That day the released captives were in better spirits. Soon after noon the company came to a swollen river where the horses had some swimming to do. The older animals and the following colts went through all right, but the young stallion which Jack and Margaret were riding, began to rear and plunge. The girl in her fright jumped off his back in swift water and was swept into the rapids and tumbled about and put in some danger before Jack could dismount and bring her ashore. "You have increased my debt to you," she said, when at last they were mounted again. "What a story this is! It is terribly exciting." "Getting into deeper water," said Jack. "I'm not going to let you spoil it by drowning." "I wonder what is coming next," said she. "I don't know. So far it's as good as _Robinson Crusoe_." "With a book you can skip and see what happens," she laughed. "But we shall have to read everything in this story. I'd love to know all about you." He told her with boyish frankness of his plans which included learning and statesmanship and a city home. He told also of his adventures in the forest with his father. Meanwhile, the elder John Irons and Mrs. Hare were getting acquainted as they rode along. The woman had been surprised by the man's intimate knowledge of English history and had spoken of it. "Well, you see my wife is a granddaughter of Horatio Walpole of Wolterton and my mother was in a like way related to Thomas Pitt so you see I have a right to my interest in the history of the home land," said John Irons. "You have in your veins some of the best blood of England and so I am sure that you must be a loyal subject of the King," Mrs. Hare remarked. "No, because I think this German King has no share in the spirit of his country," Irons answered. "Our ancient respect for human rights and fair play is not in this man." He presented his reasons for the opinion and while the woman made no answer, she had heard for the first time the argument of the New World and was impressed by it. Late in the day they came out on a rough road, faring down into the settled country and that night they stopped at a small inn. At the supper table a wizened old woman was telling fortunes in a tea cup. Miss Hare and her mother drained their cups and passed them to the old woman. The latter looked into the cup of the young lady and immediately her tongue began to rattle. "Two ways lie before you," she piped in a shrill voice. "One leads to happiness and many children and wealth and a long life. It is steep and rough at the beginning and then it is smooth and peaceful. Yes. It crosses the sea. The other way is smooth at the start and then it grows steep and rough and in it I see tears and blood and dark clouds and, do you see that?" she demanded with a look of excitement, as she pointed into the cup. "It is a very evil thing. I will tell you no more." The wizened old woman rose and, with a determined look in her face, left the room.