uite a
scramble for places on the jury already. There was pistols drawed up at
the tavern by some of our best people, sir, who got het up disputin' who
was eligible to serve." The judge groaned. "You should be thankful them
pistols wasn't drawed on you, sir," said the sheriff amiably. "You've
got a heap to be grateful about; for we've had one lynching, and we've
rid one or two parties on a rail after giving 'em a coat of tar and
feathers."

The judge shuddered. The sheriff continued placidly:

"I'll take it you'll get all that's coming to you, sir, say about twenty
years--that had ought to let you out easy. Sort of round out your
earthly career, and leave something due you t'other side of Jordan."

"I suppose there is no use in my pointing out to you that I did not
know the money was counterfeit, and that I was quite innocent of
any intention to defraud Mrs. Walker?" said the judge, with a weary,
exasperated air.

"It don't make no difference where you got the money; you know that, for
you set up to be some sort of a lawyer."

Presently the sheriff went his way into the dusk of the evening, and
night came swiftly to fellowship the judge's fears. A single moonbeam
found its way into the place, making a thin rift in the darkness. The
judge sat down on the three-legged stool, which, with a shake-down
bed, furnished the jail. His loneliness was a great wave of misery that
engulfed him.

"Well, just so my life ain't cut short!" he whispered.

He had known a varied career, and what he was pleased to call his
unparalleled misfortunes had reduced him to all kinds of desperate
shifts to live, but never before had the law laid its hands on him.
True, there had been times and seasons when he had been grateful for the
gloom of the dark ways he trod, for echoes had taken the place of the
living voice that had once spoken to his soul; but he could still rest
his hand upon his heart and say that the law had always nodded to him to
pass on.

Where was Solomon Mahaffy, and where Hannibal? He felt that Mahaffy
could fend for himself, but he experienced a moment of genuine concern
when he thought of the child. In spite of himself, his thoughts returned
to him again and again. But surely some one would shelter and care for
him!

"Yes--and work him like a horse, and probably abuse him into the
bargain--"

Then there was a scarcely audible rustle on the margin of the woods, a
dry branch snapped loudly. A little pause succeeded