“No, Uncle Jack, I am not afraid.  The soldiers would not molest me, and the shells cannot strike me, so I go undaunted.  I am seeking my husband, and must find him.  How far is it, Uncle Jack, to the Queen City?”

“More’n a hundred mile, chile.”

“Can I obtain any conveyance about here to take me part of the way, at least?”

“Chile, thar’s not a critter in twenty miles of this place, as I knows on.  Nobody lives hereabouts, but me an’ the old woman, and Scipio and Toby-that’s the company’s mule, you know; and Scipio rides Toby to —­, when the vessel gits in safe, to tell the company.  Scipio must start to-morrow to let the company know the boat is in agin, and when he gits back I’ll take you part of the way to the Queen City.  You kin ride Toby and I kin walk.  I tole the cap’n I’d see you on your way as far as I could.”

“When will Scipio return?” inquired Leah timidly.

“Mebbe in a week, mebbe sooner.”

“Oh!  I cannot stay here a week.  I cannot stay a day.  I am so impatient to get on.  If my husband is living, I must reach him.”

“But how can you go, chile?”

“Go alone, Uncle Jack.  I assure you I am not afraid.”

By Jupiter!  Jack Marner let a weakly lookin’ woman like you start alone from his house, with no strong arm to pertect you?  Never, never, never!” exclaimed the kind old man with emphasis, as he shook his gray locks.

“But there is no one to go with me, Uncle Jack; and as I cannot tarry, I must go alone.  I assure you I fear nothing.”

The old man continued to shake his head, though he made no reply; and then, handing little Sarah to her mother, he went out of the cabin for some wood, that was needed to prepare the evening meal.

Night passed, and morning came soft and bright; and Leah, refreshed from her slumber, expressed the determination to pursue her journey at once.

“If you will go, the Lord go with you, chile; but I fears you will never git thar.  Twenty miles from here, you may find lodgings, and you may not; what then?”

“Oh, I can take care of that; only give me the proper directions, if you can.”

“Keep nigh the coast as possible, an’ if nothin’ devours you, you’ll find the Queen City after awhile; but it’s more’n a hundred mile, remember.  I hate to see you go, I do.”

“Do not detain me, Uncle Jack.  I cannot, must not stay.”

“Well, if go you must and will, I’ll go with you till we reach the open road; but I say again, you are welcome to stay here in my cabin, if you will.  It’s humble, I know, but old Jack Marner has had a sight better home than this, in his day.  Yet I thank the Lord I have this one left;” and the old man brushed away a tear with his trembling hand, as he assisted the old woman in preparing some food for Leah’s lonely journey.  At an early hour they were ready to start.  Uncle Jack took little Sarah in his arms, and Leah bade adieu to the kind old wife, and following Uncle Jack, stepped out upon the sandy beach and turned her face toward the far-off, hidden road.