believe it right, that she should worry over
vague suggestions. So she answered once more before quite dismissing
the subject:

"Well, we were already discussing the comfort of having another home
out in the forest, and Abel has suggested that we build it on the land
which was his farm and which Gaspar has bought. We both liked that; to
have our own children play where we played as children. I want my
little ones to learn about the wild things of the woods, and the dear
old Doctor is still alive to teach them. You will like it, too, Other
Mother. When the days grow hot and long we will ride to the 'Refuge';
and I think the wigwam idea is better, after all, than the house;
though I do not know what my husband will decide."

"Before the days grow long, the 'Refuge' must be finished, and the
earlier the better. It is rightly named, my daughter, and the time is
ripe."

Ere many hours had passed, and most unexpectedly to his wife, Gaspar
returned. In the first happiness of welcoming him she did not observe
that his face was stern and troubled; but she did notice, when bedtime
came, that he did what had never before been done in their home: he
locked or bolted the doors and stoutly barred the heavy wooden
shutters. He had also brought Osceolo with him, from Abel's tavern,
and had peremptorily bidden the Indian to "Lie there!" pointing to a
heap of skins on the floor beside the fire.

Toward morning Kitty woke. To her utter amazement, she saw in her
living room her Gaspar and Osceolo engaged in what seemed a battle to
the death. Then she sprang up and ran toward them, but her husband
motioned her back.

[Illustration: OSCEOLO AND GASPAR. _Page 276_.]

"Leave him to me. I'll fix him so that he'll do no more mischief for
the present."

"But, Gaspar! What is it?"

"Treachery, as usual. Get into your clothes, my girl, and call
Wahneenah. Let the children be dressed,--warmly, for the air is cool
and we may have to leave suddenly."

"_What_ is it?"

"An outbreak! The settlers are flocking into the Fort in droves. Black
Hawk and his followers have come too close for comfort. This miserable
fellow has been tampering with the stores. He couldn't get at the
ammunition, but he's done all the evil he could. I caught him
hobnobbing with a low Sac; a spy, I think. There. He's bound, and now
I'll fasten him in the wood-shed. He knows too much about this town to
be left in freedom."

Yet, after all, they did not have to flee