saw that her bed was undisturbed, as if it had not been occupied,
and was the more bewildered to see a note ostentatiously pinned
upon the pillow, addressed in pencil, in a large school-hand, "To
Jim."

Opening it impatiently, he was startled to read as follows:--


"Don't be angry, Jim dear--but it was all my fault--and I didn't
tell you. I knew all about the deserter, and I gave him the
clothes and things that they say he stole. It was while you was
out that night, and he came and begged of me, and was mournful and
hidjus to behold. I thought I was helping him, and getting our
revenge on the Fort, all at the same time. Don't be mad, Jim dear,
and do not be frighted fer me. I'm going over thar to make it all
right--to free HIM of stealing--to have YOU left out of it all--and
take it all on myself. Don't you be a bit feared for me. I ain't
skeert of the wind or of going. I'll close reef everything, clear
the creek, stretch across to Injen Island, hugg the Point, and bear
up fer Logport. Dear Jim--don't get mad--but I couldn't bear this
fooling of you nor HIM--and that man being took for stealing any
longer!--Your loving sister,

MAGGIE."


With a confused mingling of shame, anger, and sudden fear he ran
out on the gallery. The tide was well up, half the Marsh had
already vanished, and the little creek where he had moored his
skiff was now an empty shining river. The water was everywhere--