"And now you must leave and not come back here until Monday or Tuesday. Do not leave the settlement until five o'clock. Barkins will watch you when you leave here. Don't go to Dr. Morgan's till afternoon and you will get rid of all suspicion. Take the east road when you start, and then if anybody is watching they will think that you are going to the lower settlement. Turn round at Wright's corner. It will be dark by the time you reach the Long Bottom, but there is only one trail through the woods. You must ride through to-night or you cannot reach Jenkinsville to-morrow. God will help you, I suppose, if He ever helps anybody, which I don't more than half believe." Patty went away bewildered. The journey did not seem so dreadful as the long waiting. She had to appear unconcerned to the people with whom she boarded. Toward evening she told them she was going away until Monday, and at five o'clock she was at the doctor's door, trembling lest some mishap should prevent her getting a horse. "Patty, howdy?" said the doctor, eyeing her agitated face sharply. "I didn't find you at Barkins's as I expected when I got there this morning. Sick man did not say much. Anything wrong? What scared you away?" "Doctor, I want to ask a favor." "You shall have anything you ask." "But I want you to let me have it on trust, and ask me no questions and make no objections." "I will trust you." "I must have a horse at once for a journey." "This evening?" "This evening." "But, Patty, I said I would trust you; but to go away so late, unless it is a matter of life and death----" "It is a matter of life and death." "And you can't trust me?" "It is not my secret. I promised not to tell you." "Now, Patty, I must break my promise and ask questions. Are you certain you are not deceived? Mayn't there be some plot? Mayn't I go with you? Is it likely that a robber should take any interest in saving the life of the person you speak of?" Patty looked a little startled. "I may be deceived, but I feel so sure that I ought to go that I will try to go on foot, if I cannot get a horse." "Patty, I don't like this. But I can only trust your judgment. You ought not to have been bound not to tell me." "It is a matter of life and death that I shall go. It is a matter of life and death to another that it shall not be known that I went. It is a matter of life and death to you and me both that you shall not go with me." "Is the life you are going to save worth risking your own for? Is it only the life of a robber?" "It is a life worth more than mine. Ask me no more questions, but have Bob saddled for me." Patty spoke as one not to be refused. The horse was brought out, and Patty mounted, half eagerly and half timidly. "When will you come back?" "In time for school, Monday." "Patty, think again before you start," called the doctor. "There's no time to think," said Patty, as she rode away.