"Ah, me," answered the lady, "it is not of them I am afraid: my best friends are in the forest."
"But how will you ride, lady?" asked the young carpenter, looking at her with growing distrust.
"I have a swift and sure horse, and know how to ride even in the night. Beside I came with an escort."
"Of white men or devils?" questioned the hired man, nursing his thumb, and eying the lady with sinister glances.
"Nay, it is wrong to speak of these unhappy children of the woods in this fashion. They have been a grand people, and possess power even yet. I marvel that they are pursued with such hatred."
The benevolent smile that broke over her noble face as she spoke charmed half the superstition out of that rough heart. As for the others, they forgot all distrust, and oppressed her with offers of hospitality.
"Not to-night. I will come and sleep in your pretty room again," she said, laying her small hand on Goody Brown's shoulder. "But now I must be in haste. Tell me, Brown, for it is urgent that I should know, when the ship will be ready to sail."
"It is hard to tell," answered Brown, "but here is the master workman: he knows best."
Barbara turned a questioning look on the young man, who answered it as if she had spoken.
"Some time this fall the craft will be ready."