se and buggy.
Bring them along the road as far as you can with ease. If I get Miss
Viola out of the hut, I will give her a place on Bob's back, and we
will ride till we meet the buggy. Is it possible for you to direct me
to the hut?"

"Yes, Mr. Very. When I returned, thinking I might have to act as pilot
to the cabin I kept the way in my mind, and I think I can tell you
pretty well how to go." She then indicated the route in considerable
detail, and Jasper was sure he could find the place.

What deep emotions stirred his breast as he hurried forward! He knew
that his darling was alive. This was a great satisfaction. But she was
in dire peril. He must rescue her at once at all hazards. He would dare
the danger alone, for the searchers being scattered through the
wilderness, there was no one to whom he could look for help.

He had learned that Elmira Turner, the monster dwarf's sister, was
guarding Viola, and he rightly supposed that Sam Wiles or the dwarf
would picket the hut most of the time.

Without any great difficulty Jasper Very followed the route given him
by Susanna. At last he saw a little before him the opening in the
forest of which he had been told. He dismounted from Bob, and hid him
in a thicket. Then he cautiously crept forward and, coming to the edge
of the clearing, screened himself behind a big walnut tree and
reconnoitered the surroundings. The coast seemed clear. He walked
quickly to the door of the hut and said in a loud voice: "Viola, Jasper
is here, and has come to take you home. I find the door is locked on
the inside, but not the outside. Can you unfasten the door?"

"O Jasper," said Viola, "the woman with me holds the key to the lock,
and she will not give it to me."

"No, indeed, I'll not," said Elmira Turner, "an' I defy you to git in.
My brother'll be here soon, an' if you want to save yer hide, it will
be healthy for you to make yo'self sca'se right off."

"Woman," shouted Very, "if you will not unlock the door I'll break it
down."

"Try it," said she.

Jasper did try. He was the strongest man in the county, and it seemed
that now the strength of ten men was given him.

The door was made of thick oak. The cabin may have been built extra
strong to shelter some former inmates, if attacked by Indians. But at
this time the door was weakened by age and exposure to the elements;
also it was somewhat worm eaten.

Jasper put his right shoulder to the door, and pushed with all his
migh