trinkets in good order not far away. But meantime, before you
turn my hospitality into shame, bring on your men and follow me."

His face working with emotion, Law turned away. He caught up the body of
the dead buck, and tossing it across his shoulders, strode up the
winding pathway.

"Come, Gray, and Ellsworth," said Pembroke. "Get your men together. We
shall see what there is to this."

At the summit of the river-bluff Law awaited their arrival. He noted in
silence the look of surprise which crossed Pembroke's face as at length
they came into view of the little panorama of the stockade and its
surroundings.

"This is my home, Sir Arthur," said he simply. "These are my fields. And
see, if I mistake not, yonder is some proof of the ability of my people
to care for themselves."

He pointed to the gateway, from the loop-holes guarding which there
might now be seen protruding two long dark barrels, leveled in the
direction of the approaching party. There came a call from within the
palisade, and the sound of men running to take their places along the
wall. Law raised his hand, and the barrels of the guns were lowered.

"This, then, is your hiding-place!" said Pembroke.

"I call it not such. 'Tis public to the world."

"Tush! You lack not in the least of your old conceit and assurance, Mr.
Law!" said Pembroke.

"Nay, I lack not so much in assurance of myself," said Law, "as in my
patience, which I find, Sir Arthur, now begins to grow a bit short about
its breath. But since the courtesy of the trail demands somewhat, I say
to you, there is my home. Enter it as friend if you like, but if not,
come as you please. Did you indeed come bearing war, I should be obliged
to signify to you, Sir Arthur, that you are my prisoner. You see my
people."

"Sir," replied Sir Arthur, blindly, "I have vowed to find you no matter
where you should go."

"It would seem that your vow is well fulfilled. But now, since you deal
in mysteries, I shall even ask you definitely, Sir Arthur, who and what
are you? Why do you come hither, and how shall we regard you?"

"I am, in the first place," said Sir Arthur, "messenger of my Lord
Bellomont, governor at Albany of our English colonies. I add my chief
errand, which has been to find Mr. Law, whom I would hold to an
accounting."

"Oh, granted," replied Law, flicking lightly at the cuff of his tunic,
"yet your errand still carries mystery."

"You have at least heard of the Peace of Ryswick