"This is getting to be almost uncanny," the Colonel remarked as he
examined the birds. "Whoever is responsible for these presents is a
strange friend. I wish he would make himself known that we might thank
him."

Jean was of the same opinion, although she did not say so. She had
often wondered why Dane Norwood had remained hidden. That it was the
courier she had not the slightest doubt. But why did he not come by
day that she might see him?

Two weeks passed and nothing more happened. Most of the houses were
almost completed. The Colonel had his finished first, and it was a
proud day when he gave the order to move their few belongings from the
tent. This was soon done, and Jean and Mammy spent the whole of the
afternoon fitting up their new abode. The day was unusually hot, and
at times they were forced to seek shelter beneath the shade of some
friendly trees. Night brought but little respite, and even Old Mammy
complained of the heat.

"Dis is de first time I'se been wa'm since comin' to dis place," she
announced. "It reminds me of my ol' home in de Souf, it sa'tinly does."

At length a vivid flash of lightning streaked the air, followed
immediately by a roll of thunder off to the west.

"It's just what I've been expecting" the Colonel remarked, as he walked
over to the door and looked out. "Such heat as we've had to-day is
generally followed by a thunder storm. It is coming this way fast.
Listen to that."