me of you all before I got back? You would
be mounted on pack-mules, carried off to the Indian frontier, and made
squaws of."

"O, father, don't leave us, I entreat of you!" sobbed Susette, on
hearing these words.

"Why did I not die ere I came to this?" groaned Mrs. Camford. "Why did I
not die when my eldest jewel and brilliant son were torn from my
embrace? Alas! for what awful fate am I reserved?"

"Come, Nabby, this would do on the boards of the St. Charles, but toads
and lizards can't appreciate theatricals. Pheny, can't you manage to get
up some sort of a dinner out of the corn-meal and sweet potatoes I
bought of the old Mynheer this morning; and there's a few eggs and a ham
in the larder too. I declare I relish this new life already;--it is a
change, Pheny, isn't it?" asked the father, looking in his fair
daughter's face.

"Yes," answered she, "and if it wasn't for the snakes and lizards, I
wouldn't complain."

"Never mind them," returned the squire, bravely; "they shan't hurt you.
We'll have a nice, cosey home here a year from to-day."

CHAPTER X.

"It was the calm, moonshiny hour,
And earth was hushed and sleeping;
The hour when faithful love is e'er
Its fondest vigils keeping."

Clear as amber fell the moonlight on the forms of Wayland and Winnie
Morris, as arm in arm they roamed the calm, delightful shores of Lake
Pontchartrain.

"Well, sister," said Wayland, "four weeks have passed since I last saw
you, and how have you sped in your capacity of teacher?"

"O, bravely, Wayland! 'Tis so delightful to feel I am of some importance
in the world, and that I'm laying up money to repay my brother, as far
as I am able, for all he has done for me! You should see me in my little
school-room, with my pupils round me. I fancy no queen e'er felt more
pride and satisfaction in beholding her subjects kneeling before her,
than I do with my infant class leaning their tiny arms on my lap and
looking in my face as they repeat from my lips the evening prayer."

"I am pleased to find you so content and happy," said Wayland.

"O, I am indeed so, and indebted to you for all I enjoy!" returned
Winnie.

"And what of Jack Camford, sis?" asked the brother, with a mischievous
smile.

"O, I have not forgotten him yet, naughty Wayland!" answered she; "I
dream of him most every night."

"Well, I would not seek