asion were Bill and Dick, as the reader is aware,
and this was the termination of their attempt to save the 'Squire's
pasture, as Duffel suggested, or to get his horses as they themselves
desired.

So soon as the thieves were gone, the neighbor remarked to the 'Squire:

"This reminds me of what I was going to say in the early part of the
evening, but was led from the subject by the turn our conversation took."

"I remember, now, you mentioned having seen something, which excited your
suspicions that all was not right, in some quarter."

"Well, it was two men, very dare-devil looking fellows, whom I have seen
prowling about on several occasions, looking out, as I thought, for
chances to steal; and if I am not greatly mistaken, these are the same
men."

"No doubt of it at all.--This night's operations have convinced me more
than ever of the necessity of strong measures; and the next time I see
thieves at their work, I will not stop to scare them, but the first fire
will be to wound or kill!"

"I think I shall act on the same principle."

"I advise you to, and all other honest men. I am satisfied nothing else
will do."

With this they parted, each going to his own home.

It may be well enough to explain more fully than has yet been done, that
Bill and Dick acted in two capacities, one of ruffians, the other as
gentlemen. Bill was equally at home in either character, and could act the
latter quite _a la mode_. Dick was rather out of his element when it came
to the gentleman: he was a little awkward, and by no means at his ease; but
give him a daring or desperate act to perform, and he was entirely at home.
Yet for all this there was a streak of the man about him, and at heart he
was better than either Bill or Duffel.

It was at Dick that the 'Squire aimed the last shot, and the bullet grazed
his cheek, doing him no serious injury, however, though it drew the blood
and left a scar.

The two villains notwithstanding that they were foiled in their attempt
upon the horses, prepared for the prosecution of the rest of their schemes
on the morrow with great energy. But leaving them for the present, we will
turn to other scenes and characters.

CHAPTER XVI.

EVELINE--THE ANTI-LEAGUE.

Eveline did not sit down in supine idleness, and mourn over her sad fate.
True, at times she gave way to her feelings, when the hopelessness of her
situation came upon her, as she strove to penetrate the future, in all its
cr