ce that fellow
with a long neck? They've fixed him all right and I knew it. I am not
altogether easy about that short fellow we've got, but I hope he is man
enough to be honest. There is no more trickery anywhere than there is in
a murder trial in this country. Well, they've put their worst men
forward, and I think we shall have better material to-morrow."

And it appeared that we had, for the jury was sworn in the next
afternoon. The testimony was so short and so direct, the witnesses were
so few that the trial could not last long; and when at home I gave this
as an opinion, the old people were glad, for they declared that it
shortened the time of their son's absence. On the day set for the
opening of the argument hundreds of the farmers gave over their work and
rode to town, for the Southerner loves a passionate speech, and the
court-house is still his theater.

The old man walked down the road with me, but he stopped before we
reached the place where Stuart had been stretched upon the ground.

"Well," he said, turning back, "I reckon to-day'll finish it. At least
they'll give it to the jury and it oughten't to take 'em long after what
the judge says in his charge to 'em. I feel that it's goin' to be all
right. Don't you?"

The truth was that I did not, but kindness is not always the truth; so I
said: "Everything looks that way. Conkwright is as sharp as a thorn and
he'll be in their flesh from the beginning to the end."

"By jings, jest say that again. That ought to settle it right now, hah?
Stay with 'em till they git through, and you'll find us waitin' for you
when you git back."

I nodded, waved my hand at him and galloped away, and from a hill-top I
looked back and saw him still standing there in the road. Parker caught
up with me and we in turn overtook a man whom I did not care to
encounter--Etheredge. I had seen him every day during the trial, had
caught his blurred eye as I was giving my testimony on the stand, had
heard him tell his damaging story.

"Ho, there," he said, as I was about to pass him. "Haven't forgotten me,
have you?"

"My memory is unfortunately so good that it retains many objectionable
things," I answered.

"Glad to hear it; pleased to know that you haven't forgotten our little
engagement."

He rode along with me. The way was just broad enough for two horses
abreast, and the deputy dropped back. "We need not wait for the
termination of the trial," I replied.

"That so? Strikes