"On the fourth day I came to a wild locality among the Ragged Mountains,
where there was not a human being nor a house to be seen. I had got up
before breakfast was ready that morning, and I was quite anxious to see
the smoke curling up from some kitchen chimney. Here, as I mounted a
hill-side, the saddle-girth broke, and I jumped off to fix it. Somehow,
I don't know precisely how, the horse gave a plunge, jerked the reins
out of my hands, and started on a dead run for Rivermouth."

"That wasn't very pleasant," suggested Ruth.

"Not a bit. I couldn't catch the animal, and I had the sense not to try.
I climbed to the brow of the hill and was not sorry to see a snug
village lying in the valley."

"What village was that?"

"I don't know to this day--with any certainty. I didn't find out then,
and afterwards I didn't care to learn. Well, I shouldered my traps and
started for the place to procure another horse, not being used to going
under the saddle myself. I had a hard time before I got through; but
that I shall not tell you about. On my way to the village I met a young
girl. This young girl is the interesting part of the business."

"She always is, you know."

"She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen--up to that time.
She was dressed all in white, and looked like an angel. I expected she
would spread wing and vanish before I could admire her half enough; but
she did not. The moment she saw me she walked straight to the spot where