Daddy sprang forward, with dilated eyes and open mouth, and fastened his grip upon Edward, who comprehended in an instant why the old man had not been apprized of the nature of his errand, and he resolved on returning him to his former state of blissful ignorance.
"Let me see; have I made a mistake?" said he, again looking over the letter, "Bloody Jim is not at Chimney-Rock, after all."
"'Tween you and me, what made you think he was?" said daddy, whose panic began to subside.
"O, I saw his name, and took it for granted he was there. I did not quite make out what was said."
"The billet was writ in a hurry, Mr. Sherman; you must excuse it. The honey is the most distinctest writer I knows on. She got a wonderful edication down thar, in New York; 'tween—
"Miss DeWolf wants me to go to Chimney Rock immediately," said Edward, arresting the words on the lips of his garrulous visitor.
"Sartain, I know'd it."
"The Doctor will go with us, and I want you to go to Frink's stable and order the horses; we will be ready by the time you come round."
"I'll dew it."
"Now in the name of wonder, what does all this mean?" exclaimed the Doctor, as daddy slammed the door behind him.