Ogden. So away they all went together, two of the Board in the wagon and
three on horseback.

Kate stood at the front gate looking after them. Do what she would, she
could not help a tear or two rising to her eyes. Mr. Loudon noticed her
standing there, and he went down to her.

"Never mind Kate," said he. "I told them not to unpack the things until
they had hauled them to the creek; and I'll take you over to Aunt Judy's
in the buggy. We'll get there by the time the boys arrive."




CHAPTER XVIII.

THE ARRIVAL.


When Kate and her father reached Aunt Judy's cabin, the boys had not yet
arrived, but they were anxiously expected by about a dozen colored
people of various ages and sizes, and by two or three white men, who
were sitting under the trees waiting to see the "telegraph come."

Telegraph apparatus and wires were not at all novel in that part of the
country, but this was to be the first time that anything of the kind had
been set up in that neighborhood, in those familiar old woods about
Crooked Creek.

And then it must be remembered, too, that most of these interested