size, clad in a short fur jacket,
belted at the waist, heavy cap, rough homespun trousers, stuck into
coarse socks, and moccasins on his feet. His face was covered with a
ragged, bushy beard, flecked with frost, while particles of ice clung
to his moustache. His small piercing eyes attracted Jean most of all,
causing her to retreat a step or two. This the visitor noted, and
laughed.

"I won't hurt ye, Miss," he said. "But, Lord! where have you dropped
from? I didn't know there was a wench like you on this side of hell."

"Hold your tongue, Dave, and come over here," the man on the couch
ordered.

The visitor at once obeyed, and crossed the room. He looked upon the
invalid with surprise.

"Hello! what's wrong with you?" he asked.

"Oh, I met with an accident. But what are you doing here, Dave? What
do you want?"

Dave, however, made no reply, but turned and stared hard at Jean who
was now standing near the table.

"Did you hear what I said, Dave? What do you want?"

"Guess there's only one thing I want now, chief. Where did ye git her?
My! she's a beauty."

At these words the injured man's eyes flashed with anger. He lifted
himself to a sitting position, and seized Dave by the arm.

"She's my daughter," he lied, "and if you harm her I'll kill you. See?"

The visitor cowered and shrank back at this fierce threat.

"I didn't mean to harm her," he muttered. "But I didn't know ye had a
daughter like that. Where have ye kept her all this time?"

"That's none of your business, Dave. Tell me what you want, and then
get out. But, wait, I know you're thirsty. Bring in some rum,
daughter," he ordered, looking over at Jean.

The latter was only too glad to get out of the room, and away from the
man who in such a short time had filled her heart with fear. Her hands
trembled as she picked up a mug and filled it with liquor. She then
glanced toward the muskets in the opposite corner, and wondered if they
were loaded. She felt more lonely now than ever, and wished for Sam
and Kitty. She feared that stranger, and longed to close and bolt the
door until he was out of the house. At present, however, there was
nothing else for her to do but to be as brave as possible. No trace of
fear did she show as she went into the other room, and paused just
inside the door. The two men were talking very earnestly, and the
invalid seemed to be quite excited.

"You must not let them come here," he was saying.