er paid no attention to the insolent demand, and the work went
on as before.

Mr. Leland had succeeded in keeping the affair of the coffin from his
wife thus saving her much anxiety and distress.

To leave just at this time would be a great pecuniary loss, and he
had decided to remain; but had laid his plans carefully for either
resistance or escape in case of an attack.

A couple of large, powerful, and very fine watch dogs were added to his
establishment, and a brace of loaded pistols and a bowie knife were
always within reach of his hand.

One night the family were aroused by the furious barking of the dogs.
Instantly Mr. Leland was out upon the floor hastily throwing on his
clothes, while his wife, with the frightened cry. "The Ku Klux!" ran to
the window.

"Yes it is! they are surrounding the house! O Robert, fly for your
life!" she cried in the wildest terror. "O God save my poor husband from
these cruel foes!" she added, dropping upon her knees and lifting hands
and eyes to heaven.

"He will, Mary, never fear, wife," Mr. Leland said almost cheerfully,
snatching up his weapons as he spoke. "Pray on, it's the best thing you
can do to help me."

"You must fly!" she said, "you can't fight twenty men and I think there
are at least that many."

"I'll slip out at the back door then, and make for the woods," he
answered, rushing from the room.

Children and servants were screaming with affright, the ruffians
thundering at the front door, calling loudly upon Mr. Leland to come
out, and threatening to break it down if he did not immediately appear.

Summoning all her courage, the wife went again to the window and called
to them, asking what was wanted.

"Leland. Tell him to come out here at once or it will be the worse for
him," returned the leader, in a feigned, unnatural voice.

"He is not here," she said.

"He'd better show himself at once," returned the ruffian, "he'll not
escape by refusing to do so; we'll search every corner till we find
him."

"That will be as God pleases," she said in a calm, firm tone, her
courage rising with the emergency.

She was answered with a yell of rage, and a repeated order to come down
and open the door.

"I shall do no such thing," she said; "and what is more, I shall shoot
down the first man that sets foot on the stairs."

It was a sudden resolution that had come to her. Encouraged by Mrs.
Travilla's precept and example, she had been, for months past,
industriou