“My dearest girl, we are about to go down the mountain. The pass is a difficult and dangerous one, as you know—more dangerous still in the descent than in the ascent. And for your safety it is best that you should ride behind me, as you did before. Still, keeping the spirit as well as the letter of my promise to you, Elfie, I must give you your choice of three modes of conveyance. You may ride behind me, or you may ride behind Parson Simmons, or you may ride alone on a sure-footed little mountain pony which is at your service.” “I will take the mountain pony, if you please,” said Elfie. “But will you feel quite safe to do so, down these perilous passes?” “I am a mountain girl, if you will please to remember, and the horse, you say, is a mountain pony.” “Very well, Elfie, I will have it brought to the door of your hut,” said Colonel Goldsborough, going out. In five minutes he returned with the pony, and came in for Elfie. Sulkily enough the girl went out with him. Goldsborough’s steed, the parson’s cob, and Elfie’s pony stood saddled and bridled before the hut. The parson was there also, apparently in charge of the three horses, whose bridles he held gathered in his hands. And the unfortunate man seemed to have rather more than he could do to hold them. “Elfie,” said Albert Goldsborough, laughing, “I promised not even to touch your hand without your leave; and I mean to keep my promise, Therefore I must ask your gracious permission, before lifting you into your seat. Will you grant it?” “No!” said Elfie, placing her hand upon the pommel, and springing into her saddle as lightly as if she were an elf indeed. “Mr. Simmons, mount your horse. You are to be the immediate advance guard of this lady, and ride directly in front of her; and please to recollect that your life is the hostage of her safety,” said Colonel Goldsborough, as he threw himself into his saddle. “Is—is—her pony a safe one?” stammered the persecuted preacher, as he clambered up into his seat. “Her pony is all right,” laughed Albert. “Go ahead!” The band, under the immediate charge of Mutchison, was now defiling through the narrow pass leading from the table land down the side of the mountain. Colonel Goldsborough, with his two captives, took the same direction. He rode on the right side of Elfie, while the preacher rode on the left, until they came to the narrow pass down which the line of mounted men was winding like some huge serpent. Then Goldsborough ordered the preacher to precede Elfie, while he himself should follow her, thus forming a guard of honor immediately before and behind the captive bride. In this manner they commenced the descent of the dangerous mountain pass. Albert Goldsborough, in the spirit of his promise, forbore to force his conversation upon his companion. Elfie rode on in sulky silence until her tongue was tired of keeping still, when she opened her mouth and spake: