Now, you take my advice, and stay here to-night, or at any rate don't get yourself into danger." "I must go home to-night," said William; "I have promised my sister to do so.

I can ford the creek;" and he prepared again to start.
"Stop, young man," said the farmer, solemnly, "you mind the old saying, 'Young people think old people fools, but old people know young people are fools.' I warn you not to try and ford that creek to-night; you might as well put your head in a lion's mouth.

Havn't I been crossing it these fifty years?
and aint I up to all its freaks and ways?
Sometimes it is as quiet as a wearied baby, but now it is foaming and lashing, as a tiger after prey.

You'd better disappoint Miss Ellen for one night, than to bring a whole lifetime of trouble upon her.

Don't be foolhardy, now; your horse can't carry you safely over Willow's Creek this night." "Never fear, farmer," said William.