"Yes sir-ee," or "No sir-ee," the magistrate brought the evidence to a
conclusion. He gave him to the constable to be taken to the county
jail, where he was to be detained until the Court sat, if, in the
meantime, his relatives did not appear from Massachusetts to claim him
(for his place of residence varied--at first Baltimore, then Michigan,
it was now Massachusetts).

Hudson spent the night at the tavern, and appeared at times so
rational, that he was not strictly guarded; consequently, when the
constable looked for him after breakfast, the bird had flown. He was
instantly followed, and discovered walking on the railway track about
two miles off, swinging his little bundle quite unconcernedly. In
reply to the questions of his captors, he said that he had just
intended to make a little circuit about the country, and then return to
marry Ida. He is now, thank fortune, safely lodged _in jail_.




CHAPTER IV.

A Visit from Papa--A Musical Squirrel--Letters--Croquet--Extracts from
Letters--Visitors--The Loss of the Missouri--The True Story of Ida's
Engagement.


_June 13_.

Papa came up late last night with a supply of the latest periodicals,
weekly journals, etc., and my pet squirrels in a new and spacious cage.