THE SUPPER. 
.165 
“ I have not known of a panther in this 
neighbourhood in ten years,” said Mr. Credi- 
ton. “ Still, the thing is possible. The 
swamps which commence a few miles above 
here extend many miles in an almost un¬ 
broken wilderness; and the creature may 
have travelled down. We will have supper, 
—to which the girls are calling us,—and 
then go directly home. There is no danger 
for so large a party, even supposing it was a 
panther which you heard.” 
The table was now temptingly set out 
on a mossy rock, with bread and butter, 
cakes, dried beef and cold fowl, which the 
children had brought in their baskets. The 
boys took off their hats, the girls folded 
their hands, Mr. Crediton said grace, and 
they all sat down as best they might. The 
supper was discussed with excellent appe¬ 
tites, amid much laughter and merriment: 
only Sidney and David did not seem exactly 
in their usual spirits, and as they watched 
Mr. Crediton they perceived that he looked 
somewhat anxious in the midst of his jokes, 
that he seemed as if he were listening, and 
that he rather hurried the children, saying 
that it was late and they must be at 
