e that at Crofield, and it was narrow, and it
trembled and shook while the snorting bays pranced and shied their
frightened way across it. They went down the slope on the other side
with a dash that would have been a bolt if Jack had not been ready for
them. Jack was holding them with a hard pull upon the reins, but he
was also looking up the Cocahutchie.

"I see what's the matter," he said. "The logs got stuck in a narrow
place, and made a dam of their own, and set the water back over the
flat. The freshet hasn't reached Mertonville yet. Jingo!"

Bang, crack, crash!--came a sharp sound behind him.

"The bridge is down!" he shouted. "We were only just in time. Some of
the logs have been carried down, and one of them knocked it endwise."

That was precisely the truth of the matter; and away went the bays, as
if they meant to race with the freshet to see which would first arrive
in Mertonville.

"I'm on my way to the city, any how," thought Jack, with deep
satisfaction.

CHAPTER VII.

MARY AND THE _EAGLE_.

The bay team traveled well, but it was late in the afternoon when Jack
drove into the town. Having been in Mertonville before, Jack knew
where to take Miss Glidden and Mrs. Potter.

Mertonville was a thriving place, calling itself a town, and ambitious
of some day becoming a city.

Not long after entering the village, Miss Glidden touched Jack's arm.

"Stop, please!" exclaimed Miss Glidden. "There are our friends. The
very people we're going to see. Mrs. Edwards and the Judge, and all!"

The party on foot had also halted, and were waiting to greet the
visitors. After welcomes had been exchanged, Mrs. Edwards, a tall,
dignified lady, with gray hair, turned to Mary and offered her hand.

"I'm delighted to see you, Miss Ogden," she exclaimed, "and your
brother John. I've heard so much about you both, from Elder Holloway
and the Murdochs. They are expecting you."

"We're going to the Murdochs'," said Mary, a little embarrassed by the
warmth of the greeting.

"You will come to see me before you go home?" said Mrs. Edwards. "I
don't wonder Miss Glidden is so fond of you and so proud of you. Make
her come, Miss Glidden."

"I should be very happy," said Miss Glidden benevolently, "but Mary has
so many friends."

"Oh, she'll come," said the Judge himself, very heartily. "If she
doesn't, I'll come after her."

"Shall I drive to your house now, Judge Edwards?" Jack said at last.

Th