He put her in bed at last and then slipped into Captain Tom's cabin before he himself lay down. To his surprise he was up and reading an old dictionary--studying and puzzling over the words. It was the only book except the Bible the Bishop had in his cabin, and this book proved to be Captain Tom's solace. After that, day after day, he would sit out under the oak tree by his cabin intently reading the dictionary. Eph, his body servant, slept on the floor by his side, and Jack Bracken sat near him like a sturdy mastiff guarding a child. Sympathy, pity--were written in the outlaw's face, as he looked at the once splendid manhood shorn of its strength, and from that day Jack Bracken showered on Captain Tom all the affection of his generous soul--all that would have gone to little Jack. "For he's but a child--the same as little Jack was," he would say. "Put up yo' novel, Cap'n Tom," said the old man cheerily, when he went in, "an' let's have prayers." The sound of the old man's voice was soothing to Captain Tom. Quickly the book was closed and down on their knees went the three men. It was a queer trio--the three kneeling in prayer. "Almighty God," prayed the old man--"me an' Cap'n Tom an' Jack Bracken here, we thank You for bein' so much kinder to us than we deserves. One of us, lost to his friends, is brought back home; one of us, lost in wickedness but yestiddy, is redeemed to-day; an' me that doubted You only yestiddy, to me You have fotcht Cap'n Tom back, a reproach for my doubts an' my disbelief, lame in his head, it is true, but You've fotcht him back where I can keer for him an' nuss him. An' I hope You'll see fit, Almighty God, You who made the worl' an' holds it in the hollow of Yo' han', You, who raised up the dead Christ, to give po' Cap'n Tom back his reason, that he may fulfill the things in life ordained by You that he should fulfill since the beginning of things. "An' hold Jack Bracken to the mark, Almighty God,--let him toe the line an' shoot, hereafter, only for good. An' guide me, for I need it--me that in spite of all You've done for me, doubted You but yestiddy. Amen." It was a simple, homely prayer, but it comforted even Captain Tom, and when Jack Bracken put him to bed that night, even the outlaw felt that the morning of a new era would awaken them. CHAPTER X THE SWAN-SONG OF THE CREPE-MYRTLE It was twilight when Mrs. Westmore heard the clatter of horses' hoofs up the gravelled roadway, and two riders cantered up. Richard Travis sat his saddle horse in the slightly stooping way of the old fox-hunter--not the most graceful seat, but the most natural and comfortable for hard riding. Alice galloped ahead--her fine square shoulders and delicate but graceful bust silhouetted against the western sky in the fading light. Mrs. Westmore sat on the veranda and watched them canter up. She thought how handsome they were, and how well they would look always together.