ammond would not believe it.

"Those men that I've done so much for and worked so hard for this
winter!"

At last, convinced, his face set with the determined look that I had
seen on it once or twice before.

"I'll not raise the wages of a single man, and, what's more, I'd turn
them all off the place, if only I could find others. But those boats at
Catlettsburg, they are the most important. The Company would send me up
men from Cincinnati, if only I could get word to them; but these rascals
will stop any letter I send. Those Sandians are capable of it,--or
rather they are capable of putting the Irishmen up to doing their dirty
work for them."

"A letter would be safe, if it once reached Catlettsburg?" I asked.

"Certainly. But how to get it there?"

"I can take it. Nobody will suspect me. Give me the letter to-night, and
I will go to-morrow."

"You, Janet? you are crazy!"

"No, indeed. I often ride to Louisa; what is to hinder me from having
errands to Catlettsburg. I could go down there in one day, and take two
days back, if my father thinks it is too much for old Bill to take it
through in one."

"Oh, you could borrow Swiftfoot. I have often lent him to you, and he
would carry you safely and surely. I don't believe any harm would come
to you, and so much depends upon it."

I turned the skiff decidedly.

"You have only to get your letter ready and give it to me when I come
over in the morning to borrow Swiftfoot. I will take care of all the
rest."

And, sculling rapidly, we were at the wharf again before he had time to
raise objections. I knew that I could persuade my mother into letting me
go to Louisa again the next day, for we needed all our spring
purchases,--and once there, it was easy to find it necessary to go to
the mouth. I had never been alone, but often with my father or some of
our hands; besides, I was too well able to take care of myself, too
accustomed to have my own way, to anticipate any anxiety about my not
returning.

And so it proved. The next morning saw me mounted on Swiftfoot, the
letter safe in my bosom, and a long list of articles wanted in my
pocket. What a lovely ride that was, with the gentle, spirited horse of
which I was so fond for a companion and my own beautiful forests in all
their loveliest spring green around me, with just enough of mystery and
danger in the expedition to add an exhilarating excitement and with the
happy consciousness that I was doing something for