She strolled aimlessly to and fro awhile, and then went over to the fort and into Captain Bogg's house, which adjoined the blockhouse.

Here she found Lydia preparing flax.
"I saw you racing by on your pony.

Goodness, how you can ride! I should be afraid of breaking my neck," exclaimed Lydia, as Betty entered.
"My ride was spoiled," said Betty, petulantly.
"Spoiled?
By what--whom ?" "By a man, of course," retorted Betty, whose temper still was high.
"It is always a man that spoils everything." "Why, Betty, what in the world do you mean?
I never heard you talk that way," said Lydia, opening her blue eyes in astonishment.
"Well, Lyde, I'll tell you.

I was riding down the river road and just as I came to the end of the clearing a man jumped out from behind some bushes and grasped Madcap's bridle.

Imagine! For a moment I was frightened out of my wits.