a route along which friends were numerous,
and he knew where to stop for refreshments and at what places to put up for
the night. But how to reach that point was the difficulty.

After bestowing much thought on the subject, he at last hit upon the plan
which he concluded would enable him to accomplish his ends without being
mistrusted by Eveline. His plan was simply this: To give Eveline to
understand that it would be impossible for them to reach C---- that day;
and when, on the morrow, it should appear to be time for the termination of
their journey, he would, in seemingly well disguised uneasiness, inform her
that they were lost in the wilderness! and as the day wore away, that it
might be possible they would have to remain in the forest all night, if
they did not happen to stumble on some settlement or lone cabin. In this
way he could gain the time desired; and he well knew _what_ solitary cabin
he would reach at night!

Poor Eveline was again in the toils of an enemy, and it would seem now that
nothing but death could release her from the snare in which she had
unconsciously fallen. In her situation, "ignorance was certainly bliss;"
for while the web of fate was weaving so surely around her, she was
thinking of home and friends with joy at heart, that soon she would return
to the one and be greeted by the others. Alas! how little knew she of the
dark purposes of the vile wretches who were confided in as friends!

Without lingering to describe the particulars of the day and night, except
to mention that the latter was spent at a first class public house, and
without the occurrence of any note worthy of incident, we will simply state
that Bill, who let Dick into his secret, carried out his plans to the
letter; and on the second day, about noon, communicated to Eveline the
unwelcome and, to her, startling intelligence that they had missed their
way and were somewhat bewildered, but still hoped all would come out right.
All the horrors of her former night's adventure in the wilderness came up
in her mind, and she shuddered at the thought that a repetition of its
dreadful experience might be before her, but concealed her feelings as well
as she could, though Bill saw that a sudden pallor overspread her face,
and that she was really alarmed.

Bill produced a pocket compass, and pretended to take directions and shape
their course from it. Toward evening, he announced the fact, that he was
quite confident they were near