rests, and, being so well
acquainted with the region, they can well-nigh defy pursuit."

The Judge's opinion was sound; for after the officers and citizens had
hunted them for days with the aid of bloodhounds, and found them not,
the effort was abandoned.

CHAPTER XIX.

A Proposal Without Words.

It was on a Tuesday afternoon in the latter part of June when a note
was presented to Jasper Very by a farmer living near his boarding place
who had been quite a distance up river.

The note read as follows:

Silver Springs Camp Ground, June 23, 18--.

The Rev. Jasper Very,

Dear Mr. Very:--The Silver Springs Camp Meeting which began a few
days ago is having fine success. It is well attended and many are
beginning the Christian life.

I had planned to make Thursday the great day of the feast; but Rev.
Enoch Foy, who was to preach that evening, is sick and sends word
he cannot come. In my extremity I turn to you and ask you to fill
the gap without fail.

Knowing how willing you always are to help a brother minister in
need, I shall look for you without expecting a reply to this note.
Please do not disappoint us. I send this message by Mr. John Boley,
who returns to your neighborhood today.

Sincerely yours in the Master's work,

Ezra Thompson.

Jasper Very prayerfully considered the invitation and, as his
engagements permitted him to accommodate his good friend Thompson, he
decided to preach at the camp meeting. He little dreamed that all his
future life was to be colored by that simple note. So often men's
destinies turn upon apparently trivial events.

As the journey was long Jasper decided it would be pleasant to have a
few of his friends accompany him. So he betook himself to Judge
LeMonde's house and asked the Judge and his wife to make two of the
party, but they had matters which forbade their going. He then spoke to
Viola and George and requested them to go.

Early Thursday morning Jasper Very rang the doorbell at "Mount Pisgah."
Miss Viola herself answered the bell and led the preacher into the
drawing-room. She gave him this information: "George is to drive six of
us to the camp meeting in our three-seated carriage. Miss Stella
Nebeker will sit with George; on the middle seat my cousin, Miss Alice
LeMonde, and Miss Bertha Nebeker, Stella's sister; and they have
appointed you and me to occupy the third seat. The carriage will be
driv