e spared, and
as you have wakened me from my long sleep, and stirred my old bones to
life, and as I know best how to travel in this region, I'll take the
mule along, and go myself. I have a fancy for traveling by rail again.
You ladies make out a list of all you need, and I'll fill the order,
in so far as the stations have the articles. If I can't find the right
things at one station, I may at another, even if I go back East for
them."

"Ah, but, Sir Kildene, it is that we have no money. If but we could
get from the wagon the great box, there have we enough of things to
give us labor for all the winter. It is the lovely lace I make. A
little of the thread I have here, but not sufficient for long. So,
too, there is my father's violin. It made me much heart pain to leave
it--for me, I play a little,--and there is also of cloth such as men
wear--not of great quantity--but enough that I can make for
you--something--a little--maybe, Mr. 'Arry he like well some good
shirt of wool--as we make for our peasant--Is not?" Harry looked down
on his worn gray shirt sleeves, then into her eyes, and on the instant
his own fell. She took it for simple embarrassment, and spoke on.

"Yes. To go with us and help us so long and terrible a way, it has
made very torn your apparel."

"It makes that we improve him, could we obtain the box," said the
mother, speaking for the first time that day. Her voice was so deep
and full that it was almost masculine, but her modulations were
refined and most agreeable.

Amalia laughed for very gladness that her mother at last showed enough
interest in what was being said to speak.

"Ah, mamma, to improve--it is to make better the mind--the heart--but
of this has Mr. 'Arry no need. Is not, Sir Kildene? I call you always
Sir as title to nobleness of character. We have, in our country, to
inherit title, but here to make it of such character. It is well, I
think so."

Poor Larry Kildene had his own moment of embarrassment, but with her
swift appreciation of their moods she talked rapidly on, leaving the
compliment to fall as it would, and turning their thoughts to the
subject in hand. "But the box, mamma, it is heavy, and it is far down
on the terrible plain. If that you should try to obtain it, Sir
Kildene: Ah, I cannot!--Even to think of the peril is a hurt in my
heart. It must even lie there."

"And the men 'rouge'--"

"Yes. Of the red men--those Indian--of them I have great fear."

"The danger