foresee what has come to pass. She is our only child and you can
scarcely blame me if I balk at a marriage which promises to turn her
away from us and fill our family with dissension.'

"'May we not respect each other and disagree in politics?' I asked.

"'In politics, yes, but not in war. I begin to see danger of war and
that is full of the bitterness of death. If Doctor Franklin will do
what he can to reestablish loyalty and order in the colonies my fear
will he removed and I shall welcome you to my family.'

"I began to show a glint of intelligence and said: 'If the ministers
will cooperate it will not be difficult.'

"'The ministers will do anything it is in their power to do.'

"Then the timely entrance of Margaret and her mother.

"'I suppose that I shall shock my father but I can not help it,' said
the girl as she kissed me.

"You may be sure that I had my part in that game. She stood beside me,
her arm around my waist and mine around her shoulders.

"'Father, can you blame me for loving this big, splendid hero who saved
us from the Indians and the bandits? It is unlike you to be such a
hardened wretch. But for him you would have neither wife nor daughter.'

"She put it on thick but I held my peace as I have done many a time in
the presence of a woman's cunning. Anyhow she is apt to believe
herself and in a matter of the heart can find her way through
difficulties which would appal a man.

"'Keep yourself in bounds, my daughter,' her father answered. 'I know
his merits and should like to see you married and hope to, but I must
ask you to be patient until you can go to a loyal colony with your
husband.'

"It was a pleasant dinner through which they kept me telling of my
adventures in the bush. Save the immediate family only Mrs. Biggars, a
sister of Lady Hare, and a young nephew of Sir Benjamin were at the
table."

Jack has said in another of His letters that Mrs. Biggars was a sweet,
stout lady whose manner of address reminded him of an affectionate
house cat. "That means, as you will know, that I liked her," he added.

"The ladies sat together at one end of the table. The baronet pumped
me for knowledge of the hunting and fishing in the northern part of
Tryon County where Solomon and I had spent a week, having left our boat
in Lake Champlain and journeyed off in the mountains.

"'Champlain was a man of imagination,' said my host. 'He tells of
trying to land on a log lying against th