he great
cumbersome craft were snorting with terror.

Crack! pish! One of the men on the shore used his revolver.

"An illogical and foolish way to collect debts, that!" grumbled the
manager, tugging at the rope. "If they kill us, how can we requite
them for our obligations?"

The river was unusually high and the current set the boat, heavily
loaded, tugging at the rope. However, it resisted the strain and soon
the craft grated on the sand and the party disembarked, safe from
constable and bailiff in the brave, blue grass country. Only one
mishap occurred, and that to Adonis, who, in his haste, fell into the
shallow water. He was as disconsolate as the young hero Minerva threw
into the sea to wrest him from the love of Eucharis. But in this
case, Eucharis (Kate) laughed immoderately at his discomfiture.

As Barnes was not sure of the road, the strollers camped upon the
bank. The river murmured a seductive cradle-song to the rushes, and,
on the shore, from the dark and ominous background, came the deeper
voice of the pines.

Constance, who had been unusually quiet and thoughtful, gradually
recovered her spirits.

"Here, Mrs. Adams, is your tippet," she said with a merry smile,
taking a bit of lace from her dress.

"Thank you, my dear; I wouldn't have lost it for anything!" said the
old lady, effusively, while Barnes muttered something beneath his
breath.

The soldier, who had dismissed the manager's thanks somewhat abruptly,
occupied himself arranging the cushions from the chariot on the grass.
Suddenly Mrs. Adams noticed a crimson stain on his shoulder.

"Sir!" she exclaimed, in the voice of the heroine of "Oriana," "you
are wounded!"

"It is nothing, Madam!" he replied.

Stripping off his coat, Barnes found the wound was, indeed, but
slight, the flesh having just been pierced.

"How romantic!" gushed Susan. "He stood in front of Constance when the
firing began. Now, no one thought of poor me. On the contrary, if I am
not mistaken, Mr. Hawkes discreetly stood behind me."

"Jokes reflecting upon one's honor are in bad taste," gravely retorted
the melancholy actor.

"Indeed, I thought it no jest at the time!" replied the other.

"Mistress Susan, your tongue is dangerous!"

"Mr. Hawkes, your courage will never lead you into danger!"

"Nay," he began, angrily, "this is a serious offense--"

"On the contrary," she said, laughing, "it is a question of defense."

"There is no arguing with a woman," he