"'More haste, worse speed,' said Mr. Jones. 'I always think it best to be on the safe side, especially when there are women folks along. I thought I would not speak before your cousin; as it might make her scary about riding at all, but if you will take my advice you will go home by the Buck.'"
"I thanked Mr. Jones for his advice, though I had very little idea of following it, and drove round by the door to take in Carry. Mrs. Jones followed us to the door with a great block of hard wood which she had heated through before the fire, to keep Carry's feet warm during the ride."
"The two roads divided about half a mile from the village; and, being very much interested in some story Carry was telling me, I turned into the swamp road without thinking what I was doing. I debated for a minute or two whether I should not turn back, but I thought if I did I should have to tell Carry the reason, and thus perhaps spoil her ride. Besides, I thought it would look as if I were afraid, and, like most other boys of my age, I would rather run any risk than let a girl think I was a coward. Then, I had very little idea that there were any number of wolves in the neighborhood, though, as I said, a few might be found in the swamps at all times of the year."
"Finally, I had at that time a very serious fault, and one of which my grandfather had not yet succeeded in breaking me, probably because I had not myself learned to look upon it as a fault. I had a great objection to being advised or directed—dictated to, as I said, and I frequently took the opposite course to that which was suggested to me, out of sheer obstinacy and determination to have my own way."
Ned glanced at Frank, and Frank on his part looked steadfastly at the fire.
"So I kept on my way," continued the squire, "and we soon entered the swamp. The road was sufficiently wide, and very smooth and even. The moon shone gloriously, making the trees and bushes appear as if covered with diamonds, and checkered the road with light and shade, as some great tree now and then threw its branches over the track."
"John's house was situated nearly in the middle of the long swamp, in a little open space, where there was a rise of ground and few acres of excellent land, which he had cleared and got under some kind of cultivation. As we drove by, we saw by the dancing, flickering light in the window that he had got a great fire. It shone through the uncurtained glass clear across the road, and as we passed, John himself came to the door. I pulled up for a moment, and asked him how his wife was."
"'She is very bad,' he answered, shaking his head. 'Nothing will persuade her that she does not hear the wolves, and I had to make up a great roaring fire to satisfy her. I just came to the door to see if there was any sound to be heard, but I can't make out anything more than common.'"
"I felt Carry give a little start at the mention of wolves. As we drove on, the dog began to bark furiously, now and thou breaking into a long, doleful howl. We heard him for a long time as we drove through the swamp."
"'The old dog means to have the last word,' said I. 'He makes more noise than a dozen wolves. I don't believe he thinks us very respectable characters, Carry.'"