thing which caused his heart to beat
with a stronger stroke and fired his spirit with greater courage.

Yes, there was a woman's form standing at that window. Viola was
watching for Jasper to pass along. Her white face was pressed against
the window pane, and she strained her eyes to see. Her effort was
rewarded, for she could well perceive the outline of horse and man as
they went along the road. Although Jasper had sent a reply to her note
by Moses, thanking her for her interest in his welfare and telling her
of the conference at the tavern, with a woman's supersensitiveness she
was most anxious as to the result; and as she saw him ride away into
danger, she put her hand to her heart and, raising her eyes to heaven,
prayed most fervently that he might be protected from harm.

Jasper Very proceeded on his way along the country road. Soon he passed
the little schoolhouse on his right, then Bethlehem Church on his left.
Next he crossed the rude bridge spanning the brook, and rode on a half
mile farther. Leaving the large road, he turned to the left, going
northwest through the deep woods toward the base of Bald Knob.

As he neared the spot selected for the attack he heard faint whistles
on both sides of the road which were signals before agreed upon that
his aids were present. Passing along to the place where he knew the
outlaws were concealed, he began singing a camp meeting hymn.

Suddenly the ruffians sprang from the roadside, one seizing his horse's
bridle, who proved to be Bert Danks.

"Good evenin', parson, you uns seem to be in a happy frame of mind, or
air ye singin' to keep yer courage up?" The speaker was Sam Wiles, who
was holding his right boot.

"Much courage is not needed when a man is among friends or cowards, and
you must be one or the other," replied Very.

"We'll show yer what sort of friends we air," spoke up Zibe Turner; "so
jest obleege we uns by gittin' down off'n that 'er hoss, or we'll help
yer down."

"I have an engagement up the knob tonight, and I have not time to tarry
with you now," said the preacher.

"Well, parson, we uns have fixed up a leetle meetin' on our own
account, and there ain't much singin' nor prayin' in it, nuther. I
reckon we'll pay yer back for tryin' to spile our bizness and hurt our
reputations. If you won't come down far (fair), we uns must help yer
off," growled Turner.

"Men, I seem to be in your power, and surely I would rather dismount of
my own accord than