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They left the forest behind, and came to open fields where the tobacco had

been beaten to earth The trees now stood singly or in shivering copses

Above, the heavens were bare to their gaze, and the lightning gave

gliray, fathomless abysses The

road widened, and the bay was pushed by its rider to Mirza's side Fields

of corn where the long blades wildly clashed, a wood of dripping cedars, a

patch of Oronoko, tobacco house in round and a vision of

the river, then a swift descent to the lower creek, and the bridge across

which lay the road that ran to the minister's house Audrey spoke

earnestly to the master of Fair View, and after a moment's hesitation he

drew rein "We will not cross, Colonel," he declared "My preserver will

have it that she has troubled us long enough; and indeed it is no great

distance to the glebe house, and the rain has stopped Have doith

thee, then, obstinate one!"

Audrey slipped to the earth, and pushed back her hair from her eyes

Colonel Byrd observed her curiously "Faith," he exclaimed, "'tis the

Atalanta of last May Day! Well, child, I believe thou hast saved our

lives Coold baubles that may pass for Hippomenes'