ted.

When the meeting broke up a half hour later, it was found that the
girths on the horses belonging to the preachers, the Costello family
and others had been cut and destroyed. Also the traces of Judge
LeMonde's harness.

CHAPTER XII.

The Shameful Plot.

The moonlight showed a look of blank amazement and concern upon the
faces of the victims of this dastardly trick, especially the women; but
John Larkin's unfailing good temper and witty sayings relieved the
situation. "There is no use crying over spilled milk," said he, "and I
am sure, as Poor Richard remarks, 'God helps them that help
themselves.' So we must find some way to remedy this trouble, for we
cannot stand here gazing into the moon's face all night, and the
distance to our homes is too great to walk. Let us look about among the
trees, and perhaps we can find pieces of the girths and harness."

This was done, and presently several pieces were found. With these the
traces of the carriage were repaired and a number of the saddles made
fit for service. By some of the men riding double on horseback the
mischief was tolerably mended and all returned to their lodgings in
safety.

While one injury was being remedied another more serious was being
planned. When Sam Wiles and Zibe Turner had cut the saddle girths and
traces, they and three of their pals quickly mounted their horses and
rode rapidly to Wiles' house. Arriving there they found the old folks
and children in bed. Being afraid to talk over their infamous scheme in
the cabin, they betook themselves to the barn some distance away. In
this building they lighted a tallow dip and, throwing themselves down
on some hay to rest and warm their bodies, they at once began talking
of what was uppermost in their minds.

"Now fellers," said Wiles, "let us go over keerfully what we uns war
sayin' as we rode along. That cursed preacher made a last break with me
when he fit our bizness in such an all-fired strong way and throwed
insults on my family. I say he oughter be punished for his sass in the
way we spoke of."

"Sure nuff," broke in Turner, the monster dwarf, "tar and feathers and
ridin' in a rail is too good fer de likes of him. If he got his just
dues, we oughter lay for him some night and pick him off as he is
ridin' hossback."

"We must not kill him," said the more cautious leader, "for they would
'spect us at once, and we would soon be put in de jug (jail), if they
didn't make us stretch h