THE wind, which had heretofore come in fierce blasts, was now steadying to a gale.

What with the flying of the heaped clouds, the slanting, groaning pines, and the rushing of the river, the whole earth seemed a fugitive, fleeing breathless to the sea.

From across the neck of land came the long-drawn howl of wolves, and in the wood beyond the church a catamount screamed and screamed.

The town before us lay as dark and as still as the grave; from the garden where we were we could not see the Governor's house.
"I will carry madam's bundle," said a voice behind us.
It was the minister who had spoken, and he now stood beside us.

There was a moment's silence, then I said, with a laugh: "We are not going upon a summer jaunt, friend Sparrow.