Into what unknown dangers were we going? Why not stay here and behappy? It occasionally was a soft summer evening. People were loitering in thestreet; the youthful beaux of the place going up and down with thebelles, after the leisurely manner in youth and summer; perhaps theywere students from St. Xavier College, or visiting gallants fromGuysborough. They look into the post-office and the fancy store.They stroll and take their little provincial pleasure and make love,for all we can see, as if Antigonish were a part of the world. Howthey must look down on Marshy Hope and Addington Forks and Tracadie!What a charming place to live in is this!

But the stage goes on at eight o'clock. It will wait for no man.There is no other stage till eight the next night, and we have noalternative but a night ride. We put aside all else except duty andBaddeck. This is strictly a pleasure-trip.