Ever and anon he glanced uneasily back, as if expecting that he was to be followed by some mysterious foe.
“Makes a feller feel queer. Hello! the boys are looking for me, I bet. I’m glad to see that light ennyway.”
A light was indeed visible in one of the valleys, and after ten minutes’ walk he came to a rude house, or cabin, around which could be seen a few acres of cultivated ground.
It was the house of one of the few settlers who had located in that wild, out-of-the-way region.
Entering without knocking, half a dozen persons sprang to their feet to greet him.
This family consisted of Jabez Bede, brother to Jarius, his wife, three strapping sons, and a buxom daughter of eighteen.
“Why, it’s only ’Rius!” exclaimed Dame Bede, with a look of relief, as if she had feared some danger.
“But where have you been all night, Jarius?” cried Jabez. “We were gettin’ a-worrited ’bout yer.”
“Jabez, I hev made a diskivery!”