Do not be afraid,' Roland replied. 'I am certain that there is
nobody within ear-shot.'

'Ah! well, these dark waters have closed over many an unhappy head,
even since my entry into this hell of crime.'

'The Lifter told me of the minister's fate.'

'I am thinking now of a young girl who was once like myself. She was
the daughter of a wealthy farmer, beautiful and gifted. The horrible
chief saw her one day riding past the swamp, and the sight of her
filled him with a hideous desire. When next she rode that way he
sprang out of the bush and seized her; and then dragged her almost
lifeless to his lair. Ah, my God, how my heart went out in pity for
the sweet young creature; but what could I do. The villain had his
way; and all night long his victim wailed in a way to melt a heart of
stone. They became alarmed at her constant crying; and one dreary
night the old woman and Silent Poll dragged her to the edge of the
pond. Tying a stone to her neck they threw her in. She lies there,'
pointing to a spot about twenty yards distant, near a steep part of
the bank; 'and the water is three fathoms deep.

'But she is not the only victim. At a class-leader's house Jud Sykes
made the acquaintance of a beautiful girl of eighteen. On a certain
Saturday afternoon Marguerite, for that was the girl's name, set out,
on foot; from her own house, to pass the Sunday with her aunt. The
Rev. Mr. Jonas, who had spent the preceding night at her father's
house, was aware of the visit; and he was posted in the bush close to
the road-side as the girl came along.