Father and son paddled as if the devil were behind them.
"I wonder if I done the right thing ?" mused Ambrose.
The Selkirks had not long disappeared down the river when Ambrose received another visitor.

This was a surly native youth who, without greeting, handed him a note, and rode back to the fort.

Ambrose's heart beat high as he examined the superscription.
He did not need to be told who had written it.

But he was not prepared for the contents: DEAR: Come to me at once.

Come directly to the house.