Only  Claiborne  stood  his  ground.  Just  as  my
sword  touched  him  in  the  side,  I  heard  him  cry,
c  Help,  Ralph  ! '  and  turning  I  found  myself  face
to  face  with  Ingle,  carrying  Cecil  in  his  arms ;
the  poor  child  was  screaming  lustily."

"  And  fighting,  Thir  Chrithtopher.  Say  now,
was  I  not  scratching  and  biting  valiantly  ? "

"  That  he  was,  and  hath  a  handful  of  the  pirate's
hair  as  a  keepsake.  Just  then  Ingle  caught  sight
of  me,  and  't  was  as  if  he  saw  the  Day  of  Judg
ment.  c  So  you  're  come  to  take  me  to  Hell,  are
you  ? '  he  said.  With  that  he  dropped  Cecil,  and
ran  at  me  with  his  cutlass,  having  no  time  to
draw  pistol.  'T  was  scarce  a  fair  fight,  for  I
verily  believe  had  he  not  been  mastered  by
ghostly  fear  he  would  have  finished  me."

"  Thank  God  for  the  deliverance  !  "

"  Ay,  and  for  a  greater  mercy  than  life.  The
wretch  did  make  confession  to  Father  White,  and
of  what,  thinkst  thou  ?  "

"  Oh,  Mother,"  cried  Cecil,  unable  to  curb  his
406


The  Calvert  Motto

impatience  another  moment,  "  it  was  be  who
killed  Father  Mohl."

"  I  know."

"  Thou  knowest  ?  In  God's  name,  how  didst
thou  know  ?  "  Neville  exclaimed.
