Mrs Chopper went into Joey's room with the candle in her hand, followed by Nancy. "See, how sound he sleeps!" said the old woman; "he is not guilty. Peter! Peter! come get up, child." Joey rose from his bed, confused at first with the light in his eyes, but soon recovered himself. "Peter, you must go, my poor boy, and go quickly, Nancy says." "I was sure of it," replied Joey: "I am very, very sorry to leave you, Mrs Chopper. Pray think well of me, for, indeed, I have done nothing wrong." "I am sure of it; but Nancy knows it all, and away you must go. I wish you were off; I'm getting fidgety about it, although I cannot bear to lose you; so good-bye at once, Peter, and God bless you! I hope we shall meet again yet." "I hope so, indeed, Mrs Chopper; for you have been very kind to me, as kind as a mother could be." Mrs Chopper hugged him to her breast, and then said, in a hurried tone, as she dropped on the bed,--"There; go, go." Nancy took up Joey's bundle in one hand and Joey by the other, and they went down stairs. As soon as they were in the street, Nancy turned short round, and went to the house where she usually slept, desiring Joey to wait a moment at the door. She soon returned with her own bundle, and then, with a quick pace, walked on, desiring Joey to follow her. They proceeded in this manner until they were clear of the town, when Joey came up to Nancy, and said, "Thank you, Nancy; I suppose we'd better part now?" "No, we don't part yet, Peter," replied Nancy. "But where are you going, and why have you that bundle?" "I am going with you, Peter," replied Nancy. "But, Nancy--," replied Joey; and then, after a pause, "I will do all I can for you--I will work for you--but I have no money, and I hope we shall not starve." "Bless you, boy! bless you for that kind feeling! but we shall not starve; I have Mrs Chopper's leave to go with you; indeed, she wished me so to do, and she has given me money for you--it is for you, although she said for both." "She is very kind; but why should you go with me, Nancy? You have nothing to fear." "We must not talk now, Peter; let us walk on; I have more to fear than you." "How is that? I fear being taken up for that of which I am not guilty, but you have nothing to fear." "Peter, dear," replied Nancy, solemnly, "I do not fear for anything the world can do to me--but don't talk now; let us go on." CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. IN WHICH THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE BRINGS OUR HERO'S NOSE TO A GRINDSTONE. When Nancy and our hero had proceeded about three miles on their way, Nancy slackened her pace, and they entered into conversation. "Which way are you going?" demanded Joey. "I'm cutting right across the country, Peter, or rather Joey, as I shall in future call you, for that is your real name--the marine told me it was Joseph Rushbrook; is it not?" "Yes, it is," replied Joey.