But, this sad affair disposed of, I will not rest till I have avenged my murdered parents." "'_The avenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer_'," said Wood, who was culling for himself certain texts from the scriptures.
"It is the voice of inspiration," said Thames; "and I receive it as a solemn command.

The villain has enjoyed his security too long." "'_Bloody and deceitful men shall not live half their days_'," said Wood, reading aloud another passage.
"And yet, _he_ has been spared thus long; perhaps with a wise purpose," rejoined Thames.

"But, though the storm has spared him, _I_ will not." "'_No doubt_,'" said Wood, who had again turned over the leaves of the sacred volume--', "_no doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he escaped the seas, yet vengeance suffereth not to live_'." "No feelings of consanguinity shall stay my vengeance," said Thames, sternly.

"I will have no satisfaction but his life." "'_Thou shalt take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer which is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death_'," said Wood referring to another text.
"Do not steel your heart against him, dear Thames," interposed Winifred.
"'_And thine eye shall not pity_,'" said her father, in a tone of rebuke, "'_but, life shall be for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot_.'" As these words were delivered by the carpenter with stern emphasis, a female servant entered the room, and stated that a gentleman was at the door, who wished to speak with Captain Darell on business of urgent importance.
"With me ?" said Thames.

"Who is it ?" "He didn't give his name, Sir," replied the maid; "but he's a young gentleman." "Don't go near him, dear Thames," said Winifred; "he may have some ill intention." "Pshaw!" cried Thames.