“Oh, Mary, should I have been so happy, if it had not been for you? How glad I am that you persuaded me to tell Edward about that bad man!”
Mary did not answer in words, but her eyes filled with pleasant tears, she bent down and laid her cheek against that of the bride, and they clung together in an embrace full of love and sisterly affection.
While they were talking, a boat put off from the opposite shore, and, as Jane looked out, she saw Edward Clark and the missionary land on the island. Edward ran towards the house in breathless haste.
“Oh, Mary, that’s him and the minister. Please go out first, sister, while I get my breath.”
But while she was speaking, Edward Clark ran through the kitchen, and dashing into the bedroom flung his arms around Jane, who stood with her lips apart, lost in astonishment.
“Jane, dear Jane, forgive me! Oh, how beautiful you look! But it cannot be. Mary, Mary, the wedding is all broken up. Wintermoot’s Fort is swarming with Tory troops. The woods are full of Indians! Get ready, I beg of you—get into my boat, and make the best of your way to Forty Fort. The Tories have already taken Fort Jenkins; but we shall give them hot work before they get hold of another block-house. Jane, dear Jane, look up—don’t tremble so! come, be a brave girl, like Mary. Grandmother—Grandmother Derwent, do you know what I am saying? Aunt Polly Carter, you ought to have some courage; do come and help them off! Keep close to the east bank of the river till you get opposite the Fort, then land, and run for your lives. Jane, Jane, in the name of Heaven, do not faint!”
“Edward, Edward, what is it—how can we go—what must we do?” exclaimed Jane, throwing her arms around his neck, wild with terror.
“Our marriage, it cannot take place to-day. The valley is full of enemies. Our people are half-way to Wintermoot’s; I must go back at once—every man is needed,” he repeated, breathlessly.
“They will kill you—they will kill you, and us!” shrieked the bride.
“Hush, Jane!” and Mary drew her sister away; “this is no time for tears; Edward has need of all his strength.”