"O Ann, woman!" exclaimed Peter, wildly, "this is terrible! it is mair than flesh and blood can stand!" "Peter! O Peter!" cried the wretched girl, clinging around him. The party from the frigate approached them. Even their hearts were touched. "From my soul, I feel for you, Paterson," said the lieutenant commanding them; "and I am sorry to see these old people and that lovely girl in distress; but you know I must do my duty, lad." "O sir! sir!" cried his mother, wringing her hands, and addressing the lieutenant, "if ye hae a drap o' compassion in yer heart, spare my puir bairn! O sir! I implore ye, as ye wad expect mercy here or hereafter, dinna tear him frae the door o' the mother that bore him." "Good woman," replied the officer, "your son must go with us; but I shall do all that I can to render his punishment as light as possible." Ann uttered a shriek of horror. "Punishment!" exclaimed Betty, grasping the arm of the lieutenant--"O, sir, what do ye mean by punishment? Surely, though your heart was harder than a nether mill-stane, ye couldna be sae cruel as to hurt my bairn for comin to see his ain mother?" "Sir," said Robin, "my son never intended to rin awa frae your ship. He told me he was gaun to return immediately--I assure ye o' that. But, sir, if ye could only leave him, and if siller can do anything in the case, ye shall hae the savings o' thirty years, an' a faither's blessing into the bargain." "Oh, ay, sir!" cried his mother; "ye shall hae the last penny we hae i' the world--ye shall hae the very stock of the farm, if ye'll leave my bairn!" The officer shook his head. The sailors attempted to pinion Peter's arms. "'Vast there, shipmates! 'vast!" said Peter, sorrowfully; "there is no need for that; had I intended to run for it, you would not have found me here. Ann, love"----he added--his heart was too full for words--he groaned--he pressed his teeth upon his lip--he wrung her hand. He grasped the hands of his parents and of Mr Graham--he burst into tears, and in bitterness exclaimed, "Farewell!" I will not describe the painful scene, nor paint the silent agony of the father, the heart-rending lamentations of the bereaved mother, nor the tears and anguish of the miserable maiden who refused to be comforted. Peter was taken to the boat, and conveyed again to the frigate. His officer sat in judgment upon his offence, and Peter stood as a culprit before them. He begged to be heard in his defence, and his prayer was granted.