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Captain Montague then stepped forward and shook each of us warmly by the hand.

“I have no doubt,” he said, “that three loyal subjects have been spared to-day for further usefulness to His Majesty.”

My heart was too full for words. I could only mutter, “Thank you, sir!” but Morrison would not have been Morrison had he not been prepared even for such a moment as this.

“Sir,” he said, earnestly, “when the sentence of the law was passed upon me, I received it, I trust, as became a man; and if it had been carried into execution, I should have met my fate, I hope, in a manner becoming a Christian. I receive with gratitude my Sovereign’s mercy, for which my future life shall be faithfully devoted to His service.”

Captain Montague bowed gravely.

“Are we now at liberty, sir?” I asked, doubtingly.

“You are free to go this moment if you choose.”

“You will understand, sir, that we desire, if possible, to avoid....”

The captain turned to the lieutenant. “Mr. Cunningham, will you see to it that a boat is ordered at once?”