The man chose the first six which came to hand, and carried them off with him.  The ice being thus broken, one brother after another offered to take in some of them, and pretty soon everything was satisfactorily arranged.  Another Brother begged to have the officers for his guests, and with hearty hospitality withdrew to prepare the best of everything the simple larder afforded for the entertainment of the strangers.

Clean white linen was spread over the table and refreshments of every kind were brought out.  Pretty soon the provision-wagon arrived.  Meat and vegetables were unpacked, and preparations were made to prepare the evening meal.  The pioneers commenced to take up the paving-stones in the yard, in order to make a deep hollow in which to light the fire; but Brother Martin rushed out perfectly horrified.

“Herr Captain, you surely will not allow your good people to kindle a fire here in the yard?  I beg that you will forbid it; there is no knowing what mischief might result from it; and besides, it will ruin the yard.”

“But where, then, can the men cook their supper if it is too dangerous here?” asked Alexander, somewhat impatiently.  “The men are wet and hungry, and have had no regular meal to-day; they must be permitted to prepare something warm to eat.”

“Oh, of course,” said Martin, with compassion.  “We will not let them suffer, and I will gladly allow you the use of a large kitchen, where all the cooking for the Brothers is done every day.”

The proposition was received with many thanks.  Every convenience which the house afforded was offered for the comfort of the men.

“Trautenau,” said Hansen, rubbing his hands with satisfaction, “things seem very good about here; and if they don’t try to convert us, in addition, it will be the best place we have found quarters in for a long time.  The sneaks have even a glass of choice wine in their cellar, and we will forgive Brother Martin’s horror of our weapons in hopes that he will give us a taste of it.  I thought they drank only water, and would be very much scandalized to hear of wine being anywhere about their premises.”

“Hush your mocking, Hansen, else I will not answer for your being allowed to remain in this paradise.  I hope you will not disgrace me while I go to seek my sister, before it is too late.  You know we march early in the morning.”

* * * * * *

Carmen and her father had been too deeply absorbed in their sorrows to observe what was transpiring in the settlement.  The outer world had vanished completely from their minds.  Concluding finally to leave everything undecided until after the interview between the old man and Jonathan, Carmen turned her steps homeward, for it was after eight o’clock.  After ascending the steps, she remained standing under the arched portico in front of the house, trying to forget herself, her father, everything.  She