'Bah! you haven't courage enough to earn your hanging. I do not know
what the captain wants to bring such coves as you here for,' she
said, darting a malignant glance at our hero. 'I would be ashamed to
eat other people's bread and accept their shelter, without trying to
make myself useful.'

Roland was in one of his irritating moods so he said:

'I perceive that you are a very wicked old lady; and I am quite sure
that if the officers could only lay hands upon you, they would give
the birds something to peck at. Do you know what they do with bad old
ladies like you? Why, they hang them up to trees that stand alone
upon a bleak common; that the boys may pelt and the crows may feed.'

The rage of the old gentlewoman was now so great that she was unable
to articulate; and when her fury reached the most impotent stage,
Roland arose and walked away.

'Do you wish to take a turn with the rod?' Nancy asked.

'Yes, I should like to get out of sight of our uncharitable
grandmother here.'

'Hush! I would not advise you to provoke her too far. If you knew
what her career of crime has been you would shudder to bring her ill-will
upon you. I am afraid you have brought a great danger upon your
head.' Our hero and Nancy emerged from the wood and there lay spread
before them a lake of shining water, though dark as soot. Its area
was probably about twenty acres; and although its depth seemed to be
great, a black stump rose here and there from the surface. The two