I can be home before noon, and my man will do the next stage in a little over four hours.

If he finds Ruskin in, he can get to my place by ten o'clock at night, and can start again at daybreak; so by eleven o'clock tomorrow he can be here.

If he isn't here by that time, it will be because he was out when my man got there.

At any rate, he is sure to start directly he gets the message." "That will be the best plan," Reuben agreed; "and I am sure the ladies will be greatly obliged to you, when I tell them what you have undertaken." "Oh, that's nothing," the settler said.

"We don't think much of a seventy miles' ride, here." Without any further delay, the settler saddled his horse and went off at a gallop towards Mr.Barker's, where he was to get a fresh mount.
"And now, how are the ladies, Wilkins ?" "They are keeping up bravely, sir.