The next moment he was gone.
Isabel entered the house, and at once sought her little chamber, there to be alone with her thoughts and tears. She understood now why she was about to be taken away from her present home, and it grieved her to think her parents had lost confidence in her. But, she could not undeceive them now, and, since hearing what she had heard, she was glad that she was going away, knowing it was better thus than to remain there an object of scorn. There was no help for her unhappiness at present; none knew that better than she; but she felt assured that all would be well in good time, and so tried hard to be contented with her lot.
When night came she went with her parents to the river which flowed by within three hundred yards of the settlement. On reaching the bank they found the escort waiting—stalwart, sturdy-looking rangers, all armed to the teeth. There were two large boats lying close up under the river-bank, one of them being occupied by eight of the men, and the other by the remaining four, which latter was also to carry the family.
Mr. and Mrs. Moreland at once took their places in the boat, but Isabel hesitated.
“Come, child,” said her mother; “step in, and sit down here by me. I suspect the men are impatient to be off.”
The men were taking up their oars, preparatory to starting.
“Mamma,” said Isabel, “I have forgotten something.”
“Forgotten something?”
“Yes.”