eadly peril of our act; treason black as Plutonian midnight. But
Providence seems to have an especial care for fools, while wise men
are left to care for themselves, and it does look as if safety lies in
folly.

We rode on and on, and although I took two occasions, in the presence
of others, to urge Mary to return, owing to the approach of night and
threatened rain, she took her own head, as everybody knew she always
would, and continued the hunt.

Just before dark, as we neared the rendezvous, Mary and I managed to
ride ahead of the party quite a distance. At last we saw a heron rise,
and the princess uncapped her hawk.

"This is my chance," she said; "I will run away from you now and lose
myself; keep them off my track for five minutes and I shall be safe.
Good-bye, Edwin; you and Jane are the only persons I regret to leave.
I love you as my brother and sister. When we are settled in New Spain
we will have you both come to us. Now, Edwin, I shall tell you
something: don't let Jane put you off any longer. She loves you; she
told me so. There! Good-bye, my friend; kiss her a thousand times for
me." And she flew her bird and galloped after it at headlong speed.

As I saw the beautiful young form receding from me, perhaps forever,
the tears stood in my eyes, while I thought of the strong heart that
so unfalteringly braved such dangers and was so loyal to itself and
daring for its love. She had shown a little feverish excitement for a
day or two, but it was the fever of anticipation, not of fear or
hesitancy.

Soon the princess was out of sight, and I waited for the others to
overtake me. When they came up I was greeted in chorus: "Where is the
princess?" I said she had gone off with her hawk, and had left me to
bring them after her. I held them talking while I could, and when we
started to follow took up the wrong scent. A short ride made this
apparent, when I came in for my full share of abuse and ridicule, for
I had led them against their judgment. I was credited with being a
blockhead, when in fact they were the dupes.

We rode hurriedly back to the point of Mary's departure and wound our
horns lustily, but my object had been accomplished, and I knew that
within twenty minutes from the time I last saw her, she would be with
Brandon, on the road to Bristol, gaining on any pursuit we could make
at the rate of three miles for two. We scoured the forest far and
near, but of course found no trace. After a time rain s