue to love, yea, even if he be all that you have described him. So long as he may remain in this uncouth and cruel land, here also will I remain, and whatever may be his sufferings he shall have that consolation which a wife's sympathy ought ever to afford. I would rather work beside that man upon the roads, with fetters on my feet-share with him the coarsest food, and a bed of straw, than return to the home of my father or my friends, and partake of all the comforts, luxuries, and gaiety that once fell to my lot.'

With tears in his eyes the old ship captain raised Emily's thin hand to his lips, and kissing it affectionately, he bade her farewell.'

*

Nelson, Mrs. White's assigned servant, was out one evening on an errand. Walking down Brickfield Hill,' he met Roberts, who was disguised in person as well as in dress; but Nelson instantly recognis ed his shipmate.

'Hulloa! is that you ?' said Nel

son.

Roberts started, and, giving Nelson a look which was meant to say, you have made a mistake,' moved on. Nelson followed him, and walking by his side said, 'Its of no use your attempting to deceive me. I know you well; but I am not going to split. Just come and treat me, and I will tell you something which you'll be glad to hear, perhaps.'

After looking round to see that there was no one near, Roberts, feeling that he was in Nelson's power, replied, Be leary, Sam; I'll make it all right with you.'

The two convicts proceeded to a public-house, called The Wheat Sheaf,' where Roberts ordered half a pint of rum, and pipes and tobacco for two. When they had seated themselves in the corner of the tap, and had drunk 'luck' to each other, Roberts commenced the dialogue.

1853.] "What's this you have to tell me,' he inquired.

son.

Perhaps you know,' said Nel

Perhaps I do,' said Roberts: 'but what is it ?'

It wont do beating about the bush,' said Nelson, blowing a dense cloud of smoke, and watching the festoons vanish as they neared the ceiling.

'No,' said Roberts, knocking the ashes out of his pipe upon the table; No, don't beat about the bush, Sam.'

I say, Charley,' said Nelson, resting his elbows on the table, and placing his chin between the palms of his hands, where's your wife ?'

Roberts, with a caution which did credit to the profession to which he once had the honour to belong, replied, I forget now where her last letter was dated from.'

Where is she, I say ?' returned Nelson.

At home in England with her friends,' said Roberts, unless she has taken the office of Maid of Honour to the Queen, as perhaps she will do, just to exert her influence, and procure my free pardon.'

That's all you know about it,' said Nelson. I've seen your wife, talked to her, received coin from her hand. Believe me, or believe me not, but it's true, so

None of your nonsense,' said Roberts.

'There you go, again!' cried Nel

son.

'Don't talk so loud,' said Roberts; 'I am not deaf.'

Then hear this,' said Nelson, in a whisper; she is in Sydney; and if you can make it worth my while, and will meet me at the marketplace at ten o'clock to-night, you shall see her at a quarter to eleven.'

You are chaffing me,' said Roberts; you want time to give the office, and have me taken. You think it would make you good for a ticket-of-leave. I see your dodge, Sam.'

No, Charley, believe me, on my honour, you are mistaken,' said Nelson. I know I'm a thorough paced convicted villain, but I have still a lingering regard for friendship, and all that sort of thing; and what I

VOL. XLVIII. NO. CCLXXXIV.

221

Your

have spoken is the truth. wife is in Sydney. If you doubt it, I'll describe her.'

'Do,' said Roberts, eagerly, holding up his ear to catch Nelson's every word.

I'll do it as if she was like you, Charley, a bolter, with a tenpounder offered for her apprehension by her missis, in the newspapers,' said Nelson.

Go on,' said Roberts, impa

tiently.

Name, Harcourt,' said Nelson; 'ship, Lady Jane Grey; trade or calling, emigrant; age, twenty-two or twenty-three; height, five feet seven; hair, dark brown; eyes, hazel; nose, slightly curved; mouth small, with white teeth; complexion fair, but pale; long thin neck, and very small ears. Walks remarkably erect; wears on little finger of left hand a white cornelian set in gold, and on third finger of ditto a pearl ring as a guard to wedding-ring. Has a habit of saying, 'You are very kind,' to anybody who does anything for her.'

'Hold!' cried Roberts, his bosom swelling with the hope that Emily's presence in Australia might be of service to him.- Where is she to be found?'

How much can you stand ?' said Nelson, re-filling his pipe.

I have only thirty shillings about me,' said Roberts, but if she has money, you shall not complain of my want of liberality, Sam.'

CHAPTER X.

