Horace Hunter to openly show it. The first step he took was to dismiss
your father from the stewardship, under pretence of his being too old,
and settling a pension on him. He did not wish the good old man near
him--it was a living reproach on his bad deeds.'

'On the infamous practices of his race,' said the seaman sternly; 'bad
father and bad son--but proceed.'

'He installed this man Lambert in your father's place--a cold, unfeeling
man--a money-worshiper, and suspected of being only too willing an
instrument in furthering his master's infamous designs. Lambert
sedulously cultivated an intimacy with the Hunters--condoled with the
mother, ingratiated himself with the young man, and affected unbounded
friendship. Ellen, however, with the true instinct of a pure and
innocent girl, shrank from his companionship; innocence will ever shrink
with innate consciousness from baseness. He persuaded Hunter to rent a
farm in addition to his own, and lent him money to speculate largely in
breeding fancy sheep. The speculation failed--the agent pressed for
payment. His master came forward and paid the amount. Thus he appeared
as a benefactor, and Ellen's gratitude soon ripened into love; but her
brother was in the way. He went to Erith to make some purchases for his
mother and sister, and was kidnapped by a press-gang. Lambert had been
there a few days before.'

'Ah, I understand,' said the seaman--'too plain. Fire them--what right
have they to seize a free man as if he were a negro slave?'

'It's a shame,' said Mrs. Ally, 'but good King George--'

'Imbecile old ass,' said the mariner--'go on with your story.'