m under the boot and a load of other trunks and boxes.

"Where's Mr. Landholm? isn't Mr. Landholm here?" said the
gentleman impatiently.

"There's somebody from Mr. Landholm ahint you," remarked Mr.
Cowslip in the course of tugging out one of the trunks.

The gentleman turned.

"Mr. Landholm could not be here, sir," said Winthrop; "but his
boat is here, and he has sent me to take care of it."

"He has! Couldn't come himself, eh? I'm sorry for that. -- The
box from the top of the stage, driver -- that's all. -- Do you
understand the management of a boat?" said he eyeing Winthrop
a little anxiously.

"Certainly, sir," said Winthrop. "I am accustomed to act as
Mr. Landholm's boatman. I am his son."

"His son, are you! Ah well, that makes all straight. I can
trust you. Not his eldest son?"

"No sir."

"I thought it couldn't be the same. Well he's a deuced
handsome pair of sons, tell him. I'm very sorry I can't stop,
-- I am obliged to go on now, and I must put my daughter and
Miss Cadwallader in your charge, and trust you to get them
safe home. I will be along and come to see you in a few days."

"The trunks is all out, sir," said the driver. "We oughtn't to
stop no longer. It's a bad piece atween here and Bearfoot."

"I leave it all to you, then," said Mr. Haye. "Elizabeth, this
young gentleman will see you and your baggage safe home. You
won't want me. I'll see you next week."

He shook hands and was off, stage-coach and all. And Mr.
Cowslip and Winthrop were left mounting guard over the baggage
and the ladies. Elizabeth gave a comprehensive glance at the
"young gentleman" designated by her father, and then turned it
upon the black leather and boards which waited to be disposed
of.

"You won't want the hull o' this for ballast, I guess,
Winthrop, _this_ arternoon," remarked Mr. Cowslip. "You'll have
to leave some of it 'long o' me."

"Can't it all go?" said Elizabeth.

"It would be too much for the boat," said Winthrop.

"If 'twouldn't for you," -- Mr. Cowslip remarked in a kind of
aside.

"Isn't there another boat?"

"There is another boat," said Mr. Cowslip -- "there's mine --
but she's up stream somewheres; comin' along, I guess, but she
won't be here time enough for your purposes."

It was necessary to make a selection. The selection was made,
and two stout trunks were successively borne down to the shore
by the hands of Winthrop and Mr. Cowslip and stowed in the
boat's bow. The two girls