GEORGE FLOWER was a great character in the colony of New South Wales. He had been transported, some twelve years previous, for discharging, in cold blood, the contents of a double-barrelled gun into the body of a young squire who had ruined his sister. This misfortune had overtaken Flower when he was only nineteen years of age. He was the son of a gamekeeper; and a handsomer lad had rarely breathed. Flower had received a conditional pardon from the Colonial Government for capturing singlehanded three desperate bushrangers, for whose apprehension a reward of one hundred pounds had been offered in the Government

P

Gazette. Flower was now a 'sworn constable,' and as a thief-taker he was without a rival in the colony. So many attempts had been made upon his life, that, like Macbeth, Flower used to boast of having a charmed existence. His sagacity was on a par with his courage and personal prowess; and in many points he strikingly resembled the blood-hound. He walked about the police office in Sydney with a swagger which spoke a consciousness of his superiority in his profession. He was a hard "drinker, but liquor rarely had any effect upon himthat is to say, it never interfered with the exercise of his faculties. Although he made a great deal of money by taking runaways and claiming rewards, Flower was always (to use his own phrase) without enough to pay turnpike for a walking stick. Like some other men in much loftier positions, his 'attachments' were too numerous and too transitory to admit of his living within his means. He had no fixed residence; but he was generally to be found,' about sunset, at a public house kept by a Jew, called Polack, immediately opposite to the police-office. Flower was just on the point of proceeding to Parramata when Nelson approached him, and said

Mr. Flower, I want to speak to you.'

No great man was ever more easy of access than George Flower, and no one more popular with informers, for he invariably acted on the square.' His word was his bond; and he never made a promise, either to do a favour for a friend, or bring about an enemy's ruin, without completing it to the very letter. After hearing what Nelson had to say, Flower ordered his horse to be put into the stable, and invited Nelson to have a little dinner with him. It was a prominent feature in Flower's character, that he had no petty pride-none of that vulgar prejudice which most emancipated constables entertained, against men in an actual state of bondage. It must also be mentioned that no informer ever dared to name his price for putting Flower upon a scent. His terms were well known: half-acrown out of every pound.

Oh groaned Flower. there's no hope of his taking to powder and shot. Forgery! I never knew a forger that was worth his salt. Forgery! perjury! larceny! bigamy!-all those crimes ending in 'y' ought to be made death, and no reprieve. Why they send such fellows out here, I don't know. What were you lagged for?' Stealing,' said Nelson.

6

'Stealing? Under what circumstances?' said Flower. 'Don't speak false. I can find out, you know, in five minutes.'

Nelson detailed the particulars of his offence, and Flower contemplated him with a searching look of scorn and contempt.

'I hate a thief!' exclaimed George Flower, loudly, to himself; but suddenly recollecting that Nelson had just confessed himself one, he said, in an apologetic tone, ‘I beg your pardon. Have another glass of whisky.'

It was finally arranged that Nelson was to convey Roberts to Emily's cottage, and leave him there, at a quarter to eleven o'clock.

CHAPTER XI.

It was a bleak night in July-the depth of the Australian winter. The wind blew keenly from the south, lifting a hard, gritty dust, which battered the faces of those who attempted to make headway against it. It was ten o'clock, and the convict Roberts, at the corner of the market-place, anxiously waited for Nelson, who was to conduct him to the cottage where his wretched wife had taken up her abode. Roberts heard footsteps, and trembled lest they should be those of some constable who might

take him into custody. He walked stealthily to the other side of the street to wait for the subdued whistle, which it was understood Nelson was to give as the signal of the coast being clear. Presently Roberts heard that whistle, and neared his shipmate. Nelson having taken from Roberts every farthing that he had about him, proceeded to lead the way. When they arrived at Emily's cottage, Roberts leaped over the palings and looked through the crevices of the shutters. Emily was seated at the table, reading her Bible previous to retiring for the night.

‘All right, Sam, it is her,' said Roberts to Nelson; now you may go.'

'Am I your friend, or am I not?' asked Nelson.

'You are,' said Roberts. 'Off with you.'

. Nelson obeyed him, and in another moment he was round the corner and out of sight.

Roberts tapped at the shutter, and Emily, alarmed, inquired, Who is there?'

It's me, Emmy darling! It is your Reginald, dearest!" said Roberts, in a low voice. Open the door, my own dear Emmy!'

Emily recognised the voice, but could not believe her ears. 'Who is there?' she again demanded, to satisfy herself; and she placed her ear close to the window.

Reginald, my love-your own Reginald!' said the convict. Don't make a noise, dearest; open the door and admit your fond but wretched husband to your arms.'

Emily's doubts were at once dispelled. She flew to the door, unlocked it, and beheld once more her husband. Under other circumstances, his altered appearance-his costume-his sunburnt face and hands his shabby clothes-would have struck her forcibly; but just then, when she was in the arms of the man to whom she had given herself in passionate and confiding love, she was overcome with the feeling of joy that they had once more met on the face of the earth, and she clung to him as fondly as she did on the day when she became his bride.

Tell me, dearest Reginald,' said

223

Emily; tell me the truth-do not be offended with me for questioning you-but do, with your own dear lips, assure me that you have not been guilty of the crime they impute to you; tell me truly, Reginald, for you know I could never love you less than I do at this moment, Reginald, dearest.'

'I am as innocent, Emily, as your own dear self,' said Roberts; and he called upon the Almighty to witness his assertion.

