Melville, politely. "It was fortunate you had the pistol with you, Mr. Melville," said Herbert. "Well, yes, perhaps it was," said Melville, smiling. "Pray, put it up, Mr. Melville," said the farmer's wife, "it always makes me nervous to see a loaded pistol." Melville bowed, and put back the pistol in his pocket. "As your unpleasant visitor has gone," he said, "I may as well relieve your fears by saying that the pistol is not loaded." "Not loaded!" exclaimed Herbert and Tom Tripp in concert. "No; it has not been loaded to my knowledge for a year." "Then how could you stand up against that man?" asked the farmer's wife, in wonder. "He thought it was loaded!" replied Melville, "and that answered the purpose. I should be very reluctant to use a loaded pistol, for I have a high idea of the sacredness of human life, but I have no objection to playing upon the fears of a man like that." Melville and Herbert remained at the farmhouse for half an hour, till the return of the farmer, when they resumed their river trip. They returned about noon. When they were walking through the main street, Herbert saw the town constable approaching with the air of a man who had business with him. "Did you wish to speak to me, Mr. Bruce?" he asked. "Yes, Herbert. I have a warrant for your arrest." "For my arrest!" exclaimed Herbert, in amazement. "What for?" "On complaint of Eben Graham, for abstracting postage stamps and money from the post office last evening." CHAPTER XI. TRIED FOR THEFT.