ed. She threw her arms about Virginia's neck.

"O, I have been a bad, selfish girl! I have made both you and father
very unhappy; and you have been only too kind to me always! Now leave me
alone--go! I hope I shall not trouble you much longer."

She brushed back her hair from her large white forehead, and smiled a
strange and vacant smile. Virginia saw that her wish was to die.

"Sister," she said gently, "we will all stay together, if you stay. We
must not give up this place! Our friends are lost--we are lost--if we
give it up! Perhaps we can do something. Indeed, I think we can! If we
only had arms! Women have used arms before now!"

Toby entered. "Dey ain't comin' dis yer way, nohow! Dey's gwine off to
de norf, hull passel on 'em."

"Give me that pistol, Toby," said Salina. "You can use Cudjo's axe, if
we are attacked. Place it where you can reach it, and then return to
your lookout. Don't be deceived; but warn us at once if there is
danger."

"My children," said the old man, "come near to me! I would I could look
upon you once; for I feel that a separation is near. Dear
daughters!"--he took a hand of each,--"if I am to leave you, grieve not
for me; but love one another. Love one another. To you, Salina, more
especially, I say this; for though I know that deep down in your heart
there is a fountain of affection, you are apt to repress your best
feelings, and to cherish uncharitable thoughts. For your own good, O, do
not do so any more! Believe in God. Be a child of God. Then no
misfortune can happen to you. My children, there is no great misfortune,
other than this--to lose our faith in God, and our love for one another.
I do not fear bodily harm, for that is comparatively nothing. For many
years I have been blind; yet have I been blest with sight; for night and
day I have seen God. And as there is a more precious sight than that of
the eyes, so there is a more precious life than this of the body. The
life of the spirit is love and faith. Let me know that you have this,
and I shall no longer fear for you. You will be happy, wherever you are.
Why is it I feel such trust that Virginia will be provided for? Salina,
let your heart be like hers, and I shall no longer fear for you!"

"I wish it was! I wish it was!" said Salina, pouring out the anguish of
her heart in those words. "But I cannot make it so. I cannot be good! I
am--Salina! Is there fatality in a name?"

"I know the infirmity of your natural dispositio