e then immature and
unsettled, now they are arranged even to the details. I tell you I have
been thinking for the last twenty-four hours; and it has been to some
purpose, as you and the rest of these fellows, and Duffel in particular,
will find out."

"Very well; if the order is to be destroyed, then there is no need of
fearing to let the girl go home, as she could do us no harm if she _did_
reveal our secrets."

"I tell you I have taken a fancy to the girl myself and have set my heart
on possessing her, _and I will do it_. It's true I don't care for the order
now. I defy all its members; but that makes no difference about the girl.
She goes with us."

"I don't believe any good will come of takin' her, but there is a plaguy
good chance for evil to come of it."

"Let it come, then, and we'll face it like men! I tell you I am desperate;
I have fixed my stakes and I don't intend to be driven from them. The more
I think, the more determined I become."

"But it looks so mean and cowardly to abuse a woman."

"Who said I was going to abuse her?"

"I say so."

"You'd better be a little careful of your speech, my good fellow!"

"I'll say what I please; and you know what I have said is the truth. Haint
you goin' to deceive the gal? Didn't you jist tell her that you was her
friend? and that we'd liberate her? And don't she expect us to take her
home, instead of away off to that cave in Virginny, where she'll be no
better off than she is here? And haint it cowardly to lie and deceive them
as trust in your word and honor?"

"Honor! a pretty word that for such a fellow as you to use! How long have
you entertained such high notions, pray?"

"Allers, sir, allers! Did you ever hear me tell a lie? Did you ever see me
betray any one that put themselves under my care? Say, sir, have you?"

"Well, no, I don't know as I have; but what of that?"

"A great deal, sir; a great deal! It means that I'm not a mean, cowardly
dog; that I don't go to a woman with a lie in my mouth, and sneakingly
deceive her! No, sir, I am above such work."

"That will do, I can't bear everything, even from you, and I warn you not
to go too far!"

"Warn away, then; I'm not the man to be skeered by any woman-stealer that
ever walked the earth. No, sir, I'm not! And I say ag'in, the man that'll
impose on a woman is a coward, and a mean one at that."

"Come, come, Dick, it's no use to be talking in that manner. You know I am
no more of a coward than y