122 A TEAR OF LIBERTY ; OR, 



two had been tried in vain. Come when the invaders would, the 

 Captain was on guard. Poor old Tom Lightly (he's dead and gone 

 now) was, at the time I speak of, my attendant, and in an evil hour 

 persuaded me to try my fortune. I consented ; ordered him to 

 watch the Captain's retirement that evening, occupy the post with 

 my rod and gaff, keep watch all night ; and call me by peep of day. 

 Before turning in I took a look at Tom, and found him with a 

 roaring turf fire in one of the niches, his pipe going merrily, and the 

 bottle of whisky I sent to help out his watch, half finished. All was 

 right, and I went to bed with a mind at ease. About half -past two 

 John and his master rounded the comer, not a little alarmed at the 

 signs of occupation evinced by the blazing fire. All was still. They 

 took a closer look. Could they believe their eyes ? Yes ; there 

 stood the bridge, solitary and unoccupied ; once more they were in 

 possession. The mystery was soon solved. Sheltered from a 

 sweeping northerly wind in a friendly doorway, lay old Tom, fast as 

 a watchman, his master's rod across his knees, his pipe smothered in 

 its own ashes, and the bottle empty. Whether the wind had half 

 frozen the old fellow's blood, whether he had walked in his sleep, or 

 whether Tom became rather blind and lost his way, no one ever 

 knew. Merely to hint at the subject was a broken head. John was 

 in an ecstacy of delight to think of two Christians, comforted with 

 a reasonable night's rest, outwitting those who had ' outwatched the 

 stars.' It was better than a month's wages. There was a further 

 triumph which suggested itself to the malicious John, could old 

 Tom but be roused to a sense of his miserable condition by ' a grand 

 instrumental crash.' To wake and find the bridge occupied would 

 be something ; but for Tom to start up and find the Captain 'stuck' 

 in a twenty-pounder, would be Elysian. Hardly was the wish 

 formed before the music of the wheel announced its fulfilment. 

 Hitherto John had with difficulty restrained his exultation ; but now 

 the measure of his joy overflowed ; this crowning triumph was more 

 than mortal could bear in silence. He could contain himself no 

 longer, but gave vent to a yell that would have done credit to a 

 whole tribe of redskins. Such an assemblage of terrified heads as 



