XXV. THE ROBBERS

XXVI. THE FAIR AND THE FIERCE BANDIT

XXVII. A NIGHT PICTURE OF HOME




OLD CARAVAN DAYS.




CHAPTER I.

THE START.


In the year eighteen hundred and fifty-seven, on the fifth day of
June, the Padgett carriage-horses faced the west, and their mistress
gathered the lines into her mitted hands.

The moving-wagon was ready in front of the carriage. It was to be
driven by Zene, the lame hired man. Zene was taking a last drink from
that well at the edge of the garden, which lay so deep that your face
looked like a star in it. Robert Day Padgett, Mrs. Padgett's
grandson, who sat on the back seat of the carriage, decided that he
must have one more drink, and his aunt Corinne who sat beside him,
was made thirsty by his decision. So the two children let down the