The stranger said he could and would wait, so Anne and Nora set about making coffee and frying bacon, Washington being still in too great a fright to do anything useful.
"I'll introduce myself again," resumed the caller.

"I'm Jeremiah Long, and that's the long and short of it.

Who are you ?" Grace introduced the members of her party, telling Long that they were riding for their health and amusement.

Emma added that they were on their way in search of a fortune on Lieutenant Wingate's tract of mountain land, and would have said more had not Grace given her a warning look.
"Are you the voice from the wilderness ?" demanded Hippy scowlingly.
The stranger threw back his head and laughed.
"I confess it.

I am the 'seventh year' man.