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"Go and see her yourself; I cannot Whatever you decide upon I will agree to Oh! Mary, how desolate and unprotected we are"

"No, not while there is an Alhty One to watch over us But, Florry, I am much troubled about Aunt Lizzy I mentioned our wish to leave here, and she opposed it strenuously, on the grounds that the Padre had promised his protection Nohat are we to do?"

"Go to Mrs Carlton's, Mary, and I will convince aunt that it is best we should remove from here immediately You need apprehend no difficulty on her part As you return from Mrs Carlton's, o till I coo there at once"

"No, Mary, I wish to be there alone"

"But I am afraid it is not quite safe for you to venture out so far frohter beside her father's grave?"

Mary sighed heavily, but offered no further opposition Her walk to Mrs Carlton's was a sad one, for her heart clung to the scenes she had learned to love so well, and the prospect of departure, and the uncertainty of the future, weighed heavily on her heart, and made her step unwontedly slow She found her friend alone, and much depressed Mrs Carlton clasped her tenderly in her arms, while the tears rolled silently down her cheeks

"I hope nothing has happened to distress you?" said Mary, anxiously

"You are the very one I wished to see Mr Carlton said, this er, as our troops areto attack the Alaton, and I could not bear the idea of leaving you here"

"I have come to consult you on this subject; for some of my Mexican friends have advised us to leave San Antonio; and not knohere or how to go, concluded to coton is far, very far from here Hoe ever reach it in these unsettled tione to make all necessary preparation for our immediate departure We will have two tents, and carry such cooking utensils and provisions as are needful for a tedious journey: one wagon is all we hope to obtain for conveying these I suppose we shall all ride horseback; for you know there is not a carriage in the town Frank does not wish us to leave this place, for he suggested your co to remain with us till these stormy times were over But this is not a suitable home for you Surely your cousin and aunt will consent to accompany us?"