"I see what's the matter," he said. "The logs got stuck in a narrow place, and made a dam of their own, and set the water back over the flat. The freshet hasn't reached Mertonville yet. Jingo!" Bang, crack, crash!--came a sharp sound behind him. "The bridge is down!" he shouted. "We were only just in time. Some of the logs have been carried down, and one of them knocked it endwise." That was precisely the truth of the matter; and away went the bays, as if they meant to race with the freshet to see which would first arrive in Mertonville. "I'm on my way to the city, any how," thought Jack, with deep satisfaction. CHAPTER VII. MARY AND THE _EAGLE_. The bay team traveled well, but it was late in the afternoon when Jack drove into the town. Having been in Mertonville before, Jack knew where to take Miss Glidden and Mrs. Potter. Mertonville was a thriving place, calling itself a town, and ambitious of some day becoming a city. Not long after entering the village, Miss Glidden touched Jack's arm. "Stop, please!" exclaimed Miss Glidden. "There are our friends. The very people we're going to see. Mrs. Edwards and the Judge, and all!" The party on foot had also halted, and were waiting to greet the visitors. After welcomes had been exchanged, Mrs. Edwards, a tall, dignified lady, with gray hair, turned to Mary and offered her hand. "I'm delighted to see you, Miss Ogden," she exclaimed, "and your brother John. I've heard so much about you both, from Elder Holloway and the Murdochs. They are expecting you." "We're going to the Murdochs'," said Mary, a little embarrassed by the warmth of the greeting. "You will come to see me before you go home?" said Mrs. Edwards. "I don't wonder Miss Glidden is so fond of you and so proud of you. Make her come, Miss Glidden." "I should be very happy," said Miss Glidden benevolently, "but Mary has so many friends." "Oh, she'll come," said the Judge himself, very heartily. "If she doesn't, I'll come after her." "Shall I drive to your house now, Judge Edwards?" Jack said at last. The party separated, and Jack started the bay team again. The house of Judge Edwards was only a short distance farther, and that of Mrs. Potter was just beyond. "Mary Ogden," said Miss Glidden in parting, "you must surely accept Mrs. Edwards's invitation. She is the kindest of women." "Yes, Miss Glidden," said Mary, demurely. Jack broke in: "Of course you will. You'll have a real good time, too." "And you'll come and see me?" said Mrs. Potter, and Mary promised. Then Jack and the Judge's coachman lowered to the sidewalk Miss Glidden's enormous trunk. As Mrs. Potter alighted, a few minutes later, she declared to Mary: "I'm confident, my dear, that you will experience enthusiastic hospitality." "What shall I do?" asked Mary, as they drove away. "Miss Glidden didn't mean what she said. She is not fond of me."