and shame of their situation.

Before morning the news of John Wilford's crime had been circulated
through the village of Port Rock and its vicinity. Some knew that the
ferryman was lazy and thriftless, and wondered he had not robbed
somebody before. Others had always regarded him as a person of no
sagacity or forethought, but did not think he would steal. Many
pitied his family, and some said that Lawry was "as smart as two of
his father," and that his mother and the children would be well
provided for.

The intelligence went to the mansion of Mr. Sherwood, and there it
touched the hearts of true friends. Though none of them knew much
about the ferryman and his family, yet for Lawry's sake they were
deeply interested in them.

After breakfast Mr. Sherwood went down to the ferry-house; and the
young pilot, with many tears and sobs, told him the whole of the sad
story of his father's crime. The rich man was full of sympathy, but
nothing could be done. He volunteered to be the culprit's bail, and
to provide him with the best counsel in the State. But John Wilford
was guilty, and nothing could wipe out this terrible truth.

Mr. Sherwood did all he had promised to do; but the ferryman, after
he had been examined and fully committed for trial, declined to
furnish bail, declaring that he did not wish to be seen at Port Rock
again. At the next session of the court, two months after his
committal, he pleaded guilty of the robbery and was sentenced to
three years' imprisonment in the penitentiary at Sing Sing.