She was a comely, buxom dame, and the circle on horseback, being for the most part young and gallant, and not having seen a woman for some days, looked kindly upon her.
"And so you saw a smoke, goodwife, and are afraid of roving Indians ?" said the gentleman who had spoken before.

"That being the case, your husband has our permission to stay behind.

On my life, 't is a shame to ride away and leave you in danger of such marauders!" "Will your Excellency permit me to volunteer for guard duty ?" demanded a young man who had pressed his horse to the leader's side.

"It's odds, though, that when you return this way you'll find me turned Papist.

I'll swear your Excellency never saw in Flanders carved or painted saint so worthy of your prayers as yonder breathing one!" The girl Molly had followed her parents, and now stood upon a little grassy knoll, surveying with wide brown eyes the gay troop before her.