"That I shall," I returned, gratefully; "for God knows you have been a friend in need to me!"
"Ah!" he said, musingly, "your life must be very sweet, for you seemed loath enough to part with it!"
I admitted the truth of this—indeed, I had felt it more than once during the last hour. I had been one of those who, in fits of depression, are wont to say that life is not worth living—that we shall be well out of it, and the rest; yet, when it seemed really slipping from my grasp, I had clung to it with a tenacity which surprised myself. And now, with the future once more before me, in which so much seemed possible, I was filled with gratitude to God and to my unknown friend, by whose means I had been saved. There was a short silence; then I asked, rather doubtfully, if there were not some way in which I could prove my gratitude.
"A STRONG HAND SEIZED ME."
"You speak as if you were sincere," my strange companion said, in his gruff, downright way; "so I will tell you frankly that you can do me a good turn if you have a mind to. I don't want your money, understand; but I want you to do me a favour."
"What is it?" I asked, eagerly; "believe me, if it is in my power it shall be done!"
"I would rather you passed your word before I explain more," he said coolly. "Say my request shall be granted. I take it you are not a man to break your promise."
Here was a predicament! Asked to pledge my word for I knew not what! To be in the dark in more senses than one; for I could not even see my mysterious deliverer's face to judge what manner of man he was. And yet, how could I refuse his request? At last I said, slowly:—
"If what you ask is honest and above-board, you have my word that it shall be done, no matter what it may cost me."