nly waiting and watching for a chance to swallow me again. I should
love dearly to have Ruth go with me too, though I am quite sure I am
strong enough to take care of myself"; and he turned towards his mother
with a smile.

Ruth said, "Oh, mother, I should love to go, but I can't bear to leave
you! so, whichever way you decide, I shall be perfectly satisfied and
contented."

It was finally decided that they should both go. Mark was to accompany
Ruth as far as Savannah, and see her safely on board the ship; then,
unless he received a pressing invitation from Captain May to go with
him to New York, he was to go by steamer to Boston, and there take
another steamer for Bangor.

This was the both of May, and as the Wildfire was to sail on or about
the 15th, they must be in Savannah on that day; therefore no time was
to be lost in making preparations for the journey.

Such busy days as the next three were! such making of new clothes and
mending of old, to be worn on the journey! so many things to be thought
of and done! Even Aunt Chloe became excited, and prepared so many nice
things for "Misto Mark an' Missy Rufe to eat when dey's a-trabblin'"
that Mark actually laughed when he saw them.

"Why, Aunt Clo," he explained, "you have got enough there to last us
all the time we're gone. Do you think they don't have anything to eat
up North?"

"Dunno, honey," answered the old woman, gazing with an air of great
satisfaction at the array of goodies. "Allus hearn tell as it's a
powerful pore, cole kentry up dar whar you's a-gwine. 'Specs dey hab
somfin to eat, ob co'se, but reckon dar ain't none too much, sich as
hit is."

The good soul was much distressed at the small quantity of what she had
provided, for which room was found in the lunch-basket, and said she
"'lowed dem ar chillun's gwine hungry heap o' times befo' dey sets eyes
on ole Clo agin."

It had been arranged that Mr. and Mrs. Elmer and Frank March should go
with the travellers as far as Tallahassee, and see them fairly off from
there. Bright and early on the morning of the 13th the mule wagon, in
which comfortable seats were fixed, was driven up to the front door,
the trunks, bags, and lunch-basket were put in, and everything was in
readiness for the start.

Mr. March, Jan, Aunt Chloe, and several of the neighbors from across
the river had assembled to see them off, and many and hearty were the
good wishes offered for a pleasant journey and a safe return in th