dier, accompanied by a gaze, which brought the now enraged governor to his feet.

"You insolent hound!" he exclaimed, “I'll have you flogged to death if you utter another such impertinent, treasonable word."

"That would suit you exactly. Go on, sir, and have me flogged. Do you think I should love his most gracious majesty any the more for it? Try it, sir ;" and the bold youth looked undauntedly at the governor, who stood before him, actually trembling with rage.

He made no reply; but touching a bell on the table, said to the sentry who entered: "Take this young rebel below, and see that he is properly secured."

"You'd better have it well done, governor; for I shall escape if I can. I won't give my word of honor, as that precious scoundrel has "-and he pointed to Captain Blanchard's letter-" and then break it ;" and as he spoke, he turned away, and followed the sentry from the cabin, and was conducted below, where he was taken charge of by the master-at-arms, and his hands and feet being securely manacled, he was left in the "brig "* to mourn his misfortunes.

"That young rebel knows too much, Captain Chiffney," said the governor, seating himself, and wiping the perspiration from his ruddy face. "He must be

* The "brig," on board men-of-war, is a space near the foremast, allotted to prisoners who are ordered in irons for any offence.

closely guarded, for if he should escape, all our plans would be foiled."

"He shall be well guarded," replied the captain; and the governor having passed to him the letters which he had received through Colonel Fanning, he commenced their perusal, while the latter renewed his devotions to the bottle.

CHAPTER XV.

THE BROTHERS IN COUNCIL.

"EDMUND, my dear, dear brother," exclaimed the Royalist captain, as, still pushing him off at arm's length, he peered lovingly in his brother's face-" how strange that we should meet here, and under such circumstances. Captain Barnum !" and he turned to the spot where the gallant Maryland captain had stood but a few seconds before; but with true Southern chivalry and nobility, he had left the apartment the moment he saw that the brothers, so long severed, had recognized each other.

"My dear Edmund," said Arthur Blanchard, turning again to his brother, "how is it I find you here? You, the son of a gallant and honored officer, serving against your king and country!"

66 Oh, never mind king and country now," said the younger of the twain, loosing himself from his brother's grasp. "Tell me of home-dear father and motherLucy ?-is she alive ?"

"My dear boy," the elder brother replied, placing his hand on his shoulder as he spoke, 66 we are alone in

the world. Father, mother, Alice, and Lucy have passed away, and I”

66 And you are the elder brother, and of course the heir "

"Dear Edmund, don't speak of that; my only inheritance is my sword. Everything which became mine when I felt I was alone in the world—for you know it is many years since any tidings have been heard of you-was sold to purchase my commission as a cornet. I have fought my way from a cornetcy to a captain's commission, and--but you, Edmund "

66

Oh, never mind me, Arthur. Father, mother, sisters-all dead," repeated the young man, mournfully, as, withdrawing his hand from that of his brother, he placed it across his eyes, to conceal the tears which moistened them.

"But how is it, Edmund, that I find you here? You, the son of a brave and loyal subject as ever lived, in arms against his sovereign. I ask and demand au

answer."

"Ask me no questions, Arthur," responded the younger of the twain, with an expression of sadness.

"I must ask you-I will ask you-and, as your elder brother, I am entitled to an answer. Do not let me blush in the reflection that a Blanchard has thus disgraced his name.”

"Arthur, I am not what I seem to be; I have not forgotten my father nor his loyalty; I have not forgotten

that I was born a subject of the best of sovereignsyes, Arthur, I did forget it once. Carried away by the enthusiasm which pervaded all classes, I suffered myself to be drawn into "

"An act of rebellion," interrupted the Loyalist, sternly. "Edmund Blanchard, I did not think I should live to blush for my own brother."

"Oh, Arthur, do not reproach me; the sight of you, after the lapse of so many years, brings back so many memories, I would not have them marred by harsh words from you. Spare my feelings now, but "

"Feelings, Edmund! You are nearly thirty years of age, if I recollect aright; and surely the son of Miles Blanchard ought, at that age, to know what is his duty to his king and country."

"Arthur "—and Edmund approached close to his elder brother, bending his head so as to bring his mouth close to his brother's ear, and speaking in whispered tones-"I am not what I seem to be."

"As how?" coolly inquired the Royalist.

"I am with you, for you, with all my heart and soul." "And still wearing that uniform ?" and he pointed to the dress of the speaker, the uniform of Colonel McDougal's regiment.

"Yes, and still wearing this uniform, Arthur, my brother. I committed a great wrong when I forgot my father and his people; and I committed a greater