would happen along to stop Firefly; but I
never imagined you in that role. I--I think you'll have to help me up,
my ankle is beginning to complain at the rough treatment."

Rodney lifted Lisbeth into her saddle just as her escort and Black Tom
rode up.

"Mr. Enderwood, this is my old playmate, Rodney Allison. He and I
always were getting into scrapes. I'm going to ask him to sell Nat to
father so my escorts can have as good a horse as Firefly. The one you
have, Mr. Enderwood, has seen his best days and was no match for mine.
But for you, Nat, I should have had a longer ride than--would have
been agreeable." There was a little catch in her voice.

"So Nat gets all the glory and Enderwood is excused for being behind,"
thought Rodney, not altogether pleased, and he scarcely heard the old
darky saying by way of apology: "I suttinly hab no 'scuse on 'count o'
hoss. Don' put no nose front o' yo', Moleskin," he said, patting the
sleek neck of the fiery hunter he rode. "I'se 'lowin' Tom's room's
better'n his comp'ny, an' was sojerin' along. But I'se boun' ter say,
Marse Rodney, I couldn' done better myse'f."

"That's Rodney's way of doing things, you know, Tom," said Lisbeth,
and the boy's feelings were somewhat soothed by the balm in her words.
"Having rescued the maid," she said, turning to him, "it's now your
duty to return with her to the castle, and explain to her papa that it
was none of her fault, and afford us all opportunity to thank you
properly, while Aunt Betty gets out her bandages."

"I thank you, but, you see, I've made arrangements to stay over the
night at Roscomes' and they are expecting me. I supped there and then
thought I wanted to see the view from the hill, once more. Now I must
return."

"So you were going through Pryndale without calling on your old
friends."

"I shall be most happy to call on the morrow if I may be permitted,"
was Rodney's response, and he was really surprised at his ready
reply.

"We ought to ride as far as Roscomes' with him," said Lisbeth, and,
because of the dusk, they could not see how pale and drawn was her
face.

"Those villains will have no stomach for further trouble, I reckon,
and I'm sure you need Aunt Betty and the bandages more than I do the
escort. I hope to see you in the morning, none the worse for
to-night's experience. Good night," saying which, he rode on to
Roscome's. His mind was in a whirl and, now the danger and excitement
were past, he felt very we