oke the nest open. Hornets began to buzz around them, and
all ran for refuge to a thicket of young firs. In a moment they
could hear a horse coming at a slow trot. Trove peered through the
bushes. He could see Ezra Tower--that man of scornful piety--on a
white horse. Trove shouted a warning, but with no effect.
Suddenly Tower broke his long silence, and the horse began to run.
The little party made a detour, and came again to the road.

"He did speak to the hornets," said Polly.

"Swore, too," said Paul.

"Nature has her own way with folly; you can't hold your tongue when
she speaks to you," Trove answered.

Near sunset, they came into Brier Dale. Tunk was to be there at
supper time, and drive home with Polly and her brothers. The widow
had told him not to come by the Brier Road; it would take him past
Rickard's Inn, where he loved to tarry and display horsemanship.

Mary Allen met them at the door.

"Mother, here is my future wife," said Trove, proudly.

Then ruddy lips of youth touched the faded cheek of the good woman.

"We shall be married in September," said Trove, tossing his hat in
the air. "We're going to have a grand time, and mind you, mother,
no more hard work for you. Where is Tige?" Tige was the young
painter.

"I don't know," said Mary Allen. "He's up in a tree somewhere,
maybe. Come in, all of you; supper's ready."

While they were eating. Trove heard a sound of wheels, and went to
the door. Tunk had arrived. He had a lump, the size of an
apple,-on his forehead; another on his chin. As Trove approached
him, he spat over a front wheel, and sat looking down sadly.

"Tunk, what's the matter ?"

"Kicked," said he, with growing sadness.

"A horse?" Trove inquired, with sympathy.

Tunk thought a moment.

"Couldn't say what 'twas," he answered presently.

"I fear," said Trove, smiling, "that you came by the Brier Road."

Suddenly there was a quick stir of boughs and a flash of tawny fur
above them. Then the young painter landed full on the back of
Tunkhannock Hosely. There was a wild yell; the horse leaped and
ran, breaking through a fence and wrecking the wagon; the painter
spat, and made for the woods, and was seen no more of men. Tunk
had picked up an axe, and climbed a ladder that stood leaning to
the roof. Trove and Allen caught the frightened horse.

"Now," said the former, "let's try and capture Tunk."

"He's taken to the roof," said Allen.

"Where's that air