a moment the two
strong men could find no words to speak. They shook hands together and
looked the sorrow they felt. Then the Judge invited Jasper into the
house, ordering a servant to take Bob to the barn. Jasper was most
anxious to know all the particulars of the case, and the Judge told him
every detail. Their tired, hungry bodies craved some refreshments which
were served to them, and soon they went to their rooms to seek that
rest which the strenuous efforts of the morrow required.

In the quiet of his room Jasper had a great fight with his own heart.
Fierce temptations assailed him. He would have vengeance. If he found
those atrocious men he would kill them, if he could. His feelings found
vent in some of the imprecatory psalms. Such cattle as Wiles and Turner
were not fit to live; they polluted the earth upon which they stood. If
arrested, they should suffer the direst penalties of the law.

But after this paroxysm had spent itself, his feeling became calmer.
Prayer, like a healing balm, came to his aid. He was able to commit
even this trial to the wisdom and help of almighty God.

Thus he found repose in sleep, and in the morning arose with a clear
mind, a refreshed body, and a preparation for the heavy duties of the
day.

That day the search was renewed with the same vigor as yesterday, but
even with the help of Very, who passed through the wilderness like a
tornado, the hiding place of the desperadoes was not discovered.

The searchers returned to their abodes well nigh exhausted and
discouraged. Judge LeMonde requested Jasper Very to pass the night at
"Mount Pisgah," and this the preacher did.

After supper they were sitting on the piazza going over the incidents
of the day, and planning what course they would best take on the
morrow, when one of them, looking in the direction of the big gate, saw
a light shining apparently on one of its posts. He called the attention
of the rest to it. They wondered what it could mean. It could not be a
firefly. It was not the light of a lantern in the hands of some one
walking; the light was too steady. The Judge said to George: "My son,
run down the lane, and see what that light means." George needed no
urging, but at once went with swift pace to the gate. There he beheld a
lighted candle stuck on the top of the right post of the gate. Below
the candle was a piece of paper tied with a string, and the string made
fast to the post.

George brought both candle and pap