There was nothing for it but to return to the wharf with the truck. Then, to his dismay, Alaric found that there was no freight left to be taken on board. The pile of household goods had disappeared. As he stood for a moment irresolute another gruff voice sang out to him to cast off the breast line and get aboard in a hurry if he didn't want to get left. Alaric had no more idea than the man in the moon of what a breast line was; but he knew what to cast off a line meant, and, making a blind guess, fortunately did the right thing. By this time the gang-plank was hauled in, and obeying the order "Jump! you chuckle-head!" the lad took a flying leap that landed him on all fours on the deck. As he regained his feet the lad was ordered aft, but he managed to slip away before reaching the stern, and hid among the very household goods he had helped bring aboard. Here, after lying for a while pondering over the strange fortunes by which every step of his path into the world of active life seemed to be beset, he fell asleep. When he awoke it was broad daylight, and he was being greeted by an angry roar from the gruff voice of the night before. "Shirking, are ye, you lazy young hound? I'll teach ye!" Picking up a bit of rope and whirling it about his head, the mate sprang toward the lad, who darted away in terror; nor did he stop until he found himself clear of the boat and running up a long wharf. [TO BE CONTINUED.] IN THE TOWER OF MANY STORIES. HENRY THE EIGHTH. (_In Two Parts._) BY MRS. LEW. WALLACE. I. [Illustration: ANNE'S CROWN.] There was once a King of England whose family name should have been Bluebeard, but it happened to be Henry Tudor, and a proud old name it was too. Born in 1501, Prince Henry was just eighteen when he came to the throne, and his subjects were well pleased to see an end to the long Wars of the Roses, because in him were united both lines, the White and the Red, and that meant peace. He had a most fortunate start--riches, power, health, friends. Life lay fair before; what would he do with it? His unpopular father's avarice had massed an immense fortune, and the son was quite ready to spend it. He was well educated, a bold huntsman and dashing rider, full of spirit and energy, and with a turn for letters and business. He must have had wonderful strength, for his armor weighed ninety-two pounds. It is in London Tower yet, is of German-work, silvered and engraved over with saintly legends and scroll-work, and the initials H. and K. for Henry and Katharine of Aragon. [Illustration: HENRY VIII.]