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This story of prayer was received from the lips of the good Captain Crossby, who was so useful in the Ardrossan awakening; and he himself was the man who prayed and waited upon his God with the quadrant in his hand.
"That's what the ghost said, under somewhat pecooliar circumstances; an' he said it twice so that there might be no mistake at all about it. `Now or niver! now or niver! says he, an' he said it earnestly " "I didn't know that ghosts could speak," interrupted Crossby, who, when not in a bad humour, was rather fond of thrusting bad jokes and blunt witticisms on his comrades.
"Come, shut up, Flinders," interrupted Gashford, swallowing his wrath. Who'll go with me?" "I'll go," said Crossby, stepping forward at once. "I've a grudge agin the puppy, and I'll help to make him swing if I can."
He struggled violently, and a muffled sound of shouting was heard inside the hole, but no one could make out what was said. "Och! the poor cratur," exclaimed Paddy Flinders, with a look of overdone commiseration, "what'll we do for 'im at all at all?" "Let's try to pull him out," suggested Crossby. They tried and failed, although as many as could manage it laid hold of him.
Rudely awakened to the consciousness of his danger and his stupidity, he leaped up and ran along the path that Betty had described to him. At the same moment it chanced that Crossby came upon the same path at its river-side extremity, and in a few moments each ran violently into the other's arms, and both rolled upon the ground.
Taken by surprise, however, many of them were overturned in the rush, when high above the din arose the bass roar of Gashford. Crossby heard the signal and led his men down to the scene of battle at a rapid run. But the robbers were too quick for them; most of them were already scattering far and wide through the wilderness.
Ah! ye may laugh, but it's truth I'm tellin'. See, there's a blob on the ind of it as big as a chirry!" "That blob's always there, Paddy," cried one of the men; "it's a grog-blossom." "There now, Peter, don't become personal. But tell me ye've got him, av coorse?" "No, we haven't got him," growled Crossby. "Well, now, you're a purty lot o' hunters. Sure if "
In the strength of the new-born resolution thus induced by the Spirit of God, he fell on his knees and tried to pray. Then he rose and sat down to think, strangely forgetful of the urgent need there was for flight. Meanwhile Gashford and his men proceeded to question Paul Bevan and his daughter. The party included, among others, Fred Westly, Paddy Flinders, and Crossby.
Seeing the fugitive standing ready with rifle in hand, he stopped at once, took rapid aim, and fired. The ball whistled close past the head of Tom, who then raised his own rifle, took deliberate aim, and fired, but Westly threw up the muzzle and the bullet went high among the tree-tops. With an exclamation of fury Brixton drew his knife, while Crossby rushed at him with his rifle clubbed.
Flinders, who witnessed the unaccountable action of his companion with much surprise, now sprang to the rescue, but at the moment several of the other pursuers rushed upon the scene, and the luckless fugitive was instantly overpowered and secured. "Now, my young buck," said Crossby, "stand up! Hold him, four of you, till I fix his hands wi' this rope.