A suppressed titter ran round the assemblage at these pertinent remarks of the unknown; and the governor's temper was not improved by observing the effect the words had produced on his hearers. "I scorn to answer the fellow who is afraid to show himself; but I warn you all to be prepared for a desperate contest. We have only ourselves to look to for our defence. We are in the hands of Providence." "We are!" This sudden change from jeering comment to deep solemnity of utterance on the part of the unknown speaker struck awe into the crowd, and caused Rody to turn pale. In the hands of Providence! Yes, for good or evil. For punishment or reward. The thought expressed in this manner was too much for the governor. He dismissed the meeting with a hurried admonition to be prepared for the worst. As he re-entered his house, he encountered his daughter face to face. "Father, I was about to seek you," said she. "They tell me that you have heard bad news." "Bad enough, girl! The red-skins are going to attack us." "Is there no hope?" "Hope, for what?" "That this bloodshed may be avoided. Will they not listen to an offer of reconciliation?" "And who would dare to make it?" "Dare, father! I do not understand you. It is the duty of those who have done wrong to contrive by concession to atone for it, and, if possible, to make peace." "But who has done wrong?" Alice did not answer in words, but the look she bestowed upon her father was eloquence itself. "I see what you're thinking about, my girl. It's very hard that inside of my own home I should meet with reproaches. Isn't it enough for me to have to bear the sneers and taunts of others, without being forced to listen to them from you?" "Father!" "Oh, yes; now you'll try to say you didn't mean to reproach me; but it won't do. I see it in your face; and, there, your eyes are full of tears. That's the way with you girls, when you can't use your tongues, you have always a stock of tears ready. But blubbering won't mend this matter; it's got to be settled with blows." "Oh, father! can nothing be done?" "Nothing, but prepare for the worst. Now, girl, stop your crying, or you'll drive me stark mad. I'll tell you what it is, I'm just in that sort of state that if I don't do something, I shall go clean out of my mind. What with the worrying work here, and the grumbling discontent of a few paltry hounds about the settlement, I don't know how I keep my senses about me." The angry mood into which he had worked himself was, however, no novelty to his daughter. She had of late seen it too often, and sorrowfully noted the change. Still, she was a brave girl, and knowing she had a duty to perform, she did it fearlessly.