"What do you mean, father?" asked Van in surprise.
"I mean just this: the man you struck yesterday for interfering with that girl—who, by the way, has fallen in love with you—has a vast influence among the people of this place. It was for that reason that the council did not indict him last night. I understand by good authority that he has sworn to kill you and all your friends. Now, I want to ask you what you think is the best thing to do."
"As soon as we see it is getting too hot for us we had better leave," was Van's reply.
"That's it exactly. Since you came here I have had a very strong desire to get back to our own country once more. I have long known a way to go, but could not go alone. You and your friends will just make the party large enough, and I think we had better start this very day."
"Let us wait till to-morrow, father. I have an appointment to-night, you know."
"Do you care anything for the pretty Metha Arundel, Van?"
"Why?"
"Well, if you don't I wouldn't get up any foolish flirtation with her, if I were you. Her father told me this morning that she had resolved to have no other man for a husband but you, and when a girl once says a thing like that in this country you may rest assured that she means it."
"I think I will ask her to go along with us," said Van, after a moment's thought.
Contrary to his expectations, his father seemed pleased.