"It is no wonder you were frightened, I am sure," the Doctor rejoined. "I never fail to be startled at every form of serpent, whether fanged or not. Pray, let me carry your basket, for I perceive you are still trembling."
"Oh, no, sir, I thank you. It is not large enough to be heavy; and not half full either," she added, smiling. "I don't think I shall fill it to-day."
"For fear of more frights? Let us see if you have enough for dinner," said Allen, smilingly taking the basket from her hands. "Why, no; here is not half a basketful, sure enough. There are plenty of them over on my claim, close by. The Doctor, here, and myself could soon fill it for you, if you will allow us."
A look of frightened perplexity came over Alicia's before untroubled face, and pausing instantly, she extended her hand for the basket.
"No, no; you are very kind, but I cannot trouble you so much." Then seeing that the young men were surprised at the sudden change in her manner, she seemed to take a rapid mental survey of her situation, and eagerly continued, in tones of childlike earnestness: "For you are the gentlemen, are you not, whom my father is disputing boundaries with? I don't know who is right. I think it very likely my father may be wrong—he is hasty—but—oh, sirs, I fear something sad will happen if the dispute goes any further."
Her evident apprehension, and the tearful pathos of her glance, as she concluded the last sentence, affected the young men visibly, though it was only through sympathy.
"Do not be alarmed on your father's account, Miss Newcome," Allen sald, gently. "I give you my word that I shall not use violence in this quarrel."
"It is not my intention, either, to do so," added the Doctor.
"I am very much afraid," murmured the young girl, sadly. "I ought not to conceal from you that my father is in a terrible passion, and that he took his gun with him this morning."
"Then," said Allen, affecting an indifference he did not feel, "your father is safe, and it is only we who are in danger; for we, you perceive, are not armed."
The child was not used to argument, nor to express her own convictions very often; therefore she gave for answer not words indeed, but such a look of touching appeal as was better than a whole chapter of logic. Allen felt his heart give a great bound in answer to it.
"If you will let us fill your basket with berries, and go home contented with our peaceable intentions, I think I may promise you a happy settlement of the present difficulties. What do you say, Doctor?"
"That I shall be very happy to help bring about the promised settlement."
Thus urged, the young girl complied pleasantly. She secretly thought, besides, that delay was in this case not "dangerous," but,
