Nanse McCollum, were sitting in deliberation upon their future plans of
life, when he of the red hair entered the cabin.

"Well," said Nell starting up--"what was done? show me?"

The man produced a dagger slightly stained with blood.

"_Damno orrum!_" exclaimed the aged fury, "but you've failed--an' all's
lost if he beats the black."

"I did fail," said the miscreant. "Why, woman if that powerful active
fellow had got me in his hands, I'd have tasted the full length of the
dagger myself. The d----l's narrow escape I had."

"The curse of heaven light on you, for a cowardly dog!" exclaimed Nell,
grinding her teeth with disappointment. "You're a faint-hearted villain.
Give me the dagger."

"Give me the money," said the man.

"For what? no, consumin' to the penny; you didn't earn it."

"I did," said the fellow, "or at all evints attempted it. Ay, an' I must
have it before I lave this house, an' what is more, you must lug out my
share of the black's prog."

"You'll get nothing of that," said Rody; "it was Nell here, not you, who
took it."

"One hundred of it on the nail, this minnit," said the man, "or I bid