prayers!' and I fell upon my knees. The man standing silent beside the
bed, with one hand upon me, as if afraid I should escape from him.

"When I had finished my short prayer, I looked up towards my murderer,
expecting the stroke: but, what was my surprise and joy, when, as he
held the lantern up to his face, I beheld--the countenance of my master,
smiling upon me with the most encouraging benevolence. 'Awake, Jervas,'
said he, 'and try if you can find out the difference between a friend
and an enemy. Put on your clothes as fast as you can, and show me the
way to this new vein.'

"No one ever was sooner dressed than I was. I led the way to the spot,
which was covered up with rubbish, so that I was some time clearing out
an opening, my master assisting me all the while: for, as he said, he
was impatient to get me out of the mine safe, as he did not think my
apprehensions wholly without foundation. The light of our lantern was
scarcely sufficient for our purpose; but, when we came to the vein, my
master saw enough to be certain that I was in the right. We covered up
the place as before, and he noted the situation, so that he could be
sure to find it again. Then I showed him the way to the secret passage;
but this passage he knew already, for by it he had descended into the
mine this night.

"As we passed along, I pointed out the heaps of ore which lay ready to
be carried off. 'It is enough, Jervas,' said he, clapping his hand upon
my shoulder; 'you have given me proof sufficient of your fidelity. Since
you were so ready to die in a good cause, and that cause mine, it is my
business to take care you shall live by it: so follow me out of this
place directly; and I will take good care of you, my honest lad.'