we were going to the judge's, he advised us to hasten
on, saying that he was going in the same direction, and would be happy
to accompany us. He introduced himself as Captain Norton, and told us
that he had received information that a band of Indians was in the
neighbourhood, and that he was about to collect a party of volunteers to
defend the settlement should they exhibit any hostile intentions.
Hearing this, I proposed to Carlos to return; but he was of opinion that
as we had already performed three-fourths of the distance, we should
proceed to the settlement, observing that there were plenty of people to
defend Castle Kearney, that a sharp look-out was always kept there, and
that it was very improbable that the Indians, even if they were intent
on mischief, would venture to attack it.

Captain Norton agreed with Carlos; and as Rita had now recovered from
her fright, we continued our course as before.

Getting clear of the hummock, we were now in more open ground. In a
short time a hut came in sight, then another and another, and we found
that we were in the suburbs of Roseville. The huts varied in character,
though most were of the roughest description. Some were built of logs
placed horizontally one upon another, others were frame erections
covered with boards; very few were of a more substantial character. At
last several edifices of superior architectural pretensions, having two
stories and broad verandas on all the sides, and surrounded by gardens
and orchards, came into view.

Captain Norton parted from us at the outskirts of the settlement, saying
that he should have to call officially on the judge, and hoped to hear
that Miss Kearney had not suffered any ill effects from the alarm she
had experienced.

"You need be under no apprehensions on that score, captain," said Rita,
laughing; "I am quite myself again, though none the less grateful to you
for having saved me from the claws of that hideous creature."

The judge was pacing up and down the broad veranda surrounding his
house, while little Paul, with a hobby-horse between his legs, was
trotting about, watched over by black Rosa. The judge waved his hand
while he shouted indoors to his wife, "Marian, Marian, here come our
friends from Castle Kearney." Then taking hold of Master Paul's hand,
he ordered Rosa to call the boys to look after the horses.

Mrs. Shurtleff quickly made her appearance, and she and her husband
greeted the young ladies as t