hat you could see on such a night as this
the view from my own home,--upland and valley, meadow and forest,
walls and fences, leafless oaks, elms, and maples in fields and
pastures, pure white and shining like polished silver in the
moonlight, and all the twigs and branches glittering with diamonds. On
such nights, when the crust is hard and firm, we boys and girls pile
ourselves on a sled and go like the wind from the top of the hill in
the pasture down to the meadow, across the intervale, over the river
bank, and out upon the gleaming ice. We wake the echoes with our
laughter and have a jolly time."

"Oh, how I should enjoy it," she said.

Suddenly they heard other voices, and as they turned the corner of the
street came upon a group of men and boys armed with cudgels.

"We'll give it to the lobsters," they heard one say.

"I fear there may be trouble," Robert remarked, recalling the
conversation at the supper-table.

Passing the home of Doctor Warren, they saw a light burning in his
office, and by the shadow on the window curtain knew he was seated at
his writing-desk. Turning from Hanover towards Queen Street, they
found several soldiers in earnest conversation blocking the way.

"I'd like to split the heads of the blackguards," said one,
flourishing a cutlass.

"Will you please allow me to pass?" said Robert.

"When you take off your hat to us," the answer.

"This is the king's highway," said Robert.

He felt Miss Newville's arm clinging more firmly to his own.

"You can pass if your wench gives me a kiss," said the soldier with
the cutlass.

Swiftly Robert's right arm and clenched fist sent the fellow headlong
into the snow. He faced the others a moment, and then with Miss
Newville walked leisurely away. He could feel her heart palpitating
against his arm. He cast a glance behind, but the redcoats were not
following him.

"It seems we are fated to meet ill-bred men," he said.

"Oh, Mr. Walden, how resolute and brave you are!"

"It is not difficult to be courageous when you know you are right."

"But they are so many."

"We are more than they," he replied, smiling.

"More than they! We are only two."

"He who is in the right has all of God's host with him. They knew they
were in the wrong; that made them cowards."

Again he felt the warmth and pressure of her arm, as if she would say,
"I know I shall be safe with you to protect me."

They were passing King's Chapel. Its gray walls never h