nigger;
me with as white a skin as any o' them."

Onward, still onward sweeps the goblin train, and again and again the
same scene is enacted, the victim now a poor white, and now a freedman.

At length they have reached Fairview; they pause before the gate, two
dismount, make off into the woods, and presently reappear bearing on
their shoulders a long dark object; a little square of white visible on
the top.

They pass through the gate, up the avenue, and silently deposit their
burden at the door, return to their companions, and with them repair to
the negro quarter.

Dismounting, they tie their horses to the fence, and leaving them in
charge of one of their number, betake themselves to the nearest cabin,
surround it, break open the door, drag out the man, carry him to a
little distance, and with clubs and leathern straps, give him a terrible
beating.

Leaving him half dead with pain and fright, they return to his cabin,
threaten his wife and children, rob him of his gun, and pass on to
repeat their lawless deeds; menacing some, beating and shooting others;
not always sparing women or children; the latter perhaps, being hurt
accidentally in the melee.

From the quarter at Fairview, they passed on to that of Ion, continuing
there the same threats and acts of violence; winding up by setting fire
to the school-house, and burning it to the ground.

The bright light shining in at the open windows of her room, awoke the
little Elsie. She sprang from her bed, and ran to the window. She could
see the flames bursting from every aperture in the walls of the small
building, and here and there through the roof, curling about the
rafters, sending up volumes of smoke, and showers of sparks; and in
their light the demon-like forms of the mischief-doers, some seated upon
their horses and looking quietly on, others flitting to and fro in the
lurid glare; while the roar and crackling of the flames, and the sound
of falling timbers came distinctly to her ear.

At the sight a panic terror seized the child. She flew into the room
where her parents lay sleeping, but with habitual thoughtfulness for
others, refrained from screaming out in her fright, lest she should
rouse the little ones.

She went to her father's side, put her lips to his ear, and said in low
tremulous tones, "Papa, papa, please wake up, I'm so frightened; there's
a fire and the Ku Klux are there. O papa, I'm afraid they'll come here
and kill you!" and she ende