'And you are not Charles Roberts? You are my own Reginald Harcourt? It is false that you are an imposter?'

False as hell!' said Roberts theatrically.

"Thank heaven!' exclaimed Emily, clinging to her husband and falling on his breast. 'Oh Reginald, I am so happy. Never mind, dearest, our present troubles. Truth in the end is sure to prevail. For some wise purpose, Reginald, it is ordained that we should bear this awful reverse of fortune, and let us bear it as cheerfully as we best can. Oh! Reginald

At this moment George Flower, who had contrived to secrete himself in Emily's bedroom, whence he overheard all that had passed between the convict and his wife, broke upon the scene-not abruptly, but in the quietest manner. Having gently opened the door he raised a huge pistol and brought the sight to bear on Roberts's breast. He remained in that position until he had caught Roberts's eye, when he called out'If you move hand or foot you are a dead man! Stand as you are!'

Roberts stood aghast; and Emily, terrified to the last degree, sank into an oak arm-chair, and, speechless, beheld what followed.

With his eyes, which were like those of an eagle, firmly fixed, and with his forefinger on the trigger of the pistol, Flower slowly approached Roberts. Captain,' said George Flower, you know the penalty of even putting your hand into your pocket.' Gradually he came within arm's length of his victim, who stood, pale and agitated. Suddenly Flower sprang upon Roberts and secured his hands, and in another instant Roberts's wrists were in a pair of brightly polished handcuffs.

Now then, captain, by your leave I'll go through the usual form,' said Flower. You need not be alarmed, madam,' he added, turning to Emily, but I really must pick the captain's pocket-first, of his handkerchief," he continued, spreading it on the table; secondly, of a―― oh! ah! you did happen to have a little pistol about you, did you? Is it loaded ?'

'No' said Roberts, feebly.

Thirdly, of a pipe,' said Flower, 'and, fourthly, of a small tin box, containing eh? what? oh, you artful! you owdacious lifer! a certificate of freedom, eh? Who have you robbed of this, I wonder? Why, it describes you exactly. How's that? Hulloa! Why, you must have been up to your old tricks again? This is uncommon like old Secretary Macleay's signature, but hang me if it is his-no, it can't be.

I say, how comes the water-mark on the paper to be of later date than the pardon itself? Well, while you were about it, you might have seen to that, I think. A small tin box' (Flower passed back to the inventory), 'containing a forged certificate of freedom. Why, this would hang you,' added Flower, and as I cannot afford to lose you yet, I'll put it into the fire, and say nothing

about it.'

Roberts involuntarily thanked Flower for this act of grace. Emily knelt down and prayed, but the words she uttered were inaudible.

There's no need of giving this little pistol to the government,' said Flower. It's a pretty little thing. It was Dawson's once, I suppose. Then it became yours. Now it's mine.' (He placed the little weapon in his waistcoat pocket, with a complacent smile.) Then that reduces the property found on the prisoner's person to this handkerchief and this pipe. Well, that will not hurt you, any how. Have you got any money?'

'Not a farthing,' said Roberts. Well, I'll put a shilling and a few coppers into the handkerchief,' said Flower, just to make an appearance in the court, and show that you are not a desperate character. It will look suspicious if I find no money upon you.' These preliminaries arranged, Flower was about to lead

Roberts to the nearest cells, and there lock him up, when Emily fell upon her knees and implored Flower to be kind to her husband, and if possible allow him to remain. Flower's iron heart was touched by her tears, and gladly would he have relinquished the reward, and set the convict at liberty, had he dared to do so. In Flower's presence Emily hung about the neck of the manacled felon, and kissed him fervently, and prayed for him.

'He shall be treated with the greatest kindness and consideration, for your sake, madam,' said Flower. It shall not go hard with him,' that I promise you.'

'Oh, thank you, thank you!' cried Emily. Ah, sir, if you only knew how cruelly he has been treated you would have pity on him

as well as on me.'

You may depend upon me,' said Flower, in a kind and soothing voice; 'to-morrow I will come and bring you good news. Make yourself quite easy, madam. Good night. Come along, Charley,' he turned to Roberts; 'I've a comfortable bed and a hot supper, and a bottle of port wine, all ready for you at my house.'

CHAPTER XII.

FLOWER had not walked more than twenty paces with Roberts, when he pulled up beside a lamppost-one of the very few in that lonely street-and by the dim light he looked peeringly into the convict's hazel eyes.

I have a precious good mind,' said Flower, to take your handcuffs off, and blow your brutal brains out. I'll swear I did it to prevent your escaping. It could be done,' he added, with a movement of the head which convinced Roberts, not only of the practicability of the measure, but of the earnestness of the man who contemplated it.

'Oh, don't, for God's sake! It would break my wife's heart! Why should you shoot me?' said Roberts.

To rid that beautiful and amiable lady of such a villain as you to make her free of the crime, the curse, of belonging to such a diabolical scoundrel."

'Oh, pray, don't! You would