Losing no further time in talk, the postboy threw the saddle on Fairy's back, and when she was in readiness for a start, he led Jack out of his stall, and slipped the bridle on his head.
"I wouldn't do it, Jack, old fellow, only I must. We have a long ride before us, and a strange one."
The next moment he was in the saddle and ready for a start.
"Don't get worried, mother, whatever happens. I can look out for myself. I count on getting to Volney about one o'clock; then I shall rest an hour and a half before starting back. I will get home, if nothing happens, at half-past five."
"I wish you weren't going. But you must speak to Mr. Rimmon as you go past his house. You will, won't you?"
Promising that, Little Snap bent over to give his good-by kiss, and the following moment he was speeding swiftly away on his long journey.
"I have done wrong, I know I have, in letting him go," she said, to herself, as she watched him out of sight.
With no thought of sleep, she returned to the house to begin her lonely vigil.
Dix had not been gone more than fifteen minutes before a loud thumping upon the door startled her from her unhappy reverie.
Looking out of the window, she was still further terrified by the appearance of half a dozen men in front of the house.