‘A dream!’ said he, with fierceness in his whisper. ‘It is no dream to be ruined and have one’s heart broken. They have made a devil of me. I am no longer fit for you. You don’t know my heart.’ ‘Whatever you are, I am. If they have made you a devil I will be a devil too. I am yours and one with you, and live for nothing but for you. Ask me to set this ship on fire to-night and I’ll do it.’ ‘Ay, yours is the true woman’s spirit. I have no right to such a love. It is too noble for a wretch. Don’t let them ruin two lives. Curse them! See what they have made of me! I would to God you were not here.’ ‘Oh, Tom!’ ‘Ay, but to see you dragging the dirty burthen of the cuddy along the deck--to think of my proud and beautiful girl masquerading as a boy--ordered about by wretches who would be glad to clean her doorsteps and windows at home--and for a convict! But you know I am innocent.’ ‘Whisper softly,’ said I, marking a note of bitter temper, a tone as of ferocity in his speech. It hissed in his feverishly rapid whispers and seemed as a revelation to me of a change of nature. ‘Do not gesticulate; the sentry at the head of the poop-ladder seems to be watching us. I have settled it thus: On our arrival I will take steps to qualify as a landholder, and you shall come to me. Leave me to act and keep up your heart, and do not say you wish I was not here.’ ‘This ship will never arrive!’ said he. ‘Why do you say that?’ I whispered, turning to look at him and then giving him my back again. ‘That’s what I mean by wishing to God you were not here,’ he answered, whispering passionately, as though he could not contain himself. ‘This ship will never arrive! I could save her and I could save life by a word. If I thought you were in danger--but not with me! Not with me! Abram and others have taken their oaths upon it, and they cannot do without me. They don’t know that you are a girl. They must not know it! You are my dear friend and that is enough; and they believe you to be friendly toward them and would help them if you could. They’ll not harm you. I’d strangle myself sooner than utter a word that should save this ship! I’m here for a crime I never committed. They have made a devil of me! I’ll take no active part. I’ll have no blood upon my head, but I’ll help them in the way they want when they call upon me.’ ‘What can I do?’ ‘Nothing but wait.’ ‘I’d give my life to free you!’ ‘Oh, your devotion breaks my heart! I was worthy of it once.’ ‘When is this thing to happen?’ ‘The ship will be in the hands of the convicts to-morrow.’ I fetched a deep breath and turned cold. ‘And Will--and Will, Tom?’ I said in a whisper that shuddered with the icy fit. ‘I have stipulated for Will. They’ll not hurt him.’ ‘How will they be able to do it?’