Taken By Brigands.

astonishing everybody but me , Avho had helped to rig him out , for he ahvays carefully avoided everything in appearance or speaking which might seem nautical . AVhen the boat Avas alongside to take him ashore , he told me to come Avith him ;

and when we reached the landing place he gave some money for the boat ' s crew to drink , saying that he shonldna be back for a couple of hours , and if anybody asked questions as to whether he was ashore or on board , they had better not understand

him . Then he motioned me to follow him , and Avhen Ave Avere out of hearing , he said " NOAV , Sandy , we are two Jack Tars , who have got leave to have a bit of a spree ; so do you go and hire a couple of horses of the man sailors always go to , and Ave

Avill take a ride in the country , " I did as I Avas told , and we rode out of the town together , like twa messmates . " You see , Sandy , " said his lairdshi p , as Ave went jog-jog along the road , " the first thing I want to knoAV is exactl

y Avhere the house is , and the Avay to it from the sea , and it ivould put our enemies on their guard if they saAv me speering about . But none would know me in this dress ;

and I am told that there is a Avine shop on the coast , not a mile from the house , to Avhich sailors often ride , so our visit will not excite any suspicion . AVhat is the matter , Sandy V " Nothing , my laird , " said I ; only I am

a wee bit sea-sick . This craft has got a short , chopping sort of motion , such as I never before experienced . " " We will put more sail on , then , " said he , laughing ; " and then , perhaps , she Avill go easier . "

And he started off at a tearing rate . My horse gave a lurch , Avhich made me lose my foothold , and followed . I Avas well-ni gh overboard a dozen times—now on the starboard side , now on the port , and again over the hows ; but by letting go of the

tiller-ropes , and holding on to the creature ' s mane , I managed to stick ; and after a bit I grew more accustomed to the motion . The road ran along the sea-shore , and it wasna lang before we came to just the vera same sort of inn you will often see in a

play-house . There Avas a verandah round it , and a lot of little arbors , with tables , Avhere you could sit , and eat a bit or drink a

glass , with the grapes hanging over your head . The inn was sheltered frae the dust y road by an orange grove , which , to my thinking , makes the prettiest picture in the Avarld , with the lumps of gould peering

through the dark green leaves . In front there was the bay , about a thousand yards off . AA hen we had put up the horses , and ordered a bottle of wine , Avhich we drank together just like shipmateswe went out

, as if for a stroll , and Laird Goldfinch explored the way to the villa Avhere his lady Avas , telling me to take good note of the landmarks , in case I should have to gang alone Avith a message . Not far frae the villa there Avas a bit of

a ruin , maybe an old chapel , frae the look of it . It hadna a roof , and half the Avails Avere gone , but you could trace where the windoAvs had been , and his lairdship counted them .

" One , two , three ! Under that third should be the post-office . Remember that Avell , Sandy . " Sure enow , under that third Avindowplace there Avas a loose stane , and when it Avas picked out , you could see a holloAv Avith a letter in itAvhich his lairdship

, took out , putting another in its stead ; and then replacing the stane . " NOAV , then , " he said , " let us go down to the shore , and find a good landing-place . I leave the choice entirely to you , though , Sandy . "

" You might land maist anywhere , my laird , " said I , Avhen Ave had walked about the bay a bit : " but I should take that little cove for choice . A boat Avould lie there snugly . " "Take note of itthen" said Laird

, , Goldfinch . "Do you think the HaAvk could find a good anchorage in the bay , Avithin a mile or so of the shore ?" " Nae doubt , " said I , " gin the wind Avere as light as it is now . " " Aud could you row me ashore in the

dingey ?" " Certainly I could , my laird , " I replied . We had another glass of Avine ( it isna bad , that Sicily wine ) , and then we rode back to Palermo . I was looking out this time , and took care to let my feet get a gude grip of the foot-ropes , and sae I wasna in such peril