"That's all. And now, Miss Sybil, if you would only let me live here
along o' you and Marse Lyon, and wait on to you bofe, I could make
myself very much satisfied into my own mind," he said, as he laid down
the last articles, and stood to rest himself.
"But you know, Joe, that you can serve us better by remaining at Black
Hall," said Sybil, kindly.
"Now, Marser Capping Pendulum, I hope them there fineries in the boxes,
as you told me to bring away, for a blind from our place, won't take no
harm along of being left out in the woods all night, for it was there
underneaf of a pile of leaves and bushes as I was obligated for to leave
them."
"They'll not take cold, at all events, Joe," said Captain Pendleton,
good-naturedly.
By this time, the fire on the stone floor had become so low that it was
quite dark in the chapel. But among the little necessities of life
brought by Joe, was a small silver candlestick and a few slim wax
candles. One of these was lighted, and gleamed faintly around, striking
strangely upon the faces of the group gathered near the smouldering
fire.
The friends sat and talked together, and arranged as far as they could
their plans for future movements. It was not until near day that Captain
Pendleton arose to depart, saying: "Well, Berners, I do dislike to leave you and Mrs. Berners here alone
again, especially as I fear that you will not go to sleep, as you ought
to do. I see that Mrs. Berners' eyes are still wide open--"
"I slept so long in the afternoon," put in Sybil.
"But, at all events, I am forced to leave you before light. It is not
quite safe now to be seen in open daylight, travelling this road so
often. To-night I will come again, and bring you further news, and
perhaps more comfort. Come, Joe."
Joe, who had fallen asleep over the fire, now slowly woke up and lifted
himself from the floor.
The Captain shook hands with his friends, and followed by Joe, left the
Chapel.
Sybil then went and spread out the mattress, and put the pillows and
covering upon it, and persuaded Lyon to lie down and try to sleep, as he
had not slept for two nights past. She said that she herself could not
sleep, but that she would sit close by him, so as to be ready to arouse
him, on the slightest indication of danger.
Very reluctantly he yielded to her pleadings, and stretched himself upon
the mattress. She went and gathered the smouldering coals and brands
together, so that the fire might not go entirely out, and then she
returned and sat down beside her husband.