By skulking through bye-streets and keeping under the shadows of houses I may escape observation--at any rate, I must run the risk." And he began to button up his coat.

"Don't let your mother know I'm gone; stick by her, my girl," said he, kissing Esther; "trust in God,--He'll protect me." Esther hung sobbing on her father's neck.

"Oh, father, father," said she, "I couldn't bear to see you go for any one but Emily and the children." "I know it, dear," he replied; "it's my duty.

Garie would do the same for me, I know, even at greater risk.

Good-bye! good-bye!" And, disengaging himself from the weeping girl, he started on his errand of mercy.
Walking swiftly forwards, he passed over more than two-thirds of the way without the slightest interruption, the streets through which he passed being almost entirely deserted.