1832.] A Story of the Plague of Gibraltar. 289 



do you know I dreamed that Caroline was dead, and that I was sen- 

 tenced to be shot for what crime think you ?" 



" I cannot tell," said I. 



"Why then, I will tell you," said he ; and he sprung up, and stood on 

 the middle of the floor ; " it was for killing THE PLAGUE. I wrestled 

 with him, and then I trampled upon him, and threw him out to the 

 dogs ; but they slunk away, and so I left him lying. Come," said he, 

 " and see where he lies," taking me by the hand, and leading me to the 

 bed-side. " There." He bent over, and for a moment looked with a 

 steadfast gaze upon the dead. He then pressed his hand to his fore- 

 head, and with a terrific cry, in which the fit of insanity passed away 

 a cry that will ring for ever in my ears he fell senseless upon the 

 couch. 



When he returned to consciousness and misery, he extended his hand 

 to me, and said, " Seymour, I was in time to receive her last sigh, and 

 her blessing ; but since then I remember nothing. Is it near gun- 

 fire ?" 



" 'Tis only evening," I replied, " the sun has but newly set." 



" I trust," said he, " I may live to redeem my pledge." 



I gently led my friend from the dead-chamber to the garden, and 

 seated him in the summer-house. It was such an evening as that upon 

 which three short days ago we had parted from Caroline. At first, 

 Courtenay was overpowered by the reminiscences which it awakened, 

 but he gradually recovered his composure. 



" I fear," said he, " honour is less dear to me than it ought to be, and 

 that if she had lived it would have been a hard struggle to tear myself 

 from her, to meet death : there is the coast of Spain, and there are the 

 mountains of Barbary, I would not have answered for my honour, 

 Seymour." 



" You are spared that struggle, at least," said I. 



" 'Tis better as it is ; better for me, perhaps even for her." 



Just at this moment, a man's head appeared above the mole ; it was 

 the face of the Spanish sailor, who had been examined upon the trial. 

 He climbed up, and walked towards us. I could not guess his errand, 

 but he soon made it known. " I have here," said he, addressing Cour- 

 tenay, " a good boat ; I'll undertake to land you either at Tangiers, or 

 Tarifa, before day-break, or, if the wind continue fair, I'll put you 

 aboard an American in the bay of Cadiz in twenty-four hours." 



" Friend," said Courtenay, " I thank you for your offer, but if you 

 will look closer into my face, you will see that I have no temptation to 

 accept it." 



The man advanced a few steps, looked on Courtenay's face, shuddered, 

 and returned to his boat. 



My professional duties now called me to the town : I returned to the 

 house, brought writing materials, and laying them before Courtenay, 

 told him, if he wished to address a few lines to England, I would be the 

 bearer of his memorials. He was able to write; the disease advanced 

 slowly, and I believe that Courtenay might have been cured : but this 

 thought was painful ; I neither indulged it myself, nor breathed it to 

 him. I told him to remain in the summer-house until I should return, 

 and walked towards the town. 



How was the face of every thing changed ! No drums or trumpets 

 were heard from the deserted barracks ; no gay parties were sauntering 



