female, in this new country, especially to your father's daughter, and in my presence."

"My father's daughter fears nothing, sir," returned Elizabeth; "more especially, when escorted by the highest executive officer in the county."

She took his arm, and he led her through the mazes of the bushes, to the spot where most of the young men of the village were collected for the sports of shooting a Christmas match, and whither Natty and his companions had already preceded them.