At length, however, he made up his mind firmly to attempt his escape.

He was sitting beneath the shade of his favourite resort, the tamarind-tree, when he made this resolve.

Longing thoughts of home had been strong upon him all that day, and desire for the companionship of Barney had filled his heart to bursting; so that the sweet evening sunshine and the beautiful vale over which his eyes wandered, instead of affording him pleasure, seemed but to mock his misery.

It was a lesson that all must learn sooner or later, and one we would do well to think upon before we learn it, that sunshine in the soul is not dependent on the sunshine of this world, and when once the clouds descend, the brightest beams of all that earth contains cannot pierce them,--God alone can touch these dark clouds with the finger of love and mercy, and say again, as He said of old, "Let there be light." A firm purpose, formed with heart and will, is cheering and invigorating to a depressed mind.

No sooner did the firm determination to escape or die enter into Martin's heart, than he sprang from his seat, and, falling on his knees, prayed to God, in the name of our Redeemer, for help and guidance.