Go, and I will keep watch.

Till you hear from me, you are safe." So Tom rode away in the gray light of dawn, and quickly finding himself in familiar haunts, put spurs to his good steed, and before noon found himself close beside the village which had been his home all his life till this past adventurous year of travel.
As he went clattering up the long avenue to the house, it seemed to him as though the birds of the air must have been at work; for there was his mother standing upon the steps to receive him, whilst Rachel was running towards him with flying feet.
"O Tom, Tom, Tom! we knew it could be no one but you! O dearest Tom, so you have come home at last!" He swung himself from the saddle, and put his arm about his sister.
"Yes, I have come home," he said a little huskily, "come home to see you all once more.

The old place never changes--nor you and my mother!" "Why should we ?" asked Rachel softly.
And he kissed her again, with a strange feeling of the unreality of everything human.
The servants were flocking out by this time.

His mother's arms were outstretched in welcome.

There was something like a sob in Tom's throat as he felt them clasped about his neck.
"My dear, dear boy--my only son! Thank God that you have come safely through all threatened perils, and have come home to us again!" Tom held her close in his arms.