For some distance the 'run,' as Liakim called it, continued choked with aquatic vegetation, which acted like so many devil-fish catching our oars; at length it widened and gradually gave us a clear channel, albeit so winding and erratic that the glow of the sunset, our only beacon, seemed to be executing a waltz all round the horizon. At length we saw a dark spot on the left, and distinguished the outline of a low house. 'There it is,' I said, plying my oars with renewed strength. But the run turned short off in the opposite direction, and the house disappeared. After some time it rose again, this time on our right, but once more the run turned its back and shot off on a tangent. The sun had gone, and the rapid twilight of September was falling around us; the air, however, was singularly clear, and, as there was absolutely nothing to make a shadow, the darkness came on evenly over the level green. I was growing anxious, when a third time the house appeared, but the wilful run passed by it, although so near that we could distinguish its open windows and door, 'Why not get out and wade across?' I suggested. 'According to Liakim, it is the duty of this run to take us to the very door of Waiting Samuel's mansion, and it shall take us,' said Raymond, rowing on. It did. Doubling upon itself in the most unexpected manner, it brought us back to a little island, where the tall grass had given way to a vegetable-garden. We landed, secured our boat, and walked up the pathway toward the house. In the dusk it seemed to be a low, square structure, built of planks covered with plaster; the roof was flat, the windows unusually broad, the door stood open,--but no one appeared. We knocked. A voice from within called out, 'Who are you, and what do you want with Waiting Samuel?' 'Pilgrims, asking for food and shelter,' replied Raymond. 'Do you know the ways of righteousness?' 'We can learn them.' 'We can learn them,' I echoed. 'Will you conform to the rules of this household without murmuring?' 'We will.' 'Enter then and peace be with you!' said the voice drawing nearer. We stepped cautiously through the dark passage into a room, whose open windows let in sufficient twilight to show us a shadowy figure. 'Seat yourselves,' it said. We found a bench, and sat down. 'What seek ye here?' continued the shadow. 'Rest!' replied Raymond. 'Hunting and fishing!' I added. 'Ye will find more than rest,' said the voice, ignoring me altogether (I am often ignored in this way),--'more than rest, if ye stay long enough, and learn of the hidden treasures. Are you willing to seek for them?' 'Certainly!' said Raymond. 'Where shall we dig?' 'I speak not of earthly digging, young man. Will you give me the charge of your souls?' 'Certainly, if you will also take charge of our bodies.' 'Supper, for instance,' I said, again coming to the front; 'and beds.' The shadow groaned; then it called out wearily, 'Roxana!'