It is fearful to think of the sufferings which our inaction is causing to our settlers in the west!" "It is a shame--a disgrace!" exclaimed Jack hotly, and then he turned his glance upon the two other men who were seated at the table, taking in the whole scene in silence.
Both wore the look of travellers; both were tanned by exposure, and were clad in stained and curious garments, such as betokened the life of the wilderness.

Jack was instantly and keenly interested.
He himself would willingly have been a backwoodsman had he been able to adopt that adventurous life.
Ashley saw the look he bent upon the travellers, and he made them known to one another.
"These friends have travelled far from the lands of the south, and have been friends in need to our kinsmen yonder.

Fritz Neville and Julian Dautray are their names.
"Susanna, set food before them.

Your mother will not be able to think of aught just now.

We must let her have her cry out before we trouble her." The rest of the party seated themselves, whilst in the recess by the window Hannah stood between the brothers she had parted from ten years ago, listening to their tale, and weeping as she listened.
Ashley turned to his two guests, who were eating with appetite from the well-filled platters placed before them, and he began to speak as though taking up a theme which had lately been dropped.
"It is no wonder that you are perplexed by what you hear and see in this city.