whitened by anxiety, her eyes peering anxiously through the opening of the door. Imminent danger may startle even a trained s

, Captain Wayne!" she exclaimed. "

where she might be seen in their approach. "We must find hiding

n such emergency. With a single stride she crossed the narrow room, caught the white-faced hero by the collar of his shirt, dragged him ignominiously forth from beneath the table where he had s

nted furiously. "An' you uns foller him. I reckon I 'm able ter han

ng open there was revealed behind it a fair-sized opening extending into the face of the hill. It was a most ingenious arrangement, doubtless finding frequent use in those troublesome times. Its presence partially explained how Jed had thus far escaped the conscription officer. Into this hole we ent

cheek. "Our visitors are not likely to remain longer than will be necessary to get something to eat. They need never suspect our presen

I have heard of this man Lowrie in the Federal cam

reatment of women. The memory caused me to clasp

hese gentry are pretty much alike, I fear. However, I promise that

n' comes out in a sort o' gully 'bout a hundred feet back. Thar's light 'nough ter see ter walk by a'ter ye turn ther corner 'bout twenty feet er so.

ere was Rod

upon his

h a thous

ht maybe ye better stay tew-ther ol' woman

be justified. Before any of us, however, had time to change our positions we heard the fellows come

nding to be alone, are you, with all those dishes sitting out on the table; just bee

knew from her voice she was stan

u Mrs.

if it's any o'

in politeness before we leave." The leader dropped the butt of his

you wan

parties, and need a guide. They tol' us up the road

ide as to the honesty of the speaker. Her final answe

"as you uns 'll be more likely ter

se yere dirty dishes

e; they just rode on down th

're too old birds to be caught with any such chaff. We'll take a look around the old sheba

creeping into the man's speech bespeaking education. More, in spite of an

d wall just in front of me, and bending silently forward could dimly distinguish the elliptical head of Bungay as he applied one eye to a small opening he had industriou

citement, as he realized my presence, "it's a goin' ter be

to bring my eye upon a level with his, I managed to g

le, his feet dangling in the air, was a sturdy-looking fellow of forty or so, with red, straggling beard covering all the lower half of his face, and a weather-worn black hat pulled so low as almost to conceal his eyes. His attire was nondescript, as though he had patronize

uckled ex

led," he whispered hoarsely, jumping up and down on one foo

llows?" I asked. "I

ok his

re, but ye bet they're no good. Re

f the party picked up the empty c

we 're hungry, so trot out some hoecake and fill up

red spot begin to glow in either cheek. If I had ever doubt

Red Lowrie,"

ow laugh

part when it comes to getting what we go after. Come, honest now

ster in the privacy of home, it evidently did not so

, her eyes fairly blazing, "I reckon you would

to. Bill, go over there and put some of that bacon on to fry. If she doesn't get out

r, and pushed its black muzzle

him a dose?" I

to the other in excitement. "Let ther ol' gal hev a show. I re

not hear, but I noted the quick responsive flash in the woman's eyes, and the next instant with a crash she brought the iron skillet down with all her strength on top of

sick and helpless. By this time the fellow with the red beard had closed upon her, and wrested the skillet from her hand. Struggling fiercely back and forth across the floor, Maria tripped over the body of the dead dog and fell, but as she did so he