the window. He stood in the dark corner
where he could scarce be seen. He held a pistol in his hand until the
face disappeared from the window, and creeping to it, looked out. There
stood a man in the broad glare of the moon. He had only to glance at his
tall form and his ruffian features to recognize him as the brother of
the overseer whom he had shot in Virginia. For ten minutes Mr. Waters
did not move, but kept his eyes riveted on the man, who, instinct and
reason told him, was an enemy. At last the man retired down the path
under the hill. Mr. Waters hurriedly wrote a few lines on a scrap of
paper, with only the moon for his candle, and, folding the letter,
addressed it to his daughter and laid it on his pillow. Then he opened
the window and leaped out to the ground.

He followed the man under the hill, where he found him in conversation
with three other men, Mr. Parris, John Bly and Louder. He was near
enough to hear what they said and catch their plans; but he did not wait
to listen. As he was creeping among the bushes, a man suddenly rose
before him. His dark, tawny skin, his blanket and features indicated
that he was an aborigine. He had seen the white men under the hill, and
he told Mr. Waters that he had ten braves at hand.

"Tell them to do no one harm, Oracus," said Mr. Waters. "I have never
harmed mankind, save in defence, and, God willing, I never will. I am
going away."

The Indian silently bowed and disappeared into the forest. Mr. Waters
paused under a large oak tree and gazed at the house where his daughter
was sleeping so peacefully; then he went away to the great north woods.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE FATE OF GOODY NURSE.

Oh! lives there, Heaven, beneath thy dread expanse,
One hopeless, dark idolator of chance,
Content to feed, with pleasures unrefined
The lukewarm passions of a lowly mind?
--Campbell.

Charles Stevens was sleeping soundly, dreaming of Cora and peace, when
there came a rap at the outer door. He rose and, but half-dressed,
proceeded to open it. Four tall, dark men stood without. By the aid of
the moon, he recognized Mr. Parris, Bly and Louder.

"Is Mr. Waters here?" asked Mr. Parris.

"He is asleep in his room," Charles answered.

"Awake him. This good man from Virginia wants to see him."

Charles turned away and went to Mr. Waters' room. The door was ajar,
and, entering, he found the apartment vacant. An open wind