d by Harry and her brother, who urged their steeds madly
forward in the hope of catching her rein, while Jacques diverged a
little to the right. By this manoeuvre the latter hoped to gain on the
runaway, as the ground along which he rode was comparatively level, with
a short but steep ascent at the end of it, while that along which Kate
flew like the wind was a regular ascent, that would prove very trying to
her horse. At the margin of the thicket grew a row of high bushes,
towards which they now galloped with frightful speed. As Kate came up
to this natural fence, she observed the trapper approaching on the other
side of it. Springing from his jaded steed, without attempting to check
its pace, he leaped over the underwood like a stag just as the young
girl cleared the bushes at a bound. Grasping the reins, and checking
the horse violently with one hand, he extended the other to Kate, who
leaped unhesitatingly into his arms. At the same instant Charley
cleared the bushes, and pulled sharply up; while Harry's horse, unable,
owing to its speed, to take the leap, came crashing through them, and
dashed his rider with stunning violence to the ground.

Fortunately no bones were broken, and a draught of clear water, brought
by Jacques from a neighbouring pond, speedily restored Harry's shaken
faculties.

"Now, Kate," said Charley, leading forward the horse which he had
ridden, "I have changed saddles, as you see; this horse will suit you
better, and I'll take the shine out of your charger on the way home."

"Thank you, Charley," said Kate, with a smile. "I've quite recovered
from my fright--if, indeed, it is worth calling by that name; but I fear
that Harry has--"

"Oh, I'm all right," cried Harry, advancing as he spoke to assist Kate
in mounting. "I am ashamed to think that my wild cry was the cause of
all this."

In another minute they were again in their saddles, and turning their
faces homeward, they swept over the plain at a steady gallop, fearing
lest their accident should be the means of making Mr Kennedy wait
dinner for them. On arriving, they found the old gentleman engaged in
an animated discussion with the cook about laying the table-cloth, which
duty he had imposed on himself in Kate's absence.

"Ah, Kate, my love," he cried, as they entered, "come here, lass, and
mount guard. I've almost broke my heart in trying to convince that
thick-headed goose that he can't set the table properly. Take it off