"I must leave it all to you, Andrew," observed Stephen; "but I like the idea hugely, for I long to see the world and have a few adventures."

"We'll have adventures enough, I warrant you," said Mayfield, "before we have our last adventure, which will make some folks stare confoundedly, or I am much mistaken. Gadzooks, lad, for half a farthing I'd

Whatever it might be that was upon the point of escaping at that moment, Mayfield determined to withhold it: for checking himself suddenly, he put an end to the conversation by telling Stephen to return to Mr. Bosley, for a day or two, while he considered what should be their next step.

CHAPTER VIII.

You are a brave saucy rascal! Come on, sir.
The Changeling.

Ir was nearly a fortnight before Mayfield was ready with his plans, and then, one afternoon, Stephen saw him loitering on the green in front of Mr. Bosley's house, making the signals which had been agreed upon. Stephen

soon contrived an excuse for getting out, and was hastening to Andrew's farm, when he met him at the stile leading to it.

"I have been waiting for you,” said he. "We must not be seen together to-day. Do you know the Welsh Goat, just beyond the three mile-stone on the London road?"

"Yes."

"Meet me there. I'll cut across the fields by the back of Squire Oldacre's, and you can

go by the turnpike. Be quick in your motions, my lad, for you should be back before dark, or it will breed suspicion."

They separated. Stephen set off at full speed. When he arrived at the Welsh Goat, he found Andrew already there. He was sitting in a little dark room, smoking his pipe with a man, unknown to Stephen, who took his seat, filled his own pipe, and called for a mug of ale, with the air of one who had lived double his age, and half that time in the atmosphere of a tap-room.

The stranger (whose name was Ellic Kilvert) eyed him with a peculiar and searching kind of look; but without speaking. He had exhausted his whole stock of courtesy for a first meeting, by a side-nod of the head, while raising his brandy-and-water to his lips. He was a big, powerfully built man, seemingly between forty and fifty, with a large slouched hat, that nearly covered his face; and wore a rough horseman's coat, buttoned up to the chin. Round his throat a black handkerchief was tied, leaving between it and the slouched

hat, little else visible than his eyes, nose, and mouth. He was booted and spurred, and round his waist was girded a rather formidable looking hanger, which hung from a broad leathern belt, fastened in front by a brass buckle.

"This is the young spark we have been talking about," said Mayfield, when Stephen had been a few minutes in the room; "and I don't think you'll find him troublesome on the journey."

The stranger again fixed his eyes steadfastly upon Stephen, blew seven or eight quick whiffs from his pipe, which was just finished, and as he knocked the ashes out against the bars of the grate, thus addressed him :—

"Can you ride a hundred miles at a stretch, and sleep in your saddle upon a pinch, if there is no time for going to bed?"

"I don't know whether I can ride a hundred miles, or sleep in my saddle," replied Stephen, "for I never tried; but I'll tell you what I can do-ride with you, or any man in England, for five guineas, upon a

hard-trotting pad, distance out of the question, and the winner to be he who gallops five miles more after the other has given in."

"Well said, my lad of mettle," exclaimed Andrew; "I told you he was of the right stuff, didn't I?"

Kilvert made no reply, but filled his pipe. When he had lighted it, and taken a few whiffs, he again addressed Stephen.

"Can you fire a pistol ?”

"Yes; and send the ball through a crow's tail flying."

"Or knock off which claw you choose, without touching the others, I suppose," rejoined Kilvert drily.

Perhaps I could do that too," retorted Stephen, stung by the sneer, "if you were at my elbow, for you might be able to see the claw, and d-n me but I would hit it, if you saw it!"

"Well said again!" cried Andrew, clapping Stephen on the back, delighted with the briskness of his replies.

Kilvert curled up his nose and one corner.