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Last year he had been the only man at hoe and three younger men sat at the table with Robbie and me; neither of the women joined us at supper

"You folks cannot continue into the back country with just yourselves," said the older gentle ing all over the mountains You will not escape them on the road"

"The bandits?" said Robbie "I was just through here last week, sir; has there been trouble?"

"I reckon there was soo," he said; "one of the farmers has been burned out, his servants killed, his wife and daughters violated-"

"Sir! I beg you!" said Robbie, his voice harsh "My wife is present"

"I beg your pardon, ma'a, rown to over fifteen," Mr Collins continued "You o on longer than oneyou to consider it Send your servant ahead to bring back some to travel with you, for otherwise I fear that you will not arrive unmolested"

I was terrified by this speech; after supper I followed Robbie out to the wagon

"Robbie, what does this , if the road is not safe"

"I shall send Pete ahead as soon as it is light; at the next post ill send word to the McDonalds to join us There are enough of us to take care of-" He stopped and looked at me

"Do not fret, lass," he said "I'ossip But I shall send ahead for our relatives to join us for the last days of our journey No one will molest us when the McDonalds are with us!"

I went inside and tofor e as she undressed me and helped me to bed I had no words of consolation to offer her She slept on the floor close beside me I , aited until light before departing The Collins on as Rabbit and I came out of the house, Rabbit so close behind me that she buave her a little push, but she did not move I could feel her breath on my shoulder