“Rest!—I'll never rest,” shouted he, with an infamous oath, “till I see that fellow waving from the gallows! Some wine this instant!”
To the loud summons of Wylie no answer was returned, and the light that shone so brightly a moment before was now extinguished.
“Break open the door! B——t you! what do you delay about?” shouted Hemsworth. “There are some rebel tricks at work here.”
At the same instant the light re-appeared, and Mary's voice was heard from within—
“Who's that, at this hour of the night, making such a noise?”
“Open the door, and be d——-d to you!” cried Hemsworth, who, having got off his horse, was now endeavouring with his foot to force the strong door.
“It will take a better man than you to stave that pannel in,” said Mary, who, although recognizing the voice, affected not to know the speaker. And she said truly, the door once made part of the rudder of an Indiaman, and was strong oak belted with iron.
“Put a light in the thatch! Snap your pistol, Wylie, and set fire to it!” cried Hemsworth, savagely; for any opposition to him at this moment called forth all the malignity of his nature.
“Oh, is it you, captain?” said Mary, with a voice of well-affected respect; “the Lord pardon me for keeping you out in the cold!” and with that she opened the door, and with many a low curtsey saluted her guest.
Rudely pushing her aside, and muttering an oath, Hemsworth entered the cabin, followed by the others.