The excitement in the little town of S----, when Jacob returned from Boston, and told his singular story, may well be imagined.

The whole community was in a buzz.
It was found that Mrs.Allen had so arranged matters, as to get all the servants away from the house, on one pretence or another, for that night, except an old negro woman, famous for her good sleeping qualities; and she was in the land of forgetfulness long before the hour appointed for flight.
Many conjectures were made, and one or two rather philanthropic individuals proposed, as a common duty, an attempt to arrest the fugitives and bring them back.

But there were none to second this, the general sentiment being, that Captain Allen was fully competent to look after his own affairs.

And that he wood look after them, and promptly too, on his return, none doubted for an instant.

As for Jacob Perkins, no one professed a willingness to stand in his shoes.