"They are yours, sir, with all my heart."

"Are they loaded, Leonard?"

"With two slugs each, sir, and as true as a compass."

These formidable preparations startled Helen, who looked beseechingly
towards him whom she loved better than her own life. She came and placed
a hand timidly upon his shoulder, and looked into his face with all the
wealth of her heart expressed in her eyes, as she said:

"Pray, pray, Charles, be cautious, be prudent for my sake, will you
not?"

"I will, dearest," he whispered, as he leaned forward and pressed his
lips to her pure white forehead. "We shall not long be separated--I feel
that we shall not."

Leonard Hust, who had befriended the younger brother while the two were
under the parental roof, still clung to the interest of Charles Bramble.
He had already procured for him a guide--a negro runner--who knew the
coast perfectly, and with him for a companion, and a small pack of
provisions, and well armed, Charles Bramble determined to make his way
by land back to Don Leonardo's factory on the southern coast. In so
doing, he would be able not only to elude all pursuit, but would also be
able to further his own pecuniary interest by settling up his affairs
with Don Leonardo, and arranging matters as to the property that had
been entrusted to him by the owners of the "Sea Witch."