Agnes, with palpitating heart, stood for a moment powerless. Then she rushed to the house. “Mother,” she said, trying to speak calmly, “do you mind if I go across the river to Hunter’s for a while?” “So soon ready to leave your mother?” replied Mrs. Kennedy. “Ah, but youth does love change.” “It isn’t that I love change, but there is--it may be that I am needed there.” “Anybody sick at Hunter’s?” asked Polly, putting down the huge horn spoon she held. “Didn’t I see Uncle Dod come in just now?” “Yes, he was here, and some one is--perhaps--,” faltered Agnes. “It really seemed important that I should go and see what is the matter.” She gained courage as she went on. “Oh, well, if it is a case of sickness, of course go,” her mother returned, “but I really think Polly or I would be of more use.” “But I might have to stay, and can be spared better than either of you.” “That is true. But you will not go alone? Is Mr. Hunter waiting for you?” “Nothin’s goin’ to hurt her,” said Polly. “She’s used to runnin’ wild, ain’t ye, Nancy? She knows this country like a book, an’ it’s no distance to Dod’s once ye cross the river, though it’s a good bit furder if ye go around.” Agnes had not waited to hear the last words. She was conscious that she had misled her mother, and that it would grieve her who always set a value upon the exact truth. “But I must go, I must,” she murmured to herself. “I didn’t think to tell Uncle Dod, and I think I could maybe tell the tale better than any one else, I who saw it all.” She ran toward the hilltop, then down on the other side to the river’s bank. Here she had last seen Parker standing. “Ah me, if he be but safe,” she whispered. “Oh, my dear, my dear, if we can but save you. ‘I will be as happy as you will let me,’ he said, and I was so glad, so glad.” She had no difficulty in finding the little skiff always drawn high up into the bushes; dragging it down she soon had it afloat, and plied her oars with all haste. More than once had she rowed across, and her strong young arms found it an easy task. Once on the other side she made no tarrying, but struck off into the bridle-path, and was soon at Dod Hunter’s gate. There were four men standing in the yard; a fifth was just coming from the house. “Nancy Kennedy! I’ll be switched if it ain’t the gal,” said Dod, as Agnes appeared upon the scene. “What’s up?”