As the cart turned up the main street of the town, she caught sight of the cabin that was to be her future home, and she saw her husband, too, at the same moment, for there he sat on the roof, gazing at the fire, which seemed to be dying out. He heard the rumbling of the wheels as they drew near, and as he caught sight of the picturesque-looking object approaching, he called out,-- "Why, what under the canopy have we here? Wife, and babies, and household effects! What does this mean? You are not going to emigrate farther west--are you?" "If you'll _de_scend from your elevated position," she replied, cheerily, "I'll _con_descend to inform you. Now," she added, "you know I told you, husband, I should move into the cabin to-day; and did you ever know me to break my word?" "But," said he, looking disconcerted, "I'm not ready for you yet; the floor isn't half laid." "Well," she replied, "I can't stand it to have you sweating up here all alone at your task, running the risk of being devoured by the wolves, or losing your way at night because you think the cabin isn't comfortable enough for me. Why, you are as particular about having everything done just so about this cabin, as you used to be, east, in having every word exactly in its place when you wrote your sermons. Please, now, just help Tom unload, and set these things in, and I'll have tea ready directly, and we'll be where we can cheer you a bit. But what about this fire?" "Our cabin has had a very narrow escape." "Yes," said Tom, coming up, "I've been out to look, and the fire just came up to your line, and then stopped." Mr. Payson was deeply affected by the intelligence, for, knowing that no human power could stay the advancing flames, upon the cabin top he had been praying that the wind might change. Was it in answer to his silent petitions that it had taken place in so timely a manner? CHAPTER XI. OLD MRS. SKINFLINT IN TROUBLE.--LOST IN THE WOODS. There is no man so bad as he might be--a fact that everybody knows, but that most are apt to forget in their estimate of those who have offended their sense of right.