entertainment. Walter was at first bewildered by the brilliant appearance of everything. The hearty welcome he received from those present soon made him forget everything but the good cheer that was spread out before him; the party was not as large as he had expected, but more showy and brilliant, the tables were richly spread, around which old and young were sitting or standing. Music and dancing were soon introduced, in which all participated.

There were a few ladies present, as Walter thought them to be, richly dressed, but not in as good taste, he thought, as he had seen before. At first there was a reservedness that pleased him. But this was soon thrown aside, and a familiarity assumed that disgusted him. He was quick to see that he was not among the most chaste. As he became in

flated with the charged wines, his disgust lessened; though unaccustomed to scenes of licentiousness, it did not take long for him to become initiated in what a few hours before his nature revolted. He never possessed a reflecting mind, and we could not expect that he would have taken up a serious train of thought. His eyes now beheld strange women, and his heart uttered perverse things.

CHAPTER X.

THE DECEIVER AND THE DECEIVED.

"Farewell! that seal is set,

In life unbroken;

Thou hast with the heartless stranger met
With the quivering lip, the eyelid wet."

S.W. Stebbing.

WALTER had again looked upon

the

wine when it was red, and was soon to receive its serpent-like sting; but the cloud over his mental vision was hourly becoming more dense, insomuch that it was impossible for him to see the monster encircling him in its crested folds. He saw not the forked tongue as it neared his vitals, and felt not the poison fangs, as it buried itself in the fountain of his moral existence, diffusing its poison in the deep recesses of his soul. The giddy dance went on, until the poisoned atmosphere dried up the last spring of self-respect. The debauch continued until late at night. At length Captain Brown drew near, and with a satanic smile, said, "Wake up, Axcelle; we are to take up a collection to settle this bill; set your name to this paper; never mind the sum; I'll pay that."

Walter took up the pen that was

handed, and wrote, "Washington Axcelle." The Captain was much pleased, and expressed it by slapping him on the shoulders and calling him a "good fellow."

"This deception," thought he, "has worked like a charm. I have another name enrolled on the pirate's list."

Walter was carried to his room in a state of intoxication. Several weeks were spent in making preparations for the voyage; every night bringing its debauch, in which Walter was a hearty participator. At length the day arrived for them to set sail, and the last cry, "All on board," was given, and Walter was not slow to obey it. They weighed anchor, and were soon out of sight. Early next morning all hands were summoned on deck, where the laws and by-laws were read, during which the scales fell from Walter's eyes; he found, to his utter horror and

astonishment, that he was on board of a pirate ship. Oaths of the most startling character were being administered.

"What was to be done?" he asked himself again and again. Captain Brown, in a sterner voice than he had ever heard him speak before, commanded him to step forward, but he moved not; his feet seemed riveted to the deck.

"Don't stand there, you chicken heart; step forward-show yourself a man; come, hurry along,-I have supported you a month, giving you all the good cheer you wanted, and here is a chance to cancel the bill I have against you."

Walter moved not-the Captain ordered him not to delay-at length he moved mechanically forward and took the oath; in a few moments that part of the business was completed. The dark