a'am, I've been turning it over in my mind, and have made it a
subject of prayer; and it seems to me that it wouldn't be bad to go
out and see the country."

"There are no houses for miles," said Ethel.

"Have you ever been this road before?" said Tozer.

"No."

"Then how do you know?"

"Oh, I was thinking of the part we had passed over."

"True; but the country in front may be different. Didn't that brigand
captain say something about getting help ahead?"

"Yes, so he did; I remember now," said Ethel.

"Well, I wouldn't take his advice generally, but in this matter I
don't see any harm in following it; so I move that I be a committee of
one to go ahead and investigate the country and bring help."

"Oh, thanks, thanks, very much. Really, Sir, this is very kind," said
Lady Dalrymple.

"And I'll go too," said Ethel, as a sudden thought occurred to her.
"Would you be afraid, aunty dear, to stay here alone?"

"Certainly not, dear. I have no more fear for myself, but I'm afraid
to trust you out of my sight."

"Oh, you need not fear for me," said Ethel. "I shall certainly be as
safe farther on as I am here. Besides, if we can find help I will know
best what is wanted."

"Well, dear, I suppose you may go."

Without further delay Ethel started off, and Tozer walked by her side.
They went under the fallen tree, and then walked quickly along the
road.

"Do you speak Italian, miss?" asked Tozer.

"No."

"I'm sorry for that. I don't either. I'm told it's a fine language."

"So I believe; but how very awkward it will be not to be able to speak
to any person!"

"Well, the Italian is a kind of offshoot of the Latin, and I can
scrape together a few Latin words--enough to make myself understood, I
do believe."

"Can you, really? How very fortunate!"

"It is somewhat providential, miss, and I hope I may succeed."

They walked on in silence now for some time. Ethel was too sad to
talk, and Tozer was busily engaged in recalling all the Latin at his
command. After a while he began to grow sociable.

"Might I ask, miss, what persuasion you are?"

"Persuasion?" said Ethel, in surprise.

"Yes, 'm; de-nomination--religious body, you know."

"Oh! why, I belong to the Church."

"Oh! and what church did you say, 'm?"

"The Church of England."

"H'm. The 'Piscopalian body. Well, it's a high-toned body."

Ethel gave a faint smile at this whimsical application of a name to
her church, and then Tozer returned t