Thus talking she led them into the house, carefully bolting the door after them. A door on one side the chimney gave entrance to the lean-to. Another, on the other side of the room, opened into another apartment, but the kitchen itself seemed to be the main living-room. It was large and roomy, and a table drawn up before the hearth was spread for the evening meal. A great fire of pine boughs blazed in the deep-throated fireplace filling the room with fragrance and cheerfulness. The maidens ran to it with exclamations of pleasure. "Oh!" cried Sally with a deep breath. "How pleasant and homey it is. I feel as though this afternoon were a dreadful dream, and that naught could befall us here. Dost see, Peggy? There is a quilt on the frame. 'Twill be a fine chance to teach Captain Johnson the stitches. 'Twill give him relaxation from military duty." "He will have small time for relaxation, I fear me," spoke the farmer entering at this moment with Fairfax from the lean-to. "There is to be great activity in the army this summer, I hear. 'Tis to be hoped that something will be done to help us. The Jerseys have suffered greatly in the war, and Monmouth County more than the rest of the state put together." "We had a taste of what you are going through this afternoon," Fairfax informed them quietly. "We were set upon by robbers, and had it not been for the opportune coming of some state dragoons you would not have had to give us welcome." "Robbers!" exclaimed the farmer and his wife simultaneously. "Why did you not tell us sooner? Was any one hurt?" "No," answered the youth. "Of course we were upset, which is small cause for wonderment." "Tell us about it, nevvy," began Thomas Ashley eagerly, but his wife interposed: "Now, father, if no one hath received a hurt let's eat before the supper gets cold. A good story will keep better than hot victuals. We shall have the night to talk in. 'Tis a long journey from Virginia, and belike they are hungry. But first, Hannah, tell us who these young friends are." "Mercy on me, Mary," gasped Nurse Johnson, drawing the girls forward. "I clear forgot my manners. This is Mistress Margaret Owen, who went back with me to Williamsburgh when I was here last year. I have writ you anent her visit, as I make no doubt you remember. And this is her friend, Mistress Sarah Evans. She hath been ailing of late, and methought the change would be of benefit. We call them Peggy and Sally." "You are both welcome," said the hostess warmly, "though I would the times were not so troublous. What with the pine robbers, the freebooters and the Tories we are in daily dread of attack."