ed to hear no more, but, keeping in the shadow of the boughs and
riding at first in a walk, he went on toward Pendleton. He was sure
that Skelly's men had not heard his hoofbeats, as there was no sound of
pursuit, and, three or four hundred yards further, he changed from a
walk to a gallop. Careless of the dark and of all risks of the road,
he drove the horse faster and faster. He was on familiar ground.
He knew every hill and dip, almost every tree, but he did not pause to
notice anything.

Soon he saw a light, then a dark outline, and his heart throbbed
greatly. It was his father's house, standing among the clipped pines,
and he was in time! Now his horse's feet thundered on the brief stretch
of road that was left, and in another minute he was at the gate opening
on the lawn. A man, rifle in hand, stood on the front steps, and
demanded to know who had come.

"It is I, Harry, father!" cried Harry. "Skelly and his crowd are only a
mile behind me, coming to destroy the place!"

Harry heard his father mutter, "Thank God!" which he knew was for his
coming. Then he quickly led the horse inside the gate, turned him loose
and ran forward. Colonel Kenton was already coming to meet him and the
hands of father and son met in a strong and affectionate clasp.

"We will have to get out and go into the town," said Harry. "You and I
alone can't hold them off. Skelly has at least fifty men. I saw them
in the road."

"I'm not afraid since you've got safely through," replied Colonel
Kenton. "We had a hint that Skelly was coming. That's why you see
me with this rifle. I'd have sent you a telegram to stop at Winton,
but couldn't reach you in time. Come into the house. Some friends of
ours are here, ready to help us hold it against anybody and everybody
that Skelly may bring."

Harry, with his saddle bags and holsters over his arm, entered the front
hall with his father, who closed the door behind him. A single lamp
burned in the hall, but fifteen men, all armed with rifles, stood there.
He saw among them Steve Allison, the constable, Bracken the farmer,
Senator Culver, and even old Judge Kendrick. Most of them, besides the
rifles, carried pistols, and the party, though small, was resolute and
grim. They greeted Harry with warmth, but said few words.

"We've food and hot coffee here," said Colonel Kenton. "After your long
ride, Harry, you'd better eat."

"A cup of coffee will do," replied the boy. "But let me