“It was a party of Cockburn’s men from Kent Island, I suppose. They are raiding around in every direction. At St. Michael’s they have not dared to use any lights, except such as they must have, for months, and it is the same everywhere about. We live in constant dread of them.” She shuddered and hid her face in her hands, but in a moment she looked up. “Mr. Baldwin,” she said, “I have brought you into great danger which I might have spared you if I had consented to do as my brother wished. I must seem disloyal, as well as obstinate and over impulsive.” “None of those things. You have been brave, and true to your compassionate nature. As for me, save that you were in great danger, the experience is one that I might meet at any time. I am not seriously hurt; a cut or two; no bones broken. I have come off well. Pray do not distress yourself on my account. My sole concern is for you.” “Shall we try to get across now? It must be very late.” “I think it is, and growing cloudier all the time. Did you say the boat was this way? Sit still. Please do not make any more effort than you need. Those little feet have been too sorely tried already.” The boat was found in its place, and they embarked upon the little creek, by degrees making their way around the island, and then across to the opposite shore. “I trust it is not far, for your sake,” said Mr. Baldwin, seeing how utterly exhausted the girl was. “No, it is but a little way.” Yet every step was torture to the already bruised feet, and tears were running down the girl’s cheeks when at last they stopped at the door of old Hagar’s little hut. Mr. Baldwin rapped sharply. “Who dar?” came a startled response. “It is I, Aunt Hagar; Lettice, Mars Jeems’s Lettice.” [Illustration: “_What yuh doin’ hyar dis time o’ night?_”] “Law, chile! Fo’ de Lawd!” came the reply, and in an instant there was a withdrawal of bolts and bars, and the old woman’s head was thrust out. “What yuh doin’ hyar dis time o’ night, honey chile?” she asked, peering out into the darkness. “Huccome yuh lookin’ up ole Hagar? I specs yuh in lub,” she chuckled; but when Lettice and her companion stepped into the cabin and Aunt Hagar had struck a light, she looked at the two in astonishment. “Law, chile,” she exclaimed, “yuh look lak ole rag-bag. What got yuh? Mos’ bar’ footy, an’ all yo’ clo’es tattered an’ to’n; an’ who dis?” She peered up into Mr. Baldwin’s face. “I knows him. He one o’ de Bald’in tribe. Dat a Bald’in nose. I know dat ef I see it in Jericho. What yuh doin’ wif mah young miss out in de worl’ dis time o’ night?” she asked suspiciously. “We were at Uncle Tom’s, and were attacked by a party of Britishers on our way home,” Lettice told her. “Some o’ dat mizzible gang from Kent Island, I reckons.” “Yes, we suppose so. Well, we had a desperate time getting away from them. Mr. Baldwin fought--oh, how he fought!” “And you, Miss Hopkins, how well you did your part.”